Whatever you have to suffer that God may will, or that the devil with God’s permission may bring upon you, nevertheless hope in God for victory.
St. Ignatius Loyola

Blessed,” he says, “are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Mt 5:9). Consider carefully that it is not the people who call for peace but those who make peace who are commended. For there are those who talk but do nothing (Mt 23:3). For just as it is not the hearers of the law but the doers who are righteous (Rom 2:13), so it is not those who preach peace but the authors of peace who are blessed.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Grace is given not to them who speak [their faith] but to those who live their faith.
St. Gregory of Nazianzus

I saw full surely that he changeth never His purpose in no manner of thing, nor never shall, without end. For there was no thing unknown to Him in His rightful ordinance from without beginning. And therefore all-thing was set in order ere anything was made, as it should stand without end; and no manner of thing shall fail of that point.
Julian of Norwich

O St. Rose, first flower of sanctity in the New World, let the fragrance of thy virtues diffuse itself in our lives.
Grant that we may imitate thy holy purity; obtain for us courage in the practice of penance.
Teach us, O St. Rose, to love Christ Crucified and Mary His Mother.
Beseech Thy Divine Spouse, to bless all the Americas, which give thanks for thy glory to him, the Giver of all good gifts.
Amen.

The man who professes to despise the world for Christ’s sake has no country on earth to call his own.
St. Ignatius Loyola

You will find something more in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Secede not from the Church: for nothing is stronger than the Church. Thy hope is the Church; thy salvation is the Church; thy refuge is the Church. It is higher than the heavens and wider than the earth. It never grows old, but is ever full of vigour. Wherefore Holy Writ pointing to its strength and stability calls it a mountain.
St. John Chrysostom

And this vision was shewed, to mine understanding, for that our Lord would have the soul turned truly unto the beholding of Him, and generally of all His works. For they are full good; and all His doings are easy and sweet, and to great ease bringing the soul that is turned from the beholding of the blind Deeming of man unto the fair sweet Deeming of our Lord God. For a man beholdeth some deeds well done and some deeds evil, but our Lord beholdeth them not so: for as all that hath being in nature is of Godly making, so is all that is done, in property of God’s doing.
Julian of Norwich

Lord Jesus Christ,
I approach your banquet table in fear and trembling,
for I am a sinner,
and dare not rely on my own worth,
but only on your goodness and mercy.
I am defiled by many sins in body and soul,
and by my unguarded thoughts and words.
Gracious God of majesty and awe,
I seek your protection,
I look for your healing.
Poor troubled sinner that I am,
I appeal to you, the fountain of all mercy.
I cannot bear your judgment,
but I trust in your salvation.
Lord, I show my wounds to you and uncover my shame before you.
I know my sins are many and great,
and they fill me with fear,
but I hope in your mercies,
for they cannot be numbered.
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal king, God and man,
crucified for mankind,
look upon me with mercy and hear my prayer,
for I trust in you.
Have mercy on me,
full of sorrow and sin,
for the depth of your compassion never ends.
Praise to you, saving sacrfice,
offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind.
Praise to the noble and precious blood,
flowing from the wounds of the my crucified Lord Jesus Christ and washing away the sins of the whole world.
Remember, Lord your creature,
whom you have redeemed with your blood;
I repent my sins,
and I long to put right what I have done. Merciful Father, take away all my offenses and sins;
purify me in body and soul,
and make me worthy to taste the holy of holies.
May your body and blood,
which I intend to receive, although I am unworthy,
be for me the remission of my sins,
the washing away of my guilt,
the end of my evil thoughts,
and the rebirth of my better instincts.
May it incite me to do the works pleasing to you and profitable to my health in body and soul,
and be a firm defense against the wiles of my enemies.
Amen.

Love even the most abandoned: love whatever faith in Christ remains in them: if they have lost this, love their virtues; if those have gone, love the holy likeness they bear, love the blood of Christ through which you trust they are redeemed.
St. Ignatius Loyola

A saint is not someone who never sins, but one who sins less and less frequently and gets up more and more quickly.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Listen carefully, all married men and women: if you cannot call your body your own, then you certainly cannot call your money your own
St. John Chrysostom

Rightfulness hath two fair properties: it is right and it is full. And so are all the works of our Lord God: thereto needeth neither the working of mercy nor grace: for they be all rightful: wherein faileth nought.
Julian of Norwich

O Holy Spirit of Truth, we beseech Thee to enlighten the minds of unbelievers in the midst of us, to incline their hearts to love Thy word, and to believe the teachings of Thy Church. Give them courage to accept the faith and openly profess it; that they may come into union with Thee and the Father, through Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth forever and ever.
Amen.

