The Complete Manual of Catholic Piety

By William Gahan

This book includes a Selection of Fervent Prayers, Pious Reflections, and Solid Instructions for Every Stage of Life. To which is annexed a supplement containing excellent and approved devotions, as well as the Epistles and Gospels for all of the year's Sundays and festivals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DigiCat
• Release date: Jul 21, 2022
• ISBN: 8596547096009

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William Gahan

The Complete Manual of Catholic Piety

EAN 8596547096009

DigiCat, 2022

Contact: [e-mail]

Table of Contents

Preface.

A Table Of Moveable Feasts.

Feasts And Fasts Throughout The Year.

Holy-days On Which There Is A Strict Obligation To Hear Mass, And Refrain From Servile-works.

Fasting Days On One Meal.

Days Of Abstinence From Flesh Meat.

Plenary Indulgences

The Manner Of Lay Persons Baptizing An Infant In Danger Of Death.

The Roman Calendar For The Kingdom Of Ireland

Calendar.

Morning Prayer.

Acts Of Faith, Hope, And Charity,

The Litany Of The Blessed Virgin.

A Protestation

Prayers

Instructions For Communion.

Acts Of Virtue,

Devout Prayers, Or Fervent Aspirations After Communion.

Acts Of Virtue After Communion.

The Seven Penitential Psalms.

The Litany Of The Saints.

Psalm lxix.

Devotions For Every Day In The Week.

Pious Reflections For Every Day In The Month.

Mentations On The Apostles' Creed,

The Salve Regina.

The Litany Of Divine Providence.

The Golden Litany,

The Prayers Of St. Bridget.

Devotions To The Sacred Heart Of Jesus.

The Litany Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus.

A Reparation Of Honour To The Sacred Heart.

Devotions For The Sick.

Preparation for Death

The Recommendation Of A Soul Departing.

Litany For A Happy Death;

Exequies, Or Sacred Rites Over The Tomb.

Exequies, Or Sacred Rites Over The Tomb.

Suffrages For The Souls Of The Faithful Departed In General.

Suffrages For The Souls Of The Faithful Departed In General.

Litany For The Dead.

The Litany Of The Blessed Virgin. In Latin.

Method Of Serving At Mass.

End Of The First Part Of Catholic Piety.

Supplement To The Manual Of Catholic Piety.

On The Sacrifice Of The Mass And The Use Of The Latin Liturgy.

The Ordinary Of The Holy Mass.

Part I.

Part II.

Part III.

Part IV. The Communion, Or Sacramental Part Of The Canon.

Part V. The Public Thanksgiving After Communion.

Another Devout Method Of Assisting At The Holy Sacrifice Of The Mass,

The Epistles And Gospels For The Sundays And Principal Festivals Throughout The Year.

The Common Of Saints.

Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 8th December.

Common Of Saints.

Instructions And Devotions For Confirmation.

Second Part.

Third Part.

The Rosary Of The Blessed Name Of Jesus.

The Five Mysteries Of The First Part.

The Five Mysteries Of The Second Part.

The Five Mysteries Of The Third Part.

The Rosary Of The Blessed Virgin.

Part The Third. The Five Glorious Mysteries,

Hymns For Festivals.

Finis.

Preface.

Table of Contents

Of all the means we can employ for our advancement in the great affair of our salvation, Prayer is certainly one of the most powerful. Saint Augustin calls it the Key of Heaven, that unlocks the treasures of God, and gives us free access to the riches of his divine bounty. It was by prayer that Elias, when he pleased, opened and shut the sluices of heaven, and caused fire to descend from above to consume his sacrifice. It was by prayer that Joshua caused the sun to stop in the midst of its course. The prayer of Moses contributed more to the signal victory obtained by Joshua over the army of the Amalekites, than all the weapons of Israel: for as long as his hands were raised up to heaven, his prayers drew down a blessing on the people of God: but no sooner did he let his hands fall, (being unable to keep them in that painful posture,) and had ceased from prayer, than the Amalekites began to prevail.

But if Prayer be so powerful, it is no less necessary: our poverty and indigence; our manifold wants, infirmities, and miseries; the various dangers to which we are continually exposed; the frequent temptations we have to encounter; our absolute insufficiency of ourselves, and inability to do the least good without the grace of God; are corroborating proofs of the indispensable necessity of Prayer.

