Paul of the Cross' Spirituality

1. In the morning let your first glance be to the Crucifix, your first sigh his wounds. Get dressed with holy thoughts, considering how Jesus was clothed after his scourging, and make the holy affections that devotion will suggest.

2. When you are dressed, prostrate yourself on the ground and adore God to thank him for benefits received with the usual prayers of a Christian.

3. Then make a half-hour of mental prayer, according to the rules which I gave you.

4. After your mental prayer sit down for a while to recall the lights you received, the affections and resolution you made, and especially the principal truth you used for meditation. Make a corsage of these and place it on the bosom of your soul in order to recall them during the day and to spiritually perfume your soul. For example, you have meditated on Jesus betrayed by Judas, then bound and led away by the cohort. So you form a summary of all the kicks the Jews give Jesus, the jerking with ropes, the drops of blood shed, the tears, the gasps, and so on, along with his infinite patience, he never opened his mouth, his kindliness toward Judas, etc. Then make a spiritual bouquet of these, as I said above.

Then during the day you can say: “O my soul, where have you left your Jesus? Ah! be amazed that you have left him with the Jews! Oh, how much suffering he endured for you! Oh, how many slaps they give him. Oh, how many blows! Ah, Jesus my Love! how can I see you so afflicted for love of me and not die of sorrow? Why do I not love you with the love of a seraph? Why have I not imitated your patience? Ah, dear Jesus! I wish to do that!”

I have given you these as examples. You can do the same for other mysteries, reviving your faith and putting yourself in the Presence of God.

5. Then go about your duties. Work without haste or strain; work with diligence, but with a peaceful heart and relaxed spirit, remaining in the Presence of God; work with your hands, but with your heart be busy with God.

6. Before your midday meal, if you can, put in a little spiritual reading and, if it is possible, withdraw to a quiet spot and spend a quarter of an hour alone with Jesus and do as he inspires you, making a recall of the morning’s meditation.

7. Go to your meal. Sit close to Jesus and Mary, and offer them some mouthfuls, for they are so poor. Present a pleasant appearance, but devoutly modest.

8. After the meal spend the time in a bit of recreation, if that is what your husband wishes. Remain in the company of the people with whom you had your meal.

9. After collation go to your work and continue until toward evening. When the 23 hour comes around, leave your work and close yourself off somewhere to make mental prayer until the 24 hour or a bit less.

10. After your prayer go about your household duties with a peaceful mind, thinking of God and with a holy, joyous, and modest countenance.

11. Take your evening meal as I suggested above and take it as a frugal meal, but eat what you need. I say frugal so that you will be more alert for prayer in the morning.

12. Then say your night prayers and those which you have decided upon as daily prayers. Before lying down read your meditation, if you can.

13. In undressing think how our poor Jesus was stripped of his garments before he extended himself on his bed, which was the altar of the cross. Make those affections that love inspires. Go to sleep with holy thoughts, but try to sleep so that you are more ready for prayer.

We will take up other exercises of penance in the confessional.

Ejaculatory prayers to be offered during the day:

“O Jesus, my love! would that you were never offended.”

“O my heart, break with sorrow!”

“Ah! Infinite Goodness, when will I love you! When will I be burnt up with love!”

“Ah! my dear Jesus, how much you suffered for me! and I do not love you? O my cruel heart, why do you not love Jesus who is your life, your supreme good?”

Paul's Spirituality