He who knows God knows how to raise his mind immediately to God’s love, not only when he beholds the starry heavens, but even on considering a blade of grass, or the smallest thing of any kind.
St. Ignatius Loyola

The man who is wise, therefore, will see his life as more like a reservoir than a canal. The canal simultaneously pours out what it receives; the reservoir retains the water till it is filled, then discharges the overflow without loss to itself ... Today there are many in the Church who act like canals, the reservoirs are far too rare ... You too must learn to await this fullness before pouring out your gifts, do not try to be more generous than God.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

I know that you are standing in the very midst of the flame of pleasures; but if you will say to the enemy ​”​We do not serve your pleasures, and we do not bow down to the root of all your evils;​”​ if you will bend your eye upward, the Saviour will even now shake out the fire, and will burn up those who have flung you into it, and will send to you in the midst of the furnace a cloud, and dew, and a rustling breeze, so that the fire may not lay hold of your thought or your conscience.
St. John Chrysostom

Wherefore me behoveth needs to grant that all-thing that is done, it is well-done: for our Lord God doeth all. For in this time the working of creatures was not shewed, but of our Lord God in the creature: for He is in the Mid-point of all thing, and all He doeth. And I was certain He doeth no sin.
Julian of Norwich

Saint Patrick, faithful servant of God, I humbly seek your protection. Shield me from harm, guide my steps, and strengthen my heart against fear. Intercede for me that God’s angels surround my life, family, and home. Grant me courage to face challenges with faith and the wisdom to discern His will. May the Lord’s light always illuminate my path, and may I trust in His unfailing love. Saint Patrick, pray for me and keep me steadfast in God’s grace.
Amen.

However great your poverty, spare no expense that nothing may be wanting for the welfare of the sick.
St. Ignatius Loyola

Neither fear nor self-interest can convert the soul. They may change the appearance, perhaps even the conduct, but never the object of supreme desire... Fear is the motive which constrains the slave; greed binds the selfish man, by which he is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed (James 1:14). But neither fear nor self-interest is undefiled, nor can they convert the soul. Only charity can convert the soul, freeing it from unworthy motives
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

So when you see a prostitute setting snares, plotting against you, desiring your body, say to her, “This body is not mine. It belongs to my wife. I do not dare to mistreat it nor to lend it to another woman.” The wife should do the same. Here there is complete equality.
St. John Chrysostom

I beheld and considered, seeing and knowing in sight, with a soft dread, and thought: What is sin? For I saw truly that God doeth all-thing, be it never so little. And I saw truly that nothing is done by hap nor by adventure, but all things by the foreseeing wisdom of God: if it be hap or adventure in the sight of man, our blindness and our unforesight is the cause. For the things that are in the foreseeing wisdom of God from without beginning, (which rightfully and worshipfully and continually He leadeth to the best end,) as they come about fall to us suddenly, ourselves unwitting; and thus by our blindness and our unforesight we say: these be haps and adventures. But to our Lord God they be not so.
Julian of Norwich

Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy.
Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her Glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints. Amen.

May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time.
Amen.

What is best in itself is not always most useful for everybody, but that should be done which in the actual circumstances is of most profit to each one.
St. Ignatius Loyola

What we love we shall grow to resemble.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Love her not so much for her own sake, but for Christ’s sake.
St. John Chrysostom

All thing that is done, it is well done: for our Lord God doeth all.
Julian of Norwich

Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Jesus called you to bring the light of His love to those who live in darkness. By tender, loving care for the poorest and the neediest, you became the sign of God’s presence, His love and compassion in the midst of suffering and pain.

Following your example, help us to recognize the face of Jesus in our suffering brothers and sisters and to serve Him with humility and joy. Teach us to be carriers of God’s tender love and mercy and so bear witness that God still loves the world through each one of us.

Saint Teresa of Kolkata, longing to love Jesus as He had never been loved before, you gave yourself entirely to Him, refusing Him. nothing. In union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, you accepted His call to satiate His infinite thirst for love and souls and become a carrier of His love to the poorest of the poor. With loving trust and total surrender, you fulfilled His will, witnessing to the joy of belonging totally to Him. You became so intimately united to Jesus your crucified Spouse that He deigned to share with you the agony of His Heart as He hung upon the Cross.

Saint Teresa, you promised to continuously bring the light of love to those on earth; pray for us that we also may long to satiate the burning thirst of Jesus by loving Him ardently, sharing in His sufferings joyfully, and serving Him wholeheartedly in our brothers and sisters, especially those most unloved and unwanted.
Amen.

The Passion
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Origin of the Way of the Cross.

