A SUBSCRIPTION OF ONE GUINEA ANNUALLY ENTITLES You To (1)_A copy of every C.T-S.1, publication issued during the year priced at 6d. or under. (2) A free copy of each issue of the Society's magazine, “Eattte uth Quarto, (3) Rich spctual preg, including thie unusual Ail Masses Sffred forthe repese of the soul sxcased member of the Society bea, In addition £0 the ordinary tte of the Hay Secics,»plenay nau sence, speialeonly 0 ‘of "he decea Pivsether or not the. Masses are ssid at Brileged Altar or by a Privileged Priest The Society Needs Your Help! Full particulars from:— The Catholic Truth Society of Ireland Veritas House, 7 & 8 LOWER ABBEY STREET, DUBLIN. SIMPLICITY OF LIFE FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. FRANCIS be SALES oY CONSTANCE DAVIDSON DUBLIN: CATHOLIC TRUTH SOCIETY oF IRELAND.DD.5 SIMPLICITY OF LIFE FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES. ‘Live ia joy, brimful of God and of His Tovel” \ COMPILED BY CONSTANCE DAVIDSON. ' ane 6a cus DUBLIN wee na Pine Cacortice 4 n€ypina "TRUTH SOCIRTY OF IRELAND 7, 8 Spiro Maimpeyese foots es Y and's Lower Abbey StreetRECCAREDUS FLEMING, Genser The, Dp Serprin Pott EDUARDUS, ‘Atchicp. Dunes, Ditlini, ale 50 Bar ne 186, sete sR Bey Ss RULE OF LIFE Rising Special Reading. Eamon and Night Prayer, ORDINARY LIFE Seria faercoute Sean Dre ‘Sous! Resear sad preparsion Gn Dest MY puTY (0) Towards God, oy ‘pli. Contes (0) Towards my nelghiour, by Ghary aad genes (9 tom apa Hoty Abandonment rennet of id, sSLMPLICITY OF LIFE, ® “SIMPLICITY OF LIFE” RISING AND THE MORNING OFFERING fe should make use of the night for slap, each one ae cording this constitution, wo fat ay is necesary for being tsefully ewake during the day. And I think tere it vin tne in he care which we take to go to bed betimes in the evening, im order to awake and svi carly ia the morning Certainty the early moraing is che most beeutifa, the mosh agreeable, and the lest diatracted time of the day the very birds do then invite us to awake and praise Geul; 90 thee ‘arly teing ie helpful both to health aud to holiness (2) Tn the morning, ae» general preparation for all the works of the day, you should 1. ‘Thank Ged and adore Him profoundly for presev ing you daring the past night. 2 Consider that the present day is givea you that you may gain the future day of eternity, and take a fem seslution to employ the day wel 8. Forecast what affairs, what intercourse and what ‘asions you may meet with during the day fo 20m God, aud what temptations may hefall you to offend Hin, “Foy example, fT foroas that I shall have to treat of some ma‘ter with a person who is passionate And quik tempered, not only will I reso to refrain from anything that may offend Him, but T will pre- pare mild words to prevent his anger 1. This done, humble yourselt before God, and, a8 if you were holding your heart in your hands, offer ie to Him, imploring Him to take it under Ili protection 8. Tavoke Our Lady, your good Angel, and the Saints Bhat they may artis you But all those spiritual aétions shoald be done briefly and ferventy, before you leave your room, if i be possible so that by means of them, all that you do throaghout the day may be watered with the bleing of God” (2) (6) Inralucion py & a) notion, pm° SIMPLICITY OF LIFE, MENTAL PRAYER “Above all T recommend ¢o you prayer of the mind aod haeart, especially that whieh has for its subject the Tite and Passion of Our Loed; for by babolding Him often in medi tation, your whole su will be fled with Him. As children by listening to heir mothers, eid pratiing with them, Tears speak their Innguages eve, by keeping close 0. the Saviour in meditation, nod ‘observing ibs words, Is ‘tions, and Hiig-affections, shall lean to speak, to act, find to will ke Tim. (1) ‘Spend a oortain time in meditation every day, if posible in the early part of your morning, bwranse your ind Will bye lem dintracted eod auore refreshed ner the spose of the night. (2) ‘When you have finished this prayer of the heart, you must take care not to give any Jolt to your Beary Tat You Spill the balm which you bave received by means of your prayers Laman by this, That yoo most keep silence for | Uitte while, if pomible, and move your hear quite gently from your prayer to your sseupations (3) “The mediation saat be closed hy # litle noegay of de sotion, "howe who ary brn walking in a beutiful garden Go av: lenve willingly wichowe taking away with tom our ov five ower, totale their perfume and carry thes wut duriug the ay) even oy when. we have considered one mystery in meditation, we should choose one oF two fuinta to remember chem throughout the dg, and #0 1 hie thir persume pseitaaly. (0 "You imusl accustom yours to know how pass from wager to all sorte of ction which your woalion aad pro omon justly and lawfully weiner of you, though they ean very far removed fron the afeetions ‘ich yoo have fecrived in prayers I mean that the advorate. mist learn {pao from prayer to pleading; the merchant to busines; {Relarsied woman to the ditie of her sate aad to the () Inructon. $5 9 pa Qe” ps pes SIMPLICITY OF LIFE, 7 cares of her household, with so much gentlesese and tren- ‘uility thet tho spirit be’ not disturbed thereby. For, since both are according to the mill of God, we aust make tho ppamage from one to the other in a spirit of haility and Sevotion. Ct) ‘Do at br distreued if sometimes, or even very often, you are not consoled hy your meditations Persevere gently, humbly, patiently, withont forcing your mind, aid read took when. you are fatigued; readl & litte, shen meditate, then read a Title again, and agsin meditate, ‘Take it as a ale that the grace of meditation cannot be gained by aay (fort of the mind bat by a nvek and loving perseverance bounding in hamility. (3) ‘Altiouig evo or three times, putting myself in the pre- eno» of God without preparation, I fond that wae ex: Tremely sear to Him, yee T woud Rot have dared to make a custom of taking mypel® awny from the high toad in order to make this the ordinary one. I Jove the way of those who Dhave gone Uefore us and of the simple; and to make a ci tam of no preparation, no thanksgiving, 0 offering, 00 cexpreas prayer at the end, 8 vomewhat repugaant foie, () ‘The sacred gift of prayer in in the right hand of God: He is only waiting vatil you have emptied yours of lf of this love of your ‘body. and of your will