Though every good gift comes from the Father of Lights, who knows our wants, and is always inclined to relieve us, yet he requires that we have recourse in all our necessities, corporal and spiritual, to the throne of his mercy, under the assurance that whatever we ask with confidence, humility, piety, and perseverance, in the name of Jesus, shall be granted.

However, the idea of Prayer is not to be confined to that of Petition, as frequently happens. Many Christians, indeed, pray to God; but where are they to be found, who, like David, are incessantly employed in singing the mercies of the Lord, and have the remembrance of them deeply engraven in their hearts? They call upon God, to represent to him their wants, either temporal or spiritual; they appear only in his presence with a hand lifted up to receive, as if they imagined he was indebted to them, and that he never gave them enough. They have a heart but to wish, and a tongue but to ask. Their wants are eloquent and pressing, their gratitude cold and silent; for how seldom do they think of appearing before him to bless and praise him, and to celebrate the wonders of his love for us! Alas! to recollect his benefits, to thank him for them, to feel confused at the sight of their own ingratitude, to excite themselves, from this motive, to confidence and love, to be ready to do all, to suffer all, for a God who has shown them so much goodness, is a practice which is known but to a small number of fervent souls. We are all earnest in asking; but in general so deficient in thanksgiving, that, like the Lepers in the Gospel, it is to be feared not above one in ten gives due thanks to God for the blessings received.

Nevertheless, nothing would be more pleasing to God, nor more proper to draw down upon us new graces.

To facilitate, therefore, the exercise of this important duty, certain forms of vocal prayers have always been recommended, particularly such as have been used by the Saints, and drawn from the divine Psalms, which are so full of sublime ideas, of tender sentiments of piety, of fervent aspirations, of transports and raptures in God, that all the subjects of Prayer which are suitable either to the penitent way, the illuminative way, or the unitive way, are to be met with therein.

The Manual now offered to the piety of Irish Catholics, will be found, on a diligent perusal, to have no small claim to this merit. The many editions it has gone through, the high esteem it is held in by interior souls, the constant and universal demand for it, is all we shall say in its praise.

To render it still more acceptable and more complete, the present edition has been very considerably enlarged, improved, and enriched with Instructions and Devotions for Confirmation; with an explanation of the Latin Liturgy, and of the Ceremonies used in the sacrifice of the Mass, and different pious methods of assisting thereat; with particular Devotions for every day in the Week; in short, with a great variety of Sacred Hymns of praise and thanksgiving, and of spiritual Exercises of Piety for several occasions, taken from the most approved Books of Devotion in the French and English Language. [Footnote 1]

[Footnote 1: See the Supplement attached to this Book.]

A Table Of Moveable Feasts.

Table of Contents

DL = Dominical Letter

Year DL Ash Easter Ascension Whit Corpus 1st Sunday

of our Wed Sunday Thursday Sunday Christi in Advent.