During the whole of the scene which we have just described, the Mother of Jesus, with Magdalen and John, had stood in a recess in the forum: they were overwhelmed with the most bitter sorrow, which was but increased by all they heard and saw. When Jesus was taken before Herod, John led the Blessed Virgin and Magdalen over the parts which had been sanctified by his footsteps. They again looked at the house of Caiphas, that of Annas, Ophel, Gethsemani, and the Garden of Olives; they stopped and contemplated each Spot where he had fallen, or where he had suffered particularly; and they wept silently at the thought of all he had undergone. The Blessed Virgin knelt down frequently and kissed the ground where her Son had fallen, while Magdalen wrung her hands in bitter grief, and John, although he could not restrain his own tears, endeavoured. to console his companions, supported, and led them on. Thus was the holy devotion of the ‘Way of the Cross’ first practised; thus were the Mysteries of the Passion of Jesus first honoured, even before that Passion was accomplished, and the Blessed Virgin, that model of spotless purity, was the first to show forth the deep veneration felt by the Church for our dear Lord. How sweet and consoling to follow this Immaculate Mother, passing to and fro, and bedewing the sacred spots with her tears. But, ah! who can describe the sharp, sharp sword of grief which then transfixed her tender soul? She who had once borne the Saviour of the world in her chaste womb, and suckled him for so long,—she who had truly conceived him who was the Word of God, in God from all eternity, and truly God,—she beneath whose heart, full of grace, he had deigned to dwell nine months, who had felt him living within her before he appeared. among men to impart the blessing of salvation and teach them his heavenly doctrines; she suffered with Jesus, sharing with him not only the sufferings of his bitter Passion, but likewise that ardent desire of redeeming fallen man by an ignominious death, which consumed him.

In this touching manner did the most pure and holy Virgin lay the foundation of the devotion called the Way of the Cross; thus at each station, marked by the sufferings of her Son, did she lay up in her heart the inexhaustible merits of his Passion, and gather them up as precious stones or sweet-scented flowers to be presented as a choice offering to the Eternal Father in behalf of all true believers. The grief of Magdalen was so intense as to make her almost like an insane person. The holy and boundless love she felt for our Lord prompted her to cast herself at his feet, and there pour forth the feeling of her heart (as she once poured the precious ointment on his head as he sat at table); but when on the point of following this impulse, a dark gulf appeared to intervene between herself and him. The repentance she felt for her faults was immense, and not less intense was her gratitude for their pardon; but when she longed to offer acts of love and thanksgiving as precious incense at the feet of Jesus, she beheld him betrayed, suffering, and about to die for the expiation of her offences which he had taken upon himself, and this sight filled her with horror, and almost rent her soul asunder with feelings of love, repentance, and gratitude. The sight of the ingratitude of those for whom he was about to die increased the bitterness of these feelings tenfold, and every step, word, or movement demonstrated the agony of her soul. The heart of John was filled with love, and he suffered intensely, but he uttered not a word. He supported the Mother of his beloved Master in this her first pilgrimage through the stations of the Way of the Cross, and assisted her in giving the example of that devotion which has since been practised with so much fervour by the members of the Christian Church.

Chapter XIX
Pilate and his wife.

Whilst the Jews were leading Jesus to Herod, I saw Pilate go to his wife, Claudia Procles. She hastened to meet him, and they went together into a small garden-house which was on one of the terraces behind the palace. Claudia appeared to be much excited, and under the influence of fear. She was a tall, fine-looking woman, although extremely pale. Her hair was plaited and slightly ornamented, but partly covered by a long, veil which fell gracefully over her shoulders. She wore earrings, a necklace, and her flowing dress was drawn together and held up by a species of clasp. She conversed with Pilate for a long time, and entreated him by all that he held sacred not to injure Jesus, that Prophet, that saint of saints; and she related the extraordinary dreams or visions which she had had on the previous night concerning him.

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Beware of condemning any man’s action. Consider your neighbor’s intention, which is often honest and innocent, even though his act seems bad in outward appearance.
St. Ignatius Loyola

Hell is full of good wishes and desires.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

For he who does not desire other people’s possessions, but is willing to be satisfied with his own, is the wealthiest of all.
St. John Chrysostom

It is God’s will that we have three things in our seeking: — The first is that we seek earnestly and diligently, without sloth, and, as it may be through His grace, without unreasonable heaviness and vain sorrow. The second is, that we abide Him steadfastly for His love, without murmuring and striving against Him, to our life’s end: for it shall last but awhile. The third is that we trust in Him mightily of full assured faith. For it is His will that we know that He shall appear suddenly and blissfully to all that love Him.
Julian of Norwich

Heavenly Father, grant that our priests be strengthened and healed by the power of the Eucharist they celebrate. May the Word they proclaim give them courage and wisdom.

