Part VI: Meditations for the Annual Retreat((1): First Meditation (1)

Meditations for the Annual Retreat((1)

First Meditation

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The Dignity and Holiness of the Mass

REFLECT on the greatness, the holiness and infinite dignity of this august mystery.

It is the most marvelous action ever performed in heaven or on earth; it is a divine sacrifice with Christ as its victim, offered to God by God for intentions and ends which in themselves are infinite. It is the supreme sacrifice of Calvary by which Our Lord confers three ineffable favors upon you: He comes to you, He sacrifices Himself for you, and He gives Himself to you.

Cultivate a great love and appreciation of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, at which myriads of angels gather in holy awe. Thank the Son of God for having established it in His Church, and for having given you the privilege of offering it and of receiving His Sacred Body and Blood in Holy Communion. (1). These short and practical meditations are taken from the original edition of A Memorial of the Ecclesiastical Life. See Oeuvres Complètes, Vol. Ill, p. 124 ff. They may be used for morning meditation o r for daily examination during the annual retreat.

Faults Committed in the Celebration of Mass

Examine yourself carefully on the faults you have committed in offering the Holy Sacrifice. Examine both your interior and exterior deportment. Have you prepared worthily for Holy Mass? Have you made a proper thanksgiving afterwards?

What fruit have you reaped from the scores of Masses that you have offered and from the many Communions you have received? What advancement in virtue or what amendment of life have you gained?

Have you been assiduous in preventing profanations and irreverence in the churches where Mass i s offered? Has your behaviour been in keeping with what is expected in reverence and devotion to the Mass?

Ask God's pardon for any faults of which you may have been guilty. Pray Our Lord to help you repair the evil your negligence or culpability may have caused. Make the resolution of being more careful in the future. Beg God's help to persevere. Ejaculatory Prayer: "Bear in mind what you do. Let your conduct be in conformity with the action you perform." Agnoscite quod agitis ; imitamini quod tractatis.

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Second Meditation

The Sacrament of Penance

Christ's Goodness in Having Instituted

This Sacrament

Let us consider the goodness and mercy of Christ in having established in His Church this great sacrament by which He confers three special favors upon us.

First, Our Blessed Lord pardons our sins through sacramental Penance, wipes away all our transgressions, no matter how enormous or numerous. Consequently, our indebtedness to Him is equal to His infinite kindness. Sin being infinite in malice, the Divine Son bestows an infinite good upon us when He pardons us. Even in the remission of one venial sin, He confers upon us a spiritual favor greater in value than He would give us if He were to cure the greatest physical sufferings we could conceive. It is obvious that even the smallest sin surpasses the greatest material ill.

Let us think, then, of our obligations to God because of the manifold sins He has forgiven us. Let us thank Him constantly.

Secondly, through the Sacrament of Penance, He applies His Precious Blood to our souls to cleanse and purify them from sin. The Sacrament of Penance is, as it were, a spiritual blood-bath wherein Christ washes us whenever we will. 0 unspeakable love! He could have wiped away our sins in a thousand other ways, but He chose this sacrament to show us His infinite love.

Thirdly, not only does Penance destroy our sins, but it fills our souls

with sanctifying grace, increasing the grace that is already within us, or reestablishing it if we have lost i t through mortal sin. Instantly, our souls are adorned with His virtues, with the gifts of the Holy Ghost, with the beatitudes, and we become children of God, temples of the Divine Spirit, heirs of the Eternal Father, co-heirs with the Son. Let us thank Him unfailingly for His mercy.

Dispositions Necessary for the Worthy Reception

Of the Sacrament of Penance

In receiving the Sacrament of Penance, it is necessary to have the proper dispositions for its worthy reception. Otherwise, what was meant to be a remedy becomes a poison, what was intended to be a grace becomes a sin. Thus, salvation is endangered and a sacrament is received sacrilegiously. Moreover, the oftener we go to confession, so much the more should we be on our guard against carelessness, routine and the lack of true repentance.