Lord

1844 GF 21 Feb 7 Apr 16 May 26 May 6 June 1 Dec

1845 E 5 Feb 23 Mar 1 May 11 May 22 May 30 Nov

1846 D 25 Feb 12 Apr 21 May 31 May 11 June 29 Nov

1847 C 17 Feb 4 Apr 13 May 23 May 8 June 28 Nov

1848 BA 8 Mar 23 Apr 1 June 11 June 22 June 3 Dec

1849 G 21 Feb 8 Apr 17 May 27 May 7 June 2 Dec

1850 F 13 Feb 31 Mar 9 May 19 May 30 May 1 Dec

1851 E 5 Mar 20 Apr 29 May 8 June 19 June 30 Nov

1852 DC 25 Feb 11 Apr 20 May 30 May 10 June 28 Nov

1853 B 9 Feb 27 Mar 5 May 15 May 26 May 27 Nov

1854 A 1 Mar 16 Apr 25 May 4 June 15 June 3 Dec

1855 G 21 Feb 8 Apr 17 May 27 May 7 June 2 Dec

1856 FE 6 Feb 23 Mar 1 May 11 May 22 May 30 Nov

1857 D 25 Feb 12 Apr 21 May 31 May 11 June 29 Nov

1858 C 17 Feb 4 Apr 13 May 23 May 3 June 28 Nov

1859 B 9 Mar 24 Apr 2 June 12 June 23 June 27 Nov

1860 AG 22 Feb 8 Apr 17 May 27 May 7 June 2 Dec

1861 F 13 Feb 31 Mar 9 May 19 May 30 May 1 Dec

1862 E 5 Mar 20 Apr 29 May 8 June 19 June 30 Nov

1863 D 18 Feb 5 Apr 14 May 24 May 4 June 29 Nov

1864 CB 10 Feb 27 Mar 5 May 15 May 26 May 27 Nov

1865 A 1 Mar 16 Apr 25 May 4 June 15 June 3 Dec

1866 G 14 Feb 1 Apr 10 May 20 May 31 May 2 Dec

1867 F 6 Mar 21 Apr 30 May 9 June 20 June 1 Dec

1868 ED 26 Feb 12 Apr 21 May 31 May 11 June 29 Nov

1869 C 10 Feb 28 Mar 6 May 16 May 27 May 28 Nov

1870 B 2 Mar 17 Apr 26 May 5 June 16 June 27 Nov

1871 A 22 Feb 9 Apr 18 May 28 May 8 June 3 Dec

1872 GF 13 Feb 31 Mar 9 May 19 May 30 May 1 Dec

1873 E 26 Feb 13 Apr 22 May 1 June 12 June 30 Nov

1874 D 18 Feb 5 Apr 14 May 24 May 4 June 29 Nov

[Transcriber's note: The following table is from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominical_letter.

A: common year starting on Sunday (or ending on Sunday)

B: common year starting on Saturday (or ending on Saturday)

C: common year starting on Friday (or ending on Friday)

D: common year starting on Thursday (or ending on Thursday)

E: common year starting on Wednesday (or ending on Wednesday)

F: common year starting on Tuesday (or ending on Tuesday)

G: common year starting on Monday (or ending on Monday)

AG: leap year starting on Sunday (or ending on Monday)

BA: leap year starting on Saturday (or ending on Sunday)

CB: leap year starting on Friday (or ending on Saturday)

DC: leap year starting on Thursday (or ending on Friday)

ED: leap year starting on Wednesday (or ending on Thursday)

FE: leap year starting on Tuesday (or ending on Wednesday)

GF: leap year starting on Monday (or ending on Tuesday)]

Feasts And Fasts

Throughout The Year.

Table of Contents

Holy-days On Which There Is A Strict Obligation To Hear Mass, And Refrain From Servile-works.

Table of Contents

All Sundays in the Year.

Ascension of our Lord.

Corpus Christi.

January 1—The Circumcision of our Lord.

January 6—The Epiphany.

March 17—The Feast of St Patrick.

March 25—The Annunciation of the B.V.M.

June 29—St. Peter and St. Paul.

August 15—Assumption of the B.V.M.

November 1—Feast of All Saints.

December 25—Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[The obligation is taken away on all other days, by decrees of Popes Pius VI. and VIII.]

Fasting Days On One Meal.

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All the Days in Lent, except Sundays.

The Eve of Whitsuntide.

The Quarter-tenses, or Ember-days, being the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, next after the first Sunday of Lent; after Whit-Sunday; after September 14th: and after December 13th.

The Eves of St. Peter and St. Paul; of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; of All Saints; and of Christmas-day.

The Fridays and Saturdays in Advent.

Days Of Abstinence From Flesh Meat.

Table of Contents

All the Sundays in Lent, except when the use of meat is allowed by the Archbishop or Bishop of the diocese.

All the Fridays throughout the Year.

N. B.—Eggs are forbidden on Fridays, when a fast falls on them; and if a Fasting Day fall on a Sunday, the fast is kept on the Saturday before. If Christmas-day fall on a Friday, neither fast nor abstinence is observed.

N.B.—The Catholic Church commands all her children to be present at the great Eucharistic Sacrifice, which we call the Mass, and to rest from servile work, on Sundays and Holy-days.

Secondly—To abstain from flesh on all the days of fasting and abstinence, and on fasting days to eat but one meal.

Thirdly—To confess their sins at least once a year.

Fourthly—To receive the blessed sacrament at least once a year, and that at Easter, viz., between Palm and Low Sundays.

The time appointed in the Archdioceses of Dublin, for complying with the Easter Duty, begins an Ash-Wednesday, and terminates on Ascension Day. They who, without some reasonable cause, neglect this important duty, are liable to be excommunicated whilst living, and when they die, to be deprived of Christian burial, according to the fourth Council of Lateran, can. 21.

Marriage cannot be contracted by persons within the fourth degree of kindred without a dispensation, and if attempted is invalid. Spiritual kindred, contracted by baptism or confirmation, is an impediment.