We pray that all those whom they seek to serve may see in them the love and care of Jesus, our Eternal High Priest, who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Mary, Mother of the Church, look tenderly upon your sons, our priests.

St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us all.

O my Jesus, I beg You on behalf of the whole Church, grant it love and the light of Your Spirit and give power to the words of priests, so that hardened hearts might be brought to repentance and return to You, O Lord.

Lord, give us holy priests; You Yourself maintain them in holiness.

O Divine and Great High Priest, may the power of Your mercy accompany them everywhere and protect them from the devil’s snares which are continually being set for the souls of priests. May the power of Your mercy, O Lord, shatter and bring to naught all that might tarnish the sanctity of priests, for You can do all things.
Amen.

Let the workman remember that his material is not gold, but clay, and let him keep a sharp eye on himself, lest he permit in himself a blemish such as he works hard to remove from others.
St. Ignatius Loyola

Many of those who are humiliated are not humble. Some react to humiliation with anger, others with patience, and others with freedom. The first are culpable, the next harmless, the last just.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

For by the condition of our mind, not by the quantity of our material wealth, should it be our custom to distinguish between poverty and affluence.
St. John Chrysostom

And thus was I learned, to mine understanding, that seeking is as good as beholding, for the time that He will suffer the soul to be in travail. It is God’s will that we seek Him, to the beholding of Him, for by that He shall shew us Himself of His special grace when He will.
Julian of Norwich

Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee, may yearn for Thee and for thy courts, may long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.

Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and super substantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delightful taste.

May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, Whom the angels desire to look upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the fullness of the house of God; may it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak of Thee, and do all for the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverance to the end; and be Thou alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably.
Amen.

Suffer nothing dirty or disordered about you. At the same time be careful to avoid that affected carefulness that savors of effeminacy and conceit.
St. Ignatius Loyola

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

For even if we do not seek virtue, but at least praise it, we shall perhaps be able to attain it; and even if we do not avoid evil, but at least censure it, we shall perhaps be able to escape it.
St. John Chrysostom

the continual seeking of the soul pleaseth God full greatly: for it may do no more than seek, suffer and trust. And this is wrought in the soul that hath it, by the Holy Ghost; and the clearness of finding, it is of His special grace, when it is His will. The seeking, with faith, hope, and charity, pleaseth our Lord, and the finding pleaseth the soul and fulfilleth it with joy.
Julian of Norwich

Dear Lord, I offer You this prayer to help me with my current relationship situation. Please take away all the pain and hurt in my heart. Fill it with love, joy, patience, and understanding.Bless me and my partner, so that we may never surrender to whatever challenges that come our way. Fill our hearts with love for each other, and may You make each one of us realize each other’s worth. Please touch the heart of my partner. Fill it with much love for me.

Make our complicated relationship become uncomplicated. I seek for Your mercy and blessing that You may allow us to spend the rest of our lives with each other. Please make this feeling mutual for both of us. Lead us not into temptations. Guide us wherever we go. Always put us in each other’s heart and mind. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

As we hold those dearer whom we find immovable in firmness of heart and manly virtue, so shall we more severely chastise their smallest faults.
St. Ignatius Loyola

There are those who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge; that is Curiosity. There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is Vanity. There are those who seek knowledge in order to serve; that is Love.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

For he who lives daily in excess of wine and luxury and gluttony is under the very tyranny of the devil. And oh that something better may result from our words! Should they, however, continue in the same course after our warning, we shall not on that account cease from giving right counsel. For the springs, even if no one drink of them, continue to flow; and fountains, though no one should use their water, still burst forth; and rivers, though no man profit by them, still run on. So then, also, it is right that the preacher, even if no one attend to his voice, should fulfil all his duty.
St. John Chrysostom

One time mine understanding was led down into the sea-ground, and there I saw hills and dales green, seeming as it were moss-be-grown, with wrack and gravel. Then I understood thus: that if a man or woman were under the broad water, if he might have sight of God so as God is with a man continually, he should be safe in body and soul, and take no harm: and overpassing, he should have more solace and comfort than all this world can tell. For He willeth we should believe that we see Him continually though that to us it seemeth but little; and in this belief He maketh us evermore to gain grace. For He will be seen and He will be sought: He will be abided and he will be trusted.
Julian of Norwich

Eternal Father, we humbly offer Thee our poor presence, and that of the whole of humanity, from the beginning to the end of the world at all the Masses that ever have or ever will be prayed.

We offer Thee all the pains, suffering, prayers, sacrifices, joys, and relaxations of our lives, in union with those of our dear Lord Jesus here on earth.

May the Most Precious Blood of Christ, all His Blood, and Wounds, and Agony save us, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Amen.

