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Could you not watch one hour with me? Watch ye: and pray that ye enter

not into temptation. (Matthew 26:40-41)

Holy HourIt is best if one leads the Holy Hours prayers, the other responding Amen, when

appropriate. These prayers are arranged for private or community use.

Opening Prayer

+ In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. R/ Amen.Let us join in making our offering of this Holy Hour.O Lord, open Thou my mouth to bless Thy Holy Name; cleanse my heart from all

vain, evil and wandering thoughts; enlighten my understanding, kindle my affections, that I may be able to take part in this Holy Hour worthily, attentively, and devoutly, and may deserve to be heard in the presence of Thy Divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

O Lord, in union with that divine intention, wherewith Thou Thyself didst praise God whilst on earth, I offer this hour unto Thee.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, I consecrate to Thee this next hour for the conversion of sinners, the restoration of family life and for my own special intentions. Intentions may be mentioned here. I offer this Holy Hour to Thee, the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as taught by Saint Louis de Montfort. R/Amen.

METHOD OF MAKING A PERFECT ACT OF CONTRITION

O Lord, help me to remember my sins, so that I can be sorry for them and root out their cause and resolve to sin no more. R/Amen.

Now make an examination of conscience, be sorry for your sins and resolve to sin no more. When resolving to sin no more take one sin and make a specific resolve to work on it until the next Holy Hour.

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EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

“If you love Me keep My Commandments”, (John 14:15)FIRST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God

with thy whole heart, with thy whole soul, with thy whole strength, and with thy whole mind.

1. Study catechism“We shall find out at the day of judgment that the greater number of Christians

who are lost were damned because they did not know their own religion.”, Saint John Vianney.

2. Spiritual reading “Therefore, one thing I recommend to you with singular insistence is that you

never let a day go by without reading some spiritual book for half an hour.”, Saint John Eudes.

3. Meditation“And, further, he who does not meditate, does not know his failings, and thus,

says Saint Bernard, he does not detest them; so, also, he does not see the dangers of his state; and therefore does not think of avoiding them. But when we meditate, our failings and our perils quickly come to mind; and when we see them we seek to get rid of them. Saint Bernard said that meditation regulates our affections, directs our actions, and corrects our defects.”, Saint Alphonsus.

“Mental prayer is morally necessary for all.”, Saint Alphonsus.4. Prayer“By reading and meditating we learn our duty; but by prayer we obtain the grace

to do it.”, Saint Alphonsus.“Be assured, my brethren, that as the body becomes weakened by want and

hunger, and wastes to a mere shadow, so the soul that is not nourished by the word of God, becomes shrunken, worthless and unfit for any good work.”, Saint Augustine.

“Devotion consists in being ready to accomplish in ourselves whatever God demands of us.”, Saint Thomas Aquinas.

“Whoever prays shall be saved, whoever does not pray shall be lost.”, Saint Alphonsus

FIRST COMMANDMENT “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.” Luke 11:28: “Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it.”

SECOND COMMANDMENT: “Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.” If we mean what we say in the “Our Father, “Hallowed be Thy Name”, it would be impossible to be careless with the Name of God.

In 1846 when the Blessed Virgin appeared at LaSalette She said in part, “Those who drive carts cannot speak without putting the Name of My Son in the middle”

THIRD COMMANDMENT: Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath DayIn 1846 when the Blessed Virgin appeared at LaSalette She said in part, “I gave

you six days for work, I kept the seventh for Myself and no one wishes to give it to Me.”“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.FOURTH COMMANDMENT: “Honor thy father and thy mother”

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If anyone has not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he is worse than an infidel., I Timothy5:8

“Character in parents is terribly important because of the influence it exerts.”, Sins of the Parents, page 172

Saint John Vianney: A father and mother can serve God by bringing up their children as good Christians.

Praise not any man before death, for a man is known by his children., Ecclesiasticus 11:30

FIFTH COMMANDMENT: “Thou shalt not kill.”“It is also a sin willfully to produce any serious illness, by eating to excess, or by

eating food injurious to health; for we are bound to preserve our life, and to avoid all danger of death.”, Saint Alphonsus in his Catechism.

SIXTH AND NINTH COMMANDMENTS “Thou shalt not commit adultery” and “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife.”