to give, it to you. “He speaks to en that “alaop) low before God and nan. (0 : Tf we can speak to God, Int us speak; if we are unable’ to peak, let un remain allene in Tin presence.” Our patience Will pease Hin: and. presently, in wonderment we aball see Him take us Oy the hand, talk with us, and Tead ‘at hither nd thither through the bypathe of His Garden of Prayer.” (3) THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS “I have not yet said anything to you af the Sun of spi tual exercies, which ie the most holy, aucred, and supreme “is a a ne Gis re 8 ne & fh® SIMPLICITY OF LIFE, Sacrifice and Sacrament of tho Mass, the centre of the Christian religion, the heart of devotion, the soul of Diets, fn ineffable mystery which contains within ital the ali Sf divine charity, and by which God, applying Himsel really to uy communicates to is moniserntly His graces ‘nd favours’ Prayer made in union with this divine Sacrifice bas an. lunapesksble foree, Make every sft, therefore, to assist very day at Holy Mass, go that, together with the priest {you may offer the sacrifice of your Hedeemer to God Iie Fetter, for yourself and for the whole Church. Tf for some ‘unavoidable reason you cannot be actually present ot the ulebretion of this supreme, Sacrifice, at least let your heart ber there, that you may assist at it by a apintual presence." (1) HOLY COMMUNION, “Begin the evening before to prepare yourself for Holy Communion by many aspirations and movements of love, Tf you should awake duriog the night, Ail your heort and {your mouth sraightway with wome fragrant words, by means ff which your soul may bp perfumed to receive the Beloved "In the moraing, rise With great joy because of the appl nees for which sou bope, and go with great confidence, but tlso with. great humility, to teceive this Heavenly Pood, ‘thick nowrishes your immortal life, Having received Him, stir up your heart to come and do homage to this King; treat with Hin of the affairs of your Souls give Him ae warm welcome ae you earn and com ‘Duel yoursel in auch a way that it may be known by all ‘your aesions thet God is with you. Tf morldlings ask you why You communicate wo often, tell Blom that it isto leara to love God, to be purified from your imperfections, to be delivered from your miseries, to ie consoled ia your afflictions, and to. be strengthened in Jour weakness’ Tell them that those who have nob many Gy Toten. 78 SIMPLICITY OF LIFE. ° worldly afsirs should communicate often, beewase they have the opportunity to do-so: and that those"who have many worldly affairs should do kewise, beomuse they have need of it; "and that he who laloure much and ie heavily bur dened, should leo ent slid food ‘snd oftentimen”” Q) EJACULATORY PRAYERS. “Aspire very often to God, by short but ardent novemente of your heart; admire His benuty, invoke His help, give Him your heart a thowsand times & day, 8x your interior ‘yes upon His swoctness, give your hand to Hin, aa a Hetle child fo ity father, that He may Teed you. Our oa giving set fo seret and familiar intercourse with God, wil be ome all perfumed with His perfections; and this exercise is not ditieut, for st ean be intermoven with all our afaine fand cceupations, without any” dserimest to them what roorer. (2) Do ap Bittle children do, who with ong hand cling to Meir father, and ‘with the other gather ramberrien or Ulack berries along the hedges; for in ike manner, while you ate fathering und handling the woods of this world with one Ihand, cling fast always with the other to the hand of your heavenly Father, turning lo Him from time to time, to see if your doings or your occupations be pleasing to Him. () in this exerciso of spiritual retirement and pjaculatory prayers lis the great Work of devotion: it ean svpply the Taek of all other prayers, but the fase of this ean nearly bbe made good by any other means.” (6 THE ANGELS AND SAINTS Since God very often sends us inapirations by Hie Angel sve ought frequently to send Him our aspirations by the fame agency. Let un join oar hearts to these celetial spirits; and as the little nightingales learn to singin the company’ of the older ones, 0, by sacred interootres with (@) Inset. p 9. (9) tngodvton. agp (3 tamodectn. ps4 a Bas» SIMPLICITY OF LIVE, the Sainte, we al Divine praises, ‘Make yourself very femiliar with the Aogols, see them often invisibly provent in your "life invoke them often, Drei them, and mike use of their assistance in all your Rtairs, whether spiritual or femporsly ao that they may co ‘operate with yo” (0) SPIRITUAL READING “fave always at hand soe good hook of divotion, and read lie af i every day wth reat dvokon hth mere eeading mies sent to yow by the Saints from Tven, To ow you the way thee and give you tho courage fq wali along i - _ ped alm the histories and lives of the Saints in whi zo wil st ap ina mrvor, the Chri fe portrayed 3a Tuaye Uhety actions so your profit according to your seekdan For though many of the actions of the Baiats are Wnt he initated in every ceapect by those living in the wei soe attcan be imitated toa greater or ler ex tens. (2) 0 learn better how to pray and sing the EXAMEN AND NIGHT PRAYERS “gst the examination of conse, which should alwagy se Mag Wstnung to tea) eeryone knows how it shoul te dome 1 We tune God for faving praserved ws daring te tn 2 Meese tine haw haveInhaved uses ding lb MOSM age aud ta odor” td sore rete anne pere, with whom, aad fa what we Sve buen emplaped a. alfa inane have done asy good, we dhank God TENEIE Ske lier head wee hve done a8 eu igh, word or ded, we ale pardon ot God, with Piewoiecion. BR pa SIMPLICITY OF LIFE, ” & reoltion to confes it atthe frst opportunity, and Gareutly to amend it * 4. ‘After that, we commend to the care of Divine Pro videwce our body, our woul, the Chureby our relasiony four friends; we ask Our Lady, our good. Ange, and the Saints to watch over ue and for asi and with God'e blessing. we proceed to take the repose which He has willed to be neceary for wh ‘This exercise, Tike that of the Moraing Offering, must never be forgotten’ fer by the woraing ofleicg. yu pen the windows of your mul tthe Sun of juste, tnd by that of the evening, you clove them agaings dhe powers of dank tess” SOCIAL INTERCOURSE “Mo seek the society of others and to shan it, are ewo Slameworthy extremes in the devotion of thow wo’ live ia ‘he world. To shun