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Theme for the Week:
Knowledge Of Self
Prayers, examinations,
reflection, acts of renouncement of our own will, of contrition for our sins,
of contempt of self, all performed at the feet of Mary, for it is from her
that we hope for light to know ourselves. It is near her, that we shall be
able to measure the abyss of our miseries without despairing.
We should employ all our pious actions in asking for a knowledge of ourselves
and contrition of our sins: and we should do this in a spirit of piety. During
this period, we shall consider not so much the opposition that exists between
the spirit of Jesus and ours, as the miserable and humiliating state to which
our sins have reduced us. Moreover, the True Devotion being an easy, short,
sure and perfect way to arrive at that union with Our Lord which is Christlike
perfection, we shall enter seriously upon this way, strongly convinced of
our misery and helplessness. But how attain this without a knowledge of
ourselves'?
Luke 11:1-10
And it came to
pass, that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his
disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
And he said to them: When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy
kingdom come. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into
temptation.
And he said to them: Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him
at midnight, and shall say to him: Friend, lend me three loaves, Because
a friend of mine is come off his journey to me, and I have not what to set
before him. And he from within should answer, and say: Trouble me not, the
door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give
thee. Yet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although he will not
rise and give him, because he is his friend; yet, because of his importunity,
he will rise, and give him as many as he needeth.
And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find:
knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth;
and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
Prayers
for the First Week |
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