“O my children, if there were no some pure souls here and there, to make amends to the good God, and disarm His justice, you woula see how we would be punished! For now, this crime is so common in the world, that ills enough to make one tremble. One may say, my children, that hell vomits forth its abominations upon the earth, as the chimneys of the steam-engine vomit forth smoke.”, The Cure of Are

SEVENTH AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS: “Thou shalt not steal” and “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors goods.”

St. Ambrose: “He who spends too much is a robber.”EIGHTH COMMANDMENT: “Thou shalt not bear false witness” especially

against thyself.“He who complains, sins.”, Saint Francis de Sales.

SEVEN DEADLY SINS“Pride is an untrue opinion of ourselves, an untrue idea of what we are not.”, Saint

John Vianney.Proverbs 16:5 “Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord:”Ecclesiasticus 1O:15: “Pride is the beginning of all sin.”

“Covetousness is an disordered love of the goods of this world.”, Saint John Vianney.

Proverbs 30:8-9: “Remove far from me vanity, and lying words. Give me neither beggary or riches: give me only the necessaries of life: Lest perhaps being filled, I should tempted to deny, and say: Who is the Lord? or being compelled by poverty, I should steal, and foreswear the name of my God.”“Gluttony is a disordered love of eating and drinking.”, Saint John Vianney.

Ecclesiasticus 37:34: “By excess many have perished: but he that is temperate, shall prolong life.”

Ecclesiasticus 31:23: “Watching and diseases are with the intemperate man.”“Lust is the love of the pleasures that are contrary to purity.”, Saint John Vianney.

I Corinthians 15:33: “Be not led astray, evil communications corrupt good manners.”

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“Envy is a sadness which we feel, on account of the good that happens to our neighbor.”, Saint John Vianney.

Wisdom 2:24-25: “By the envy of the devil, death came into the world:and they follow him that are on his side.”“Anger is an emotion of the soul, which leads us violently to repel whatever hurts

or displeases us.”, Saint John Vianney“This emotion, my children, comes from the Devil: it shows that we are in

his hands: that he is the master of our heart: that he holds all the strings of it, and makes us dance as he pleases.”, Saint John Vianney

Ecclesiasticus 27:33: “Anger and fury are both of them abominable, and the sinful man shall be subject to them.”

Matthew 5:22: “But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgement. ... And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” “Sloth is a kind of cowardice and disgust, which makes us neglect and omit our

duties, rather than do violence to discipline ourselves.”, Saint John Vianney,“We will not discipline ourselves; we wilt not put ourselves to any

inconvenience. Everything makes us tired, everything revolts the slothful person. ... O my children! how miserable we are in losing, in this way, the time that we might so usefully employ in gaining heaven, in preparing ourselves for eternity!”

“Since base slothful spirits given over to external pleasures are neither used to combat nor trained in spiritual arms, they rarely preserve charity and usually let themselves suffer a mortal blow. This happens more easily because by venial sin the soul has been prepared for mortal sin.”, Saint Francis de Sales.

Ecclesiasticus 33:29: “For idleness has taught much evil.”

TIME

“No time must be lost, but every moment must be employed in prayer, in reading or in performing the duties of your state of life.”, Saint Alphonsus.

“Nothing is so precious as time; and yet comes it that nothing is so little valued? Men will spend hours in jesting, or standing at the window (or sitting in front of the TV) or in the middle of the road, to see what passes;and if you ask them what they are doing, they will tell you they are passing away the time. O time, now so much despised! you will be of all things the most valued by such persons when death will have surprised them What will they not be willing to give for one hour of so much lost time! But time will no longer be available to them, when it is said to each of them: ‘Go forth, Christian soul, out of this world:’ hurry to be gone, for now there is no more time for you. How they will holler, sadly Alas! I have wasted my whole life; during so many years I might have become a saint; but how far I am from being one; and shall I become one now, now that there is no more time for me! But to what purpose will such lamentations be, when the dying man is on the verge of that moment on which eternity depends?”, Saint Alphonsus.

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Nine Ways of Cooperating in the Sin of Another 1. Advising one to sin. 2. Commanding a person to sin. (Note we also sin, when we obey a sinful

command.) 3. Giving consent to sin. 4. Provoking a person to sin. 5. Praising or flattering a sinner. 6. Concealing a sin from the lawful authorities. 7. Sharing in the sin. 8. Defending the sins of another as being permitted for some extenuating

circumstance, some reason. THERE IS NEVER A REASON TO SIN! 9. By silence.

