A Morning Prayer

The Necessary Grace

Fast Mount the Pointed Shafts of Light

            'The dawn is sprinkling in the east
            Its golden shower, as day flows in;
            Fast mount the pointed shafts of light:
            Farewell to darkness and to sin!' 

            Roman Breviary

            Painting: Jules Tavernie, Sunrise Over Diamond Head,1888

A Morning Exercise

Today I re-read the following advice from one of my favorite saints.  It is so practical, so concise, that I might just print it out and tape it to my mirror.  And to the bedroom door.  And to the window.  And to the computer screen (in case I forget to look everywhere else).

In his "Spiritual Directory," St. Francis de Sales proposes a simple morning exercise.  He counsels us to keep this prayer "brief and fervent..."

A.  Think.  Thank God and adore Him...

B.  Consider:  The gift of the present day is a preparation for eternity.  Make a firm resolution to use the day well for this intention.

C.  Look Ahead:  Foresee opportunities in which to serve God.  Anticipate whatever temptations might occur.  Prepare yourself by a good resolution to avoid carefully whatever might be against God's glory and your salvation.  Then consider how you plan to carry out this resolution. 

D.  Humble Yourself:  Acknowledge your dependence upon God.  Hold your heart in your hands and offer it to His love, together with your good intentions.  Ask His protection, His strength, that you be successful in His service.  (from In the Midst of the World by Sister Joanna Marie Wenzel VHM, Visitation Sisters, Brooklyn NY) 

St. Francis de Sales, ora pro nobis!

Painting:  Moritz von Schwind, Early Morning

In Every Moment

'O my God, grant that I may offer You in a spirit of sacrifice and in Your honor all the thoughts, words and actions of each day, my activity, my very being.  I beg that it may all be a sacrifice that will please You, and so make me a perpetual victim of a sacrifice that will be present in every moment of the day.'   Charles de Foucauld

Painting:  Peter Ilsted, Woman Reading by Candlelight, 1908