and every one of the devotions, vocal as well as mental, which are recommended to or imposed upon the men and women of the Third Order as well as the Confraternity of this holy Association. When they hear the clock strike the hour, day or night, let them say a Hail Mary in praise of the Virgin, and for her intercession with her Son for the peace of the holy Catholic Church. Then, once a day, they shall recite five Our Fathers and as many Hails Marys in honor of the Five Wounds of Christ and the five principal Sorrows of the Virgin Mary. Furthermore, when they hear the bells announcing the celebration of Mass, they shall say a Hail Mary for the priest who is to celebrate it and the people who will attend it, and they shall attend (or if they are priests, celebrate) Mass each day. They are never to speak in church, except words of prayer. Those who are not priests ordinarily will receive communion every two weeks, and on the feasts of the Lord and the Virgin Mary, on Holy Thursday, the Sundays of Advent, and on the Feast of the holy Apostles. And those who have been raised in the Order to positions of authority by the Holy See should direct brothers professing The Rule of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Besides, all will go up to Jerusalem by devoting themselves to mental and not just vocal prayer. Superiors will endeavor to have sermons preached to those serving the Lord according to this Rule, especially in Advent and Lent and on the principal feasts throughout the year. All should listen with attention and devotion, for whoever is of God hears the words of God [cf. Jn 3:47]. To return to Nazareth is to return (their duties completed) to their cells or to chapel, so that, their duties completed, they may not spend their time uselessly and may not lose the merit they have acquired. To persevere in prayer is to be often in church and attend Divine Services. In order to possess this virtue of prayer more perfectly, the devout souls should above all love devotion to the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Superiors must be vigilant that by word and example they teach the members to seek this first. When it is possible, they should arrange that constant praise of such a great Sacrament should take place for the whole octaves, for the principal devotion of the Virgin was to the Mass or the worthy Sacrament of the Altar. The Rule of Imitation of the Ten Evangelical Virtues 315
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