CLOSING QUESTION

Finally, am I really honest with myself? Do I accept the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, especially when it

is a hard saying? Do I accept the truth about myself COMPLETELY and then do what the truth tells me I must do? Do I know what my pet sin or pet sins are? Am I truly honest about this most important point to salvation?

PRAYERS All/ I confess to almighty God, to the blessed Mary every Virgin, blessed Michael

the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 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, all the Saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

All/ May almighty God be merciful to us, and forgive us our sins and bring us to life ever lasting. Amen.

May the almighty + and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution and remission of our sins. Amen.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

O my God, I resolve with the help of Thy grace to avoid sin and the near occasions of sin. Amen.

ACT OF CONTRITION (from St. Robert Bellarmine’s Catechism): O my God, I am exceedingly grieved for having offended Thee, and with my whole heart I repent of the sins I have committed: I hate and abhor them above every other evil, not only because, by so sinning I have lost heaven and deserved hell, but still more because I have offended Thee, O infinite Goodness, Who art worthy to be loved above all things. I most

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firmly resolve, by the assistance of Thy grace, NEVER more to offend Thee for the time to come, and to avoid those occasions which might lead me into sin.

For Forgiveness of Sins

O God, Who doesn’t reject anyone that comes unto Thee, but in pity are appeased even with the greatest sinners who repent, mercifully regard our prayers in our humiliation, and lighten our hearts, that we may be able to fulfill Thy commandments. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SHORT BREAK FOR SERMON OR READING

Here read a meditation point. (If there will be sermons given, a meditation point will be read here.)

Mass of Saint JohnAccept, O Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God, this spotless host, which I,

Thy unworthy servant, offer unto Thee, my living and true God, to atone for my numberless sins and offenses, and negligences; on behalf of all here present and likewise for all faithful Christians living and dead, that it may profit both me and them as a means of salvation unto life everlasting. Amen.

We offer Thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, humbly begging of Thy mercy that it may arise before Thy divine Majesty, with a pleasing fragrance, for our salvation and for that of the whole world. Amen.

Who, the day before He suffered, took bread into His holy and venerable hands and having raised His eyes to heaven, unto Thee, O God, His Almighty Father, giving thanks to Thee, He blessed it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take ye all and eat of this:

For this is My Body

Ring the bell three times

In like manner, when the supper was done, taking also this goodly chalice into His holy and venerable hands, again giving thanks to Thee, He blessed it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take ye all, and drink of this:

For this is the Chalice of My Blood of the new and eternal covenant; the mystery of faith, which shall be

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shed for you and for many unto the forgiveness of sins.

As often as you shall do these things, in memory of Me shall you do them.

Ring the bell three times

Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed. Three times

Now pause so that all can make a private spiritual communion, and short thanksgiving.

The following may be used: My Jesus, I believe that Thou art in the Blessed Sacrament. I love Thee above all things and I long for Thee in my soul. Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though Thou art already come, I embrace Thee and unite myself entirely to Thee; never permit me to be separated from Thee.

A Eucharistic song may be sung now, such as O Lord, I am not Worthy.

Prayer for the Restoration of the MassOh Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest and Immaculate Lamb of God, crucified

for us on the altar of Calvary, Thou art both Victim and Priest, offered eternally before the throne of Thy Father in Heaven. Have pity on us, dear Jesus, and beseech Thy Father to shorten the times, for what was foretold by the Prophet Daniel has been fulfilled in our day. 1Because it is the Truths of Holy Faith that have been cast upon the ground, We promise to learn and to revere these truths, conforming our lives to these most holy teachings. Grant us the grace to turn away from sin, for it is our sins which enabled Antichrist to suspend the Continual Sacrifice. 2 With the help of Thy grace, we promise to return to Thee, as the Prophet Isaias instructed, and to remove any obstacle in ourselves that could prevent the worthy reception of Thy Sacred Body and Blood in the Most Holy Eucharist. Until that blessed day arrives when we can participate once more in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, may we communicate spiritually with Thee in Heaven, and offer as reparation for our sins the inability to receive Thee Bodily upon this earth. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Who livest and reignest forever and ever. R. Amen.

