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THE

LITURGICAL YEAR.

GENERAL PREFACE.

Prayer is man's richest boon. It is his light, his nourishment, and his very life, for it brings him into communication with God, who is light,[1] nourishment,[2] and life.[3] But, of ourselves, we know not what we should pray for as we ought;[4] we must needs, therefore, address ourselves to Jesus Christ, and say to him as the Apostles did: Lord, teach us how to pray.[5] He alone can make the dumb speak, and give eloquence to the mouths of children; and this prodigy he effects by sending his Spirit of grace, and of prayers,[6] who delights in helping our infirmity, asking for us with unspeakable groanings.[7]

Now, it is in the holy Church that this divine Spirit dwells. He came down to her as an impetuous wind, and manifested himself to her under the expressive symbol of tongues of fire. Ever since that day of Pentecost, he has dwelt in this his favoured Spouse. He is the principle of everything that is in her. He it is that prompts her prayers, her desires,

  1. ↑ St. John, viii. 12.
  2. ↑ Ibid. vi. 35.
  3. ↑ Ibid. xiv. 6.
  4. ↑ Rom. viii , 26,
  5. ↑ St. Luke, xi. 1 .
  6. ↑ Zach. xii. 10.
  7. ↑ Rom. viii. 26.
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