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My Prayer Book_LASANCE - the Catholic Kingdom!

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sary graces to cope with temptations, to control our<br />

passions, and to lead a holy life. Mental prayer inflames<br />

our hearts with <strong>the</strong> love of God and streng<strong>the</strong>ns<br />

us to do His holy will with zeal and perseverance.<br />

As regards <strong>the</strong> place of meditation, St. Alphonsus<br />

says :<br />

"We can meditate in every place, at home or elsewhere,<br />

even in walking and at our work. How many<br />

are <strong>the</strong>re who, not having any better opportunity, raise<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir hearts to God and apply <strong>the</strong>ir minds to mental<br />

prayer, without leaving <strong>the</strong>ir occupations, <strong>the</strong>ir work,<br />

or who meditate even while traveling. He who seeks<br />

God will find Him, everywhere and at all times. The<br />

most appropriate place for meditation, however, is <strong>the</strong><br />

church, in <strong>the</strong> presence of Jesus Christ in <strong>the</strong> Blessed<br />

Sacrament."<br />

"Not a few pious persons," says Fa<strong>the</strong>r Girardey<br />

in his "Popular Instructions on <strong>Prayer</strong>," "before<br />

setting out for <strong>the</strong>ir daily occupations, go to Mass in<br />

<strong>the</strong> early hours of <strong>the</strong> morning, make <strong>the</strong>ir meditation<br />

during <strong>the</strong> Holy Sacrifice, and thus draw on <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />

<strong>the</strong> divine blessing for <strong>the</strong> whole day.<br />

"As regards <strong>the</strong> time of medilation, it would be well<br />

if we were to make a meditation both in <strong>the</strong> morning<br />

and in <strong>the</strong> evening. If this is not feasible, we should,<br />

if convenient, prefer <strong>the</strong> moming to any o<strong>the</strong>r part <strong>the</strong> day..<br />

of<br />

The reason is because in <strong>the</strong> morning we are<br />

- fresh in mind and have as yet hardly any cause for<br />

distractions, while later in <strong>the</strong> day we are apt to be<br />

more or less absorbed by our occupations and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

worldly matters. Moreover, by a good meditation in<br />

. <strong>the</strong> moming we begin <strong>the</strong> day well, drawing down<br />

God's blessing on us, and deriving grace and strength<br />

to avoid sin and fulfil our obligations. When we make<br />

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