1 Daniel 9:272 Daniel 8:12

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Prayers for the Conversion of RussiaHail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To

thee do we cry, poor banished children 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 loving, 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.V/ Let us pray. O God, our refuge and our strength, look down in mercy on Thy

people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of St. Joseph her spouse, of Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and of all the Saints, in mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of our holy mother the Church. Through the same Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

V/ 3 Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do Thou, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits, who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. R/ Amen.

V/ Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. R/ Have mercy on us. Three times

SERMON

Or meditation time

PREPARATION FOR DEATH Act of Resignation to the Divine Will

O Lord my God, I now at this moment readily and willingly accept at Thy hand whatever kind of death it may please Thee to send me, with all its pains, penalties and sorrows.

FROM THE RACCOLTA: O my adorable Creator, I ask of Thee the greatest of all Thy graces, that is to say, a holy death. No matter how greatly I have hitherto abused the life Thou gavest me, grant me the grace to end it in Thy holy love.

Let me die, like the holy Patriarchs, forsaking this valley of tears without sadness, to enter into the joy of eternal rest in my own true country.

Let me die, like the glorious Saint Joseph, in the arms of Jesus and Mary, repeating in turn each of these sweet Names which I hope to bless throughout eternity.

Let me die, like the immaculate and blessed Virgin, in the purest love and desire to be reunited to the only object of my love.

3 This is said by the Pope (or other leader) alone.

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Let me die, like Jesus on the Cross, with the most lively sentiments of hatred for sin, of charity towards Thee, O heavenly Father, and of perfect resignation in my agony. Holy Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Be merciful unto me.

Jesus, who didst die for me, grant me the grace of dying in an act of perfect love for Thee.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me now and at the hour of my death. My Guardian Angel, my holy Patron Saints, forsake me not at the hour of my

death. Saint Joseph, obtain for me the grace of dying the death of the just. O my God, sovereign Lord of life and of death, Who, by an immutable decree for

the punishment of sin, hast determined that all men must die, behold me humbly kneeling before Thy dred Majesty, resigned and submissive to this law of Thy justice. With all my heart I detest my past sins, by which I have deserved death a thousand times; and for this cause I accept death in reparation for my sins and in obedience to Thy holy will. Yes, great God, send death upon me where Thou wilt, and in what manner Thou wilt. Meantime I shall avail myself of the days which it shall please Thee to bestow upon me, to detach myself from this world and to break every tie that holds me in bondage to this place of exile, and to prepare myself with sure confidence before Thy judgement seat. Wherefore I surrender myself without reserve into the hands of Thy fatherly Providence. May Thy divine will be done now and for evermore! Amen.

CHRISTIAN ACTS

Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us an increase of faith, hope and charity; and that we may deserve to obtain that which Thou dost promise, make us to love that which Thou dost command. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Act of Faith: O my God! I firmly believe that Thou art one God, in three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy GHost: I believe that Thy Divine Son became Man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who can neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen.

Act of Hope: O my God! relying on Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace , and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

Act of Charity: O my God! I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.

SERMON Or meditation time

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CLOSING PRAYERS Renewal Of The Consecration Of The Family To The Sacred Heart Of Jesus 4

Most sweet Jesus, humbly kneeling at Thy Feet, we renew the consecration of our family to Thy Divine Heart. Be Thou our King forever. In Thee we have full and entire confidence. May Thy Spirit penetrate our thoughts, our desires, our words, and our works. Bless out undertakings; share in our joys, in our trials, and in our labors. Grant us to know Thee better, to love Thee more, to serve Thee without faltering.

By the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Peace, set up Thy kingdom in our country. Enter closely into the midst of our families and make them Thine own, through the solemn Enrollment of Thy Sacred Heart, so that soon one cry may resound from home to home: May the triumphant Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved, blessed, and glorified forever! Honor and glory to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, protect our families.

Prayer to Saint John Eudes

Saint John Eudes, who promoted devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, teach me to love those Hearts, which love me so much. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Margaret Mary

Saint Margaret Mary, Jesus brought His Most Sacred Heart to us through you; bring us to His Most Loving Heart. Amen.

