Devotions for the Months of the Year
It has become a pious custom not only to consecrate certain Seasons and Feasts by Novenas and other prayers, but also to set apart the months of the year for special devotions. Some of these arrangements are already generally recognised, — such as the Month of May for devotion to our Lady; June, to the Sacred Heart of our Lord; July, to the Precious Blood; November, devotions for the faithful departed, — while in others the custom varies in different places. The order observed in the present volume is chiefly that of a well-known series of Italian devotions for the months of the year; while along with this is comprised a series of devotions for the chief Feasts and Commemorations occurring in the several months; those which are movable being placed at those seasons of the year where they more usually fall.
January: The Holy Childhood, Epiphany, Holy Name of Jesus.
February: Lent and Passion, Purification.
March: St. Joseph, St. Francis Xavier, &c.
April: Jesus risen, Ascension, Pentecost.
May: The Blessed Virgin Mary.
June: Sacred Heart of Jesus.
July: Precious Blood of our Lord.
August: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Mary: the Assumption.
September: Seven Dolours, &c.
October: The Holy Angels.
November: Souls in Purgatory.
December: Advent, Immaculate Conception, Nativity.
Many of the devotions here given have long been in public use as Novenas at the seasons to which they refer; and, in conjunction with the hymns indicated at the end of each month, the series may be employed as a popular manual for this purpose. In this view it will probably be found to supply what has hitherto been a desideratum.