Clandestine marriage is that which is not performed by the pastor of one of the party, with certificate, or by another priest, with his license, and in the presence of two or three witnesses.

Clandestine marriages are unlawful, and forbidden by the church; and are null or invalid in all the dioceses of Ireland, as the Decree of the Council of Trent, which annuls clandestine marriages, has duly been received in them all, 2nd December, 1827, and was in force thirty days after, or 1st January, 1828.

The solemnizing of marriage is forbidden from the first Sunday in Advent till after Twelfth-day; and from the beginning of Lent till Easter-Sunday. At all other times it may be solemnized.

Plenary Indulgences

Table of Contents

Plenary Indulgences are granted to the faithful of this kingdom by complying with the usual conditions:—

On the feast of St. Patrick, or any day within the octave.

Item, on the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, or any day within the octave.

Item, at the hour of death, to such as devoutly invoke the sacred name of Jesus, at least with the heart.

The other Indulgences which are granted to the faithful of the Archdioceses of Dublin, on the feasts of the Nativity of our Lord, the Circumcision, the Epiphany, the Resurrection, the Ascension, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, on the five principal festivals of the Blessed Virgin, and the feast of All Saints, &c, are commonly published from the altars.

Note.—By an Indulgence is meant a relaxation or remission of the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven, both as to the guilt and eternal punishment. Some Indulgences are called plenary; because, when the full effect of them is gained, they remit all the debt of temporal punishment: others are called partial; for example, an Indulgence of forty or an hundred days, or of three, seven, ten, fifteen, or more years; because the penitent is only thereby released in part, or from such a proportion of the debt of temporal punishment as was formerly enjoined by the penitential canons, according to the enormity of the crimes committed, and as would have been remitted by God, had the penitent undergone, for such a space of time, the severe canonical penances which were in use in the Church until the twelfth century.

The direct and immediate effect, therefore, of an Indulgence is, to remit the debt of temporal punishment, and not to pardon or remit sin, as it supposes sin already forgiven. But the sinner's repentance being seldom so perfect as to release him entirely from the whole punishment he deserves, on account of the injury he has committed against the Divine Majesty, there usually remains some debt of temporal punishment to be discharged, either in this world or in the next. For though the mercy of God is moved by a true repentance, to pardon the guilt and eternal punishment due in hell for mortal sin; yet his justice often substitutes in its place, and reserves some debt of temporal punishment, to which the repenting sinner is liable on account of his past sins; as appears evidently from several remarkable instances recorded in holy writ, particularly Adam, King David, Manasses, the Israelites, &c.

It is to discharge and cancel this debt of temporal punishment, that works of penance are enjoined in the sacred tribunal of Confession; and that the Catholic Church, like a compassionate and indulging mother, opens her spiritual treasures from time to time, to supply the wants and make up the deficiency of her children. In virtue of the power given to her by Jesus Christ, and in imitation of St. Paul, (2 Cor. x.) and several other renowned doctors and pastors who flourished in the purest ages of Christianity, she grants indulgences to such of the faithful as are properly disposed, and apply with fervour to those works of piety and religion, charity and penance, that are required on their part, as conditions necessary to gain the benefit of an indulgence.

---

The Manner Of Lay Persons Baptizing An Infant In Danger Of Death.

Table of Contents

Take common water, pour it on the head or face of the child, and while you are pouring it, say the following words: I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

---

The Roman Calendar

For The Kingdom Of Ireland:

Table of Contents

Containing

The Feasts and Fasts of the said Kingdom, the Irish Saints, and Patrons of each Diocese; all on their proper days.

Explanations.

The Festivals of the Holy-Days are in small capital Letters.

The Irish Saints are marked in Italic Letters.

The Founders of Religious Orders are marked thus, †

Note.—Ap. signifies Apostle, M. Martyr, B. Bishop, Ab. Abbot, C. Confessor, V. Virgin, D. Diocese.

Calendar.

Table of Contents

January, 31 Days.

Feast of the most holy Name of Jesus, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany.

February, 28 Days.

In Leap-years February hath 29 days, and the Feast of St. Matthias is kept on the 25th.

March, 31 Days.

The Feast of the Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Friday after Passion Sunday.

April, 30 Days.

May, 31 Days.

June, 30 Days.

July, 31 Days.

August, 31 Days.