He lives the blessed life who, so far as is possible, has his mind continually fixed on God and God in his mind.
St. Ignatius Loyola

The earth which sustains humanity must not be injured. It must not be destroyed!
Hildegard von Bingen

We are not responsible for not convincing those who hear, but only for giving them counsel. It is ours to warn; to give heed to the warning is theirs.
St. John Chrysostom

For we are now so blind and unwise that we never seek God till He of His goodness shew Himself to us. And when we aught see of Him graciously, then are we stirred by the same grace to seek with great desire to see Him more blissfully.
Julian of Norwich

O my sweet Jesus, in addition to the many graces which Thou hast conferred on me in the course of my life, I ask Thee for this further one: when my soul shall have departed from this world, not only that it not be condemned to Hell, but that it shall not be compelled to remain away from Thee for even a moment in Purgatory. It is true that I am a debtor to Divine Justice, but I hope to pay all my debts from the infinite merits of Thy Passion and Death.

​O Heaven, holy city of my God, my dear native land! Oh, howI sigh for thee! O happy day when I shall reach thee! O Heaven, my dear Heaven, come quicky and satisfy the desires of a wretched heart that sighs for thee!

My God, I accept whatever kind of death it may please Thee to send me, with all the terrors, all the pains, all the sufferings that shall justly accompany it. Finally, I pray Thee to accept the destruction of my body as the last act of homage that I can offer to Thy Supreme Divine Majesty, in satisfaction for the offenses committed in the course of my life.

O Mary, I ask thee for one more grace: Obtain from thy Divine Son that I may die, but that I may die with thee, and that I may fly to Heaven along with thee. O merciful Mother, grant that when my soul is liberated from this wretched body I may go immediately to find thee in Heaven, there to commence that life which will be my occupation for all eternity.

Requiem aeternam dona mihi, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat mihi. Requiescam in pace.
Amen.

We must not keep away from the Bread of Angels because we find no sensible delight therein: that would be like perishing of hunger because we had nothing tasty to eat.
St. Ignatius Loyola

Even in a world that’s being shipwrecked, remain brave and strong
Hildegard von Bingen

Suffer anything for her sake, but never disgrace her, for Christ never did this with the Church.
St. John Chrysostom

God willeth to be seen and to be sought: to be abided and to be trusted.
Julian of Norwich

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Incarnate Lord, have mercy on us.
Lover of souls, have mercy on us.
Savior of sinners, have mercy on us.

Who didst come to seek those that were lost, have mercy on us.
Who didst fast for them forty days and nights, have mercy on us.
By Thy tenderness towards Adam when he fell, have mercy on us.
By Thy faithfulness to Noah in the ark, have mercy on us.
By Thy remembrance of Lot in the midst of sinners, have mercy on us.
By Thy mercy on the Israelites in the desert, have mercy on us.
By Thy forgiveness of David after his confession, have mercy on us.
By Thy patience with wicked Ahab on his humiliation, have mercy on us.
By Thy restoration of the penitent Manasseh, have mercy on us.
By Thy long suffering towards the Ninevites, when they went in sackcloth and ashes, have mercy on us.
By Thy blessing on the Maccabees, who fasted before the battle, have mercy on us.
By Thy choice of John to go before Thee as the preacher of penance, have mercy on us.
By Thy testimony to the Publican, who hung his head and smote his breast, have mercy on us.
By Thy welcome given to the returning Prodigal, have mercy on us.
By Thy gentleness with the woman of Samaria, have mercy on us.
By Thy condescension towards Zacchaeus, persuading him to restitution, have mercy on us.
By Thy pity upon the woman taken in adultery, have mercy on us.
By Thy love of Magdalen, who loved much, have mercy on us.

By Thy converting look, at which Peter wept, have mercy on us.
By Thy gracious words to the thief upon the cross, have mercy on us.

We sinners, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may judge ourselves, as to escape Thy judgment, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may bring forth worthy fruits of penance, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That sin may not reign in our mortal bodies, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may work out our salvation with fear and trembling, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Son of God, we beseech Thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

O Lord, hear our prayer.
And let our cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray:
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to Thy faithful, pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their offenses, and also serve Thee with a quiet mind, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The man who is going forth to labor in the Lord’s vineyard should direct his steps by humility and self-contempt toward what is difficult and hard; for the rest of the building will be safely fixed if it is based on humility for its foundation.
St. Ignatius Loyola

And I saw a light-filled man emerge from the aforesaid dawn and pour his brightness over the aforementioned darkness; it repulsed him; he turned blood-red and pallid, but struck back against the darkness with such force that the man who was lying in the darkness became visible and resplendent.
Hildegard von Bingen

God created man in the beginning and placed in him the conscience as a never-silent accuser which cannot be seduced or deceived.
St. John Chrysostom

