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The Sixth Window

Rachel Abbott
 The Sixth Window

Published in 2017 by Black Dot Publishing Ltd.

Copyright © Rachel Abbott 2017.

Rachel Abbott has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work in
accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are a product of
the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for
atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to
businesses, companies, events, institutions or locales is completely coincidental.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing
of the author.

Find out more about the author and her other books at

http://www.rachel-abbott.com
 CONTENTS

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
A Letter To My Readers
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Preview: KILL ME AGAIN
Other Novels by Rachel Abbott
 Prologue

It had been a night like so many others over the past few weeks,
and as the woman looked down on the narrow street below her
second-floor window, still dark at this pre-dawn hour, she finally
admitted that she couldn’t take any more.
She raised her eyes to seek out the stars in the gaps between
the buildings, but the sky was never completely black in central
Manchester, the heavens polluted with endless street lights and
overly bright shop windows. The incessant rumble of traffic created
nothing more than background music that she had long ago learned
to filter out, but sleep had eluded her once again because she never
knew when the cries of the dead would pierce the silence and
shatter any semblance of calm.
As the first resident in the north wing of this newly converted
building, she had relished the isolation and was almost resentful of
people gradually moving into the other apartments in her wing,
while the south wing remained practically empty. Perhaps she should
have made more effort to befriend her neighbours, to ask if they too
heard the voices. But they wouldn’t understand, she was sure of
that. They probably didn’t know or even care about the history of
this building, a history that had fascinated and horrified her in equal
measure.
She grasped the black tourmaline pendant where it hung
against the skin of her chest, willing it to protect her from whatever
was happening in this room. She felt the spirits around her – the
spirits of children who had lived and died here. The building had
been leased in the nineteenth century to accommodate the overflow
from the huge New Bridge Street workhouse, and now those poor
lost souls circled her, trying to tell her something, she was sure.
She had an affinity with the dead. It was something she had
always known, but nobody believed her. This time, though, she knew
these children wanted something from her and she was unable to
help them.
At first she had heard laughter – the faintest echo of the happy
sound reverberating around her sitting room. She hadn’t minded
that. It had made her smile. But days later it had turned to crying –
heart-wrenching sobs that made her want to reach out and touch
the poor dead child. And it wasn’t just one voice she heard. Over the
weeks she had sensed different cries, always starting with joy but
ending with tears.
Only the long hours between nightfall and dawn were strangely
silent, the spirits resting perhaps. During that time the woman
prowled the apartment, unable to soothe the souls trapped within
these walls.
She fingered the tourmaline again, and reached down to rub
the smooth blue angelite crystal resting in a bowl on the table, a
stone she had selected from her treasured gems to help her
communicate with angels. But it wasn’t working, and the effort of
trying to make contact, to free the spirits of these children from
captivity, was draining her of energy.
It was time to leave them to their sadness.

