Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/808

 5. Pious Practices. — Keep  yourself  in  the presence of  God. Accustom yourself  to  saying short  ejaculatory  and  indulgenced  prayers. Keep a  crucifix,  holy  pictures,  and  holy  water in your  room. Carry your  beads  with  you. Wear a  scapular,  and  a  medal  of  the  Immaculate Conception. Support your  parish  priest and your  parish  church  in  all  good  works. Help the  poor  and  the  orphans  according  to your  means. Frequently think  of  death  and eternity.

6. Blessed  Virgin  Mary. — If  you  love Jesus, you  will  love  and  honor  His  blessed Mother. Be most  devout  to  her  and  daily perform some  acts  of  piety  in  her  honor. A pious Servant  of  Mary  will  erect  a  home  altar in honor  of  the  heavenly  Queen  and  Mother of God  before  which  he  will  recite  his  prayers. On our  Lady's  feast-days  he  will  place  an offering  of  fresh  flowers  on  this  altar. Hear Mass and  receive  holy  communion  on  the great feasts  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. Daily renew your  act  of  consecration  and  say  the Mentor are  for  a  happy  death. Cultivate her virtues, especially  purity,  modesty,  meekness, humility,  charity,  patience,  resignation to the  will  of  God  and  devotedness  to  duty.

7. Retreat. — Make  a  spiritual  retreat  once a year.

8. Spiritual  Communion. — An  act  of spiritual  communion  like  the  following  should be made  frequently,  and  especially  at  Mass. "My Jesus,  I  believe  that  Thou  art  truly