Goffine's Devout Instructions

Front matter

EPISTLES AND GOSPELS

FOR THE SUNDAYS AND HOLYDAYS;

WITH

Preface

PREFACE.

OUR blessed Lord is the visible expression of God's truth and of God's love to men, and His temporal mission contemplated the establishment of that truth and of that love in the hearts of men. In His redeeming blood we have been given " the power to become the sons of God "; and His life and teachings must be the object of frequent meditation for all those who have their spiritual advancement seriously at heart. Deep down within our being we experience a longing to know which would embrace the universe in its compass. Happy in deed are we if, with the Apostle, we desire not to know any thing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He is the explanation of all things in heave\ n and on earth. He is the inspiration of man in youth, his support in full maturity, and his solace when the battle of life is drawing to a close. Near His Sacred Heart innocence finds its purest joy and its safest shelter. The afflicted lay down their burden at the foot of His cross and go their way rejoicing. The sinner hears fall from His divine lips words of pardon and comfort, and dares to be a hero for love of Him Who has forgiven and forgotten all. We feel the weight of our infirmities and we would have a remedy.

" Come to Me," says Christ, " all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you." The mystery of suffering meets us on every hand, and in Him we are taught " that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come. Yet so, if we suffer with Him, we may also be glorified with Him. In fine, He is a light to our faltering feet whilst in the way, and our reward exceeding great when death shall have been swallowed up in victory. This is eternal life," says our divine Lord Himself by the mouth of St. John, " that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent.

How welcome, therefore, must any book be whose special purpose is to inspire the faithful with a deeper knowledge and a more ardent love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the object which the pious author of the * Devout Instructions on the Epistles and Gospels proposed to himself. His Translator represents him truly when he writes: No exercise of our lives is more salutary than meditation on the life, death, doctrines, and example of our divine Saviour. It is milk to children, nourishing food to adults, medicine to the sick, salvation to sinners, consolation to those of little faith, strength to the penitent, counsel to the just. To the perfect it opens secret mysteries, and gives to the faithful grace in time and happiness in eternity." On this sole ground the work affords sufficient evidence of its utility for the general faithful.

It has, moreover, this peculiar advantage, that its lessons are arranged after the order of the ecclesiastical year. The Word of God possesses in itself a certain sacramental power. Still the presentation of the Word cannot fail to gain in effectiveness by reason of association with the object-lessons drawn from the Church's liturgy. The regular sequence of seasons and festivals exhibits the history of our relations with the divine Trinity Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and we must ever consider it one of the most happy inspirations of the author, as well as one of the most salutary features of the book, that the Gospel of the Word is everywhere reinforced by the living Gospel of the ecclesiastical year. The Church fulfils her divine mission of teaching all nations, not merely by the ministry of the Word, but also by the practices which she has adopted and the forms in which she clothes the essence of her worship. Not without reason, then, must we regard that instruction as most opportune which is given in connection with the holy sacrifice of the Mass. When, during the celebration of the sacred mysteries, we reflect upon Him Who for love of us " bore our sins in His body upon the tree," we are the more encouraged " to die to sin that so we may live to justice.

The solid worth and undoubted usefulness of Goffine's Manual appealed strongly to the learned hierarchy of Germany and elicited their warmest expressions of approval. Gladly do we profit by the opportunity which a new edition of the work offers to reaffirm all that has been said in its favor, and to wish for it that measure of success which its singular excellence deserves.

JAMES CARD. GIBBONS.

BALTIMORE, Feb. 6, 1896.

Memoir of the Author

MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR.

LEONAED GOFFINE was born at Cologne in the year 1648, and was received as a Premonstratensian monk on the 18th of July, 1669, at Steinfeld, in the duchy of Juelich, in a convent which was afterwards secularized. For many years he had charge of the parishes of Oberstein and Coesfeld, which he served with praiseworthy zeal. Everywhere he kept the example of his Lord and Master before his eyes. As we read in the Acts (i. 1), "Jesus began to do, and to teach," so his greatest care was, first to correct himself and then to teach others. Being persuaded that public instruction and the exercises of the divine service should be accompanied by Christian instruction at home, he wrote at Coesfeld, Westphalia, a book of instruction and devotion, which, under the title of "A Manual," he caused to be published in the year 1690. In this work his aim was to instruct thoroughly, in regard to their sublime vocation, not only his own parishioners, but also all Christians desirous of salvation ; to convince them of the superstition and errors of the world ; to fill them with a lively faith, with sweet hope of the goods of eternity, and with a holy love for God and heavenly things. As his whole conduct showed that the spirit of God was with him, so even they who opposed his religion could not withhold from him their respect. He died August 11, 1719, in the 71st year of his age. His memory remains in benediction.

Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS ON THE EPISTLES AND GOSPELS.

PART FIRST.

THE SUNDAYS OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR.

The Ecclesiastical Year.

What is the ecclesiastical year?

The ecclesiastical year is the order of seasons and holy- days, beginning with the first Sunday of Advent and ending with the last Sunday after Pentecost, during which the Catholic Church commemorates in her public worship the mysteries and events of redemption.

Which are the chief holy-days and seasons of the ecclesiastical year?

The holy seasons are:

1. Christmas, for which Advent is the preparation.

2. Easter, for which Lent is the preparation.

3. Pentecost, extending to the first Sunday in Advent. "What does the Church commemorate at Christmas?

The infinite love of God the Father, Who, according to His promise, sent His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem mankind. This holy season begins with the first Sunday in Advent, and ends with the sixth Sunday after Epiphany.

What does the Church commemorate at Easter?

The infinite love of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who, by His life, His works, His passion, death, and resurrection, accomplished our redemption, and then ascended into heaven there to be our mediator. This holy season begins with Septuagesima Sunday, and ends at the vigil of Pentecost.

What does the Church commemorate at Pentecost?

The infinite love of God the Holy Ghost, Who imparts to the faithful the fruits of the redemption purchased for them by Christ. This holy season begins with Pentecost Sunday, and ends with the last Sunday after Pentecost.

How is the ecclesiastical year divided?

The ecclesiastical year is divided into :

1. The fifty-two Sundays. 2. The week-days. 3. The feasts. 4. The fast-days.

Sunday

What is Sunday?

Sunday, also called the Lord s Day, is the first day of the week.

Why has God reserved to Himself one day in each week?

In order that man should rest from work at least one day out of the seven, and dedicate it to the special service of God, and to the salvation of his own soul.

Why do we Christians keep Sunday as a holy- day instead of Saturday, which was the day observed under the Old Law?

The apostles kept Sunday, the first day of the week, as a holy-day for these reasons: 1. As the Sabbath was a memorial of the consummation of the work of the creation, so the Sunday was to remind us of the consummation of the redemption. 2. On that day Our Lord arose from the dead. 3. On that day the Holy Ghost descended on the apostles. 4. To intimate that a new dispensation took the place of the old; and the diver sity of the time of divine worship drew a line of distinction between Christians and Jews.

How should we spend Sunday?

As the design of its institution requires; that is, holily.

How is Sunday kept holy?

Sunday is kept holy by abstaining from servile labor, and by works of piety, such as hearing Mass with devotion, listening to a sermon, receiving Christian instruction, reading good books, visiting the sick, or other works of spiritual or corporal mercy. How is Sunday profaned?

Sunday is profaned by unnecessary servile labor ; by neglecting to hear Mass; by intemperance and idleness; by spending the day in frivolous, dangerous, and sinful pleasures; and in general by sinful acts.

Prayer.

O God, Who hast appointed Sunday that on that day we should serve Thee, and make ourselves partakers of Thy grace, grant that we may always on that day renew our faith, and be incited to the praise and adoration of Thy majesty. Through, etc.

Feast-days and Holy-days

What are feasts and holy-days?

Days on which the Church celebrates either certain mysteries of religion, or some passage in the life of Our Lord, or the memory of the saints.

Why has the Church established these holy-days?

She has instituted the feasts of Our Lord that we may be led to remember God s love and mercy to ward us; to meditate upon the mysteries, truths, and benefits of the Christian religion; and to contemplate Jesus as the perfect pattern of a Christian life, On the feasts of the saints our minds are directed to those heroes of Christianity, that we may keep in veneration the lives of the friends of God, and be encouraged to imitate their example.

Has the Church authority to establish holy-days?

