Page:MyPrayerBookHappinessInGoodness.djvu/248

 He will,  likewise,  have  Masses  offered  up  by  the  priest, both for  himself  and  others,  living  or  dead.—, in The  Paraclete.

here is  no  need  of  attempting  to  say  all  the  prayers for Mass  given  in  a  prayer-book. As regards  the following method  of  assisting  at  Mass,  it  combines  vocal prayer  with  meditation. Our aim  has  been  to  lead  pious souls to  devote  some  time  at  Mass  to  mental  prayer;  hence the reflections  on  the  Passion  of  Our  Lord  in  the  Canon  and on the  Pater  Noster;  hence  the  scriptural  extracts  and  the thoughts from  spiritual  writers,  which  are  found  scattered among the  prayers. Many of  the  prayers,  it  will  be  observed, are  indulgenced,  and  therefore  particularly  commendable.

All through  this  book,  indeed,  our  aim  has  been  to insert  indulgenced  prayers  and  ejaculations,  wherever these could  find  a  proper  setting. The use  of  indulgenced prayers for  the  relief  of  the  holy  souls  in  purgatory  is  very desirable and  advisable.

However, it  is  not  intended  that  all  the  prayers  here given should  be  invariably  used;  nor  will  it  be  possible always to  say  them  all,  especially  not  at  Low  Mass. Devotion would at  times  only  be  hampered  in  an  attempt to say  all  the  prayers.

Furthermore, our  pious  readers  are  not  expected  to make  use  of  all  the  moral  reflections  and  scriptural  quotations every  time  they  assist  at  Mass;  dwell  on  those  that excite special  devotion  or  inflame  your  heart  with  pious affections and  good  resolutions. Any part  of  the  prayers and reflections  may  be  omitted.

If, while  reading  from  your  prayer-book  at  Mass,  a good  thought  should  make  a  strong  impression  on  your mind, pause,  meditate  upon  this  point,  and  evoke  spiritual