All this was shewed by three: that is to say, by bodily sight, and by word formed in mine understanding, and by spiritual sight. But the spiritual sight I cannot nor may not shew it as openly nor as fully as I would. But I trust in our Lord God Almighty that He shall of His goodness, and for your love, make you to take it more spiritually and more sweetly than I can or may tell it.
Julian of Norwich

O Lady, Mother of God, who gave birth in the flesh to God the Word, I know, O how well I know, that it is no honor or praise to thee when one so impure and unworthy as I call upon thy holy name, O ever-virgin, who didst keep thy body and soul in purity. Rightly do I inspire reproach and unworthiness before thy virginal purity. But I have heard that God, Who was born of thee, became man on purpose to call sinners to repentance. Then help me, for I have no other help. Allow me to draw near to thy Son, Who suffered in the flesh and shed His holy Blood for the redemption of sinners and for me, unworthy as I am.

O loving Lady, thou hast shown me thy great love for all men. Glory to God, Who receives the repentance of sinners through thee. What more can I recollect or say, I who am so sinful? It is time for me, O Lady, to turn from my sins and follow thy Son. Now lead me by the hand along the path of repentance.
Amen.

The Passion
CHAPTER XVII.
Jesus before Pilate.

IT was about eight in the morning, according to our method of counting time, when the procession reached the palace of Pilate. Annas, Caiphas, and the chiefs of the Sanhedrim stopped at a part between the forum and the entrance to the Prætorium, where some stone seats were placed for them. The brutal guards dragged Jesus to the foot of the fight of stairs which led to the judgment-seat of Pilate. Pilate was reposing in a comfortable chair, on a terrace which overlooked the forum, and a small three-legged table stood by his side, on which was placed the insignia of his office, and a few other things. He was surrounded by officers and soldiers dressed with the magnificence usual in the Roman army. The Jews and the priests did not enter the Prætorium, for fear of defiling themselves, but remained outside.

When Pilate saw the tumultuous procession enter, and perceived how shamefully the cruel Jews had treated their prisoner, he arose, and addressed them in a tone as contemptuous as could have been assumed by a victorious general towards the vanquished chief of some insignificant village: ‘What are you come about so early? Why have you ill-treated this prisoner so shamefully? Is it not possible to refrain from thus tearing to pieces and beginning to execute your criminals even before they are judged? They made no answer, but shouted out to the guards, ‘Bring him on—bring him to be judged!’ and then, turning to Pilate, they said, ‘Listen to our accusations against this malefactor; for we cannot enter the tribunal lest we defile ourselves! Scarcely had they finished these words, when a voice was heard to issue from the midst of the dense multitude; it proceeded from a venerable-looking old man, of imposing stature, who exclaimed, ‘You are right in not entering the Prætorium, for it has been sanctified by the blood of Innocents; there is but one Person who has a right to enter, and who alone can enter, because he alone is pure as the Innocents who were massacred there.’ The person who uttered these words in a loud voice, and then disappeared among the crowd, was a rich man of the name of Zadoc, first-cousin to Obed, the husband of Veronica; two of his children were among the Innocents whom Herod had caused to be butchered at the birth of our Saviour. Since that dreadful moment he had given up the world, and, together with his wife, followed the rules of the Essenians. He had once seen our Saviour at the house of Lazarus, and there heard him discourse, and the sight of the barbarous manner in which he was dragged before Pilate recalled to his mind all he himself had suffered when his babes were so cruelly murdered before his eyes, and he determined to give this public testimony of his belief in the innocence of Jesus. The persecutors of our Lord were far too provoked at the haughty manner which Pilate assumed towards them, and at the humble position they were obliged to occupy, to take any notice of the words of a stranger.

The brutal guards dragged our Lord up the marble staircase, and led him to the end of the terrace, from whence Pilate was conferring with the Jewish priests. The Roman governor had often heard of Jesus, although he had never seen him, and now he was perfectly astonished at the calm dignity of deportment of a man brought before him in so pitiable a condition. The inhuman behaviour of the priests and ancients both exasperated him and increased his contempt for them, and he informed them pretty quickly that he had not the slightest intention of condemning Jesus without satisfactory proofs of the truth of their accusations. ‘What accusation do you bring against this man?’ said he, addressing the priests in the most scornful tone possible. ‘If he were not a malefactor we would not have delivered him up to thee,’ replied the priests sullenly. ‘Take him,’ said Pilate, ‘and judge you him according to your law.’ ‘Thou knowest well,’ replied they, ‘that it is not lawful for us to condemn any man to death.’ The enemies of Jesus were furious—they wished to have the trial finished off, and their victim executed as quickly as possible, that they might be ready at the festival-day to sacrifice the Paschal lamb, not knowing, miserable wretches as they were, that he whom they had dragged before the tribunal of an idolatrous judge (into whose house they would not enter, for fear of defiling themselves before partaking of the figurative victim), that he, and he alone, was the true Paschal Lamb, of which the other was only the shadow.