Closing Prayer

In taking leave of Thee, O King of Love, Heart of my God and God of my heart, I enter confidently through that wound caused by my sins, into the ark of divine and infinite tenderness which is Thy loving Heart. And here will I stay forever, to repeat to Thee through all time that I love Thee and long to make Thee loved - and to sing throughout Eternity the infinite mercies of Thy Sacred Heart. R/ Amen. (Fr. Mateo)

4 This goes with the Enthronement to the Sacred Heart.

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Other Spiritual Communion PrayersAt thy feet, O my Jesus, I prostrate myself and I offer Thee the repentance of my

contrite heart, which is humbled in its nothingness and in Thy holy presence. I adore Thee in the Sacrament of Thy love, the ineffable Eucharist. I desire to receive Thee into the poor dwelling that my heart offers Thee. While waiting for the happiness ofsacramental Communion, I wish to possess Thee in spirit.

Come to me, O my Jesus, since I for my part, am coming to Thee! May Thy love embrace my whole being in life and in death. I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee. Amen.

My Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love Thee above all things and I desire Thee in my soul. Since I cannot receive Thee Sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though Thou wert already there, I embrace Thee; permit not that I should ever be separated from Thee. Amen.

Prayer of St. Bonaventure

Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, tranquil, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love for Thee. Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the comforting nourishment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the source of life, the fount of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of everlasting life, the flood of pleasure, the richness of the house of God; may it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain to Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end; and mayest Thou alone ever be my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart remain fixed and firm and rooted immovably for ever more. Amen.

Spiritual Communion of Saint John Eudes

O Most Good and Lovable Jesus, I am not worthy to think of Thee, nor that Thou should think of me; still less am I worthy to appear before Thee, or that Thou should deign to become present to me. Yet Thou dost not only think of me and become present to me in the Holy Eucharist, but Thou dost even long to give Thyself to me, with an infinite desire of abiding in my heart and in my soul. O dearest Lord, how wondrous are Thy mercies and how great is Thy kindness! Alas, what is there in me, wretched creature full of filth and sin, what is there capable of attracting Thee to me? Surely it is nothing

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but the excess of pure charity that urges Thee to come to into my soul. Come, come then, O dearest Jesus, for I love and desire Thee beyond measure! Would that I were utterly transformed into aspirations, desire, longing and love for Thee! Come, my sweet light, come, my dearest love, hasten and do not delay to come into my heart which renounces all else and desires nothing but Thee alone. O Thou King of my heart, O Thou life of my soul, O my treasure beyond all price, my only joy, my most dear, most desired and most beloved Jesus! O my all, come into my mind, come into my heart and into my soul! Annihilate my pride, my self-love, my self-will and all my other vices and imperfections. Come and establish Thy humility, charity, sweetness, patience, obedience, zeal and all Thy other virtues. Come to me, there to love and glorify Thyself and perfectly unite my spirit with Thy divine spirit, my heart and Thy Sacred Heart, my would with Thy holy soul. Grant that this heart, this soul and this body, which are often so closely and so intimately united with Thy Heart, Thy Soul and Thy Body by the Blessed Eucharist, may never have any other ideas, affections, desires or emotions except those of Thy holy Heart, Thy sacred Body and divine Soul. Come, my Jesus, enter into me there to live and reign absolutely and forever. Veni, Domine Jesu. (Come Lord Jesus.)

Another Examination of ConscienceAGAINST THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The First Commandment

Have you doubted in matters of faith? Consulted fortune-tellers? Believed in dreams? Made use of superstitious practices? Gone to places of false worship and taken an active part in the religious services of a false church? Belonged to Masons, Communists, of some other forbidden society? Read anti-Catholic books or papers? Neglected religious instruction? Omitted religious duties through fear or ridicule? Murmured against God, or despaired of His mercy? Have you rashly presumed on His goodness in committing sin? Did you pray in time of temptation? For your family? Have you neglected your daily prayers? Have you recited them carelessly, without devotion, thoughtlessly? Have you missed spending a reasonable amount of time in thanksgiving after Holy Communion? Have you been irreverent toward God, sacred persons, places or things? Have you associated with people who might have a bad influence upon your life? Have you refused to place signs of faith in your home, such as a crucifix, picture of the Blessed Mother or the saints?

