The Elevation of the Mind to God
“Be still and know that I am God.”1
I seek you, my God, but not through any of the senses of my body or through any perceptible images. Rather, I turn within myself, to the interior chamber of my thoughts and feelings, and the realm which lies beyond all thoughts and feelings. For there, O Lord, you illuminate my heart and mind. You are, indeed, the eternal truth, the immeasurable goodness, the incomprehensible brilliance exceeding all created things, ungraspable by the mind alone and transcending all celestial powers. According to the mystery of your divine nature, you remain unknown and unknowable. And yet, through pure grace, you communicate yourself to holy souls, manifesting something of the infinite glory of your heavenly nature, which entirely exceeds time, space, thought, and imagination.
O blessed Trinity, one and only God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! You are the eternal glory and highest beatitude of all the saints and the epitome and perfection of all heavenly powers. From you, through you, and in you alone do all things come into being, exist, and reach their end. Make known to me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths; for all your ways are beautiful and all your paths are of peace. You have declared that “blessed are the pure of heart” and “blessed are the peace-makers.”2 These two counsels guide us on the pathways that lead to the blessings of the contemplative life.
Let us work and pray diligently, therefore, so that our hearts may be rendered pure from every stain of sin. And then the way which shall lead us to God— in whom all our happiness and peace abides—shall be made open to us.
A prayer that the mind may be freed from its bondage to the things of the physical senses
I earnestly beseech you, my God, and pray to you from the very depths of my being. Free me, and rescue my soul—which is currently distracted and held captive by all kinds of earthly cares, worries, and desires. By the radiance of your enlightenment, may I discover you within myself, O God; for truly, you fashioned me in your own divine, precious, and incorruptible image.
Indeed, the beauty and likeness of your supreme wisdom does not shine forth in any created thing in the world as much as it does in the human soul. You made the human soul alone with the capacity to know and to love you, and, through the gift of reason, placed it above all other things in creation. Lord, raise up my mind from all earthly concerns and purify the affection of my heart! Renew me according to the “interior human” which you lovingly created. Repair your divine image within me, through the seven-fold grace of the Holy Spirit. Truly you have made the human soul as something immortal, invisible, and incorporeal, capable of receiving the eternal Truth, uniquely blessed with reason and self-awareness, and for this reason surpassing all other living things. On account of this reason and self-awareness, it is more worthy than any visible or perceptible thing to bear the image of God.
O Lord, remove and expel from me whatever is able to stain or darken your image, lest it should become unworthy of your kindly gaze and offend the eyes of your majesty. Deign to renew this most precious and noble image of yourself, which is within me, by the power of your love. Illuminate your image within me with the gift of your intelligence and visit it without ceasing. For, in your omnipotence, it is you alone who hold it in being, and in your omniscience, you perceive and comprehend it always and in full.
Recall, O Lord, how you created my soul from nothing but not for nothing. Remember how you redeemed it from the chains of sin by the awesome and sacred exchange of your holy cross. Do not let this same soul which you created and redeemed, O Lord, be conquered by earthly vices but defend it from all evil and enrich it with your grace. Multiply within it the gifts of your generosity that it may always know the abundance of your saving power.
O God, you alone are my Truth and my mercy! Grant that I may see that which lies beyond the circumscribed world of physical forms, to perceive without material images, and to gaze with an illumination exceeding that of any created light. Grant me the ability to seek with the intelligence of a truly clean mind, for you promise that you shall be beheld by those who are pure of heart.3 This is indeed a stupendous and amazing promise! And yet it is perfectly congruous with true purity and illumination. For those who have left behind all earthly concerns and transcended all physical realities shall deservedly merit to contemplate the hidden light of eternal truth. The more such minds withdraw from the created light and from the things of this world, the more they shall be seized and raised above their individual selfhood to enter into the secret realm of the divine splendor. And how magnificent shall be that vision; how pure that perception! How blessed that eye shall be which beholds the Truth without physical senses or comprehensible images of any kind, O God!
It behooves the human heart to be free and purged from all disordered attachments. It behooves the mind to be undistracted by the tumult and flurry of the individual things of this world if it wishes to comprehend the entirety of the universe by virtue of the eternal and limitless light of Divinity. Grant, O Lord, that in your light, I may see light.4 The light for which my soul longs is not the light of the heavens above, nor the light of the earth; nor is it the light of the angels or the light of human beings. Rather, it is the eternal light—uncreated, infinite, ineffable, incomprehensible and surpassing all existence and conception.
