Rule of Life of St. Paul of the Cross
From Flowers of the Passion, by St. Paul of the Cross Tools
The Passion and the Rule of Life
Source
| Printed in | Flowers of the Passion |
|---|---|
| Imprint | New York, Cincinnati, Chicago, Benziger Brothers ("Printers to the Holy Apostolic See") |
| Scan | the Internet Archive copy |
| Approval | Nihil Obstat: D. J. McMahon, D.D., Censor Librorum Imprimatur: Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; dateline "New York, January 28, 1893" |
| Transcription | Transcribed from the scan. |
| Rights | Public domain in the United States. |
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In the morning, immediately after rising, make about a quarter of an hour's mental prayer, and then a spiritual Communion.
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Hear Mass, or should you be prevented, bear the disappointment with patience.
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Work until dinner in holy silence, having your mind united to God; when spoken to, however, reply with sweetness, good grace, and charity.
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A half hour before dinner read a little, and, if you can, remain recollected before your crucifix for about fifteen minutes.
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Dine in peace, observing a prudent mortification.
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After dinner take some recreation in company with others, always full of charity and amiability.
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Work until five o'clock or a little later, the mind being always united to God; then prepare for mental prayer and apply yourself to it for an hour.
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Have supper, then a little recreation, retire, examine your conscience, do some spiritual reading, say your night-prayer, and go to bed.
I recommend to you the presence of God, the Source of all good. May God give you His blessing! 1
- St. Paul of the Cross marked out this rule of life for a young person of good family. Its suavity, discretion, liberty of spirit, and, at the same time, its austerity, all point to the school of St. Francis de Sales.
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