The Catholic Prayer Book and Manual of Meditations

Front matter

Nihil Obstat.

Johannes Carb, O.C.C.,

Censor Dep.

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer.

✠

IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

THANKSGIVING.

O MY God! I adore thee, and I love thee with my whole heart. I thank thee for all the benefits which thou hast granted me, and especially for having protected me so mercifully this night.

PRAYER FOR NECESSARY GRACE.

O MY Jesus! bear me in thy hands this day. Mary, holy Virgin! may I find shelter under thy protecting mantle. And do thou, O heavenly Father! show me mercy, for the love of Jesus and of Mary. My Guardian Angel, and all my patron Saints, help me by your holy prayers.

GOOD INTENTION.

TO thee, my God, I offer all that I shall do, all that I may suffer during the day which is now begun. I unite all my actions and sufferings to the sufferings of Jesus and Mary, and I make the intention now to gain all the indulgences to which I may be entitled for any good works of mine this day.

RESOLUTION.

MY God! I firmly resolve to fly from sin, and I implore thee for Jesus' sake to grant me the grace of perseverance. And especially I am resolved that in every trial, taking refuge in thy holy will, the prayer of my heart shall be, "O Lord, thy will be done!"

Here set before your mind the labours and other occupations in which you are likely to be engaged throughout the day. Consider well how you can order all your affairs for the honour of God and the good of your neighbour. Call to mind your usual faults, also the dangers and the occasions of sin to which you will be exposed, and make the firm resolution to guard yourself carefully against these temptations and occasions; and especially against that one which you know to be the greatest and most dangerous of all. Say then, with a sincere heart:

O MY God! I am resolved to avoid this sin of _____ above all others, and with the greatest care, and to be on my guard against this dangerous occasion _____

Then recommend yourself to the intercession of Mary, to all the Saints, and to your holy Guardian Angel.

O MOST Holy Mary, Mother of God! and all ye blessed Saints of Paradise, pray to God for me, that I may not offend him to-day by any sin. And thou, Holy Angel, who art given to me by God for my Guardian, keep me this day from falling into any deliberate sin.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

THE ANGELICAL SALUTATION.

HAIL, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.

THE APOSTLES' CREED.

I BELIEVE in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

THE CONFITEOR, OR GENERAL CONFESSION.

I CONFESS to Almighty God, to the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

May Almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen.

ACT OF FAITH

O MY God! thou who art infallible Truth! I believe everything which the holy Church commands me to believe, because thou hast revealed it to her. I believe that thou art the Creator of heaven and earth, that thou dost reward the just in paradise, and punish the wicked eternally in hell. I believe that thou art one divine Essence in three persons, namely: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I believe the incarnation, and the death of Jesus Christ. In a word, I believe all that the holy Church believes. I thank thee for having made me a Christian and a Catholic, and I protest that I will live and die in this holy faith.

ACT OF HOPE.

O MY God! I confide in thy promises, because thou art faithful, powerful, and merciful, and hope, through the merits of Jesus Christ, for the pardon of my sins, final perseverance, and the everlasting glory of paradise.

ACT OF CHARITY.

O MY God! I love thee with all my heart, and above all things, because thou art infinitely good and worthy of infinite love, and for love of thee I love my neighbour as myself.

Act of ContritionACT OF CONTRITION.

O MY God! I am heartily sorry for all my sins, because by them I have offended thee. I detest them above all things; and I am firmly resolved, by the help of thy holy grace, which I beseech thee to grant me now and always, rather to die than offend thee any more. Amen.

N.B.—It is a most profitable exercise for those whose way of life allows of it, to make at least a quarter of an hour's meditation after their morning prayers. See Meditations at page 255.

A PRAYER TO YOUR ANGEL GUARDIAN.

O ANGEL of God, to whose care I am committed by the supreme clemency, enlighten, defend, direct, and govern me this day, in all my thoughts, words and actions. Amen.

Bless us, O Lord, and preserve us from all evil, and bring us to eternal life; and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

LITANY OF

The Most Holy Name of Jesus.

LORD, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us. God the Father of heaven, God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

God the Holy Ghost, Holy Trinity, one God, Jesus, Son of the living God, Jesus, Splendour of the Father, Jesus, Brightness of eternal light, Jesus, King of glory, Jesus, Sun of justice, Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, Jesus, most amiable, Jesus, most admirable, Jesus, the mighty God,

Jesus, Father of the world to come, Jesus, Angel of the Great Council, Jesus, most powerful, Jesus, most patient, Jesus, most obedient, Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Jesus, Lover of chastity, Jesus, Lover of us, Jesus, God of peace, Jesus, Author of life, Jesus, Example of virtues, Jesus, zealous Lover of souls, Jesus, our God, Jesus, our Refuge, Jesus, Father of the poor, Jesus, Treasure of the faithful, Jesus, Good Shepherd, Jesus, True Light, Jesus, Eternal Wisdom, Jesus, Infinite Goodness, Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus, the Joy of angels, Jesus, King of patriarchs, Jesus, Master of the apostles, Jesus, Teacher of the evangelists, Jesus, Strength of martyrs, Jesus, Light of confessors, Jesus, Purity of virgins, Jesus, Crown of all saints, Be merciful unto us: Spare us, O Jesus. Be merciful unto us: Hear us, O Jesus. From all evil, Lord Jesus, deliver us. From all sin, Lord Jesus, deliver us. From thy wrath, Lord Jesus, deliver us. From the snares of the devil, Lord Jesus, deliver us.