the soeiety of others savour of disdain snd contempe for our neighbour, and to sek iis sign of UMieness ad futility. "You mit love your neighbour as yourself; to show that yeu love his, you must, nol avoid ining with him; and. Yo show. thet you love yourslf, ou must remain within guureelf when you aze thee Now son are within yourself when you are aloe 1 then there Tp no eae for you 4 sek the compaay af others orto restive it a home, remain within youre tnd old eonverse with jour heares bat if company come to You or some ood reason invite you. for ak igo" Gou's"name, snd tw your seighboar willingly and cher tally. @) ‘Obnerre wel the pracepe of the ennte, which every one of them hag cinerea who desired fo tea awa to open tele or aot a¢ all of ouraelven or of what pertain fowl Be silent nies the glory of the Masten, es nay happen, re suites you to speak of yourwlf: and if st dows raquite 70 feak triely, feithfoly,sbeerving simplicity. ‘The love of (Tain. 9. Fe () Innodvcton. pa2 SIMPLICITY OF LIFE, ‘ourselves often davzles our eyes; our vision must be very feady and just, to avoid belag-dacsived when we look at ‘areelves (1) ‘Touching worldly repartes and vivasity of mind, which you find vo hard to resist, you must make up your mind {hat at aay cont you will mortfy yourself inthis ameter | often make the sign of the erors om your mouth, 20 that you tnay open it only for God. ‘This merriment of spirit is oor tainly sometimes the oveasion of vanity, and he tip of the Imind can betoken more sera than the tip of the aose; our ‘words a4 well ax our Joke ean bo arch, Walking on tiptoe in body or in mind is not so, and 3f we stumble the fall is al the wore: 1 quite approve of speaking ltl, provided cht cis 1tle sd sou eal ratoaly ahd hail, and at Inorouly or aMectedly. “es, speak little and sweety, Kile Sind well ete and simply, Hele and sincrey, ite nd naly: @) Ta Sonvaaton, wien how with whom gon are comers ng do nat keep Gute irietly to the re of devotion, show hun disdain. Not only aust yon be-devout and love devo “ion but gow must make it lovable and eful to eteryone Tava words you should a8 for as pomible, make your devo. flan siractive. Tote care not fot yourself be moody and out of humour ‘wth thow about you, ey atsibuting this to devotion, they espe dovotion, ou the contrary, give them the greatest Pleasure and satisfaction you cam. @) ‘Te lea we live after our own choice in ont action, the rooce solids our deveton, we mat nmetines eat OXF Tord Sn order to plese others for Tove of im. (®) ‘Keep up the Bight ageiat your impatience persevering, alweys practise thas holy and gootle "debonaeirete” «ape ally with thove you Sind the mote provocative, and God wil Bins your ert (7) oy tae Pa Bel, teen Be [se tase Rains RE 13 tates Bos. SIMPLICITY OF LIFE. « ry ‘You will often be amongst the children of this world who, fas ip their Wont, moo all Uy soe op think they see in you hat is not according to their own miserable way of think: ing. Do not take the trouble to_digputa with them, show to displeasure at their attacks, but merrily laugh st theit laughter of you; bo above their contompt, jest ab their re moustrance, gracefully mock their moskerien, and taking no hud of thein, walk allways wich a light hestt im the service of God. (1) You see that necossury employments, asvording to each ‘one's vocation, do not diminish Divine ove, but increase iL ‘and gild, as i wore, the Work of devotion. The aightingal loves her melody no less when she makes her pouses thas ‘han she elage; the devout hectt that loves at lee when the ‘rms to exterior neoeseities than when she prays: her alenee tnd her speed, her setion and her contemplation, her en ployment and her rest, equally sing ia her the hema of ber love” (2) RECREATION Tt ia necessary sometimes to refresh our spirit and our body alto by some kind of recrestion. Caasian relates ‘hat one day a hunter found St. Joba the Evangelist helding a partridge in his hand, which be was stroking by way of re treation; the hunter asked him how be, being so great ama, ould waste hie time upon e thing x0 mean and trivial. And St John said to him: "Why dows thow not always sorry hy bow stretabed1” “For fear,” replied the hunter, “est blag. slways strstched it should lose its power of reilienoe, which is esontial to its usefulness” “Do not be astonished, then,” replied the Apostle, "if T sometimes relax the application nd attention of my spirie, to take a Title reereation, 0 Oder to apply. mnyaolt afterwards snore earacstly to won femplation.”" There can be no doubt thas it in-© faule to be so rigorous and uomsciahle ay not to be willing to take shy seoreation oneself, or permit others to do a,4 + SIMPLICITY OF LIFE. ‘To take th ai, to go for a wal, to takepart in’ oheerfl and friendly canverantions, to pay ov sing. to £0 hunting, ‘ie raretins wo proper tat, to ais a god te of them sre need only use ordtonry pradenee, bien gives to al Things order, time, place and measire.”-Gamey sn hich the suceasserves se remard and recompense for ail] end Shaustry of body or of tind, are recreations good in them ‘ves and lawl. ‘Phe only thing that we must guard ‘Sinai excess for if we spend to much Ge in Sammy BNGrine Tonger recreation, but se ation. But above al be arfl so toa yur afton on wah dss for however proper a eereation may be, it I9 = {lat¥es gov your heart ou ty To mot aay that we should Sottske pleaure in game, what we are actually playing Jettor olberwine it mould aot be a recreation; but T say ac ne mans not ae our allection on games to such an ex feat thee we long for them, cceupy. socves With them, tind become too eager about them." (0) FRIENDSHIP we everyone with a grest love of ehsrity, bat have no Ieiendnhip save with thoes who con communicate with you sn‘Getasue things. 