The Rule of Life

25 This cell should always be kept clean, the bed made, holy water present along with a picture of [Christ] Crucified, or of the Blessed Virgin or some patron saint – a simple pic- ture in printed reproduction rather than a painted one. Always be mindful here of the Divine Presence, the angel watching over you. Never be idle, but always occupied either in reading, or writing, or prayer, or with some other use- ful work. Without the Superior’s permission he should not sleep in his cell outside the accustomed time. 21 He should be cautious in using light. He should not keep in his cell anything which would not be in agreement with utmost poverty. Let him love his cell as if it were a temporary heaven, and desire to go out of his cell, by the mercy of God, only to heaven. C HAPTER S IX S CHEDULE 1. “The day evolves by God’s arrangement”. 22 Therefore the day is to be passed, for God’s glory, in good order. Rising a little after the middle of the night, you will move together to the church, when the second signal has been given. There, dur- ing the verse Tantum ergo Sacramentum , you will adore the Blessed Sacrament. Then you will say devotedly, distinctly, with attention and clearly the Little Office of the Immaculate Conception 23 to the end of None (according to the Roman cor- rection, approved by Pope Innocent XI in the brief sent to the Emperor Leopold I, December 18, 1678) together with the first part of the Rosary, in the vernacular because of the broth- er-helpers. After the rosary, you will spend an hour in mental prayer, at the end of which you will receive the Superior’s blessing with holy water. 21 or, “take rest” 22 Latin proverb: “ordinatione Dei perseverat dies.” 23 Cf. Lucien Ceyssens, OFM, Le Petit Office de I’lmmaculée Conceptions Prétendue Approbation, Condemnation (1578). Tolérance (1679), in Virgo Immaculate XVII , Romae 1957, pp. 41-l24; Positio , p. 474, note 67.