But how heavy is the weight of the physical reality, which weighs me down! How burdensome is the law of sin, which seems to dwell within me. This so often draws me away from the contemplation of the celestial light, from the face of the glory of God, and from the sweet taste of eternal joy. It distracts me from the entrance into the heavenly city of the souls of the blessed, who are surrounded and filled with unending happiness. O God, grant your grace and heavenly blessing to me, your lowly servant.
Of course, I am not yet worthy to drink from the spring of living waters, which flows forth into eternal life. But, please, visit me frequently, most merciful Jesus, and in your love, help me to raise myself above all earthly distractions and lower realities and to see you alone. For you are the one, eternal goodness. Let me seek you above all else and love you completely for your sake alone.
The uncreated, eternal, and boundless Word of God, which illuminates the soul more than anything else
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.”5 O Word of God, most high and exalted, surpassing and transcending all else! You illuminate all things, leading them towards perfection and leaving nothing in creation in darkness. Your Word, O Lord, is my light and the joy of my soul. Without it, I would languish in the darkness of sorrow, but with it, I am filled with joy and light. Open to me, Lord, the door of your eternal radiance so that I may find your divine Word in the heavens. For it is in heaven that your Word eternally abides and “your truth lasts from age to age.”6
How wondrous the eternal Word, which exceeds all measure and bounds! Through it, all things were made and all things are renewed, in infinite wisdom and perfect justice! The very heights of the heavens cannot hold this Word. The depths of the abyss tremble before it, and the breadth of the earth cannot attain to it. This eternal Word of God cannot be communicated, even by a multitude of human words. Nor can it be depicted by images or comprehended by any mortal intellect. Rather, it is beyond all that can be described and imagined.
Nevertheless, it is able to be believed in and loved, despite the fact that it cannot be comprehended or expressed. For the Word of God is God himself, as testifies the blessed evangelist John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”7
O, how ineffable and adorable is this Word of God! How sweet it is to hear, how blissful to meditate upon, how blessed to enjoy! This Word speaks to the soul in a multiplicity of ways—through the Scriptures, through angels, through prophecies, and through secret revelations. Yet it is much more sublime when it communicates itself directly and silently to the faithful mind as the absolute but entirely transcendent truth.
How much I wish that I were able to taste and see the sweetness of this divine Word! It is the light of the soul, the life of the living, and the happiness of those reigning in heaven. With it, no pressure of work would ever crush me, nor any temptation from earthly things would ever hold me back. Indeed, I would quickly overcome all obstacles and allurements of this world. O how good it is to cling to God, to enjoy his Word, to live and think according to this Word, and so to come to await its immortal fruits!
It is, indeed, not a word which is produced or transmitted by sound or conceived in the imagination or intellect, but rather it exceeds all spoken utterance and all powers of imagination and thought. For human words arise and quickly pass away, whereas the Word of God endures eternally. Remaining unchanged in itself, it works changes in all things. In all human and earthly matters, there is always a before and an after. Their existence is therefore never perfect and complete but only transitory and temporary. It is the one God, who alone is eternally existent, who possesses true being. And it is this God, the source of all existence, who imparts goodness to each created thing according to its proper nature and graciously preserves all things in being.
O unique Word of God! This Word was not created in time but was eternally begotten by the Father and, in the realm of time, was made incarnate through the Blessed Virgin Mary! O eternal Word of God, immense and infinite, the bread of angels and of humans. This bread, when it is taken, is not reduced nor transformed into the one who consumes it. Rather, it transforms the one who consumes it, drawing them from the realm of created things up to the incomprehensible and eternal Good. O, what a marvelous thing it is to know this Word of God! What a stupendous wonder it is to hear this Word—the Word not of any human being, nor of any angel, nor of any created being existing under heaven, but of God himself! This Word dwells forever in the bosom of the Father, and yet from there proceeds forth as the only begotten Son, coeternal and coequal with the Father in divinity and power.