Fifteen miles to the north of Manchester, Bernie Gray turned up the

collar of his bright green hi-vis jacket against the thin drizzle that
had plagued them for the last two days. He didn’t mind the rain and
barely noticed it. He had other things on his mind.
He gave the dog lead in his left hand a gentle tug. Their new
puppy, bought for his daughter two weeks earlier as a much-wanted
Christmas present, was slightly more reluctant to go for a walk than
she had been. Two minutes ago Zena had been prancing around in
excitement, weaving between his legs. But that was in the warmth
of the kitchen. She obviously had different thoughts now she was
outside.
Bernie had been on dog-walking duty each morning since Zena
had arrived on Christmas Eve, and although it was not yet 6am, he
felt the exercise was doing him good, even though for now it was
just a short loop until the puppy’s little legs grew stronger. Most
mornings Bernie saw it as an opportunity to prepare himself for the
day ahead. It also gave him time to focus on the persistent worry
that hardly let go of him for a second.
This morning, though, he was thinking about the conversation
he had had with his daughter, Scarlett. Not really a conversation. It
was more of an accusation, and he needed to find a way to fix it.
‘Come on, Zena,’ he said softly as he coaxed the little chocolate
Labrador along their usual route – following the road, down the path
behind the church, out into the lane beyond, then back towards
home. The circuit took no more than fifteen minutes and he never
met anyone when he was out – the early hour and the chilly, damp
mornings saw to that.
He turned left onto the path and looked up at the church tower,
standing starkly against the dark blue of a sky that wasn’t going to
lighten any time soon. He looked down at his feet, trying to avoid
the worst of the puddles, which Zena, now accustomed to the cold,
happily trotted through, her brand-new collar with its blue LEDs
reflecting off the black water.
He was going to have to decide what to tell Scarlett – how to
answer her questions. Not with the whole truth, obviously. But he
was sure he could think of an explanation that she might accept,
some watered-down version of the truth that a thirteen-year-old
might understand. When he had seen her face that morning and
heard the disgust in her voice, his guts had knotted. He couldn’t lose
Scarlett. He knew he was out of options. He had to put this right and
accept the consequences.
Bernie turned onto the narrow lane that ran back towards
home. The drystone walls on either side of the single track created a
wind tunnel, and he bent forward slightly to keep the worst of the
drizzle off his face. He looked down at Zena, and smiled at the sight
of her. With her wet fur she looked like a drowned rat. As he
watched, she lifted her head and her ears went up. Zena stopped.
‘Come on, Zena,’ Bernie said, raising his voice slightly against
the wind. ‘Get a move on.’
What had she heard? Her head was cocked slightly to one side,
but it wasn’t until a pale glow relieved the darkness surrounding him
that he realised there was a car on the lane ahead, approaching
slowly, its dimmed headlamps creating gleaming pools of warm
yellow light on the lane.
Bernie lifted his head and held his hand out, asking the driver
to stop. There was no grass verge to move to so the car could pass,
no farm gate to slip through.
The car drew to a halt about ten metres ahead. Bernie nodded
his thanks, hoping the driver could see the small amount of his face
that was peering out from beneath the hood of his green jacket. He
picked Zena up so they could squeeze through the narrow gap
between the car and the wall.
As he grasped her wriggling body he heard a sound he wasn’t
expecting. The driver was revving his engine, probably indicating
that Bernie should hurry up. Holding Zena close to his chest, he
started to move towards the car – but not as quickly as the car
moved towards him, its headlamps now on full beam, blinding him.
There was nowhere to go.
Bernie’s last thought before the car hit him and Zena was that
now he would never get the chance to put things right with his
daughter.
 1