The dispositions with which we should approach this great sacrament are as follows: 1. We should realize that of ourselves we cannot have true contrition; hence, we should constantly invoke God's assistance and the help of the Blessed Mother and of the saints; 2. We should examine our conscience very carefully; 3. We should have true sorrow for our sins and a firm purpose of amendment; 4. We should make our confession clearly and sincerely, concealing or minimizing nothing of a serious nature; 5. We should be very docile to the Admonitions of the confessor; 6. We should faithfully execute the penance as soon as it can conveniently be done; 7. We should range ourselves on God's side against ourselves, putting on His zeal that we may destroy within us the enemy of our souls, sin itself. In a word, we should make each confession as though it were our last, and as though we were about to face the Omnipotent judge from whom nothing will be hidden.

Let us examine ourselves on the manner of making our confessions

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in the past, invoking God's pardon for any negligence of which we may have been guilty. Let us make the resolution to repair our past faults by a genuine confession in which we shall have a fulness of His grace. Let us beg His help for the future.

Ejaculatory Prayer: "Have mercy on me, 0 God, according to thy great mercy." Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam (Ps. 50, 3).

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Third Meditation

Mental and Vocal Prayer

Excellence of Prayer

Prayer, either mental or vocal, is a conversation with God. Therein you render Him homage, make known your wants and beg light and grace from Him.

It is, indeed, a high privilege that you, a miserable sinner, a mere nothing, should be able to commune with the Creator. Surely, He bestows upon you a tremendous favor in permitting you even to approach His august presence or to lift up your eyes to Him. "And dost thou think it meet to open thy eyes upon such an one, and to bring him into judgment with thee?" (Job, 14, 3).

Christ was not more insistent upon any point than that of prayer. Why? First of all, because He loves you so much that His chief happiness consists in conversing with you, unworthy though you are. Hence, Sacred Scripture says, "My delights were to be with the children of men" (Prov. 8, 31). Secondly, He realizes that you of yourself are nothing, and can do nothing. Thirdly, He wishes to enrich you with His gifts. You must ask Him continually for what you need, thus making manifest your utter dependence upon Him and your realization that He alone can help you since He is the source of all good.

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Dispositions Necessary for Prayer

Reflect on the interior and exterior dispositions with which the creature should approach his Creator. Man is indeed a humble subject in the presence of his Sovereign, a sinner before the Saint of saints, a criminal before the Supreme judge.

Recall how Christ prayed to His Father during His years on earth. Think, too, how Mary and the saints prayed.

Examine yourself carefully for any faults you may have committed in vocal or in mental prayer.

Have you prepared yourself sufficiently? "Before prayer prepare thy soul," says Sacred Scripture (Ecclus. 18, 23). Have you. neglected any obligatory prayers? Have you chosen unsuitable times o r inappropriate places? Have you permitted yourself to become the prey of distractions P Have you been reverent and recollected? Have your prayers been fruitful for advancement in the ways of God? Have you taken advantage of the graces and gifts attached to the prayers you have said P Have you distracted others at prayer? Remember you must respect others who are communing with the Master and do nothing to ~hinder their devotions.

Ask God's pardon for any faults of which you may have been guilty. Beg His grace to be more faithful in the future. Seek the means best suited to help your prayers become meritorious. Avoid the occasions of distraction.

Ejaculatory Prayer: "We ought always to pray and not to faint." Oportet semper orare, et non deficere (Luke 18, 1).

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Fourth Meditation

Submission to the Will of God

Importance of Submission to the Divine Will

The divine will is the principle, the end and center of all things. It is infinitely powerful, wise and good. It ordains and disposes of whatever happens in this world and in eternity. In all its decrees it i s infinitely adorable for it takes its origin in the most perfect justice, goodness and charity towards us. I t does all things for the best in the most admirable manner conceivable.