Who is able to comprehend or know this eternal Word except through the utterances of this Word itself? For he said, whilst abiding in the flesh, “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”8 There is, therefore, a need for a revelation made by the power and grace of this Word in order that this same Word may be received and understood. Accordingly, the prophet David prayed, “Grant to me understanding, that I may live.”9
For the life and salvation of the soul is to hear this Word, to love it, and to place all one’s hopes in it. The faithful soul desires to enjoy this Word always. But it is not granted to perceive it nor to experience it except by the will and gracious self-revelation of the Word itself, which is Christ. The soul is able to strive and able to desire by its own efforts, yet it is not able to comprehend nor receive the Word unless the Word wills to reveal itself through grace and the spirit.
My soul, prepare yourself as best you are able! Make yourself ready! Abide in solitude and shun the tumult of the vices. Let not anything exterior to yourself disturb or distract you. Let nothing cause you to become troubled. Inflamed with love of the Highest Good, cultivate detachment from all passing things. Turn yourself from the external world to the inner chamber of your heart. Direct your thoughts and sighs to what lies in the heavens. Raise yourself above yourself! Transcend all things which exist in the realms of time and space and leave behind every created reality.
Strive to separate your heart from all limited and conditional things, even those of the most lofty grade. By doing this shall you find the uncreated Word, which is infinitely exalted above all creation. You will be able to do this precisely as much as the Word itself shall help you. As much as it illuminates you, that much shall you see. As much as it inspires and inflames you, so much will you burn with love.
In this invincible and immortal Word, you shall truly conquer the world and all its perils and snares and shall prevail against each and every foe and adversity! In this Word, you shall stand strong and unwavering in all virtues. For the sake of this Word, you shall gladly leave all things—father, mother, friend, and neighbors. That is to say, you shall safely overcome all temptations and allurements of flesh and blood. Ultimately, you shall indeed become one spirit with this Word. You shall come to desire and wish for nothing else—in small things and in great, in present affairs or future realities—except for that which is pleasing to this divine and eternal Truth, which is nothing other than the will of God. It is for the sake of knowing and loving this uncreated Word, who is with God and who is God, that all the writings of Scripture and all the teachings of the saints have come to us.
The saints of God have said and written many great and magnificent things. Yet all of these writings and teachings reach only to the extent that it can be granted to mere mortals to grasp the divine Word and its mysteries. In its own perfect and ultimate nature, it remains ever and wholly ineffable and incomprehensible. Every holy and inspired word proceeds from the illumination of this eternal Word. For this is the unique font and exemplar of all that is true, good, and holy. In it is all virtue, power, wisdom, and intelligence.
By means of external and comprehensible signs and teachings, it communicates to us the journey whereby we may seek and find its eternal Truth. Since, as creatures, we may not comprehend the Creator directly, we are granted comprehensible, visible, and perceptible manifestations of the Divinity, including Sacred Scripture, to lead us forth. But we should never be satisfied by such external signs or by mere audible or written words, no matter how beautiful and profound they may be. Rather, we are called always to seek earnestly within the unspoken and hidden depths of our own heart and to strive longingly towards the glorious, celestial, and utterly transcendent kingdom hidden above us. For there we shall find the one, perfect, and eternal Good, which is God himself. It is this infinite yet unseen Goodness that nourishes the splendid hosts of angels and teaches all the faithful with the rich eloquence of sacred doctrine. And, whenever it wills, it sends forth the sacred radiance of internal illumination, whereby it grants to the devout mind the grace of sensing those divine realities which exceed all the powers of sense and reason.
On the ardent desire which inflames the soul when it has been visited by the Word of God, its unique and beloved Spouse
“O Lord, all that I long for is known to you, and my tears and sighs are not hidden from your sight.”10 Lord, my soul longs for the bliss of eternity above all else. When I recall this blessed eternity and the celestial glory of heaven, my own actions seem burdensome to me. Whatever I perceive in earthly things strikes me with tedium and languor. The usual human consolations do not delight me at all. I can find no remedy for the aching longing of my heart, unless by being perfectly united with you, O God.
Thus it is you, my beloved Lord, who are the cause of my pain! You are the author of my languor and the unbearable heat of my love. You have wounded me with the hidden darts of desire, igniting my soul and penetrating the very depths of my heart. Shall you cruelly abandon me now to wallow in my affliction and to mourn with fervent, unfulfilled longing? Why do you flee from me so hastily into the remote and inaccessible regions of opaque darkness into which I am completely unable to follow?
