Thirteenth Saturday

The Descent of the Holy Ghost.

Before Communion.—O King of Glory! thou art about to favour me, as thou didst favour the Apostles and disciples assembled in the upper room at Jerusalem. A thousand times blessed be thine infinite charity which moves thee to repair our miseries by bestowing upon us a gift wherein is contained all good! Purify then, my heart, O God, as thou didst sanctify the hearts of thy Apostles, and kindle in it the fire of thy love.

After Communion.—O sweet Saviour, I adore thee as true God, together with the Father and the Holy Ghost. Most Holy Spirit create a new heart within me. A thousand times I bless thee, and with the Seraphim before thy throne, I cry: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus! Thou art the giver of all heavenly gifts; animate me with thy charity and save me by thy mercy, that I may praise and love thee in time and in eternity. Amen.

Prayer.—O Blessed Virgin, Queen of the most holy Rosary, by the joy which filled thy soul at Pentecost, obtain for me, I beseech thee, the grant of my earnest petitions.

Practice.—Zeal for the salvation of souls.

Example.—St. Hyacinth, of the Order of Friars Preachers, laboured incessantly for the glory of God and for the salvation of sinners. For the space of forty years he preached successively in Poland, Silesia, Prussia, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, the borders of the Black and Caspian Seas, Tartary, &c. He penetrated even into Thibet and China. On one occasion, to save a statue of our Blessed Lady from profanation, he took it in his arms, though it was of enormous weight, and charged with his precious burden, he walked upon the waters of a deep and rapid river, as if it had been firm land.

He expired on the Feast of the Assumption, being seventy-two years old.