The Second Commandment

Have you taken the name of God in vain? Laughed at the profane use of the name of God or irreverent speech by others? Given bad example to children by such speech in their presence, or by neglecting to correct a child when irreverent

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or profane language was used? Spoken disrespectfully of the saints or holy things? Allowed others in your household to do the same? Sworn falsely, that is, called upon God to witness the truth of what you were saying, when you were in reality telling a lie? Sworn rashly, or in slight and trivial matters? Have you cursed persons, animals, or things? Have you blasphemed, that is, used insulting language expressing contempt for God, His saints or sacred things? Have you caused others to do so? Have you criticized God's mercy or justice, or murmured against His providence?

The Third Commandment

Have you assisted at Mass on Sundays and Holydays? Have you been late for Mass? Behaved properly in Church? Have you performed or commanded unnecessary servile work, bought or sold without necessity, or in any other way -gambling, drinking - profaned these holy days?

The Fourth Commandment

Have you shown due honor, love, gratitude and obedience to your parents? Have you shown due honor and obedience to your pastors and other lawful superiors? Have you asked their pardon when you hurt them? Have you been disrespectful to your parents by speaking angrily to them, saying unkind, harsh words to them and about them, or by being ashamed of them? If you are a parent, have you shown this lack of honor, love and gratitude to your parents in the presence of your children? Have you criticized them and rejected some of their orders? Have you corrected and punished your children for serious transgressions, or forbidden them to enter serious occasions of sin? Have you cooperated with teachers in the education of your children? Have you refused to send your children to Catholic school when you could have done so and had no permission from bishop or pastor to do otherwise? If there is no Catholic school in your vicinity, have you sent your children to catechism faithfully? Have you taken an interest in their catechism lessons? Have you cooperated with the Pastor and the Sisters in the projects sponsored by them to stimulate the children's interest in the faith? Have you trained and corrected your children in regard to chastity? Have you been disrespectful to aged persons? Have you had proper care for children and those dependent on you - both in physical and religious matters? Above all, have you given them a good example? If you are a child, have you refused to speak to your father or mother? Have you resented them? Have you disobeyed your parents when they gave you orders to avoid bad companions or dangerous occasions to sin? Have you obeyed the rules they made concerning persons to be brought into the house, the hours to be kept at night, or the conduct within the home? When earning money, while living at home or while still subject to your parents, haveyou refused them part of your earnings when they needed it or demanded it? As a

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citizen, have you obeyed laws of the city and country made for the safety and well-being of all?

The Fifth Commandment

The fifth commandment forbids: Murder, suicide, criminal neglect that might cause serious injury or death to another, serious anger and hatred, abortion, mercy killing, the use of narcotics, sterilization, drunkenness, help extended to another to commit a mortal sin, fighting, anger, hatred and revenge. Have you procured, desired, or hastened the death of any one? Have you been guilty of anger, hatred, quarreling, revenge? Used provoking language, insulting words, ridicule? Refused to speak to others? Caused enmities? Given scandal? Did you eat or drink too much? Have you been unkind, irritable, impatient? Have you provoked others to anger offended them, hurt them by anger or impatience? Have you entertained thoughts of jealousy, revenge, aversion, resentment or contempt of others? Have you kept company with those who drink to excess? Have you encouraged them to drink? Have you jested about their drunkenness? Have you neglected your health or endangered your life? Have you neglected to take care of the health of your children or those subject to you? Have you endangered the life of others by driving an automobile while intoxicated or caused real danger to the safety of others in any other way?

The Sixth and Ninth Commandments

These two commandments demand purity and modesty in our life: in our thoughts, words, and actions, whether alone or with others. In general, these commandments forbid: adultery, fornication, self-abuse, indecent dressing, necking, impure kisses, impure dancing, impure talk, sins against nature, birth control, impure touches, petting, looking at impure pictures, dances, floor shows, movies, or reading impure books or magazines. Have you been guilty of impure or immodest thoughts, words or actions - alone or with others? Have you spoken words or phrases of double meaning? Have you told suggestive stories? Have you encouraged others to do so? Have you taught others to do this? Have you avoided occasions of sin in this matter? Have you guarded your sight, or allowed your eyes to wander in curiosity over obviously dangerous objects? Have you put yourself in an occasion of sin by reading bad books, looking at indecent pictures, keeping bad company, attending immoral performances, watching indecent movies or television programs, singing lewd songs, and the like? Have you distributed obscene books or magazines? Have you informed others of places of distribution? Have you encouraged others to read them? Have you desired to do impure things? Have you been an occasion of sin to others, by your conversation, dress, appearance, or actions? Have you touched yourself impurely? If you are married, have you committed sins of impurity with

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another married or single person? Taken part in prolonged kisses and embraces with others beside your partner in marriage? Have you used contraceptive means in performing marriage duties? Have you, without good reason, refused or neglected to render the marriage obligation when seriously asked?