O God, my holy Love, do not disdain one who longs for you so desperately! Do not conceal yourself from the vision of one who loves you sincerely. Rather, grant mercy to the soul that seeks you, and come quickly! For without you, I can neither live nor even exist.
Lord, even if you wish to subject me to trial and to test me, do not hesitate to do so. Do to me whatever pleases your will! But do not withhold the sweetness of your grace and mercy.
Grant, O Lord, that I may find grace in your sight, and kindly deign to include me amongst the multitude of your chosen. Abandon me not to the darkness—let not the weight of sorrow crush me utterly. Rather, kindly extend your right hand so that I may be saved, and let the light of your mercy shine forth and fill my soul.
A prayer for detachment from all earthly things
Lord Jesus Christ, you alone are my hope and my refuge. You are my best solace in times of trouble and my trusted guide in times of perplexity and uncertainty. Therefore, today, I renounce all things in this passing world for the sake of your love. I earnestly aspire to fulfill this resolution to the honor and glory of your holy name. I shall henceforth prefer your love to all my other attachments, whether to friends, parents, relatives, or all those who are dear to my heart.
I renounce all earthly property, all castles, lands, mountains and valleys.
I renounce all the rivers and flowing streams, the fields and meadows, the verdant woods and towering forests.
I renounce all the beautiful buildings and majestic edifices raised up by human hands.
I renounce all instruments of music, all flutes, harps and lyres, and every melody known to mortals.
I renounce the rose, the orchid, the lotus, the lily, and every terrestrial flower, together with all their sweet and varied fragrances.
I renounce all jokes, feasts, festivities, conversations, discussions, rumors and gossip.
I renounce all riches, all cares, and all dignities.
O Lord, I renounce for the sake of your love everything that can tempt and bind my soul, everything that can distract it, and render it impure and divided.
Yes, today I choose you, O God, as my protector! Govern and direct my life and provide for all of my needs. Console me in all sorrows and afflictions, and give me strength in my labors, together with the wisdom and fortitude to resist temptations. Let your grace assist me in everything I must do and undergo, for the sake of love of you and for the sake of the salvation of my soul.
O God, you are my true home, my refuge and my fortress.
You are my food, my drink, and my rest.
You are my beloved companion, my truest friend.
You are my brother and sister, my Father and patron.
You are the shepherd and guardian of my life.
To you, O Lord, I therefore commend all that I am and all that I have. For apart from you, there is no salvation. Without you, there is no life. “May your mercy come upon me, O Lord.”11 May your grace be my constant companion. May your vigilant eye keep watch over me day and night. May your all-powerful hand protect me from the foes and perils which threaten both from the right and from the left. Lead me along the right path, O Lord, into the celestial dwelling place of your infinite glory. There, let me praise and bless your holy name for ages unending. Amen.
A prayer for progress and perseverance in the virtues
O God, most holy Lord and Father, you direct, govern and weigh all things in due and proper measure. Accordingly, you seek, above all, that rational creatures should offer to you the love, honor, and service which is justly due to you. I therefore beseech that you direct my actions and deeds to be pleasing to you. Help me to restrain and overcome all movements of my heart or soul which are rebellious or contrary to your eternal will. Order all my affections so that I may reject whatever is evil and strive after all that is truly good. Help me to learn to contemplate and love you without relying upon the physical senses and the fleshly imagination.
Fortify and make firm my heart so that I may not be enslaved to earthly and exterior things but may seek fervently the things which are above. Nourish in me an unflagging desire for eternal realities and an aspiration to attain to the higher virtues and the enjoyment of celestial beatitude. In doing this, O Lord, your own honor shall be increased and I myself shall make progress upon my pilgrimage to happiness.
Let not the footstep of pride approach me, and let the plague of vainglory not menace me. Let me not be deceived by the manifold illusions of Satan, nor seized by any tempting and beguiling sweetness of mind, body, or spirit. Neither let me indulge in misguided private devotions which separate me from the Church and my community; nor let me vainly undertake excessive works of piety and penance, which serve to break the soul rather than to strengthen it.
