De recollectione cordis cum Deo
Gathering the Scattered Heart
When the soul feels scattered by worldly distractions or inner turmoil, one must retreat into prayer and humble supplication to restore focus on God.
"Whoever does not gather with me, scatters," says our Lord Jesus Christ. When you find yourself scattered and lacking devotion because of the devil’s many fantasies, the bitter passions of your heart, or the annoying behavior of others, make an effort to pull yourself back into the secret place of your soul through the Lord’s Prayer and the Angelic Salutation; then prostrate yourself on the ground before the holy cross, an image of the blessed Virgin Mary, or a devout picture of some saint, made for the honor of God and the memory of the saints. Call especially upon Jesus and Mary, along with all the angels and citizens of heaven, for the mercy and grace of divine consolation to be restored to you, and say with holy David in the psalm: "Lord, all my desire is before you, and my groaning is not hidden from you." "Lord, my hope from my youth, I take refuge in you in my tribulation." . O Lord, teach me always to follow and do your will, and to abandon my own. For this is pleasing to you and useful to me for the salvation of my soul.
A Prayer for Divine Guidance
The soul offers a prayer of surrender, asking for correction, mercy, and the grace to live in accordance with God's holy will.
Lord, may I never think, desire, or do anything that displeases you or harms another, just as you have commanded me and all who serve you. When I do the opposite, correct me in your mercy, and don't destroy me in your anger. For you are my God, and I am your poor and fragile servant, in greatest need of your grace and mercy in all things. May your holy name be blessed above all things, now and forever.
Read the original Latin
Qui non colligit mecum dispergit: ait Dominus noster Iesus Christus. Cum fueris multum dispersus et indevotus propter multiplices diaboli phantasias et amaras passiones cordis et hominum displicentias te inquietantes; stude ote recolligere in secreto per orationem Dominicam et angelicam salutationem: et prosterne te solo tenus ante sanctam crucem vel beatae virginis Mariae imaginem; aut alicuius sancti devotam pictu ram: ad Dei honorem sanctorumque memoriam factam. Invoca praecipue Iesum et Mariam cum omnibus angelis et caeli civibus pro misericordia et gratia divinae consolationis tibi iterum reddenda: et dic cum sancto David in psalmo. Domine ante te omne desiderium meum: et gemitus meus a te non est absconditus. Domine spes mea a iuventute, ad te confugio in tribulatione mea. . O Domine doce me semper sequi et facere voluntatem tuam: et relinquere meam. Quia hoc beneplacitum est tibi: et utile mihi pro salute animae meae.
Domine numquam mihi contingat aliquid cogitare vel desiderare aut operari quod displicet tibi; aut alteri nocet: sicut praecepisti mihi et omnibus servientibus tibi. Cum contrarium ago corrige me in misericordia tua: et non in ira perdas me. Quia Deus meus es tu et ego pauper et fragilis servus tuus gratia et misericordia tua in omnibus maxime egens. Sit nomen sanctum tuum nunc et in aeternum super omnia benedictum.
The Little Garden of Roses & The Valley of Lilies companion
Fourteen readings down. The other 39 chapters are waiting.
Chosen Portion serves the complete Little Garden and Valley of Lilies — plus the Imitation — as daily portions.
These treatises were composed as brief daily counsels for a community's rhythm of reading, and Chosen Portion delivers them the same way: one short chapter each morning.
- All 53 chapters of both treatises in modern readable English
- A new short reading delivered every morning, no deciding what's next
- Complete both treatises in under two months at one chapter a day