Chapter VIII — On the devout exercises recommended to the Christian for each day

1. What must a good Christian do in the morning as soon as he awakes?

A good Christian, as soon as he awakes in the morning, must make the Sign of the Holy Cross and offer his heart to God, saying these or other similar words: "My God, I give You my heart and my soul."

2. What should one think of in rising from bed and dressing?

In rising from bed and dressing, one should think that God is present, that that day may be the last of our life; and rise and dress with all possible modesty.

3. Once risen and dressed, what must a good Christian do?

A good Christian, as soon as he has risen and dressed, must place himself in the presence of God, and kneel, if he can, before some devout image, saying with devotion: "I adore You, my God, and I love You with all my heart; I thank You for having created me, made me a Christian, and preserved me this night; I offer You all my actions, and I pray You to preserve me this day from sin, and to deliver me from every evil. Amen." Then let him recite the Pater Noster, the Ave Maria, the Credo, and the acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, accompanying them with lively affection of the heart.

4. What practices of piety should the Christian perform every day?

The Christian, if able, should every day: 1. assist with devotion at Holy Mass; 2. make a visit, even very brief, to the Most Holy Sacrament; 3. recite the third part of the holy Rosary.

5. What must be done before working?

Before working, one must offer the work to God, saying from the heart: "Lord, I offer You this work: give me Your blessing."

6. For what end must one work?

One must work for the glory of God and to do His will.

7. What is it fitting to do before taking food?

Before taking food, standing, it is fitting to make the Sign of the Holy Cross and then say with devotion: "Lord God, give Your blessing to us and to the food we are about to take to sustain ourselves in Your service."

8. Having finished taking food, what is it fitting to do?

Having finished taking food, it is fitting to make the Sign of the Holy Cross, and say: "Lord, I thank You for the food You have given me; make me worthy to share in the heavenly table."

9. When one becomes aware of some temptation, what should he do?

When one becomes aware of some temptation, he should invoke with faith the Most Holy Name of Jesus, or of Mary, or say fervently some ejaculatory prayer, such as: "Give me grace, O Lord, never to offend You," or make the Sign of the Cross; taking care, however, that others may not be aware of his temptations from external signs.

10. When one knows or doubts that he has committed some sin, what must he do?

When anyone knows or doubts that he has sinned, he must at once make an act of contrition, and seek to confess it as soon as possible.

11. When, outside of church, one hears the signal of the elevation of the host at solemn Mass, or of the blessing of the Most Holy Sacrament, what must be done?

One must make, at least with the heart, an act of adoration, saying for example: "May the Most Holy and most Divine Sacrament be praised and thanked every moment."

12. What must be said when the Ave Maria is rung at dawn, at noon, and in the evening?

At the sound of the Ave Maria, the good Christian recites the Angelus Domini, with three Ave Marias.

13. In the evening, before going to rest, what is it fitting to do?

In the evening before rest, it is fitting to place oneself, as in the morning, in the presence of God, recite devoutly the same prayers, make a brief examination of conscience, and ask God's pardon for the sins committed during the day.

14. What will you do before falling asleep?

Before falling asleep I shall make the Sign of the Holy Cross, I shall think that I may die in that night, and I shall give my heart to God, saying: "Lord and my God, I give You all my heart; Most Holy Trinity, give me grace to live well and to die well; Jesus, Joseph, and Mary, I commend my soul to you."

15. Besides the morning and evening prayers, in what other way can one have recourse to God in the course of the day?

In the course of the day one can pray to God frequently with other short prayers called ejaculations.

16. Say some ejaculation.

Lord, help me. — Lord, may Your most holy will be done. — My Jesus, I wish to be entirely Yours. — My Jesus, mercy. — Sweet Heart of my Jesus, make me love You ever more.

17. Is it useful to say many ejaculations during the day?

It is a most useful thing to say many ejaculatory prayers during the day, and they can be said even with the heart without uttering words, while walking, working, etc.

18. Besides ejaculatory prayers, in what other thing should the Christian often exercise himself?

Besides ejaculatory prayers the Christian should exercise himself in Christian mortification.

19. What does it mean to mortify oneself?

To mortify oneself means to leave, for love of God, what pleases, and to accept what is displeasing according to the senses or self-love.

20. When the Most Holy Sacrament is carried to a sick person, what must be done?

When the Most Holy Sacrament is carried to some sick person, one must seek, if possible, to accompany it with modesty and recollection; and if not possible, to make an act of adoration wherever one happens to be, and then say: "Console, O Lord, this sick person, and give him grace to conform to Your most holy will and to attain his salvation."

21. Hearing the bell tolling the agony of some dying person, what will you do?

Hearing the bell tolling for a dying person, I shall, if I can, go to the Church to pray for him; and if I cannot, I shall commend his soul to the Lord, thinking that in a short time I too shall have to find myself in this state.

22. Hearing the signal of someone's death, what will you do?

Hearing the signal of someone's death, I shall try to say a De profundis or a Requiem for the soul of that deceased, and shall renew the thought of death.