From the spirit of fornication, From everlasting death, From a neglect of thy holy inspiration, Through the mystery of thy holy incarnation, Through thy nativity, Through thy divine infancy, Through thy sacred life, Through thy labours and travails, Through thy agony and passion,

Through thy cross and dereliction, Through thy pains and torments, Through thy death and burial, Through thy holy resurrection, Through thy admirable ascension, Through the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, In the day of judgment, Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord Jesus. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Hear us, O Lord Jesus. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus. Christ Jesus, hear us. Christ Jesus, graciously hear us. V. May the name of the Lord be blessed. R. From henceforth, now, and for ever.

LET US PRAY.

O LORD Jesus Christ, who hast said, “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you;” grant, we beseech thee, to us thy supplicants, the gifts of thy divine love, that we may love thee with our hearts in word and deed, and never cease from praising thee: who livest and reignest, etc.

O God, who hast rendered the most glorious name of thy only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, most worthy to be loved with the highest affection by thy faithful, and to be exceeding dreadful to evil spirits, mercifully grant that all who devoutly honour the sacred name of Jesus on earth, may receive in this life the sweetness of holy consolation, and obtain in the future the happiness of eternal joy and bliss: through the same, etc.

May the divine assistance always remain with us. Amen.

SALVE REGINA.

HAIL! holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope, to thee do we cry, poor banished sons of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears; turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and, after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O pious, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

THE BLESSING.

THE peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the virtue of his sacred passion, the sign of his holy cross, the purity and humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the protection of the angels, and the intercession of all the saints and elect of God, be with me and defend me, now and at the hour of my death, sweet Jesus. Amen.

How to Pass the Day in a Holy Manner

How to pass the day in a Holy Manner.

I.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, be always like one who walks in the presence of God. Remember that he is present everywhere, that his eye follows you everywhere, and that he knows your most secret thoughts.

II.

Begin everything you undertake with a good intention, and keep in mind the words of the Apostle: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you do, do all to the glory of God.”—1 Cor. x. 31.

AT WORK.

Before you begin your work, say, “ All for thee O Lord; O my Jesus, all for thee!”

IN TEMPTATION.

When you are tempted to anger say, “O my Jesus, give me patience! Bless me, Mary, my Mother!”

If wicked thoughts come in your mind, say quickly——“Jesus and Mary help me!” Repeat the Hail Mary or some other prayer until you have banished them.

At the Angelus.

When the bell rings for the “Angelus,” at morning, noon, and evening, remember how the Son of God became man in the womb of Mary, and say as follows :

The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary, etc. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be done unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary, etc. And the Word was made flesh, And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, etc.

PRAYER.

POUR forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may, by his passion and cross, be brought to the glory of his resurrection; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

GRACE BEFORE MEAT.

BLESS us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which of thy bounty we are about to receive; through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

GRACE AFTER MEAT.

WE give thee thanks, Almighty God, for all thy benefits: who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen.

Night Prayer

Night Prayer.

✠

IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.; I believe in God, etc.

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.

[ The Rosary of the B. V. page 445. ]

PRAYER.

O ETERNAL, Infinite, and Almighty God, Whose glory the heaven of heavens cannot contain, look down on thy unworthy servant, prostrate at the feet of thy mercy, and humbly confessing to thee, in the sight of all thy holy angels and blessed saints, the sinfulness and vanity of my life, but especially the transgressions of this day, by which I have so grievously wounded my own soul.

GENERAL CONFESSION.

I CONFESS to Almighty God, to blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have grievously sinned in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my exceeding great fault.

Here examine diligently what sins you may have fallen into this day, by thought, word, deed, or omission, and humbly confessing them, proceed thus:

Of these, and all my other sins, I most sincerely repent, and am heartily sorry for every thought, word, and deed by which I have displeased thy infinite majesty, and provoked thy wrath and indignation against me, especially for my disobedience to so holy a law, and extreme ingratitude to so gracious and bountiful a God. I acknowledge, O Lord, that I have not merited the least of thy mercies, but rather deserve the severest of thy judgments; but as thou hast revealed thyself to be a God of pity and compassion, forgiving the iniquities of such as truly repent, I therefore, with a penitent and contrite heart, freely confess the guiltiness of my own conscience, and beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, the blessed Michael the Archangel, the blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

May Almighty God have mercy on me, and, forgiving me my sins, bring me to everlasting life: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen.