Grant me, O Lord, to do nothing without discretion and prudence, and to have the humility to seek wise counsel in all matters. Direct my works and my prayer so that they may be offered with holy fear and reverence for your Divine Majesty. May I act with purity and freedom of heart, not swayed by passions and attachment to corruptible things. Grant to me a humble and quiet spirit, one that is never uncontrolled or garrulous. Let my soul adhere to no created being or object with any sinful attachment.
Rather, let my heart be pure and tranquil and affix itself to you alone. May my mind strive always after heaven and ever be secretly intent upon you, O God. In the midst of this passing world, let me know myself to be merely a pilgrim and to look upon all earthly things with a wise and judicious detachment.
Help me to perform all my actions and works in the exterior world in a manner which is fitting to the time and place and without detriment to my interior life. May all the works and labor which I undertake for your sake, O Lord, lead me and assist me in arriving at blessed contemplation. Indeed, let me do all things for your love and for the greater glory of your name, whether they are actions in the exterior world or prayers and thoughts within my heart. May I be given a spirit of prompt and mild resignation to carry all the burdens of this present life which you determine for me or my vocation requires of me. In this way, let me commend my whole being—body and soul—entirely to you, my Creator, with complete faith, trust, and obedience.
And remember me, O God, in the hour of my death. At that time, deal gently with me, your devoted servant; for it is not in my own merits but rather in your compassion and mercy that I place all my trust.
An exhortation made to the soul for humility and compunction
O my soul, submit yourself humbly and unresistingly to the will of God. For the sake of God, submit and resign yourself to all things and events of this created realm. Strive to think of yourself as the least of all things, and hold yourself unworthy even of the light itself. Recall that you have, by sin, offended God and his saints. Often, indeed, you have failed in your duty of due reverence.
Flee, O soul, to the refuge of tears, and implore heaven’s mercy with great contrition of heart! Beg God to forgive you and treat you with mercy for anything you have done that is contrary to his divine and immeasurable kindness.
Before the final day of this mortal life and the dark horror of death arrives, with tears and prayers, strive to reconcile yourself to the face of your merciful Creator. Commit yourself each day to changing your life for the better so that, little by little, you may arrive at true sanctity.
A prayer for obtaining true and tearful contrition for sins
O God of all forgiveness, your nature is pure goodness itself, and all your works are mercy! Grant to me, according to the vastness of your compassion, perfect and complete contrition for my sins. Grant that I may weep the bitter tears of true penitence for all my sins and offenses so that I may be able to wash away the stain of guilt and purge my soul of its iniquity. Doing thus, may I merit to partake in the complete forgiveness of sins which you alone can grant, O Lord, so that I may rest securely in your compassion and take blessed refuge in your saving mercy!
Arm me with a holy zeal for justice so that I may rise up against even the worst of sinners and be on guard against all the thieves and bandits who lie in hiding around me. For I have indeed gravely offended you, my God, the Creator of heaven and earth. I have sinned not only in what I have done but also in what I have failed to do; for often have I neglected to offer due honor and glory to you, O Lord.
In such things, I have really been stealing from myself by taking away from the multitude of treasures you have stored away for me to enjoy in the future life. I have inflicted grave wounds upon my own soul with the spears of sin. It is as if I have even been striving to kill my own spirit by being mastered by the temptations of the flesh.
O Lord my God, most just judge of all the universe, bestow upon me true contrition and sorrow for my sins, as much as you know that I truly deserve. Correct me and castigate me in this present life, Lord. For it is infinitely better for me that you freely punish me now than that you reserve the condemnation and retribution due to me for the future and final judgment. O loving and clement God, be merciful to me, though I am entirely unworthy and the greatest of all sinners. For you once deigned to enter this world for the sake of sinners. And in order to achieve their reconciliation, you accepted condemnation to the most fearful death and, filled with divine love, were crucified as the price of humanity’s redemption.
A prayer for the attainment of love of virtue and abhorrence of vice
O God, you are the Lord of all virtues and their perfection and consummation. Place into my heart that virtue which is best of all—namely, the fervent love of your most sweet name. Plant in me the roots of true virtue and the seeds of holy meditation. Make this spring up and grow with the abundant greenness of good works. Let me not be a barren tree, which stands in your garden without producing anything of value. Rather, cultivate me so that I become like the fruitful olive tree. Whatever you find in me of vice, pull out by its very roots and leave not the slightest trace of it behind.