1 speak act ere of the simple love of ‘aty, for we ouybt fo have thi forall mea? but L speak St mpieeat iendahip, Do wot form friendships of bey Sher Kind, Liman friendships of your ova hole; fr you Sr Ret forsake ov dieregurd the triendaipe which nacre wo former sbligations contraia you to cativate with re inttong wilh coppectons, with. Benefactory with neigh use and oers; T speak of those which you chowe your me Many wil tll you, perhaps that wo should not have any sort of particular aietin, aad fviendtip, because oe pics the heart, Uistracta the anind, and begete envy Dut thay’ are mate In their contac) “ea enya, excludes nothing, and yet man may be ~ ‘@ inracton pe Faadtion p25 \ SIMPLICITY OF LIFE. 8 wholly God's, wholly his fathers, wholly Mis mother’, ‘wholly bia prince's, wholly his eoumonwealh's, bis child. rons his frionds.So that being all to each, yet he ix all to all, This so happens because the duty by which a man is all to one, in not contrary to the duty by which a man ia ato another, Man gives himself wholly by Tove, and gives himself as ‘much an he loves He is therefore in a sovereign manner tiven to God when be loves the Divine goodness sovereigaiy ‘And having once made this donation ‘of himself, he is to love nothing that can’ remove his heart from God. Now never doen any love take our heurts from God, save that Which Ss contrary unto Him. (1) For thowo who live in the world, and who etthrice true virtue, it is arcesory for them to Zorm “holy and sacred $siendsbips with one another; for by this means they” en ‘courage one another, help ote another, ad lead one another fon to good. Those who eer in the world have. need of Friendships, in ordar to walk wearely and belp one another in the many dificult plans through which they have to pase St. Thomas, ke all wand plilosophers, avows that fend: ship in w virtuer and he speaks of particular friendship, since, na ho says, perfect friendship cannot extend Uo many person Perfeetion, then, does not consist in having mo friendship at all, but im having only that which is good, hols, and aaesed” (2) SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR “Do you wish in good earnest to tb out on the way to devotion! Seck out some good man to guide and condvet you; it is the admonition of admonitions Since ¥ in of Such great importance that you should go with a good guide ‘on this holy journey of devotion, pray to God with wreat ‘earaestnes, to provide yow with one who may be according fo lis heart, and have ao donb; for even though He should have to send an Angel from heaven, ay He did to the young ‘Tobias, He will give you one that ie good and faithful, Tete pee veton pe6 SIMPLICITY OF LIFE. ‘And indved, thie guide ought always to be an Angel ia your eyens tat Ja to say, when you have found bim, do not TOK spon hive as'a mere wan, nor teat in bim as such, nor HPbiathanwan kuowledge, but jo God Who will favour you hd speak to you by soeans of this man, putting into Bis Fear land into his mouth whstegever shall be requisite for pegr happiness: so that you ought to Listen to him a to aa. ige who comes down from heaven to conduct you thither. “Treat hie with an open bearty in al sincerity and fidelity, waifesting clearly to him your good snd your evil without Jeiat or dissimulation; and by tix means your good will be CKandnod ned rendered more sure, and your evil will be SSrrnoted and remedied; and you will be eased and steeog fhened in your afflictions, moderated and regulated fu your Consolation. Have the grentestconfdecce in hi, mingled ‘With a oly voverenee yet eo Shae the reverence diminish 208 Jour confidence, nor your confidence hinder in any way your Yeverence; sonfde in hin with the respeet of a daughter for her father, and respect him with the confidence of a son io. Zin wothers in w mord, this frendship sust be strong and ~Towwl, together holy, sacred, divine and spiritual “Knd for this Teast, ehoowe one among, « thousand for hare are fewer than can be imagined, who are fitted for thi ofte. He must be full of charity, of knowledge, and of pradencey if one af thew three qualities be wanting in him, lore ia danger, But Tsay €0 Fou once more: pray to God ovaive you such a one, tnd, when you have obtained bim, Kies Tia Divine Majesty, remain constant and do not seek for any otters bul goon your woy simply, humbly, and trustully, for you will have very prosperous journes.” (2) RETREAT AND PREPARATION FOR DEATH somhere it no clo,” be it never so good, but must be wound up twice a day, in'the morning and in the evening: Tni'then, in-sadition to this, mt Teast once a year &¢ must SIMPLICITY OF LIFE. ” be taken to pieces, in order that the rust which it has con acted moy te removed, the styained parts readjusted, and how which ave worn ost repaired. "So he that has a true fare of his dear heart ought to wind it up daily to God ia fhe morning and in the evening; end in addition to this, he ought, at least once & years to take it to pieces and fuamibe all ils parte in detail, in order to repair ail the ‘Sects which may be found there, ‘Thin exercise wil re Shwe your srength impaired by sme, will warm your heart, Alt ule youn good resolutions grow green again, and the Virtaee of your wal blossom anew. (0) ‘Your life hes been spent in the world, and in the man: agement of ite affairs, Now, it ix aot posible to live in ‘the word, though we but tovch ie with our feet, without getting soled by 4 dust. So let us bogia our preparation fp wacking our tou! of ita affections to all that is of earth, before receiving the hospitality of our good God. We tobe transplanted rom this wretched fond to the land of Mia and all the tiee we have contrasted here must be gently Tooened and uabousd. Not to have said goodbye, of torhave made pont provision beforchsnd, is exeusable in theee who depart suddenly, but it is not so with thoes who: Know the probable time of thelr journey; they must make ‘i things ready, and withowt impatience, tranguilly wwait the appointed hour. @) ‘Behold, T besesh yon, this soul who, as a teavenly night ingale shut up in the cage of his body, in which he eaneot stilt sing the beneditions of his eternal love, knows, that fe ould better trill and. practiso his delicious song. if he ould gain the air, to eajoy bis Hberty and the society of Sther mightingales, amongat the gay and flowery hills of the and of the blessed; wherefore ho cris: “ ‘by Thy sweet goodusss, deliver poor me from the age of my body, feee me from this Tittle prison, to the End that relensed from this bondage, T may fy to my dear Companions, who expect me there shove in heaven, t0 make fhe ope of their choirs, and environ me with their Joy There, Lord, according my voice to theiry T with them wilt Paty Late 36fo 16 SIMPLICITY OF LIFE. make up a swist harmony of delicous aire and words, sing ing. praisingy aed bleasing Thy merey!” (D My DUTY TOWARDS GoD SIMPLICITY. “Simmplicty is nothing elm than an act of pare and simple charity, having one