And now, O most gracious and liberal Benefactor, I praise and magnify thy holy name for thy great and innumerable benefits, proceeding purely from thy bounty, and intended wholly for my good—particularly for preserving me this day in the midst of so many dangers incident to my condition, and delivering me from so many calamities and miseries as are due to my sins.

Thou art my Creator, O my God, and kind Protector; thou art the ultimate end of my being, and supreme perfection of my nature. Under the shadow of thy wings is perpetual repose, and from the light of thy countenance flow eternal joy and felicity. To thee be glory and honour; to thee adoration and obedience: from all thy creatures for ever. Amen.

And since thou hast ordained the day to labour, and the night to rest; as I praise thee for the blessings of this day, so I implore thy protection for this night to come. Let the eyes of thy providence watch over me, and thy holy angels set their guard about me; that, being safely delivered from all dangers, and healthily refreshed with moderate sleep, I may the better be enabled to perform the employments of my calling and state of life, and faithfully persevere in the discharge of the duties of thy service; and so daily advance to new victories over my passions, and to a more perfect observance of thy commandments; till, having passed my days in thy fear, I may end them in thy favour, and rejoice with thee for ever in thy heavenly kingdom: through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour, who, with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

An Act of ContritionAN ACT OF CONTRITION.

O DREAD Lord, and most indulgent Father of mercies, I, a wretched worm, have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy servant, much less to be accounted thy child, having repaid so much bounty with contempt, and so many benefits with ingratitude. Where shall I find punishment enough to atone for my sins, or tears enough to wash out my iniquities? Alas! I grieve not merely at those pains which I have deserved for my sins; it pierces my very heart that I have offended a God who ought to be beloved and honoured above all things. What shall I say, O Lord, in detestation of the crimes I have committed? What shall I do to prevent my future relapse? Father, from henceforth the face of sin shall be more hideous to me than hell, and the least shadow of it more frightful than death. Forgive, O Almighty Lord, forgive, and have not the sins of my past life in remembrance. Why should the mighty Lord of heaven and earth be in wrath against so poor, so contemptible an object? Behold me, O God, not in thine anger, but according to the tender bowels of thy infinite mercy; for thou art our Father, and we are thy children; thou art our Maker, and we are as clay in thy hands; thou canst, with those waters drawn from the fountains of our blessed Saviour, cleanse our iniquities, and with the mixture of one drop of his most precious blood mould us again into vessels of honour. Of thee only, O merciful Father, I beg and hope for pardon; upon thee only do I call and depend for assistance, that I may hereafter constantly serve thee with a true and faithful obedience, and inseparably adhere to thee with a pure and perfect love for ever.

PRAYER FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED.

O GOD, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of thy servants departed full remission of all their offences, that, through the help of pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon of which they have been always desirous: who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

V. Give them, O Lord, eternal rest.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

V. May they rest in peace.

R. Amen.

SAVE us, O Lord, waking; and keep us, sleeping; that we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace. Amen.

Preserve us as the apple of thine eye. and protect us under the shadow of thy wings. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.

May thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, as we have put our trust in thee.

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my supplications come unto thee.

THE PRAYER.

VISIT, we beseech thee, O Lord, this habitation, and repel from it all the snares of the enemy. Let thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace; and may thy blessing be upon us for ever: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Litany of Our Blessed Lady of Loretto

THE LITANY OF

Our Blessed Lady of Loretto

ANTHEM.

WE fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God! despise not our prayers in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.

THE LITANY.

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. Holy Mary, Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother undefiled, Mother inviolate, Mother most amiable. Mother most admirable, Mother of our Creator. Mother of our Redeemer, Virgin most prudent,

Virgin most venerable, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice, Seat of wisdom, Cause of our joy, Spiritual vessel, Vessel of honour, Vessel of singular devotion, Mystical rose, Tower of David, Tower of ivory, House of gold, Ark of the covenant, Gate of heaven, Morning star, Health of the weak, Refuge of sinners,

Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of angels,

Queen of patriarchs, Queen of prophets, Queen of apostles, Queen of martyrs, Queen of confessors, Queen of virgins, Queen of all saints, Queen conceived without original sin, 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. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father, etc.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY.

POUR forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may, by his passion and cross, be brought to the glory of his resurrection: through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

V. May the divine assistance always remain with us. R. Amen.

V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen.

TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

O GLORIOUS Virgin Mary, I commit my soul and body to thy blessed trust this night and for ever, but more especially at the hour of my death. I recommend to thy merciful charity all my hopes, my consolation, my distress, and misery: my life and the end thereof: that through thy most holy intercession, all my works may be directed according to the will of thy blessed Son. Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH.