Pilate, however, at last ordered them to produce their accusations. These accusations were three in number, and they brought forward ten witnesses to attest the truth of each. Their great aim was to make Pilate believe that Jesus was the leader of a conspiracy against the emperor, in order that he might condemn him to death as a rebel. They themselves were powerless in such matters, being allowed to judge none but religious offences. Their first endeavour was to convict him of seducing the people, exciting them to rebellion, and of being an enemy to public peace and tranquillity. To prove these charges they brought forward some false witnesses, and declared likewise that he violated the Sabbath, and even profaned it by curing the sick upon that day. At this accusation Pilate interrupted them, and said in a jeering tone, ‘It is very evident you were none of you ill yourselves—had you been so you would not have complained of being cured on the Sabbath-day.’ ‘He seduces the people, and inculcates the most disgusting doctrines. He even says, that no person can attain eternal life unless they eat his flesh and drink his blood.’ Pilate was quite provoked at the intense hatred which their words and countenances expressed, and, turning from them with a look of scorn, exclaimed, ‘You most certainly must wish to follow his doctrines and to attain eternal life, for you are thirsting for both his body and blood.’

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Do not look upon what you spend on natural needs as lost to religion.
St. Ignatius Loyola

Dare to declare who you are. It is not far from the shores of silence to the boundaries of speech. The path is not long, but the way is deep. You must not only walk there, you must be prepared to leap.
Hildegard von Bingen

Whatever kind of wife you marry, you will never take a bride like Christ did when he married the Church; you will never marry anyone estranged from you as the Church was from Christ.
St. John Chrysostom

In this oneness standeth the life of all mankind that shall be saved. For God is all that is good, as to my sight, and God hath made all that is made, and God loveth all that He hath made: and he that loveth generally all his even-Christians for God, he loveth all that is. For in mankind that shall be saved is comprehended all: that is to say, all that is made and the Maker of all. For in man is God, and God is in all. And I hope by the grace of God he that beholdeth it thus shall be truly taught and mightily comforted, if he needeth comfort.
Julian of Norwich

O good Cross, made beautiful by the body of the Lord: long have I desired you, ardently have I loved you, unceasingly have I sought you out and now you are ready for my eager soul. Receive me from among men and restore me to my Master, so that he who, by means of You, in dying redeemed me, may now receive me.
Amen.

I am at wondrous peace with the world so long as I do not make war on it, forgetting the tongue of my native land: but let me go forth to the camp, and you will see the whole city rise up against me while I fight on every side.
St. Ignatius Loyola

These visions which I saw were not in sleep nor in dreams, nor in my imagination nor by bodily eyes or outward ears nor in a hidden place; but in watching, aware with the pure eyes of the mind and inner ear of the heart.
Hildegard von Bingen

Don’t turn your back on your wife because she is not beautiful. Listen to what Scripture says: “The bee is small among flying creatures, but her product is the best of sweet things.”
St. John Chrysostom

Because of the Shewing I am not good but if I love God the better: and in as much as ye love God the better, it is more to you than to me. I say not this to them that be wise, for they wot it well; but I say it to you that be simple, for ease and comfort: for we are all one in comfort. For truly it was not shewed me that God loved me better than the least soul that is in grace; for I am certain that there be many that never had Shewing nor sight but of the common teaching of Holy Church, that love God better than I. For if I look singularly to myself, I am right nought; but in general I am, I hope, in oneness of charity with all mine even-Christians.
Julian of Norwich

Holy Father, we come before You, inspired by St. Bartholomew’s unwavering courage in the face of trials.Grant us the strength to stand firm in our faith, even when challenges arise.
May we embody his spirit of resilience and trust in Your divine plan.Help us to face our own struggles with grace and fortitude, always seeking Your guidance.
Amen.

When people come to you in order to pass the time, talk to them of death, judgement, and other such grave matters. Thus their attention will be captured, even though they try to be deaf, and you will benefit both yourself and them. Either they will go away the better, or they will abstain from wasting your time in the future.
St. Ignatius Loyola

You are encircled by the arms of the mystery of God.
Hildegard von Bingen

Can you tell me what advantage a man has who, although not in bondage to another man, is in constant subjection to his own passions? At least men are merciful from time to time, but the passions—they won’t be satisfied until they have destroyed you!
St. John Chrysostom

God is all that is good, as to my sight, and the goodness that each thing hath, it is He.
Julian of Norwich

O glorious St. Bruno, whose name I have the happiness to bear and to whom God confided the care of my salvation when, in holy Baptism, He adopted me as one of His children, obtain for me, by you intercession, grace to lead a life in keeping with the spirit of our holy religion. Aid me, charitable protector of my soul, to recover the grace of Baptism which I have forfeited by sin. By your prayers, obtain for me from God the assistance which I need to imitate faithfully your virtues. Protect me against the many dangers of this life, and do not abandon me at the hour of my death.
Amen.

