Salesian Literature

Chapter 15:  Other Public Spiritual Exercises

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Besides attending Mass every day, Philothea, be present on feastdays and Sundays at the office of the Hours and of Vespers, recited publicly in Church, whenever you can conveniently do so.  These days are dedicated to God, and so it is necessary that we do more actions to honour and glorify him on these days than on others.  In this way you will experience a thousand delights of devotion, like St. Augustine.  He declares in his Confessions[1] that when he was present at the Divine Office, at the beginning of his conversion, his heart melted with tenderness and his eyes in tears of piety.

 

Moreover, I state with certainty, that there is always greater benefit and consolation in the public spiritual exercises of the Church than in individual actions.  God has ordained that what is done in communion with others has to be preferred to what is done alone.

 

Join gladly the local confraternities of the place where you live, especially those whose exercises are most fruitful and edifying.  In doing so, you will practise a kind of obedience that is very pleasing to God.  The more so because though we are not commanded to join confraternities, that is recommended by the Church.  The Church’s desire that many should join is indicated by the indulgences and other privileges granted to the members.

 

Besides, to join with many others and to work together with others for their good projects is always very charitable.  It may happen that all by oneself one is able to do the same sort of good work as is done together in confraternities.  And one may find greater joy in doing it alone.  But joining others and sharing our good work with our brothers and sisters, as well as neighbours, gives greater glory to God.

 

I say the same with regard to all kinds of public prayers and religious services.  As far as possible, we should take part in these in order to edify our neighbour by our good example and show our concern for the glory of God and the intentions of all.

 

 

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[1]   Book 9, Chapters 6 &  7

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