Certainly; for the power which Jesus Christ gave to His apostles and their successors to bind and to loose upon earth includes the power to make laws and regulations for the salvation of the faithful. There is warrant for it, too, in the Old Law, for under that dispensation the Jews celebrated the Pasch, or Easter, to commemorate their deliverance from Egyptian bondage; Pentecost to thank God for the Ten Commandments of the Law given to Moses on Mount Sinai; the feast of Tabernacles in commemoration of the forty years journeying through the wilderness.

Which are the holy-days of obligation?

The Circumcision of Our Lord, Ascension Day, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, All Saints Day, the Immaculate Conception, and Christmas.

Fast-days

What are fast-days?

Those days on which we are allowed but one full meal, in order to present to God a sacrifice of mortification.

Which are fast-days and which days of abstinence?

Those days on which it is permitted to eat but one full meal are fast-days of obligation. Days on which we are forbidden to eat flesh-meat, but are allowed the usual number of meals, are days of abstinence.

Why has the Church appointed fast-days?

In order that her children should, by fasting, mortify the flesh, and overcome sensual inclinations; that by doing penance they should make satisfaction for sin and become reconciled to God; that they should become more fervent in prayer; that by conquering their lusts they should gain greater strength for God's service; that by denying themselves they should have more for the poor; and that by despising worldly pleasures they should learn to desire only the things of heaven.

Which are the principal fast-days?

1. The forty days of Lent. 2. The ember-days. 3. The vigils or eves of festivals. 4. The Fridays of Advent.

What are the ember-days?

Days instituted to thank God, each season of the year, for the benefits received during that season, and to remind the faithful, each quarter of the year, of the duty of penance; also to pray to God for deserving priests, for on those days the ordination of priests usually takes place.

What are vigils?

The vigils are the days before the feasts. The name means watch, and is taken from the watch-night of the Christians of the first century, who used to pass the night before a feast in the church, with prayer, praise, and fasting. Later this preparation was carried on during the day, instead of the night, and the day was made a fast-day.

Why does the Church command us to abstain from flesh-meat on Friday?

The Church commands us to abstain from flesh-meat on Friday in honor of the day on which Our Saviour died for us.

How does the Church sanctify week-days?

By commemorating on. each week-day some divine benefit or the memory of some saint, and by providing for the offering of the holy sacrifice of the Mass, that whosoever can attend may do so. Every Catholic, therefore, ought each day meditate upon some divine truths; hear Mass, if in his power; and without fail say his morning and evening prayers devoutly, that he may be strengthened to perform his daily labors in a manner pleasing to God, and patiently suffer the trials of life, while through all he ascends from virtue to virtue.

Blessings.

What is a blessing?

A blessing is that holy act whereby the Church calls down the divine blessing on persons and things.

Why does the Church bless water, salt, and other things? That the things which she blesses may avail to the spiritual and bodily health of those who use them with devotion.

Is there any warrant in Holy Scripture for this custom?

Yes; we read that Our Saviour Himself blessed little children (St. Mark x. 16), bread, fish (St. Matt. xiv. 19), and other things; and St. Paul tells us: " Every creature of God is sanctified by the word of God and prayer " (i. Tim. iv. 4, 5).

THE BLESSING OF SALT AND OF WATER.

Holy water is usually blessed every Sunday before Mass.

How is this blessing done?

First the salt is blessed with prayer and exorcism, whereby the influence of the evil spirit is broken and God's blessing and protection secured for our souls and bodies. Then the water is blessed in like manner. The salt is then mingled with the water in the name of the Triune God, to show that the sprinkling with holy water may preserve us from the corruption of sin.

For what does the Church use holy water?

To sprinkle the faithful, and everything she blesses and consecrates. According to the words of the prayers, the effects of grace should be, cleansing from venial sin and protection of soul and body against the assaults of the evil spirit.

How should we use holy water?

The devout Christian takes holy water not only on entering and leaving the church, but also at home on rising and retiring, going in and going out, and at other times; always beseeching God to cleanse him by the merits of Christ's precious blood, and to protect him from all dangers of soul and body.

Advent

Advent.

What does Advent mean?

Advent means the coming, and is used by the Church to represent the four thousand years of preparation for the coming of the Redeemer, and at the same time points us to His second coming as our judge.

"When is the season of Advent?

The season of Advent comprises the four weeks preceding Christmas.

"When was the first coming of our Redeemer?

