"I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth." John, xvi. 17.
"The love of Christ constraineth us." 2 Cor. v. 14.
"Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy." Heb. iv. 16.
"Who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. ii. 20.
"God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Gal. vi. 14.
4. Devotion to the sacred Heart of Jesus.
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Rom. viii. 35.
"Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." Matt. xi. 29.
6. Devotion to the holy Apostles, to holy Bishops, and to holy Priests.
"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." Heb. xiii. 7.
7. The seminarist addresses every day prayers to his guardian angel, to his patron saint, and for the refreshment of souls in Purgatory.
"Give attendance to reading." 1 Tim. iv. 13.
The reading of works which develop the rules and spirit of the seminary, which treat of Christian and ecclesiastical virtues, of fitness to receive holy orders, as likewise that of the lives of saints, is indispensable to the seminarist. The following are those which he will chiefly read:
Practice of Direction, of the monthly Retreat, and of Monition.
Manual of the Seminarist. By M. Tronson. 2d edition.
Nepotian; or, The Pupil of the Sanctuary.
The Presence of God, the Faithful Mirror, and the Golden Book.
The Spirit of Christianity. By Father Nepveu.
Catechism of the Interior Life. By M. Olier.
Practice of the Love of our Lord Jesus Christ. By S. Liguori.
Excellence of Devotion to the holy Virgin. By Father Galliffet.
Ecclesiastical Instructions. By M. de Lantages.
Meditations of Chenart, specially for vacations.
Life of Berchmans, S. Louis de Gonzaga, Calixtus Frèze, Antony Gohier, S. Vincent de Paul.
"Ask council of all that are wise." Job, iv. 18.
One of the most important exercises for maintaining fidelity to one's duties, and for acquiring perfection, is communication with the director. It is the means of avoiding self-deception, fickleness, disturbance, and lukewarmness. The seminarist will find, in careful reading of the preceding articles, what ought to form the matter of his direction. He will make a special point of the following particulars, which he should never omit in intercourse with his director.