only aim and end, whichis to acquire fhe Tove of onde gud ows sal simple when ie sll that Ie do or deste we have no other aim. (2) ‘Learn from the dove to love God in simplicity of heart having but one single aim avd object ia all that you do. Do aut, however, wily imitete the simple love of those birds Inheit having alwaye only one wate, for whom alone they {ly everythings aad whom alone they. wish to please; but {inate thew shay in the implioity with which they express fnnd show their love, ‘hey do not pfactise litle mincing Srayss but only coo genely by the side of their mates, happy hough just to est quietly in their presence. () (Oar Tord says: “Unless you become simple as tle child ren, you shall aot enter into the Kingdom of My Father.” Avehild when very young is in a ate of such simplicity that 'he Mar no Knowledge at all but of hig mother. “He has be only love, whith i for hia mother: and in that Tove, Soe only ain and dosire-his mother’ breast, when be 1s tipon thst beloved feast, he wants nothing more. ‘The soul which has attained perfect simplicity has only. one love, hich {g for God. Lp this love it hag one oaly ato reat Ttpon the boron of the heavenly Father, and there to abide like a loving child, leaving all eave of wif to Chat ood Father. Children are, generally speaking, quite free from care, in the presnor ef theit parents. Love occupies them sal i) Sonetenes, pasa. (3) onferenee, ra 2 Stes Rae Bons pad SIMPLICITY OF LIFE, 1 cieatly without anything elie. ‘Those whose one deste is to pleas the Divige Lover, Mave neither inclination nor leisure tortura back unoo themselves; their minds earn continually ia. the diversion whither love ea?sicy them, (1) ‘This in simplicity, @ virtue which looks straight to God, without ever auferiag any admixture of pelfinterest. (2) oly Simplicity. troubles about nothing, bub remains twodeet and. tysnqil in ite certainty that God knows ite fdcire, whieh into please Him; that ie enough. @) ecknesss inward humility and simplicity are the three dove like vintura which th Divine Bridegroom looks for in Wie lovers. Go on then practising thom, keeping your hear, finid the turmoil of the world, where’ aspires to be, in fhe bosom of God” (8) CONFIDENCE. ‘phe soul which has surrendered itelf has nothing els to do but to rst in the arm of Our Lord Dko a child on His mother’s breast, When she pues bim down to walk, he tvalks until abe takes himn up again, and when sho wides qovcarry hin, be allows her to do-ao." He nether knows nor thinks where he Ss going, but allows himself so he carried (oF led wherever bie masher pleases. (0) ‘Even es tender mother, leadiog with hor her Iittle babe, sssints and supporte him as need requites, letting him now Sand then veatare a stop by hima in ess dangerous and sooth paces, now taking him by the hand snd steady” Tne him, now taking him yp im her arms and bearing him, tour Tard bas s continual care to conduct Hig children, ‘aking them walk before Him, reaching them His hand in Alifiuttion, aod beariog them Himself in sich wearin 28 re een otherwise insapportable to them. (©) ‘at os sweetly bide our Tittlenes in Gol (iy Coneences, pa) Later ‘ ozs () Conteences ot PRE) Tense2 SIMPLICITY OF LIFE, ‘asa little chicken, covered over with che wings off mother, lien so warm und safe, It us lay our hearts to fest undet the sweet ind love fall Provideoce of Or Lond, and warmly shelter ourselves ander His holy proteetion, (1) See this little child cleaving to the neck of his mother 1 one offer to take hin thence to lay him in hi sredloy ft being high time, he stragglee and disputes an far aa be i able, in ‘order not to leave that beloved bosom; and if be inundo to Tot go with one hand, with the other he grapple, ssl if he is carried quite off he Talla weeping aad keep! ing his heart und his eyes whore he eannot keep his boa, he-contioues exving out for his dear mother, sll by Yocking he is brought to seep. (2) "The will which jo dead to herself, that she may live in that of God, ie without any partioolar wills one aight speak of » litle child, who Bag sot et got the ie of hie will to love or desize anything eave the bosom aud face of Bis dear mother. Tor he does not think of willing anything, except only to be in the arms of his mother, with whom be thinks Dimeolf to be oue thiag. He aever troubles hinaeld 5 to how be shall conform hie will to hie mother's for be -pereeiver nothin ow, nor does be think he hae ang, leaving SU the cave to hi mother, to go, to do, and to will, what the judges profitable for him. (8) ‘thing in more desirable to che Uttle child, whether veako or lee, than his father's Bosom "and his mother's Treas. (9) ‘Thus should we be, pliable to God's good pleasure, as though we were of wax, uot giving our thoughte leave to vrandcr {n wishing and williog things, but leering God to ‘wll sud do them for us as He plese. (3) ‘TRANQUILITY. “atry to keep your soul in peace and in tranquility. For ‘his you mast, on rising in the morning, bogin Wat oer cise:"doing your actions quite quietly, forecasting in the tmoraing what you have to-do, taking pias tiroughout the Re feter, pat) Frat, Eh ease far GO on » 9. SIMPLICITY OF LIFE. a day nok to let your spirit dissipate itaelt; eoatioually ob baree whether you sve in this state of tranguility, and ts toon ax you sot yourself out of it take great exte to put Yourself back into it At the same time, L do not mean that your spirit is to te always on the strain after this pence; for all mast be done with a simpliity of eart eatively founded on love, keping, yourself with Our Lord ase little child with ste fathers and when He happens that yon commit faults, what ver they may be, ask Our Lord's pardon for them very Guies, saying to' Him that you are’ well assured He loves you dearly and ill pardon you; aad thie always simply Ard sweetly. (1) Do ag Witte children dos whilst they feel their mothers holding them by the sleeve, they go boldly and ‘an abou find do not alarm themselves when the weakness of theit Togs maker Gem slip a littl to one side; in the same way, a long ax you perceive that God holds you by the goodwill to serve Him which He has given you, walk boldly, sod do fot alatin yourself aboat thove little balks and stumbles you make, nd do aot distrem yourself about them, pro: ded that at intervals you throw yourselt into Hin arma, And Kise Him with the idee of