Page:ThePathToHeaven.djvu/457



It has  become  a  pious  custom  not  only  to  consecrate  certain Seasons  and  Feasts  by  Novenas  and  other  prayers, but also  to  set  apart  the  months  of  the  year  for  special devotions. Some of  these  arrangements  are  already  generally recognised, — such  as  the  Month  of  May  for  devotion to our  Lady;  June,  to  the  Sacred  Heart  of  our  Lord; July, to  the  Precious  Blood;  November,  devotions  for the faithful  departed, — while  in  others  the  custom  varies in different  places. The order  observed  in  the  present volume is  chiefly  that  of  a  well-known  series  of  Italian devotions for  the  months  of  the  year;  while  along  with this is  comprised  a  series  of  devotions  for  the  chief  Feasts and Commemorations  occurring  in  the  several  months; those which  are  movable  being  placed  at  those  seasons of the  year  where  they  more  usually  fall.

January: The  Holy  Childhood,  Epiphany,  Holy  Name of Jesus.

February: Lent  and  Passion,  Purification.

March: St. Joseph, St. Francis Xavier,  &amp;c.

April: Jesus  risen,  Ascension,  Pentecost.

May: The  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.

June: Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus.

July: Precious  Blood  of  our  Lord.

August: Devotion  to  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Mary:  the Assumption.

September: Seven  Dolours,  &amp;c.

October: The  Holy  Angels.

November: Souls  in  Purgatory.

December: Advent,  Immaculate  Conception,  Nativity.

Many of  the  devotions  here  given  have  long  been  in public  use  as  Novenas  at  the  seasons  to  which  they  refer; and, in  conjunction  with  the  hymns  indicated  at  the  end of each  month,  the  series  may  be  employed  as  a  popular manual for  this  purpose. In this  view  it  will  probably be found  to  supply  what  has  hitherto  been  a  desideratum.