O BLESSED Joseph, father and guide of Jesus Christ in his childhood and youth, who didst lead him safely in his flight through the desert, and in all the ways of his childhood, be also my companion and guide in this pilgrimage of life, and never permit me to turn aside from the way of God's commandments; be my refuge in adversity, my support in temptation, my solace in affliction, until at length I arrive at the land of the living, where with thee and Mary, thy most holy Spouse, and all the Saints, I may rejoice for ever in Jesus my Lord. Amen.

A PRAYER TO YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL.

O ANGEL of God, to whose holy care I am committed by the supreme clemency, enlighten, defend, and protect me this night, from all sin and danger. Amen.

THE BLESSING.

O GOD the Father, bless me; Jesus Christ, defend and keep me: the virtue of the Holy Ghost enlighten and sanctify me this night and forever. Amen. Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Lord Jesus, receive my soul.

Devotions at Holy Mass

Devotions at Holy Mass.

"From the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among: the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblatlon: for my name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of Hosts."—Malach. i. 11.

INSTRUCTION.

Of all the blessings and treasures which Jesus Christ has bequeathed to his holy Church, the august Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest, most precious, and holiest. The Holy Mass is the sacrifice of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, which is offered to the heavenly Father on our altars under the species or appearances of bread and wine. It was instituted by our blessed Lord himself, in order to represent and continue that sacrifice which he made on the cross of Calvary. The sacrifice on the cross was made in a manifest and bloody manner: the Sacrifice of the Mass is made in a mystic and unbloody manner. It is made in a mystic manner; that is to say, when Christ is offered in the Mass, we cannot see him with our eyes as the Jews saw him on the cross, his body and his wounds, and his blood, but all we can see is that humble appearance of bread and wine under which he hides himself now from our sight. It is made in an unbloody manner; that is to say, in the Mass our Lord does not die again, his life is not taken as formerly by the shedding of his blood. Although he is really present on the altar, and he is there as a living victim, his death is only represented. Since his resurrection, he is our living Lord, and cannot die again. "Christ being risen from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him."

Jesus Christ, dying once on the cross, ofliered himself up for us to his heavenly Father: “He has blotted out our sins by his blood that was shed for us, and by his painful death,” and thus he has reconciled us to the Father. But in order to leave us a perpetual memorial of this his great love, at that last supper which he partook with his disciples, he took bread in his holy hands, and after giving thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to them to eat, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in commemoration of me." Also he took the chalice, and said, “This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you."—St. Luke, xxii. 19, 20.

By these words, “Do this in commemoration of me,” Jesus gave to his Apostles, and their successors, the Bishops and Priests of the Church, the power to change the bread and the wine into his most holy body and blood. The Priest blesses the bread and wine as Christ did, he speaks over them the same words of consecration which Christ spoke; and thus the bread and wine are changed now on the altar as they were at the last supper, into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. As Jesus Christ sacrificed himself on the cross to his heavenly Father for our sins, so here on the altar, he offers himself up to the same heavenly Father, by the hands of the Priest.

After the consecration, which the Priest makes by saying over the bread and wine the same words which Jesus Christ said at the last supper, there is no longer any bread and wine on the altar, but the true and living Jesus Christ, at the same time God and man, really present, although hidden under the appearance of bread and wine.

The Priest offers up Jesus Christ to his heavenly Father, in the name of the Holy Catholic Church: and the prayer of the Church, together with the pious desires and prayers of the faithful, are united with this holy sacrifice. It is Jesus Christ rather who upon the altar offers himself up, and prays for us, and we may confidently hope that what we cannot obtain from God by our prayers alone, we can obtain through the Holy Mass, in which Jesus Christ himself prays for us and with us.

It is an excellent practice, therefore, for those who can, to be present daily at this most holy sacrifice, of which St. Augustine says: “One who devoutly hears the Holy Mass will fall into no mortal sin, and will obtain the pardon of his venial sins.” It is good to be present every day; for to hear Mass on a Sunday or holiday is, of course, not only good, but a necessary duty; and to be absent on these days, without a strong reason, is a mortal sin. Be present then, as often as you can, and while the sacrifice goes on, imagine yourself standing near the Saviour when he celebrated his last supper with his disciples; or, if you please, on Mount Calvary, at the foot of the cross, upon which he offered himself to his heavenly Father for the sins of the world.

In order to have a part in the merits of the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, either you must follow the actions and prayers of the Priest, especially at the three principal points, namely, at the Offertory, the Consecration, and the Communion; or make a meditation upon the passion of Christ; or you may make use of devout prayers as you find them in your prayer-book; or, in fine, any other devout exercise best suited to your own feelings of devotion, uniting all the while your intention to the intention of the sacrificing Priest.