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Furthermore, my daughter, you should endeavour to assist at the
Offices, Hours, Vespers, etc., as far as you are able, especially
on Sundays and Festivals, days which are dedicated to God, wherein
we ought to strive to do more for His Honour and Glory than on
others. You will greatly increase the fervour of your devotion by
so doing, even as did S. Augustine, who tells us in his
Confessions, that in the early days of his conversion he was
touched to the quick, and his heart overflowed in happy tears,
when he took part in the Offices of the Church. (1)
Moreover (let me say it here once for all), there is always
more profit and more consolation in the public Offices of the
Church than in private acts of devotion, God having willed to give
the preference to communion in prayer over all individual action.
Be ready to take part in any confraternities and associations
you may find in the place where you are called to dwell,
especially such as are most fruitful and edifying. This will be
pleasing to God; for although confraternities are not ordained,
they are recommended by the Church, which grants various
privileges to those who are united thereby. And it is always a
work of love to join with others and take part in their good
works. And although it may be possible that you can use equally
profitable devotions by yourself as in common with
others,--perhaps even you may like doing so best,--nevertheless
God is more glorified when we unite with our brethren and
neighbours and join our offerings to theirs.
I say the same concerning all public services and prayers, in
which, as far as possible, each one of us is bound to contribute
the best example we can for our neighbour's edification, and our
hearty desire for God's Glory and the general good of all men.
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"Nor was I sated in those days
with the wondrous sweetness of considering the depth of Thy
counsels concerning the salvation of mankind. How did I weep,
in Thy hymns and canticles, touched to the quick by the voices
of Thy sweet-attuned church The voices flowed into mine ears,
and the truth distilled into my heart, whence the affections
of my devotion overflowed, and tears ran down, and happy was I
therein."--conf. bk. ix. 14.
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