St. Bruno, my holy patron, pray for me now and at the hour of my death!

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory Be…

Too frequent punishment is a sign of a rule that is impatient rather than desirous of discipline.
St. Ignatius Loyola

We cannot live in a world interpreted for us by others. An interpreted world is not a hope. Part of the terror is to take back our listening, to use our own voice, to see our own light.
Hildegard von Bingen

And it is good that even the humblest of families should enjoy a few luxuries, to bring pleasure to their lives. Yet when luxuries become normal we should be ashamed. When the decoration that we lavish on the house of God is also lavished on the houses of human beings, the pleasure which they afford turns to dust—and the sight of such private luxury is morally obscene. The test of a good society is that the great majority are engaged in the basic arts, and only a few in the arts of luxury. When large numbers are engaged in producing luxuries for the rich, that society has become corrupt.
St. John Chrysostom

He that made all things for love, by the same love keepeth them, and shall keep them without end.
Julian of Norwich

Most loving Father, You who know the hour of my death, though I do not, grant me the grace to live each day as if it were my last, yet without anxiety or fear.

Through the intercession of St. Francis de Sales, who taught us to keep death always before our eyes while trusting entirely in Your mercy, I beg You to preserve me from sudden and unprepared death.

Grant that I may frequently receive the sacraments with devotion, especially Holy Communion and Confession, that I may always be ready to meet You.

Help me to practice that “little death” of self-will each day, dying to my own desires and living for You alone, so that when my final hour comes, death may find me as a friend rather than a stranger.

Should You call me suddenly, may the Holy Name of Jesus be on my lips and in my heart. May Our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death, and my guardian angel assist me in that hour.

Above all, O Lord, grant me the grace of final perseverance and a death precious in Your sight, whenever and however it may come. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

No one should call himself a friend of Christ unless he cherishes those souls that Christ redeemed by the shedding of His blood.
St. Ignatius Loyola

Because a woman brought death a bright Maiden overcame it, and so the highest blessing in all of creation lies in the form of a woman, since God has become man in a sweet and blessed Virgin.
Hildegard von Bingen

So think over continually in yourselves that evening of the earthquake. Everyone else was afraid because of the earthquake, but I was afraid because of the cause of the earthquake. Do you understand what I mean? They were afraid that the city would collapse, and they would die; but I am afraid that the Master is angry with us. Death is not grievous, but it is grievous to provoke the Master. So I was not afraid because of the earthquake, but because of the cause of the earthquake; for the cause of the earthquake was the anger of God, and the cause of His anger was our sins. Never fear punishment, but fear sin the mother of punishment. Is the city being shaken? What of it? But do not let your resolution be shaken. In the case of diseases and injuries we do not grieve for those who are being cured, but for those who have incurable diseases. Sin is the same as disease or injury; retribution is the same as surgery or medicine.
St. John Chrysostom

Well I wot that heaven and earth and all that is made is great and large, fair and good; but the cause why it shewed so little to my sight was for that I saw it in the presence of Him that is the Maker of all things: for to a soul that seeth the Maker of all, all that is made seemeth full little.
Julian of Norwich

We salute thee, Saint Anthony, lily of purity and glory of Christianity. We rejoice at the favors the Lord hast so generously bestowed on thee. In humility and confidence we entreat thee to help us [or Thy Church], for we know that God hast given thee charity and pity, as well as power.

Behold our distress, our anxiety, our fears concerning our salvation. We ask thee by the love thou didst feel toward the amiable little Jesus to tell Him now of our wants. One word from thee will touch His heart and fill us with joy.

Remember how complete thy bliss was as thou didst hold Him close to thee, pressed thy cheek to His and listened to His angelic voice. Think of this, and hear us for His wondrous show of love. If we could behold thee we would bathe thy feet with respectful tears and tell thee all we feel, all we fear for our salvation.

But to see thee is not granted us. Therefore, we salute thee in spirit, O glorious favorite of God, and bow down our guilty heads before thee in humble reverence while we raise our hearts full of hope toward Heaven and thee. For He Who so often put Himself in thy arms will now fill thy hands with all we ask of thee.

Give us, then, what we desire, angel of wisdom and Divine love, and we will speak of thy grandeur, thereby to honor and glorify Him Who so blessed thee.
Amen.