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Who can refuse to spend one day each
month on such an important business?
Before the end of our lives, we will bless
the days devoted to this very useful
practice. It will make us serene and
strong in the trials of life, stimulate us
to apostolic good works, ensure final
perseverance and be one of our most
effective means of obtaining eternal
health.
Each one may choose a day that suits
him best. Our recollection on this day
will be greater. We will free ourselves
from occupations that are not strictly
necessary. Our thoughts will be turned
to death and we will arrange everything
as if we actually had to abandon the
world and enter eternity. We will make
a careful examination of conscience
reviewing our progress in virtue during
the past month. Our Confession and
Communion will be made as if it were
the last of our lives. Jesus will be received
as our Viaticum to accompany us to
eternity.
Each month, we will choose a Saint to
be our protector for the month ahead.
We will choose some work of charity to
be performed on that day: visiting the
sick, helping a poor family, giving alms
to the destitute, distributing holy cards
or leaflets in nursing homes or soup
kitchens. Every manifestation of charity,
while increasing our merits, increases
the faith in us, makes our lives better
and prepares us for greater security
and peace in the hour of our death.
If we examine our lives on these
points, our Confession will be sincere,
holy and acceptable to God:
D
Duties to God: Have I tried to educate
myself in the truths of the Faith? Do
I make many Spiritual Communions
throughout the day?
Duties in the service of God: Have
I observed the Ten Commandments
and the Laws of the Church?
Duties in Love: Do I think of God?
Do I say my daily prayers, morning
and evening? Do I show love for the
Virgin Mary? Do I hate sin? Do I fly
from temptation?
Duties to others: Do I make reckless
judgements of others? Have I envy,
hate or resentment for others? Have I
indulged in lies or slander?
Duties to myself: Do I care more about
my body than my soul? Do I set a good
example for others? Do I have a great
love for comfort, money or food? Do I
avoid all fraud, injustice and usury?
Duties to family: Have I educated my
children to be good Christians? Do I set
a good example for them? Am I overly
indulgent or too severe? Have I been
faithful to my marital duties?
Social Duties: Do I belong to a society
that proposes the good of souls through
religious teaching, visiting the sick and
the poor?
Am I resigned and willing to die?
Are my spiritual and temporal affairs
in order?
Do I make a careful examination of
conscience every night and note the
progress I have made in virtue during
the past month?