When the Son of God was conceived by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was made flesh, to sanctify the world by His coining.

Was a redeemer necessary?

Yes; for all men sinned in Adam, and needed to be reconciled to God.

Could not the just under the Old Law be saved before the coming of Christ?

Yes; through the expectation of Him and through His future merits all might be saved under the Old Law who made themselves worthy of the grace of Christ by innocence and penance, though they could not be admitted to heaven until Our Lord's ascension.

When will be the second coming of Christ? At the end of the world, when Christ will come with great power and majesty to judge the living and the dead.

Why has the Church appointed the holy season of Advent?

1. That we may consider the wretched state of mankind before the coming of Christ, and bring before our minds the mercy of God, Who sent His only-begotten Son down from heaven for our redemption. 2. That we may prepare ourselves worthily for Christmas, that Christ may then enter our hearts in

the fulness of His grace, to renew them and to dwell in them. 3. That we may so prepare ourselves for the second advent that He may be to us a merciful judge. " Watch ye, therefore, because you know not what hour your Lord will come (St. Matt. xxiv. 42).

Prayer.

O God, Who hast brought joy to the world through Thy gracious advent, grant us, we beseech Thee, Thy grace, that we may prepare ourselves by sincere penance for its celebration and for the Last Judgment. Amen.

First Sunday of Advent

This is the first day of the ecclesiastical year; on it the Church begins to contemplate the coming of Our Saviour, and, with the prophets, to long for Him; she exhorts the faithful to true penance for their sins, which oppose Christ's entrance into their hearts; she sings, therefore, at the Introit of the Mass, in the words of the psalmist: " To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul.

Prayer.

Raise up Thy power, O Lord, we pray Thee, and come, that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins, and to be saved by Thy deliverance. Who livest and reignest, etc. Amen.

EPISTLE. Rom. xiii. 11-14.

Brethren: Knowing the season, that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. The night is passed and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is understood here by sleep?

Sin, in which man, as if sunk in a torpor, no longer sees the light of the Gospel, no longer hears the warning of his conscience, neglects the means of salvation, and lives without care, until he awakes, alas! too late, as from a dream. What is understood by night and day? By night is to be understood ignorance, infidelity, and sin. The day represents faith, grace, and reconciliation with God.

What are the works of darkness?

All sin, especially that which is unknown to men, but seen and known by God, of Whose grace it deprives us.

What is the armor of light?

It consists in faith, hope, charity, and good works, the spiritual arms with which we have to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil.

What does it mean to put on the Lord Jesus Christ?

It means that Christians should think, speak, and act like Jesus, adorning themselves by the imitation of Him as with precious garments.

Prayer.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who became man for us, grant that we may in all things comply with the admonitions of this epistle; that we may arise from the slumber of our sins, and walk in the light of grace by the diligent performance of good works, and adorn our souls by putting on Thee, through the imitation of Thy virtues.

GOSPEL. Luke xxi. 25-33.

At that time Jesus said to His disciples: There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves: men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world, for the powers of heaven shall be moved; and then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand. And He spoke to them a similitude: See the fig-tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh. So you also when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Amen I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. "Why does the Church cause this Gospel concerning the Last Judgment to be read to-day?

To prepare our hearts by penance for the coming of Jesus as our judge.

What signs shall precede the Last Judgment? The sun shall be darkened, the moon shall not give light, the stars shall fall from heaven; the heavens themselves shall pass away with a great noise, the elements shall melt with heat, and the earth with all that is in it shall be burned up. At the command of God the world shall be shaken to its centre; fearful tempests shall arise; the sea and wave? shall roar, and wild struggle and destruction take the place of quiet and order. Men shall wither away with fear, not knowing whither to fly. Then shall appear the holy cross, the sign of the Son of man a terror to sinners who have hated it, a consolation to those who have loved it.

How will the Last Judgment begin?

At the command of God the angels, with the sound of the trumpet, shall summon all men to judgment (i. Thess, iv. 15). The bodies and souls of the dead shall be again united, and the wicked shall be separated from the righteous, the just on the right, the wicked on the left (St. Matt. xxv. 33). The angels and the devils will be present, and Christ Himself will appear in a bright cloud with such power and majesty that the wicked, for fear, will not be able to look at Him, but will say to the mountains, "Fall on us," and to the hills, " Cover us" (St. Luke xxiii. 30).

