Humility in the Apostolate

Humility in the Apostolate   Presence of God – Impress in me such a deep sense of my poverty, O Lord, that I may look to You for everything and attribute to You, to You alone, all that is good. MEDITATION Humility is the indispensable foundation of the whole spiritual life; hence it is the basic condition of every apostolate and constitutes the principal part of the program of abnegation and... Read More

Various Forms of the Apostolate

Various Forms of the Apostolate   Presence of God – O Jesus, teach me to pray, suffer, and work with You for the salvation of souls. MEDITATION When we speak of the apostolate, we think almost exclusively of external activity; this is certainly necessary, but it is not the only kind of apostolate. We must always bear in mind that Jesus saved us not only by the activity of the last three years... Read More

Zeal for Souls

Zeal for Souls   Presence of God – O Jesus, You who gave Yourself without reserve for the salvation of the world, enkindle in my heart an ardent zeal for the salvation of souls. MEDITATION According to the measure in which the love of God takes possession of our heart, it creates and nourishes in us an ever increasing love for our neighbor; this love, being supernatural, seeks only the supernatural... Read More

Blessed are They that Mourn

Blessed are They that Mourn   Presence of God – Grant, O Lord, that I may shed only such tears as are pleasing to You and that will help me to grow in Your love. MEDITATION The Beatitude: “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:5), corresponds to the gift of knowledge. Blessed are they who, thoroughly enlightened by the Holy Spirit as to the nothingness of... Read More

Blessed are They that Hunger and Thirst after Justice

Blessed are They that Hunger and Thirst after Justice   Presence of God – O Holy Spirit, may I no longer hunger for the things of earth, but for heavenly things alone. MEDITATION When the Holy Spirit becomes master of a soul and takes entire control of it, He communicates to it an invincible strength which sweeps away and overcomes all obstacles, enabling it to bear all kinds of suffering.... Read More

Temperance

Temperance   Presence of God – Teach me, O Lord, to mortify my flesh, in order that I may live fully the life of the spirit. MEDITATION We may fail in our duty either because of the hardships and sacrifices we encounter, or because of the allurements of pleasure. Our help in the first case is the virtue of fortitude; in the second, the virtue of temperance. Temperance is the virtue which moderates... Read More

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS (Triumph of the Cross) This feast celebrates three things: the discovery of the true cross by St. Helena, the dedication of the Basilica and Shrine built on Calvary by her son Emperor Constantine, and the triumph of the cross by which Christ defeated sin and death, winning for us salvation and everlasting beatific life in heaven. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross wrote... Read More

The Practice of Patience

The Practice of Patience   Presence of God – O Lord, give me greater patience that I may be able to endure more for Your love. MEDITATION Patience is a virtue of primary importance and daily necessity. As we need bread to live, so every day, even every moment, we need patience, because every day and every moment brings with it its own trial. We become patient by making acts of patience, that... Read More

Simplicity

Simplicity   Presence of God – O Lord, give me a simple heart, free from duplicity and deceit, a heart which goes to You with childlike simplicity. MEDITATION Simplicity is a virtue very much like sincerity, its indispensable foundation, but one which surpasses it when perfect, embracing man’s whole moral life and reducing it to unity. Simplicity excludes every form of duplicity and complication... Read More

Prudence and Rectitude

Prudence and Rectitude   Presence of God– Teach me, O my God, the prudence which leads to You by the straight path of duty and truth. MEDITATION Prudence is not limited to suggesting good works to be done in order to attain sanctity, but it remains with us while we do these works, and enlightens us as to the best conduct to observe therein, according to the circumstances of the moment. For... Read More

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