The divine will is manifested in various happenings, by the Commandments, by the precepts of the Church, by our duty, our obligations and our state in life.

The Son of God did not choose His own will but the will of His Heavenly Father. He was entirely subjected to His Father's mandates, no matter how difficult they were.

The Blessed Virgin and the saints followed a similar path of conformity to the divine will.

Our salvation, our perfection, our happiness, our peace, our Wellbeing, and even our liberty , depend on our constant cooperation with the will of God, following the example of Jesus, Mary and the saints

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HOW HAVE YOU PRACTISED SUBMISSION To GOD'S WILL?

Examine yourself on your failures to submit to God's will shown in various events of your life, as well as in your observance of the commandments and in the precepts of the Church. Above all else, ask yourself how you have cooperated with that divine will insofar as it affects your state in life. Ask the Master's pardon and be resolved in the future to correct whatever is wanting in you.

Ejaculatory Prayer: "Behold I come that I should do thy will, 0 my God." Ecce venio ut faciam voluntatem tuam, Deus.

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Fifth Meditation

Obedience

Necessity and Importance of Obedience

The virtue of obedience is so necessary to eternal salvation that Our Lord came on earth to teach it to us by word and example. He practised it unceasingly during His life, doing nothing except by obedience. Not only did He obey His Heavenly Father, but likewise He was subject to Mary and Joseph. So, too, He bowed to Herod and Pilate and His executioners who represented the powers of darkness "This is your hour, and the power of darkness" (Luke 22, 53) He was obedient even unto death and unto the death of the cross.

The saints have always loved this holy virtue, preaching it incessantly and practising i t scrupulously.

The Scripture, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church all agree that where there is not obedience there cannot be true virtue.

Thank Our Lord for the inspiring example He has given us.

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How Have You Practised Obedience?

Examine yourself on the many faults of which you are guilty in regard to the submission of mind and will to those who for you take God's place. Ask His pardon for your transgressions.

Ejaculatory Prayer: "Obey your prelates." Obedite praepositis vestris (Heb. 13,17).

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Sixth Meditation

Charity

Excellence of Charity

Charity is the queen and mother of all the other virtues, their grid, their soul, their very life. Consequently, where charity does not exist, there is no true virtue possible.

Charity brought Christ forth from the bosom of His Father that He might descend into the womb of the Virgin Mother. It prompted Him to come on earth and lead a life of suffering and misery for thirty - four years, finally dying on the cross. It impelled Him to give Himself to us continually in the Blessed Sacrament.

Charity is the dominant theme of the New Testament, the sole commandment Christ gave before His death. Weigh well His words: "This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15, 12). Consider, too, the words of the Apostle Paul: "Charity is patient, is kind; charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up; is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things" (I Cor. 13, 47).

The flower and perfection of charity is the meekness which our Saviour recommended in His words, "Learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart" (Matt. 11, 29).

The greatest work of charity is to labor for the salvation of souls.

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This, indeed, surpasses all else that a Christian might ever accomplish on earth, or as St. Dionysius says, It is the most divine of all divine things."

How Have You Practised Charity?

Examine yourself on the faults you have committed against charity in thoughts, words, actions or omissions against this virtue, in relation to those with whom you live.

Also consider what transgressions you have been guilty of in the matter of your zeal for the salvation of souls.

Ask God's pardon and make a firm purpose of amendment.

Ejaculatory Prayer: "This is my commandment, that you love one another." Hoc est praeceptum meum, ut diligatis invicem (John155 12).

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Seventh Meditation

Humility

Necessity of Humility

Humility consists in maintaining a very low degree of self-esteem, in despising, hating and avoiding honor and glory as well as the praises of men. It seeks abjection, ignominy and scorn.

Without humility it is impossible to please God or save one's soul, according to the words of our Saviour: "Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18, 3).

Humility is the measure of perfection and holiness of souls on earth and of their glory in eternity, for the Son of God said when He was here on earth: "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18, 4).

