CHAPTER XV. Of the other Public Offices of the Church.

FURTHERMORE, my daughter, you should endeavour to assist at the
Offices, Hours, Vespers, etc., as far as you are able, especially on
Sundays and Festivals, days which are dedicated to God, wherein we
ought to strive to do more for His Honour and Glory than on others. You
will greatly increase the fervour of your devotion by so doing, even as
did S. Augustine, who tells us in his Confessions, that in the early
days of his conversion he was touched to the quick, and his heart
overflowed in happy tears, when he took part in the Offices of the
Church. [41] Moreover (let me say it here once for all), there is
always more profit and more consolation in the public Offices of the
Church than in private acts of devotion, God having willed to give the
preference to communion in prayer over all individual action. Be ready
to take part in any confraternities and associations you may find in
the place where you are called to dwell, especially such as are most
fruitful and edifying. This will be pleasing to God; for although
confraternities are not ordained, they are recommended by the Church,
which grants various privileges to those who are united thereby. And it
is always a work of love to join with others and take part in their
good works. And although it may be possible that you can use equally
profitable devotions by yourself as in common with others,–perhaps
even you may like doing so best,–nevertheless God is more glorified
when we unite with our brethren and neighbours and join our offerings
to theirs.

I say the same concerning all public services and prayers, in which, as
far as possible, each one of us is bound to contribute the best example
we can for our neighbour’s edification, and our hearty desire for God’s
Glory and the general good of all men.
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[41] “Nor was I sated in those days with the wondrous sweetness of
considering the depth of Thy counsels concerning the salvation of
mankind. How did I weep, in Thy hymns and canticles, touched to the
quick by the voices of Thy sweet-attuned church The voices flowed into
mine ears, and the truth distilled into my heart, whence the affections
of my devotion overflowed, and tears ran down, and happy was I
therein.”–conf. bk. ix. 14.
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