The Seventh and Tenth Commandments

These commandments forbid: robbery and burglary, graft, bribes, stealing and damaging the property of others. These commandments forbid not merely stealing but every type of dishonest dealing, such as, cheating, unjust keeping of what belongs to others, unjust damage to property of others, graft on the part of public officials. These commandments are also violated by merchants who use false weights, measures, who make exorbitant profits or lie about the essential qualities of their goods; by those who obtain money from others by persuading them to make unsound investments with the assurance of gain; by those who knowingly pass counterfeit money, or take undue advantage of the ignorance or necessity of another; by employers who defraud laborers; by employees who waste time during working hours, perform careless work or neglect to take reasonable care of the property of their employers; by employers who charge customers exorbitant prices; by those who do not return what they borrowed; by running up a charge account and not paying it; not returning found articles; selling articles with hidden defects for the usual price; not paying one's bills; by depriving one's family of necessities by gambling, drinking or foolish spending. Have you stolen or retained ill-gotten goods? Damaged or wasted the property of others? Accepted bribes? Neglected to make restitution, or to help the poor? Have you desired the goods of others? Squandered their goods? As a parent, have you taught your children a strict sense of honesty and justice, punishing any slight theft or deceit? Have you sinned in any way mentioned above?

The Eighth Commandment

This commandment forbids: lies, calumny, detraction, perjury, unjust and unnecessary criticism, fault-finding, gossip, backbiting, insults, rash judgment, the telling of secrets one is bound to keep, cheating, tale-bearing. Have you borne false witness for or against another? Been guilty of detraction, flattery, hypocrisy, lying, rash judgment? Have you entertained unkind thoughts of others? Have you harbored suspicions, nursed resentments, refused to forgive others when they expressed their contrition? Have you spread unkind remarks others make to you? Do you discuss the faults of your parents, wife, husband, children with others who have no business knowing anything about them? At home are you given to nagging, complaining, arguing, refusing to talk, calling names, petty quarreling? Have you brought any harm to your neighbor and have you tried to repair it, as

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far as you were able? Have you tried to destroy the good work performed by another, or to hinder it seriously? Have you been sensitive, hurt, cool, thoughtless with others?

AGAINST THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

I. Have you observed all Sundays and Holydays as commanded by the Church?

II. Have you kept the fast? Eaten meat on prohibited days? Encouraged others to violate the precepts of the Church? Scandalized others by your failure to obey the Church in this matter? Have you nibbled between meals?

III. Have you gone to confession at least once a year? Received Holy Communion during Easter Time?

IV. Are you a member of any forbidden society? Are you a Communist?

V. Have you contributed to the support of the Church, school, pastor? Have you prevented others from fulfilling this obligation? Have you fomented rebellion against proper Church authority? Have you given bad example to your children by refusing to support the Church? Have you tried to teach your children to give their share for the support of the Church? Have you ridiculed those who are doing their share and often times more than their share for the support of the Church?

VI. Have you married contrary to the laws of the Catholic Church, or aided others in doing so? Are you keeping such company that may some day prove dangerous for you and lead you to a violation of this precept of the Church? Are you encouraging others to keep such company?

OBLIGATIONS OF ONE'S STATE IN LIFE

Duties of Children

Have you disobeyed your parents? Have you caused them to be angry? Have you grieved them? Used insulting language to them? Kept or wasted your wages you should have given them for their support? Incited your brothers and sisters or others against them? Neglected to write them or send them help? Neglected them in sickness and death?

Duties of Husbands

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Have you grieved, abused, struck your wife, or accused her wrongfully? Have you neglected to provide for your family? Given your children bad example? Failed to correct their faults? Have you interfered with their religious vocation?