charity. Walk joyously and opameartedy, as far as you ean. (2) Te iy not only requisite to rest on Divine Providenoe in all that concerna cemporal matters, but still more ia all that belongs to our spiritual life and to. our perfection. Tt is sartainly oaly the on grest care which we fake of ourselves Which maker wt lowe our tranquility of mind and raffles our Ststeady temper? for ae eoon se any contradiction aries, or if we only notice in oursaives ome amall ign of an un Inortiled spirit, or if we commit the most trifiag fault, is ‘cms to us thal al in lot! Te it no great 8 wonder thet we Sometimes find ouraalves stumbling on the path of our per fection () (Re Come pg) Gonlames ge 222 SIMPLICITY OF LIFE, We niust take all the care which God wishes us to take about perfecting oureelves, and yet leave the cate of tri ing at perfection entirely to Him. God wishes our care ta be a calm and peaceful one; that we should repose in His Fatherly care, trying as far ae posible to keop our foul at pence, for the place uf God ‘x in peace, inl ta the peseefal and restful heart. (1) ‘You know that when the lake is very calm, and when the srinds do not agitate its waters, on t Very serene olga the Shy th all lp sare ie mo perfectly releted int, hat fosking down into ite depthe the benoy of the Deavene it ft clearly viable an if we looked ap 00 high So when Shr soul is perfectly cnlmy unstirred, nd untroubled by the indy of euperttovs cureysnevennoen of split ead faoeD Tnweys i very cupabieof resting tn lf the Image of Our Lord, (2) “se {Let itt enough that God wishes us to obey, and in this way we shall bring down ont minds fo walk Simply tn the Sappy path of a holy und traaquiloilitg, whch wil Fender us infinitely plcanng to Cod. (3) ‘Do aot think Our Lord in far fm you wile you are in te tit of the busi and. prowne OF affair end that were you in the delights of « tranquil ie the'mosld ep Ir Sach ie ot the tranquility which draws Him near Not the fring we have of Hin swestnay, but the lyaley of our love, andthe waeome we give fo the accomplishest 4h Geof Hie holy wil what moxe atiracts Him (0) MY DUTY TOWARDS MY NEIGHBOUR SWEETNESS OF HEART “Let wp make our way by the lowly valleys of the litte snd hamble virtser; Were We shall see roses amid thorns, “Gy Gamerences, pg U9) Canerenen pa & Pee GQ) tenes fs SIMPLICITY OF LIFE. 2 ‘charity shining forth amid inward and outward afflictions; the lilies gf purty, she violets of mortification, “xbove all, I love shese theee Title virtues: swortnom of hear poverty of spiris, and simplicity of lifey snd. thw Homely™good works of vinting the alc, serving Uhe poor, Conmling the cel andthe like. (1) De very set and geacoun amide all the affairs you hare to se to, for eversbody looks tu yo for good example. Tt {a cay to ster one’ couree when there are no adverse winds tobe oppostd-to pats an aneventfal [ife—but- amid. the hostle of affairs, ag amid the winds, itis very difielt to keep on the right track. For this reason you ist be ve atcul over sourull, your actions, and gout intentions ivape showing thet your heart ie trom, jus sweet, ble, fd generous. 2) ‘Setup but Little what others do, oF what will happen to thems bat regard them with a simple, kind, gent, and lfecionate eye. Do not reasive more perfection from them than om youself, and donot be worpiaed at the diversity ct imperfections: Tor imperfection 1 sot mote imperee: tion for being extravagant andodd. Da as the bows dos Suk honey fou all omens and herbs (3) ‘Remain in peace, walk faithfaly ia the way wherein God has placed gous take god care holly to give stlafacton to thoes whom He bas made yo companions: and Uke a onesies wile ou faithfully sake the honey of scred de Totton, make daly also the wax of your domestic afar Tor one ie sweet to the taste of Our Lord, Who being {his world eat butter_and honeys the seer lao is to Hie Fonour since it aecees to anak the lighted candor of dif tation of our neighbour. (4) CHARITY AND GENTLENESS, “Perfumers, thowgh ot of their shops, bear about with 0) Lewes Pr. Gael lem, oe BRS Gina tenerPy SIMPLICETY OF LIFE, them for Jong. time the scent of the perfumes which the have handled tn ike tanaer, thee who have ben ia the tahinct af henveniy ointment that Je In holy charity, Keep for some time sferwards the sent of i) ‘Only this you lacked, Your tal was quite good, but de fective in that it wasn. Ul ite ae severe, pet Hous rete” Now i i puted of all they ence 0 wil oe save, mild, gracion, help to there (3) ‘Be goed in baring the frperfeions of al eetally of ‘hoe St home. 0) Trina tll you the trath, abeaysfenr that with regard to things which are tot ofthe een of our salvation, dese ‘taiven ay be pasbally from self love and for the gratin {Gon of our own’ will thve keen siren fr the Savane tment of others in feiection; and we may it traaver be ton up with thems ‘no to Inve oom in our souls for what Ir eueiial to ourselves, humility mecknens of our, and puch ike Sieh ae my fears in eich desea Do tat fall Inco them donot iportune thee whom you att to persuade to this perfetion do not even It the ee that you want i or thee would only hinder the matter. Throw Tite hoy thoushte and inspirations nto their minds now 4nd agai witlout aay apparent intent; fn thie way Jou fain much more than in any ober, above all HE You 20d Prager () ‘oot undertake too many viils or austeiton Ge rather by the way of the love of Gad and of your neighbour, of Manliay and cheerfal gulty. (0) T norer rary in uy onion tat we ought not to be sowing ur neighbouts Mal, Rowever beauttal tay be, whist ‘hr om in in need of wed! (©) Why dig your neighbour's garden when your own wante digging! 