Seconde partie, chapitre XV. Des autres exercices publics et communs
The Power of Public Worship
Participating in the Church's public offices and liturgical hours brings unique spiritual consolation and honors God more deeply than private devotion alone.
Furthermore, Philothea, you should attend the office of the hours and vespers on Sundays and feast days whenever your schedule allows; these days are dedicated to God, and you should perform more acts in His honor and glory on them than on other days. You'll experience a thousand sweet touches of devotion this way, just as Saint Augustine did; he testified in his Confessions that when he heard the divine offices at the start of his conversion, his heart melted with sweetness and his eyes shed tears of piety. And then (to say it once for all), there is always more good and consolation in the public offices of the Church than in private actions, since God has ordained that Communion should be preferred over any sort of particularity.
The Beauty of Communal Devotion
Joining confraternities and participating in public prayers fosters charity, obedience, and a powerful witness to others through shared good works.
Willingly join the confraternities in your area, especially those whose activities are the most fruitful and edifying. By doing so, you're performing a kind of obedience that is very pleasing to God; although confraternities aren't mandatory, they are recommended by the Church, which grants indulgences and other privileges to members to show that it wants many to enroll. Moreover, it is always a very charitable thing to collaborate with others and support them in their good endeavors. And although you might be able to perform exercises just as well on your own as you could in a confraternity—and perhaps even prefer doing them privately—God is still more glorified by the union and contribution we offer our brothers and neighbors through our good works. I say the same about all kinds of public prayers and devotions, to which, as much as we can, we should bring our good example for the edification of others, and our affection for the glory of God and the common intention.
Read the original Latin
Outre cela, Philothée, les fêtes et dimanches il faut assister à l’office des heures et des vêpres, tant que votre commodité le permettra ; car ces jours-là sont dédiés à Dieu, et faut bien faire plus d’actions à son honneur et gloire en iceux que non pas ès autres jours. Vous sentirez mille douceurs de dévotion par ce moyen, comme faisait saint Augustin, qui témoigne en ses Confessions que oyant les divins offices au commencement de sa conversion, son cœur se fondait en suavité, et ses yeux, en larmes de piété. Et puis (afin que je le dise une fois pour toutes), il y a toujours plus de bien et de consolation aux offices publics de l’Église, que non pas aux actions particulières, Dieu ayant ainsi ordonné que la communion soit préférée à toute sorte de particularité.
Entrez volontiers aux confréries du lieu où vous êtes, et particulièrement en celles desquelles les exercices apportent plus de fruit et d’édification ; car en cela vous ferez une sorte d’obéissance fort agréable à Dieu, d’autant qu’encore que les confréries ne soient pas commandées, elles sont néanmoins recommandées par l’Église, laquelle, pour témoigner qu’elle désire que plusieurs s’y enrôlent, donne des indulgences et autres privilèges aux confrères. Et puis, c’est toujours une chose fort charitable de concourir avec plusieurs et coopérer aux autres pour leurs bons desseins. Et, bien qu’il puisse arriver que l’on fît d’aussi bons exercices à part soi comme l’on fait aux confréries en commun, et que peut-être l’on goûtât plus de les faire en particulier, si est-ce que Dieu est plus glorifié de l’union et contribution que nous faisons de nos bienfaits avec nos frères et prochains.
J’en dis le même de toutes sortes de prières et dévotions publiques, auxquelles, tant qu’il nous est possible, nous devons porter notre bon exemple pour l’édification du prochain, et notre affection pour la gloire de Dieu et l’intention commune.
Introduction to the Devout Life — Parts 1-2 companion
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