Since there is no virtue more necessary than humility, it follows that no vice is more to be avoided than vanity, especially by those who profess to be devout.

Think of the multitudes of angels damned by one defiant thought of pride; think of the number of souls who enjoyed a high degree of holiness, but were hurled into hell because of arrogance and pride.

Reflect upon the sublime examples of humility given by the Son of God, as well as by His Mother and the saints.

Consider in particular these matters regarding which you should practise humility.

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How Have You Practised Humility?

Make a serious and thorough examination of the faults you have committed against humility by thought, word and deed.

Ascertain your true sentiments towards yourself. Do you take pleasure in the esteem and praises of men? Do you seek to avoid whatever may be disparaging to you? Are you boastful? Do you receive with humility deserved corrections or warnings? Do you cling stubbornly to your own opinion in your discussions with others? Do you submit willingly to your superiors? Do you act and speak so as to draw to yourself the praises of those about you? Do you not really esteem yourself before all else? Do you covet dignity and advancement? Do you take a secret pride in your knowledge, experience, industry, ability o r whatever talent you may have which you deem important?

Ask Christ to forgive the many sins you may have committed against humility. Beg Him to help you to repair the evil you have caused and take the good resolution to dispel by every means in your power whatever is opposed to this beautiful virtue, that you may acquire and practise humility in the future. That your success may be assured, have this intention at your Masses, Communion and in your prayers. Study your soul, that you may truly know yourself and learn well these three truths: i. you are nothing, you have nothing, of yourself you can do nothing; 2. you are of yourself sinful, having within yourself the source of every evil; 3. you have richly merited God's anger and eternal punishment if you have committed a serious sin.

Never willingly accept the praises of creatures, but offer them to God to whom they belong rightly : "To the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory" (1 Tim. 1, 17).

Humble yourself at the beginning and the end of every action, ever mindful of your unworthiness and following the injunction of Sacred Scripture, "The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things; and thou shalt find grace before Go& (Ecclus. 3, 20).

Reject at once any thoughts or sensations of vanity which may come to you. Turn them into occasions of abasing yourself in the light of your own nothingness.

Close your eyes from faults of others, and see only your own. When you witness or learn of your neighbor's weaknesses, be humbled yourself, realizing that there is no crime which you yourself might not commit if it were *not for God's grace.

When others blame you, accept it that you may learn self-condemnation. Seek not to be regarded as a master, or a learned man or an outstanding personality.

Love and embrace the abjectness which comes from your faults. Willingly accept all humiliations, confusion, contradictions and afflictions which God sends you, not merely as trials to sanctify you, but as just deserts for your sins and as means by which to humble your pride.

Ejaculatory Prayer: "Humble thyself in all things: and thou shalt find grace before God." Humilia te in omnibus et coram Deo invenies gratiam (Ecclus. 3, 20).

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Eighth Meditation

Modesty, Simplicity and Truth

Excellence of Modesty, Simplicity and Truth

Consider the words of St. Paul, I ... beseech you, by the mildness and modesty of Christ" (2 Cor. 10, 1 ) , "put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility , modesty, patience" (Col. 3, 12). "Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh" (Phil. 4, 5).

Study the admirable modesty of Christ and His Blessed Mother who are the models and exemplars we as Christians must follow.

Ponder the words of the Son of God, "Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves" (Matt. 10, 16), and be reminded that simplicity is a virtue dear to the heart of God. It is the direct opposite of duplicity, worldly wisdom and prudence, as well as of useless thoughts, desires, words. and actions.

Remember that Christians must cherish a great love of truth: i. because Christ is the Eternal Truth and is called in Sacred Scripture "faithful and true" (Apoc. 19, 11); 2. because Christians are called i n the Scripture "the faithful"; 3. because Christ Himself called liars and deceivers children of Satan, who i n turn is the father of lies and the author of deceit.