Give to me, O Lord, abhorrence of all my vices, great and small. Grant victory over my restless passions and mortification of my lustful desires. Grant control over every movement of pride, extinction of envy, mitigation of anger, expulsion of harmful melancholy, contempt for vainglory, flight from visible honors, and complete detachment from all earthly consolations.
Let me not be swayed, seduced, or captured by anything earthly, or vain, or ephemeral, or false, or deceptive, or empty, or futile. Render my heart impervious to the temptations of deceptive pleasures which appear sweet, and make it resilient in the face of all that seems hard or daunting.
Grant that I not be deceived or ensnared by any passing reality—which are, after all, but fleeting shadows. Fill my heart with desire for that which is eternal and love of that which is genuinely good. May I seek to attain every virtue and to grasp the highest truth of the Divinity so that I may at last arrive at everlasting beatitude. Grant to me a blessed and happy hour for my mortal death, and until then, grant that I walk constantly in fear and love of you, O Lord.
Cleanse my heart from every inordinate attachment to created things and from all that is able to impede or darken the way of my life’s pilgrimage. May I be simple, pure, and sincerely and completely intent upon you, my God. Share with me something of the grace of your perfect, divine peace so that I may hold within my heart and mind blessed and faithful tranquility, free from all needless and futile disturbance.
Let me be free from the infection of vices. Free me in particular from the vain desire to be recognized, known, loved, and honored by other people. For all those who seek for anything apart from you, my God, are both deceived themselves and deceive others. Direct me to yourself alone, Lord! Release me from the vain desire for the esteem and honor of my fellow human beings. Indeed, let me love or desire no created thing except for your sake alone and in accordance with your divine will and plan.
A prayer for patience in times of tribulation and anxiety of heart
Lord God, my beloved, holy Father, I am not worthy to be visited by you, but rather, I deserve punishment with harsh blows. Since I have sinned and shown myself ungrateful in innumerable ways, I deserve to carry many heavy burdens and to be afflicted with many tribulations. Unlike my good and faithful brethren, I am entirely unworthy to be refreshed by your divine consolations and to be included amongst the guests at your holy banquet.
Nevertheless, I beseech you, holy Father and sweet and merciful Lord, deign to count me as one among your servants. Let me be even the least and lowliest of your slaves so that I may thus be part of your household with all the others, whose footprints I am not worthy to kiss. These have many and great consolations from you. Rightly do you love them, indeed, with a great and special love. For me—who am the least and most wretched of all—it will suffice if you do not spare me from affliction and adversities!
Merciful Lord, may such purifying tribulations be dearer to me than any consolations and pleasures. For these I may suffer solely for your honor, not for my own gratification or for the hope of obtaining any reward. Indeed, to me there is no greater reward and no more precious treasure than to endure trials and adversities for the sake of your honor and glory.
O Lord, who are the highest Truth, pour forth into my heart the radiance of your celestial light! Let me consider myself as an exile in this world, a pilgrim, and an unknown pauper. Let me be as one abandoned and deserted by all things in creation, like one destitute and helpless. Thus shall I seek nothing else but you, my God, and entrust my hopes to you alone.
May I be as one dead to the world and hidden in a tomb, whose very memory has perished without a single trace remaining. Christ, eternal wisdom of the Father, let me contemplate my own condition in such a manner often. Let me be ever mindful of the account I shall have to render of myself at the future judgment and the eternal life to come. Doing thus, I shall prepare myself to appear before your heavenly throne with humble prayers and tears of repentance.
A prayer for knowing and following the way that leads to eternal life
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the true light which is eternal and unchangeable. You humbled yourself to descend into the prison of this world for the purpose of illuminating the darkness of humanity’s ignorance and revealing to us the way that leads to our homeland of celestial radiance. In this heavenly homeland, you dwell eternally and shine forth with a glorious brilliance that will never fail nor fade.
O Lord, hear the prayers with which I humbly beseech you, and pour forth into my heart that divine light so that I may recognize and know the path by which I should walk to arrive at eternal life as I make my way through this mortal pilgrimage. May I leave behind all earthly cares and vanities and follow you, my Creator and Redeemer, with the eager step of love until I arrive at the end of this journey. May I persevere in poverty, humility, and patience. May I continue in faith, hope, and charity, and in temperance, chastity, and perfect obedience.