11 you divide your ailension fo this way, your ‘oun plot wil nover be porecs (7) “Take particular care that your servants and fomily are a) Treatise pig (Lawes (hte be 8 pay { fis 9 RS Oo: hoe SIMPLICITY OF LIFE, 2 not inconvenienced ty your remaining too long ta chareh, practising too great retirement, und aegleting the owe of Jour household; or, as soustince happens, making oneselT The controller of ther people's actions. CQ) T peesat always im telling you thet you ought to enve God where you are, and do what gow are doing. Not that T Mould ‘wish to hinder the giowth of your good works, hor the eotinual porieation of your hearts but do what ove are duing aid iH hetter, if You ean. (2) ‘My child, wile God wishes you to be in the world, for love af Hina abide these willingly and cheerfully, for we cave happy io doing Hie wil, since ie ig all we care about ‘Abide’ bn peace then, and perform faithfully the duty which feeps you in the world. Believe me, in 0 doing you will please God hotter than by a hundred quittings of it through Sour own will snd inclination.” (3) MY DUTY TOWARDS MYSELF PERSEVERANCE, “Perevere faithfully in overcoming yoorslf in the lite “daily contradictions which you feel. Know thet God wishes hothing elke of you save what he wads at the moment, nod Go not be onthe lookout for other things. Have ho desire to be ather than what you are, but have ® strong Gesire to be thoroughly what you are. Fev souls have’ Tike ing for whae iy their duty, and God's Wil for them ‘What is the use of building castles in Spain when we nave to live in Feanoe! Tt is my old lesion and you know it well bt tel me, may child, do you practi it welt (4) Tris not ponullle to be mistress of your soul aad hold it in your hand frou the very stare, Be content to gain from time to time some little advantage over our robe! passions We iust bear with our aeighbour, but Seat of all'we must (0) tenes poy (a beer em © his hae= SIMPLICITY OF LIFE. bear with ourselves and have patience with our imperfee: Hons." (). "You ask me to send you something about peace of soul ‘and humility. Of a truth you cannot have one without the ther, Self love and selfeseam are the only things that trouble us. We are worried, disappointed, impatient, whe Wwe Zall into some imperfection oF sin; because Wwe thought urselves resolute, steady, good for something; and now we Find itis alla mistake! If we only Kew ourslves, inatead of being surprised at our fall, uy astonishment would be ‘hat we had not fallen, and were still on our feet! (2) We must be sorry for faults with repentance which is strong, settled, constant, tranquil, but nat troubled, unguet, or fainthearted. (3) 1 seem to ste you agitated snd restlesly anxious in your seeking after perfection. tut 1 tll you in truth, an i ‘vrittn in the Book of Kings, God isnot in the strong wind, Zor in the earthquake, nor in those firs, but in the soft and tranguil breathing of © wind that can scares be felt. Enger ess agitation, does not help on at undertakiog at all. Here the deaize is good, but Jet it be without agitation. Tt this eagerness which I expressly forbid you as the mother Imperfoction ofall imperfections. (3) "HT should lke thie or that, I shoald be better here or there’"—these are all temptations. Our Lord. knows well thet He does; let us do what He will, lt us stay where Te has placed ve. (). "This temptation of turning against the world, when we have of necessity to be in ity inva very severe trial. The Providesce of God fs wiser thau we, Tt meme to ua that if swe change the ship, we shall get on better; ye, if we change ourselves, I'am a sworn enemy of these useless, dangerous land lad desives, for although what we desire ie good, the desire nevertheless is bad, since God doesnot wish this kind ff good for us, but another, ip which His will is that we Soul exercise ourselves. (8) py ta) Rel Leer, * Rae) Teter ue (8) Tress. Fok. 6 hat SIMPLICITY OF LIFE. Never harhour the temptation to sadness, itis the enemy of all devotion, | Why should there be anduese jn a wervant Of Him Who will be ovr joy for ever! Nothing “but sin Coght to make ut sad and even our aadness for sin is not ‘without “the holy” joy and conolation that follows [intrtion. Abide strona in pose, and feed your heart eth the suavity of heavenly love, without which our lives Task happiness) TE you are grafting rose tree, and put a grain of musk in he cleft of the stock, all the ross that spring from it will trol of musk; clonve then your heart by holy penitence, and Dut the love of God ia the cleft; then engraft on it what Rirtue you pleage ad the works which spring fom it will te all perfumed with sautity, without aeed of any further aitention” HOLY ABANDONMENT, ‘Do you ask what T desire should romain matt deeply on saved upon your mindy that you may pati i praetion! Shiai apne thw sees word? ere atten already fecomanended to: yoo" senive nothing, refuse ‘tvhinge Those worde sty everything, for they touch vw the Dect of perfec indflerene, Look upon the Baby Jesus the Ovih We nee never told that Ht stetahed forth Hie Tale hands to his Mother's trvost; He left her t0 provide ih that was necesary to Hin, bat at the same time, He Sven efused the hile soforta which she gave Him So, Ton: ought ne to desire thing and to refuse noting, but {o'er and. to yceve. with perfect ventese of ind all that the Providence of God may permit.) Tat at thes old fears shout money raters when they stad you, and: yomsin Sem in the words of ooF Mastar ‘Sch fat dn Kingdon stn an infin ad all things” necstary for this life “ball Ye added uato you ‘Thisis ony port of safety’ allow no aiterthoast, my el yo sate” whataoeen (8) iat Goneeases Bs 1) tee ah @ 6) ance Bay (5) rene ba.= SIMPLICITY OF LIFE, Tet ws serve God faithfully, and not say: “What shall we fat what shall we drink!” Tt ie for the master of the house to have thie soliituda, and for the Lady af the apart ments to furnish them and our House belongs to God and to His holy Mother. (1) Ho who can proserve sweetness and peace ausid the worry and multitude of affairs, is almost perfect. This equeblevess ‘of humour, this yentloneag and smertness of heart, ie Tare? ‘han pesfect chastity; but le is all the more desirable for that. (2) Let us serve Goi wall to-day; as to the morzom, God will provide for it, Bach day aould bear ite oma burden, Have 20 wolicitude for tomorrow, for God Who reigts today will reign tomorzow.” (@) “You koow very well that I have slways tried to bring ‘before you this mow haly evennesaf-mied~thie mest la able aid desirable evenntes of pins, amid all the changes fd contradiction which are to be met with on the pathral ‘our mortal aswell ae of our apiitaal life (4) ‘God has willed that Whe seanion should be diversied, and that summer should be followed by autumn winter by spring, to teach us that in this world nothing iy lating fd that tonporal things ave perpetually matable, moos” ‘ant, and subject to change. Our wast of secopetion af {his truths what mater unstable aod changeable in ont himmours owt people in the word allow thnaves to be governed hy their