Eighteen Months Later

The sound of a door closing upstairs should have given Natalie Gray
sufficient warning that she wasn’t going to be alone for much longer,
but her eyes were locked on to the computer screen and her heart
was pounding.
‘Oh God,’ she whispered as she stared at the images in front of
her. ‘Please tell me this is work-related.’
Her words were barely audible, but finally Ed’s cheerful
whistling penetrated her consciousness as it grew ever closer and
she quickly and silently closed the lid of his laptop and hurried
across to the kettle, snatching it off its base and thrusting it under
the cold tap, as if she had been standing by the sink all the time.
She shouldn’t have been looking at Ed’s computer, but she had
wanted to check the weather for the day. She had gone to his
browser history to see if the forecast site was there, and it probably
was. But she hadn’t made it that far.
‘Do you want a cup of tea, Ed?’ she asked. Trying for bright and
cheerful, her voice sounded brittle to her own ears, but she needed
to think about what she had seen before she made any rash
judgements. Their relationship was so new, and any accusation right
now could fracture it into a million shattered pieces.
‘That would be lovely. Yes please, darling.’
 As she composed her face and turned towards Ed she was
surprised to see him in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He was a big
man with a broad, muscular frame, and he carried all his clothes well
– from today’s attire to his formal police uniform.
‘I thought you were on duty this morning,’ she said, pulling a
mug from the rack and adding a teabag, trying desperately to be her
normal chatty self. Usually she loved working in this kitchen with its
shiny white units and black granite worktop, but right now she
would have given anything to be miles away.
‘I should have been, but I told one of the lads I’d do his nights
this week. His wife’s just had their third, and he’s volunteered for the
midnight feed to give her a bit of sleep. You don’t mind, do you,
Nat?’ He gave her a worried glance. ‘I know it means you’ll be on
your own at night, but I couldn’t refuse him.’
Natalie gave him a smile and hoped it didn’t look as shaky as
she felt. A small voice in her head told her she was being stupid,
overreacting. There was bound to be an explanation.
‘I don’t mind at all, but you’ll have Scarlett under your feet
during the day. If she’s got friends round or she’s playing her music
too loud when you’re trying to sleep, feel free to ask her to keep it
down. It’s your house, and she needs to respect that.’
‘No, it’s our house. I love having Scarlett here, and her friends
are always welcome. I love having you both here.’
Ed moved around the kitchen island. ‘Come here, Nat.’ He
smiled and pulled her gently towards him.
She put her arms around his waist and rested her head on his
shoulder. Ed’s hugs had seen her through the darkest times, and his
broad shoulders had been cried on more often than she could count.
There was something about being held in these strong arms that
had always made her feel she had reached a place of safety. But not
today.
It was eighteen months now since Natalie’s husband Bernie had
died when a stolen car of joyriders had ploughed into him and their
beautiful chocolate-brown Labrador puppy, killing them both. During
months of crippling grief for the man she had been in love with since
she was seventeen, Ed had been her saviour in so many ways. He
had been hurting almost as much as she had, because Bernie and
Ed – different as they were – had been best friends since they were
five years old.
She would never forget the dreadful moment when Megan,
Bernie’s friend and colleague, had arrived to give her the shocking
news. Biting her cheek to prevent her emotion from showing and
quieter than Natalie had ever known her, Megan had moved
discreetly around the house, answering the phone, calling friends
and family to save Natalie that painful process.
From the start, though, Natalie had felt that nobody could
comfort her the way Ed could. He had rushed to be with her as soon
as he heard, and since then had been there for her every step of the
way. But right now, with his arms holding her close, she could feel
her body stiffen with tension as alarm bells rang at the back of her
mind. What she had seen on Ed’s laptop had left her questioning
everything she knew about him.
Why had he never married? His slightly olive skin and high
cheekbones gave him an exotic look, and he was a kind and
thoughtful man. He would have been a catch for anyone, so why
had every relationship he’d ever had ended within weeks, or at best
months?
Putting her hands on Ed’s hips, she pushed him gently away.
‘Is there something the matter, Nat?’ he asked, bending slightly
so that his eyes looked into hers. At five feet ten inches herself, he
didn’t have to bend too far, but Natalie couldn’t meet his probing
gaze, and she turned her back on him to reach for a tea towel to
wipe her already dry hands.
‘No, it’s nothing. Just thinking about work.’
‘Okay. Well I’ll pop upstairs and have a word with Scarlett, see if
there’s anything she’d like to do today. I thought I might treat her to
lunch, or maybe there’s something she’d like to see at the pictures if
she’s not planning to meet up with her friends. We could make a day
of it. I’ll be back for my cup of tea in a minute.’
Ed walked towards the door, and Natalie felt a rising tide of
panic.
‘Wait!’
 Ed turned, a puzzled expression on his face. ‘What’s up?’
‘Nothing. Nothing. I just remembered that I said Scarlett could
come with me today. A bit of work experience, you know. Look, can
you get the eggs on and I’ll go and wake her up? Thanks, love.’
Natalie pushed past Ed and scurried towards the stairs. She
couldn’t look at him. He would be wondering what on earth was the
matter, and the truth was she wasn’t sure she knew.

