The Rule of Life

26 2. From six to nine o’clock, devote your time to reading, studies, or works according to the Superior’s wishes. At nine thirty you will recite the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer of the Office of the Dead . At ten you have the conven- tual Mass; at eleven, examination of conscience, reflecting on the Four Last Things, 24 then the Litany of the Name of Jesus , and the meal preceded by the blessing and customary prayers. The meal will be seasoned with the reading of Sacred Scripture – especially the New Testament – or the lives of the Saints, your Rule, and spiritual books for growth of the soul and perfection. All will remain silent trying to keep the read- ing in their memory and to apply and imitate it. 3. After having given thanks, everyone will sit together and the work of some moral theologian of good standing will be read to them. On other days will be read the rubrics of Mass or of the Roman Breviary together with the explanation of an approved author, which they will then observe. Following the reading, they will pray another part of the rosary with the usual litanies of the Blessed Virgin. Until three o’clock they will be occupied with spiritual reading, writing or manual works, according to the disposition of the Superior. 4. When the bells of three o’clock have been heard, you will pray Evening Prayer of the Little Office and the Office of the Dead . You will spend a whole hour in meditation, first saying the psalms of the Name of Mary. After this hour, say the third part of the rosary. 5. At seven o’clock you will go together to the dining room to eat supper with reading. When supper is finished, sitting together, you will discuss – modestly and not joking- ly – either religious perfection, promoting the glory of God, or cases of conscience. 25 At eight, after examination of conscience, profession of faith and acts of contrition, love and gratitude have been made, 24 i.e., death, judgement, heaven, hell. 25 Referring to matters regarding confession and spiritual counselling.