Why will God hold a general and public judgment?

1. That all may know how just He has been in the particular judgment of each one. 2. That justice may at last be rendered to the afflicted and persecuted, while the wicked who have oppressed the poor, the widow, the orphan, the religious, and yet have often passed for upright and devout persons, may be known in their real characters and be forever disgraced. 3. That Jesus Christ may complete His redemption, and openly triumph over His enemies, who shall see the glory of the Crucified, and tremble at His power.

How will the Last Judgment proceed?

The books will be opened, and from them all men will be judged; all their good and bad thoughts, words, and deeds, even the most secret, known only to God, will be revealed before the whole world, and according to their works men will be rewarded or be damned forever. The wicked shall go into everlasting punishment, but the just into life everlasting (St. Matt. xxv. 46).

Exhortation.

The Church, during the season of Advent, reminds thee, O Christian, of the coming of Christ to judgment, that thou mayest with the more zeal apply thyself to profit by His first coming; for they only will be justified and glorified who have acknowledged and received Him as their Redeemer. Examine thyself, therefore, to-day, and during this week, whether thou hast believed in Him, loved Him, admitted Him into thy heart, and kept His holy commands. Begin at once penance and good works, that thou mayest with confidence await the judgment-day of the Lord.

Aspiration.

Thou art just, O Lord! and just is Thy judgment. Oh, penetrate my soul with holy fear, that I may be kept from evil deeds, and incited to good works. Would that I could say, with St. Jerome, " Whether I eat or drink, or whatever I do, it is as if I heard the awful summons of the trumpet, Ye dead, arise, and come to judgment!

Second Sunday of Advent

HAVING taught us on the first Sunday of Advent to sigh with the prophets for the redemption through Christ, the Church on this day reminds us, in the holy sacrifice of the Mass, of the joyful promises of God for the salvation of the gentiles, and of Jesus Christ's actual coming, in order to quicken our desire for it, and to produce in us an alacrity in making ready our hearts by penance and love.

For this reason she says in the Introit of the Mass: " People of Sion, behold the Lord shall come to save the nations, and the Lord shall make the glory of His voice to be heard in the joy of your heart." " Give ear, O Thou that rulest Israel: Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep." Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the ways of Thine only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be worthy to serve Thee with purified minds. Through the same Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

EPISTLE. Rom. xv. 4-13.

Brethren: What things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ: that with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honor of God. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. But that the gentiles are to glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I confess to Thee, O Lord, among the gentiles, and will sing to Thy name. And again He saith: Rejoice, ye gentiles, with His people. And again: Praise the Lord, all ye gentiles; and magnify Him, all ye peoples. And again Isaias saith: There shall be a root of Jesse; and He that shall rise up to rule the gentiles, in Him the gentiles shall hope. Now the God of hope fill you all with joy and peace in believing: that you may abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Ghost.

What are we to learn by this epistle?

To be grateful to God for having called us, by His grace, to the true faith, and for having received us into the bosom of His holy Church. Again, we are taught that by envy, discord, pride, and hatred we lose our salvation. Finally, St. Paul refers us to the Scriptures for instruction.

Why do the Holy Scriptures profit us?

1. They teach, correct, and instruct us in justice, that we may serve God faithfully, and be ever ready for good works. 2. They sustain our patience in suffering, and our hope of eternal life, by many promises, and by the example of Jesus Christ and His saints.

Why is God called the God of patience, comfort, and hope?

1. Because He looks with patience and long-suffering upon our sinful lives. 2. Because He gives us grace to carry our cross with patience and joy, and removes our despair by spiritual consolation. 3. Because He gives us hope that after this life we shall possess Him, the object of our desire.

Aspiration.

O God of patience, comfort, and hope, fill our hearts with joy and peace, and grant that we may become perfect in all good works by faith, hope, and charity, and that we may attain the promised salvation.

GOSPEL. Matt. xi. 2-10.

At that time: When John had heard in prison the works of Christ, sending two of his disciples, he said to Him: Art Thou He that art to come, or look we for another? And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the Gospel preached to them: And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in Me. And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind? But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold, they that are clothed in soft garments are in the houses of kings. But what went you out to see? a prophet? Yea, I tell you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send My angel before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.