September, 30 Days.

Festival of holy Name of Blessed Virgin Mary, Sunday within Octave of Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary.—Seven Dolors, 3rd Sunday in September.

October, 31 Days.

Feast of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1st Sunday in October. Anniversary of the Dedication of the Churches of Ireland, 2d Sunday in October.

November, 30 Days.

December, 31 Days.

Morning Prayer.

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Morning Prayer is a duty which God requires as the first fruits of the day:—most religiously then should it be consecrated to him. The success of our actions for the rest of the day, depends in a great measure upon this first duty. To begin the day without imploring God's grace, and thanking him sincerely for the repose of the night, is certainly to expose ourselves to infinite danger.

But before prayer, recollect yourself a moment; think what you are, of yourself and what God is, to whom you are going to speak. You will thus conceive the importance of the action, and the sentiments of humility, of regret for your faults, of attention, respect, and modesty, of fervour, love, and confidence, with which you should address him.

Awaking in the Morning, say:

O my God, my only good, the author of my being, and my last end, I offer thee my heart. Praise, honour, and glory be to thee, for ever and ever. Amen.

At Up-rising, say:

+ In the name of the Father,

+ and of the Son,

+ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

I will arise from this bed of sleep, to adore my God, and to labour for the salvation of my soul. O! may I arise on the last day to life everlasting!

While clothing yourself, say:

O my God, clothe my soul with the nuptial robe of charity, and grant that I may carry it pure and undefiled before thy judgment-seat.

When clothed, kneel down, and say:

+ In the name of the Father, &c. Amen.

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for evermore. Amen.

Come, O Holy Ghost, take possession of my heart, and enkindle therein the fire of thy divine love. Amen.

Attend seriously to the presence of God; return him thanks for his benefits; and offer yourself to him without reserve.

O eternal God! most holy and adorable Trinity! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; the beginning and end of all things; in whom we live, move, and have our being; I firmly believe that thou art here present; I adore thee with the most profound humility; I praise thee; I give thee thanks from the bottom of my heart, for having created me after thine own image and likeness, and redeemed me with the precious blood of thy Son; for having hitherto preserved me, and brought me safe to the beginning of this day. Behold, O Lord, I offer thee my whole being, and in particular all my thoughts, words, and actions, together with such crosses and contradictions as I may meet with in the course of this day. I consecrate them entirely to the glory of thy name, in union with those of Jesus Christ my Saviour, that, through his infinite merits, they may find acceptance in thy sight. Give them, O Lord, thy blessing. May thy divine love animate them; and may they all tend to the greater honour of thy Sovereign Majesty. Amen.

Resolve to avoid evil, and to do good.

Adorable Jesus! divine model of that perfection to which all Christians should aspire; I will endeavour this day, after thy example, to be mild, humble, chaste, zealous, patient, charitable, and resigned. Incline my heart, O Lord, to keep thy commandments. I am resolved to watch over myself with the greatest diligence and circumspection, and to live soberly, justly, and piously for the time to come. I will place a guard on my mouth, and a gate of prudence before my lips, that I may not offend with my tongue. I will turn away my eyes, that they may not see vanity; and I will be particularly attentive not to relapse into my accustomed failings; but will struggle against them, and with thy gracious assistance, correct them. Enlighten my mind, O Lord; purify my heart, and guide my steps, that I may pass this and the remaining days of my life in thy divine service. Amen.

Implore the necessary Graces.

Thou knowest, O God, my weakness; thou knowest that I am so poor and destitute, that I cannot do, or even think of any good, without thy assistance; arise, therefore, to my help, and strengthen me with thy grace, that I may fervently execute what I have firmly resolved, and not only avoid all the evil thou forbiddest; but also perform all the good thou commandest.

The Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Angelical Salutation.

Hail Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Apostles' Creed.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting. Amen.

The Confiteor.

I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever a Virgin, to blessed Michael the archangel, to blessed John the baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary ever a Virgin, the blessed Michael the archangel, the blessed John the baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

May almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen.

May the almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen.

Invoke the blessed Virgin, your Angel guardian, and your Patron Saint.

O holy Virgin! Mother of God! my advocate and patroness! pray for thy poor servant; prove thyself a mother to me. And thou, O blessed Spirit! my Guardian Angel, whom God in his mercy hath appointed to watch over me, intercede for me this day, that I may not stray from the paths of virtue.