Duties of Wives

Have you disobeyed your husband? Caused your children to disobey and dishonor him? Spoken of his faults to your children or neighbors? Neglected to correct your children? Have you given them bad example? Have you instructed them in their religion? Have you interfered with their religious vocation?

Examination of ConscienceThese are the commandments which God gave to man to guide him to happiness

in this life and in the next:I. I AM THE LORD THY GOD: THOU SHALT NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME.

Commands: faith, hope, love, and worship of God; reverence for holy things; prayer.

Forbids: idolatry, superstition, spiritism, tempting God, sacrilege, attendance at false worship.II. THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN.

Commands: reverence in speaking about God and holy things; the keeping of oaths and vows.

Forbids: blasphemy, the irreverent use of God's name, speaking disrespectfully of holy things, false oaths, and the breaking of vows.III. REMEMBER THOU KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH DAY.

Commands: going to Church on Sundays and holy days, keeping the day holy by prayer, Holy Hour, spiritual reading, studying catechism and instructing one’s family in the catechism.

Forbids: missing Church through one's own fault; unnecessary servile work; public buying and selling; court trials.IV. HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER.

Commands: love, respect, obedience on the part of children; care on the part of parents for the spiritual and temporal welfare of their children; obedience to civil and religious superiors.

Forbids: hatred of parents and superiors; disrespect, disobedience.V. THOU SHALT NOT KILL.

Commands: safeguarding of one's own life and bodily welfare and that of others.Forbids: unjust killing, suicide, abortion sterilization, dueling, endangering life

and limb of self or others.VI. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.

Commands: chastity in word, and deed.Forbids: obscene speech; impure actions alone or with others.

VII. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.

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Commands: respect for the property and rights of others; the paying of just debts; paying just wages to employees; integrity in public officials.

Forbids: theft; damage to the property of others; not paying just debts; not returning found or borrowed articles; giving unjust measure or weight in selling; not paying just wages; bribery; graft; cheating; fraud; accepting stolen property; not giving an honest day's work for wages received; violation of contract, usury.VIII. THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR.

Commands: truthfulness, respect for the good name of others; the observance of secrecy when required.

Forbids: lying, injury to the good name of others, slander; talebearing, rash judg-ment, contemptuous speech, and the violation of secrecy.IX. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR'S WIFE.

Commands: purity in thought.Forbids: willful impure thoughts and desires.

X. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR'S GOODS.Commands: respect for the rights of others.Forbids: the desire to take, to keep, or to damage the property of others.

Prayers prepared and compiled by Pope Michael in 1995-6 as an aid to making Holy Hours.

http://www.popespeaks.vaticaninexile.com/requests/15weeklyholyhour.html

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Children’s Examination of Conscience

1st Commandment. Have I neglected my prayers — said them in a careless and irreverent manner?

2nd Commandment. Have I used the name of God in a disrespectful way? I lave I used any other kind of bad language?

3rd Commandment (with Commandments of the Church). Have I neglected to attend Mass on a Sunday or holyday, or come too late to Mass, through my own fault? Have I eaten flesh meat on days of abstinence? Have I behaved badly in church talked, laughed, disturbed others?

4th Commandment. Have I been disobedient to parents or any one I ought to obey? Have I been disrespectful towards them — spoken evil of them?

5th Commandment. Have I given way to anger or had temper, or sulkiness? Have I been envious or jealous of others, or wished any harm to them? Have I inflicted. pain or injury on others spoken ill of them? Have I led others into sin? (If the sin was grievous, say what it was.)

6th and 9th Commandments. Have I deliberately had any thoughts or any desires contrary to holy modesty and purity? Or done anything contrary to these virtues - - alone or with others? Have I sinned against them by looks or by words?

7th and 10th Commandments. Have I stolen anything (how much?) Have I injured the property of others? Have I neglected to give things found to the owner?

8th Commandment. Have I told lies? Have I thought evil of others without sufficient reason? Have f laid blame on them unjustly? Have I talked about their faults to people who did not know these faults, and who had no right to know them?

Act of Contrition.O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest

my sins above every other evil, because they displease Thee, my God, who art so deserving of all my love; and I firmly resolve, with Thy holy grace, never more to offend Thee, and to amend my life.