Self-Conquest - August 16
Self-Conquest
Once a day, at least, recall very earnestly that
I Cor. iii. 15Ꚛ Sixteenth Day of August
With Mary we can do everything, for she desires all possible good things for us, and the prayer that her heart pours forth in our favor into the heart of God is all-powerful, on the sole condition that we should have full confidence in her. The proof that she desires all good things possible for us is that she is our Mother, a very tender and very loving Mother, who adopted us as her children at the foot of the cross, who received us as such from the hands of Jesus dying, and who placed us in her heart side by side with Him to love us in Him, love us as she loves Him, and for His sake. On the other hand, bear in mind that by the omnipotence of her prayer she can do us all the good she wills; that God the Father can refuse nothing to His beloved Daughter; that God the Holy Ghost can refuse nothing to so good a Spouse; and that God the Son could never forget that He is bone of her bone and flesh of her flesh.
Ask yourself: how does this matter affect me personally, what lesson does it convey to me, what suggestion for a better life, how can I improve my conduct; resolve to become a saint at any cost; think upon the eternal years; pray to the Holy Ghost that He may lead you in the way of perfection; finally recite attentively and devotedly the following Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit:
Oh Holy Spirit, divine Spirit of light and love, I consecrate to Thee my understanding, heart, and will, my whole being for time and for eternity. May my understanding be always submissive to Thy heavenly inspirations, and to the teaching of the Church, of which Thou art the infallible guide; may my heart be ever inflamed with love of God and of my neighbor; may my will be ever conformed to the divine will, and may my whole life be a faithful imitation of the life and virtue of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Whom with the Father and Thee be honor and glory forever. Amen.