Love of Solitude

Remain in solitude; love the choir and the cell, and shun the parlour as the abode of pestilence. -  Saint Alphonsus de Liguori

The chancel of Notre Dame Cathedral-Basilica, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

New Blog

I just wanted to share a link to my new blog with everyone, please do check it out if you have a spare moment: http://catholicartandarchitecture.blogspot.com/

Solitude

Virtue is easily preserved in solitude; it is easily lost by intercourse with the world, where God is but little known. - Saint Alphonsus de Liguori

(photo of Our Lady's altar, Saint Peter's Basilica, Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

Prayer of Saint Germanus to the Blessed Virgin Mary

O my only and sovereign Lady, who art the sole consolation that I receive from God, thou who art the only celestial dew that gives me refreshment in my pains, thou who art the light of my soul when it is surrounded with darkness, thou who art my guide in journeyings, my strength in weakness, my treasure in poverty, the balm of my wounds, my consolation in sorrow, thou who art my refuge in miseries and the hope of my salvation; listen to my prayers, have pity on me as it becomes the Mother of a God who has such love for men.  O thou who art our defence and joy, grant me all that I ask; make me worthy to enjoy with thee that great happiness which thou enjoyest in heaven.  Yes, my Lady, my refuge, my life, my help, my defence, my strength, my joy, my hope, grant that I may one day be with thee in heaven.  I know that, being the Mother of God, thou canst, if thou wilt, obtain it for me.  O Mary, thou art omnipotent to save sinners, nor needest thou any other recommendation; for thou art the Mother of true life.  Amen.

(photo of Our Lady`s altar in Saint Patrick`s Basilica, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)

Prayer at the Confiteor

O Blessed Trinity!  One God!  Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!  Prostrate in spirit before Thee, I here confess, in the sight of the whole court of heaven and of all Thy faithful, my innumerable treasons against Thy Divine Majesty.  I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, I have grieviously offended Thee through the whole course of my life, in thought, word and deed, and therefore I am most unworthy to lift up my eyes to heaven, or so much as to pronounce Thy sacred Name; how much more am I unworthy to appear here in Thy sanctuary - and to assist among Thy angels at these heavenly mysteries which require so much purity - because Jesus Christ Himself is here in Person, both Priest and Victim!  But, O my God, Thy mercies are above all Thy works, and Thou wilt not despise a contrite and humble heart.  Therefore, I venture to come into Thy temple, and with the poor publican (and, as I hope, the same penitential spirit) I strike my breast, and say, O God, be merciful to me a sinner.  (repeat this thrice)  And I humbly hope to find this mercy which I crave, through that Passion and Death which is here celebrated.  O Fountain of mercy, grant this mercy to me, and to all poor sinners.  Amen

(photo of the sanctuary in Saint Patrick`s Basilica, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)