You are the illuminating mirror of life and the lamp of all sanctity. You have gone before me on the way of virtue so that you may lead me to the knowledge of the highest Truth. Once, indeed, I was shrouded in the darkness of sin and error. But you have offered an example of the correct way to live. Even those who do not wish to imitate the example of the saints must at least strive to follow you, for you are the only Lord and the only judge of all. And so that we do not regard this as something impossible to do, you have raised up innumerable good and holy people who have followed your footsteps ardently and faithfully.
Grant to me, O most loving Jesus, the fervor of your spirit. Kindle in me that sacred fire of love, which you came to send into this world.12 Help me to be animated only with the desire for you and to strive to please you alone. May I never be anxious about being overlooked, disregarded, or neglected by other human beings. Lord, be my highest joy and the true delight of my soul! Abide with me and permit me to abide with you, free from all earthly distractions and liberated from all vain and ephemeral ambitions, aspirations, and fears.
Be my teacher and my master, my creed and my wisdom. As long as I follow you, I shall not fall into any error. If I remain intent upon you, all labors and efforts will seem to me small, all adversities will seem trivial, and all burdens will become tolerable. Imbue me with your love, which has the power to overcome everything. Grant to me genuine humility of heart so that I may not consider myself worthy of anything except whatever your will disposes for me.
O Lord my God, you are my hope and the fulfillment of all my desires! You are my refreshment and the illumination of my heart. I know that you never desert those who hope in you. Sometimes, of course, you permit us to be tempted and tested. But this is only so that we may come to know you more fully and recognize the depth of our need for you.
Jesus, my one beloved, do not desert me in my exile in this world! Be with me always, as you promised. Come to me when I need you most during this time of trial, until the battle of life is complete. And I shall ardently long for the day when you draw me to yourself in your eternal glory, where you—who are truly God— live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
A prayer of salutation to our Lord Jesus Christ
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ, King of all the holy angels! All the virtues of heaven tremble at your commands; all the seraphim and cherubim adore, praise, and bless you forever and ever.
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ, true Messiah and perfect epitome of holiness! You were sent forth from the embrace of the Father into this world. It was you whom the patriarchs longed to behold, and you of whom all the prophets uttered their mystic oracles.
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ, Creator and Redeemer of the human race! It was you whom the apostles and evange-lists proclaimed throughout the world as the only Son of God, who was made flesh, suffered, and rose from the dead for the sake of our salvation. In your glorious name, and made radiant with the marvelous power you bestow, these same apostles and evangelists raised up your holy Church unto the very ends of the earth.
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ, invincible warrior, unconquerable hero and most faithful helper of all the saints! It was you whom the glorious martyrs imitated by disdaining all the blandishments of this world and spurning all perils and threats made to body and to life. Such noble souls freely and bravely accepted even death as an undying testament to their unshakable faith in you.
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ, highest priest and eternal shepherd! It is you whom all devout priests, bishops, and teachers of the faith glorify by means of their doctrine and virtue. It is you who inspire the love of holy monks and hermits who walk the narrow way of salvation with complete devotion of mind.
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ, beloved spouse of saintly virgins, consoler of pious widows, hope of orphans, and refuge of the poor! It is you who alleviate the burden of sorrows and who are the eternal salvation of all who believe in you. You are the open door leading to heavenly tranquility to all who draw near to you. It is you whom the innumerable choir of holy virgins, adorned with the radiant beauty of chastity, follow with love and devotion, bearing an immaculate halo of inviolate purity.
Hail, Lord Jesus Christ, light of the world and font of eternal life! You are the true paradise of the soul and delight of the heart. You are the generous giver of all graces, the restorer of innocence, in whom are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God.
Lord Jesus, to know you is to live. To serve you is to reign. To have seen you but once is to become oblivious of all else. It is you that the glorious host of angels desire to behold and, in contemplating you, find perfect and ineffable bliss.
To you, my Jesus, be all praise and glory, together with the Father and Holy Spirit, both now and forever! Amen.
1 Psalm 46:10.
2 Matthew 5:8–9.
3 See Matthew 5:8.
4 Cf. Psalm 35:9.
5 Psalm 118:105.
6 Psalm 118:142.
7 John 1:1.
8 Matthew 11:27.
9 Psalm 118:144.
10 Psalm 37:9.
11 Psalm 33:22.
12 See Luke 12:49.