Aspiration." Forgive, and you shall be for-given. (Gospel according to St. Luke vi. 37.)

EXAMPLE.

GENEROUS FORGIVENESS.

The only son of an honourable widow was murdered by a wicked fellow, who, being for this his murder in danger of being apprehended by the officers, had hid himself; but the officers and the widow had intelligence where he lay. The officers went to the place to take him; but the pious widow did, for God's sake, so truly pardon this greatest mischief which could have been done her, that she did not only certify the murderer of his danger, to the end that he might fly away in time, but for this end did she furnish him also with money, and gave him the horse of her dead son, that he might escape the better. After this, she retired herself to pray for her son's soul; when, behold, her son all in glory appeared unto her, and told her that, for so great a charity towards his murderer, God had already freed him from the fire of Purgatory, which for many years he should have suffered.-Mumford (Osorius): Sermon for the Friday after Ash-Wednesday.

NOVEMBER 25TH.

Meditation for the Twenty-fifth Day of the Month of the Souls in Purgatory.

RESIGNATION.

Prelude.-Let us recall to our minds the impression often made upon us during these holy exercises, by meditation on the sufferings of Purgatory.

Meditation.-We may also much relieve the souls in Purgatory by suffering patiently for them such crosses as it shall please God to lay upon us; for nothing vexatious happens to us in this life which may not tend to the satisfaction of our sins, and those of our brethren, if we receive them joyfully from God's hand, or at least without complaint or sadness. If God wills, then, that we should be afflicted by some long illness, by some unforeseen loss to our honour, or loss of goods, of friends; if He allows our enemies to persecute us, and our friends to abandon us, let us embrace these crosses with all our hearts, and beware of murmuring at them; then shall we draw from them great treasures of merit, to assist in their need these suffering souls who implore us to take pity on them.

Resignation is also very meritorious when we endure the sufferings of this life, if not with joy,

at least without impatience. "It is not a little thing," remarks St. Bernard, "not to give way to discouragement when we fall into adversity; in fact, the experience of daily life makes us feel but too truly that it is difficult to receive an injury and not give way to revenge, to suffer much and to suffer patiently.

Resolution. Suffer joyfully, or at least with patience, the sufferings of this life, in consideration of Purgatory.

Aspiration." By resignation we expiate so well our sins in this life, that, in the next world, the fire of Purgatory will find nothing or hardly anything to purify in us. (St. Augustine: 42nd Sermon on Holiness.)

EXAMPLE.

VISION OF ST. GERTRUDE.

A young religious of St. Gertrude's monastery, who by her fervour and piety had been its edification, came to die. Gertrude felt the loss deeply, and was praying one day for the repose of her soul, when Jesus allowed her to perceive her before His throne, crowned with dazzling light and clothed in magnificent garments, and adorned with precious stones. But what was her astonishment in remarking in her a sort of pre-occupation, and her eyes were cast down as if shame prevented her from raising them towards

the Divine Majesty. Touched by seeing her spiritual daughter trembling thus before her heavenly Spouse, she turned to Him, and said: "Most merciful Jesus! why dost Thou not receive this soul, who has given herself entirely to Thee, into the arms of Thine infinite charity, so that she may enjoy without fear the delight of Thy presence ?" Then Our Lord, with a smile of ineffable tenderness, made a sign to the religious to advance towards Him; but she, more troubled still, hesitated, trembled, and at last, after a profound inclination, retreated. Gertrude's astonishment was at its height. "How

is it, my daughter, that you fly from your Spouse Who calls you?" The holy nun replied: "Ah! my mother, I am not yet worthy to raise my eyes to the Immaculate Lamb; there are still in me stains which you cannot perceive. We must be so pure in order to unite ourselves to the Divine Sun of Justice."

NOVEMBER 26TH.

Meditation for the Twenty-sixth Day of the Month of the Souls in Purgatory.

ALMSGIVING.

Prelude.-Let us represent almsgiving to ourselves as a torrent of cold water falling on fire.

Meditation. To give alms is to pour a torrent of refreshing water into the flames which consume the holy souls, for alms have a singular virtue for expiating not only our sins, but also those of others. A learned and holy writer suggests excellent advice to us on this subject. Every time that a poor person dying of hunger knocks at your door, or holds out his hand to you in the streets, you must represent to yourselves that it is a soul in Purgatory who applies to you, entreating you humbly to have pity on her in her present affliction. Give to the poor, whether they are voluntarily so—as all religious, both men and women, are—or not, with the intention of delivering some soul from Purgatory by this act of charity. It is a work of mercy well worthy of a Christian, and it is a very salutary work of penance, which will greatly tend towards expiating the sins committed during your life, and in acquitting yourself of your great debts at little cost. "Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity, that when you shall fail, according to the promise of the Son of God, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings." (St. Luke xvi. 9.)

If, then, you love your neighbour, if you love Jesus Christ, if you love yourselves, impose on yourselves some alms as a rule, and let it be for the benefit of the souls in Purgatory.

Resolution.-Represent to yourselves a soul in Purgatory in the needy person we assist by our alms.