passions and not by season; therefore fay ave, finerally speaking, incossistent variable aod Changes is Beir humours. If they have 8 fancy to go to bed early or ‘ery Inte they do just whishover thy plese if ey want {ormet up early to go tothe country, they do so, if they pre (o Lawes pas @ Games 5 Gein ga QOS 4 a oe re SIMPLICITY OF LIFE 2 tor to sloop they do that. If they want to dine or sub eaely fr very late, they arrange 20; and sot only are they tneon ‘stent and changeable Sa thowe matter, but they are. the fan in their intercourae with others.” They wish people to scaornmodate themanives to their Inmpours, and will Bot ‘cvotminadate themaalven t0 thote of othere. (i) Hy the ne of reason te man will resin drm and constant amid all the rariogn gveste and accidents of this Inortal life” Lat tho weathor be ne or lt it ran, let the air ti calm or let the wind blow, the wi man page no atten tion to it, knowing well thet nothing ia this fifo is lasting, tnd that thie Se nota plase of reat, In action, be does not Aeapond bit waite for consolation; in wickoes, ho does not torment himelt but waite for health, or if he ses that his ‘hurt is such that death mast follow, be thanks God, hoping for the repote of that [ifo immortal, to which this life but @ prelude. @) Tn what can we display eaprice and Sckleness? Te ie ia the changes of our femperg, wills and desires At present, Tam joyous, because all things aro succrediag as 1 wished | very aoc Tahal be and, Because a litle waexpesied contra Giction will have arieen- But did you aot keow that thi js not the place where plessiry pore snd snalloyed ta to bie found, atd that this fifo is fall of such troubles! To-day, Ueeause you have consolation in your prayer, you fee! an couraged and thoroughly resolved to reree "God: but to tmorrow, whee dryness comes upon jos, you wil have Mo heart for the service of God. (3) ‘Your peace and repose of heart depend wpon your getting a clear idea of Eteraity: whowoover lete is thoughts dwelt on. Eteroty, troubles litle ae to what happens driag the three of four momenta ofthis life. (4) Tam ery glad you make a fresh start every day. There in no better way of attaining the epiritual lio than by ways beginning snew and never thinking you have dane nou. (8) ) bavers p18 8 Pe» SIMPLICITY OF LIFE Avfor sadoose, how ean ibe profitable to holy charity, seeing that joy ie raked amongrt the fraite of the Holy Ghost, coming next to charity" (0 Tive in jos, brimful of God and of His love” (2) DEVOTION TO OLR LADY. Honour, venerate, and respect with a special love the boly and glorious Virgin Mary, who, being the Mother of Jesus Christ ‘our Brother, is also in very truth our Mother. Let ts then have recourse to ery and lst usage Title ebild eo east ourselves iato her bowom with perfert confidence, ‘Av all tines, and on all occasion, Tet us call upon this sweet Mather, It ue invoke her waternal love, and whilst siviving to imitate ber virtues, It na bave truly fal hearts in her regard () ACT OF CONSECRATION OF ST. FRANCIS, T salute you, most aveet Virgin Mary, Mother of Gods you are my Mother and my Mistress and therefore T en: freat you to accept me ae your child and your smrvant; T ‘ssh to have no other Mather thas. you. I bag yo then, my Good and gracious and most awect Mother, 40 deign to com fole mo ia all my eoubleg std tribulations, both xpi ad temporal. Remember, sost anest Virgin Mary, that you fare my Mother, and thet T am your child. You are all powerful, and T poor, weak and vile. Nevertheles, T be ech you, O sweetest Mother, to keep me and defend me in filmy ways sed in el my actions for alas; Tam poor and ‘wretched, and. in" need of your most holy” protection Do. then, my beloved "Mother, preserve and Aeliver my soul snd body from all dangers and evils, and ‘make me share in your blessings, your virtues, and, in par ticular ia your holy humility, your surpassing parity and your ardent charity (Tete psi taeda. pS Oiset eas SIMPLICITY OF LIFE a ‘Tell me aot, grasious Virgin, that you eannot do eo, be couce your Son gave yuu all power im beaven and’on earth Neither tell me hat Jou ought not to hear me, Tor you are the conmon Mother of all poor mortal, snd of me in par ticular. If you could aot grant roy prayer, they T should xcuse you, aujings "Lt ix trae that abe is my Mother, apd thas T am her thild, but she de ot able to help me." Tf you tvere aot iny Mother, then, indned, T should have patience, taying: ‘She in rich enough to bo able to aasat me, but alas! DOL beta my: Mother, ahs does not love me,’ But since, moat tweet Vargin, you ate not only my Mother, bat are also powerful, now ean you be sxeused if you do ot console me, ‘and come to my reliel and assistance’ You see, my Mother, thas it is dificult for you to reject any request tat T may ‘make you! Te then exalted im Heaven and on earth, glorious Virgin fand dear Mother Mary, aad, for the honour and glory of Jour Divine Sony Jesus, accept me for your child, without Fegard to my miseies and sing, Deliver me from all evil ff mul and tod, obtain for mp every virtue, and first of ‘al humility; and bestow upon me all the benefits and graces hhseosnry to minke me pleasing to the Most’ Holy Trinity, Father, Som, and Haly Ghost. Amen." ‘51, Francis lies igpeted hl Act of Gomsraton so che Queen of Uibien in whi sé eau of for sou and te purty of So bert JTHE ART OF LIFE By Rt. Rev. Monsignor Frederick Charles Kolbe, D.D. cap. aro. 104 passe X11, ‘rt lth. Pr 2/- Post Free, 2/3 Monsignor Kolbe, inthe pages ofthis notable book, fells us thatthe aim of art, spiritual beauty, is of the ways of God and to soe moro of it isto a46 ‘more of God. Art, bing the expression of beouty, i rubject to the laws of beauty. Every eneroy has its corresponding art, and man, with the power to ous and to act, has command of the Art of Li, the greatest of the gifts of God. The Monsignor's object is to describe the energy, the genius, the imcons, the transforming touch, the material and fhe form of the Art of Life. which he defines as the Art soherein man, by the power of Grace, working Through the Morsl Sense ifluminated by Faith, does with the instrumentality chiefly of prayer, transform the nature of the Sout into the Divine Beauty of Justice. This book for the cultured mon of the world has irresistible charm. VERITAS COMPANY, Limited, VERITAS. MOUSE, 7 & 8 Lower Abbey Street, Dublin.