Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/19

 standing, and  will  (either  all  together  or  separately), asking, I.  What  am  I  going  to  think  of? (who? where? when?  why?)  II. What doctrine  or  practical  truth  is  to be  learned  from  this? III. What reasons  or  motives  for it from  authority,  reason,  experience,  or  from  the  subject itself? (Is it  becoming?  is  it  profitable?  is  it  agreeable?  is it  easy?  is  it  necessary?)  IV. How have  I  done  in  the  past? (in thought,  word,  action;  towards  God,  my  neighbor,  myself?)  V.  What  must  I  do  in  the  future? (hourly, daily, weekly,  monthly,  yearly?)  VI. What obstacles  are  in my  way? — (internal, external?)  VII. What means  must I use? — (determine on  one  or  two  things,  and  no  more.)

Finish your  meditation  by  a  most  fervent  address  to God  the  Father,  to  Jesus  Christ,  to  God  the  Holy  Ghost; also to  the  Blessed  Virgin,  the  Angels  and  Saints.

After Meditation,  examine  yourself  as  to  the  preparation for  your  mental  prayer;  as  to  the  manner  in  which you have  made  the  meditation  itself  (posture,  attention place,  time). If it  has  succeeded,  thank  God;  if  it  has not, find  out  the  cause  and  resolve  to  do  better  next time.