An epitome of the priestly life

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Αnd is the speciat graces inicii thouneedest for thy sanctification, Ι have d

tainly by neglecting to do sο, thouwouldst deprive thyself of these graces. rius this omission, even though it benot Sinful, may neVeriheless be the cause of thy perdition. Be prudent, theretare. Retire into Solitude, test any part of the good gist

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THE ANNUM RETREAT

that man can give; what ali me riches os the worid in comparison with sanctitywhicli purchases eternat happiness3Verily, only a litile dust. Come, there- fore, and follow me into the desert. O my son, is what Ι offer to thee were granted to many of thy brother priesis Who are noW suffering in the flames os purgatory, With What alacrity, thinkest thou, would they not mn into solitude, inorder to purisy themselves of the remainsos sins and to perfeci their sanctityi

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Alas, perhaps they are there becausethey were unWilling in times past torecollect themselves in solitude. And thou, my son, mayst be there oneday because thou didst neglect to take part in the spiritual exercises of the

retreat.

farthing. Do therefore now What is in thy powerlest, like them, thou mayst hereaster lament and weep in vain because thoudidst not follow the spiritual exercises of the retrent.

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less fit for the datly duties.

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ence of God, and recali for What pumose thou camest into the worid.

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Give some time also to the particular examination os conscience, in order tosee h- much progress thou hast madein acquiring Some Viriues or in moting

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stament.

At a given hour recollect thyself and recite Vespers, after Whicli occupy thytime in study and thy priestly duties. Visit the sicli, the assiicted and the

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whom thou fhouldst have a special a tender devotion, honor datly by the recitation of the beads. During the evening pay a visit, in theΜost Holy Sacrament of the altar, to me δεο am thy sanctification and redemintion, the consolation os the wayfarer and the eternat delirat of the SaintS. . O my son, do not let the lalty surpasS, in this special devotion, thee Who an aman os God and my friend. Belare supper, is it be possibio, recite Μatins and Lauds for the folio ing day, test the ossice postponed untii nexi mom-ing inould interfere With thy meditationor be stili further deferred on account of

ΝGer neglect pious reading in theeVening. For this Purpose select themore spiritual books and those that thou knowest to be the more sultable for animating thy soul to aspire to hioer perfection. Then say, With great interior recollection, thy evening Prayers, adding thereis a generat examination os congcience.

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of the Lord to be purifieii, it is ali the

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Be firm and steadfast, theresere, in practising discipline, and thou inali everabound in good Works. Αnd at last, inen thou inali stand