De vigilatione et oratione contra temptationes
The Necessity of Vigilance
We are called to constant prayer and watchfulness to counter the specific temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Stay awake and pray so you don't fall into temptation—whether from the flesh, the spirit, the devil, or the world. The flesh suggests lust; the spirit, pride; the devil, envy; and the world, vanity. Christ, however, teaches the opposite; for He urges us to keep to chastity, humility, love, and contempt for the world, so that we may earn the kingdom of God and escape the punishments of hell. We must therefore stay awake and pray at all times and in every place, because there is nowhere we are safe from our malicious adversary, who never sleeps or rests from tempting us, but circles around looking for someone to deceive and harass, to hinder from good works, and to make stop praying. That is why our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing the devil's wickedness and the value of prayer, the strength of the enemy and the weakness of man, strongly warns His disciples and all the faithful to stay awake and pray if they don't want to be overcome by their enemies—that is, by their vices. Stay awake, then, and pray, so that you don't enter into the devil's temptation and consent to him. If you can't read the whole psalter, read one psalm, one verse, or one devout hymn about Jesus, Mary, or some saint, to stir your heart upward to God through a sigh and the prayer of your own living voice. For God is near to all who call upon Him with humility.
The Interiority of Prayer
True prayer is an interior act of humility that pierces the heavens, whether performed in private or within the communal choir.
For the humble prayer of a righteous person pierces the heavens; it gives confidence before God, and it breaks the devil's counsel, his strength, his threats, and his empty tricks. If you're hindered by people on the outside, go into your room as Christ advised, and with the door shut, pray to your Father in secret. He knows what you're thinking, what you desire, and what you need. So, pray in every petition. Father, may your will always be done, not mine; do with me what is pleasing to you and useful for me. If you are with others in the choir, read and sing with them like an angel before God. Sing outwardly in such a way that you are pierced inwardly; please people in such a way that you don't displease God and his holy angels. For God pays more attention to the compunction of the heart than to the clamor of a loud voice.
Humility and the Fruits of Devotion
God favors the humble heart over the proud, and through the grace of sorrowful prayer, we are protected from spiritual negligence.
For God is appeased by humble prayer, but offended by vainglory. Through the tears of sorrow, grace is acquired and virtue is increased; through the noise of dissipation, devotion is lost; and for every fault and negligence, a penalty will be paid. May divine mercy always protect us from these evils and lead us to the heavenly kingdoms. Amen.
Read the original Latin
Vigilate et orate: ut non intretis in temptationem, carnis vel spiritus vel diaboli vel mundi. Caro suggerit concupiscentiam: spiritus superbiam; diabolus invidiam: mundus vanitatem. Christus autem e contrario docet; nam suadet servare castitatem humilitatem, caritatem, et contemptum mundi: ad promerendum regnum Dei, et evadendum poenas inferni. Vigilandum igitur et orandum omni tempore: et in omni loco; quia nullibi securitas ab adversario maligno: qui non dormit nec quiescit a temptando; sed circuit et quaerit quem decipiat et molestet: et a bonis exercitiis impediat, et ab oratione cessare faciat. Ideo Dominus noster Iesus Christus sciens nequitias diaboli et utilitatem orationis, fortitudinem hostis et debilitatem hominis; admonet fortiter discipulos suos et omnes fideles vigilare et orare: si non velint ab hostibus suis id est vitiis superari. Vigilate igitur et orate ut non intretis in temptationem diaboli: nec ei consentiatis. Si non potes totum psalterium legere, lege unum psalmum; unum versum, unum devotum hymnum de Iesu de Maria: aut de aliquo sancto ad excitandum cor tuum sursum in Deum; per gemitum et vivae vocis oraculum. Prope est enim Deus omnibus invocantibus se cum humilitate.
Nam humilis oratio iusti penetrat caelos; dat fiduciam ad Deum: et frangit diaboli consilium et vires minas et nugas. Si impediris foris ab hominibus; intra cubiculum tuum sécundum Christi consilium: et clauso ostio ora Patrem tuum in abscondito. Ipse enim scit quid cogitas et desideras: et quid opus est tibi. Sic ergo in omni petitione ora. Pater fiat semper voluntas tua non mea: fac mecum sicut placitum est tibi et utile mihi. Si fueris cum aliis in choro: lege et canta cum eis sicut angelus coram Deo. Sic canta exterius ut compungaris interius; sic placeas hominibus: ut non displiceas Deo et sanctis angelis eius. Deus enim magis attendit compunctionem cordis: quam clamorem altae vocis.
Quia per humilem precem Deus placatur: pers vanam gloriam offenditur. Per maeroris fletum gratia acquiritur et virtus augetur;, per dissolutionis sonum devotio perditur: et pro omni culpa et neglegentia poena reddetur. A quibus malis divina pietas nos semper custodiat: et ad caelestia regna perducat. Amen.
The Little Garden of Roses & The Valley of Lilies companion
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Chosen Portion serves the complete Little Garden and Valley of Lilies — plus the Imitation — as daily portions.
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