As she ran up the stairs, Natalie could feel her heart thudding.
‘Calm down,’ she whispered under her breath. She didn’t want
Scarlett to see her like this. She would know something was wrong.
She reached the wide landing and turned left towards her
daughter’s room. Ed’s house was so much bigger and more solid-
feeling than their modern semi, and she had been glad to move
here. Since Bernie died, their house had felt cold and empty, and
night after night, unable to sleep and missing the warmth of her
husband’s body next to hers in their bed, she had paced the floor
until the early hours, wondering what the future would hold for
herself and her daughter. She worried that she wouldn’t be enough
for Scarlett on her own. How could she hope to provide the same
amount of love as two parents?
She stopped and rested a hand on a chest of drawers, taking a
deep breath to steady herself. Had it all been a huge mistake?
Should they have stayed in their own house?
The relationship with Ed had sneaked up on Natalie. Three
months after the anniversary of Bernie’s death Ed had called in, as
he often did, to check she and Scarlett were all right, and as he was
leaving his farewell hug had turned into something more. Natalie
hadn’t wanted to let go of him, and gradually his arms had tightened
around her. She had become conscious of every inch of his body,
from the feel of his thighs pressed against hers to the warmth of his
chest through the thin fabric of her T-shirt.
Ed had given a low groan and eased back.
 ‘Natalie,’ he’d said, and for a moment she thought she’d made a
mistake. But his eyes were dark with longing and she reached up to
kiss him gently on the mouth. It felt as if she had surfaced from the
depths of despair into a bright and exciting new world – a safe one
too, because that was how he made her feel. Steady Eddie, Bernie
had called him. But even though he lacked her husband’s
spontaneity, Ed made her feel cherished and brought warmth back
into her heart.
They began to spend every spare moment together, but she’d
had to admit to Ed that she didn’t feel comfortable with him staying
at her house, sleeping on Bernie’s side of the bed.
‘I know what you mean,’ Ed had said when she told him of her
reservations. ‘This is Bernie’s house – and yours and Scarlett’s,
obviously. Look, this might be a big step, but when you feel the
time’s right, why don’t you both come and live with me? My house
has more space, and if you’re not ready to sleep next to me every
night you can have your own bedroom. I don’t want to rush you.’
Natalie had known Ed for as long as she had known Bernie, so
it had seemed an easy decision, and two months later she and
Scarlett had moved in.
Megan had cautioned her against the move.
‘Are you certain it’s not too soon, Nat? I know it’s difficult
adjusting to being alone, but please make sure you’re ready for this.’
Natalie had ignored her advice. But had Megan been right?
She heard Ed in the hall below. She hadn’t had time to process
what she had seen – to decide what she should do – but if he found
her here, leaning against the furniture and staring into thin air, he
would know something was wrong.
At the far end of the landing Scarlett’s door was ajar, and as
Natalie hurried towards it she could see her daughter’s red wavy hair
spread over the pillow. Just her nose was poking above the
bedclothes, the freckles that she hated so much showing against the
pale cream of her skin. Natalie’s breath caught in her throat. Scarlett
was so beautiful, even if she couldn’t see it herself. She blamed
Natalie for the red hair and her father for skin that couldn’t bear too
much sun.
Other documents randomly have
different content
The Project Gutenberg eBook of Our Monthly
Devotions
 This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United
States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away
or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License
included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you
are not located in the United States, you will have to check the
laws of the country where you are located before using this
eBook.

Title: Our Monthly Devotions

Author: Albert A. Lings

Release date: December 21, 2015 [eBook #50739]

Language: English

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUR MONTHLY

DEVOTIONS ***
 Our Monthly Devotions

By

Very Rev. Dean A. A. Lings

Author of “Our Favorite Devotions,” “Our

Favorite Novenas,” etc.
Benziger Brothers

New York, Cincinnati, Chicago

1899
Contents

Preface.
January. The Holy Infancy.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day.
Second Day.
Third Day.
Fourth Day.
Fifth Day.
Sixth Day.
Seventh Day.
Eighth Day.
Ninth Day.
Tenth Day.
Eleventh Day.
Twelfth Day.
Thirteenth Day.
Fourteenth Day.
Fifteenth Day.
Sixteenth Day.
Seventeenth Day.
Eighteenth Day.
Nineteenth Day.
Twentieth Day.
Twenty-first Day.
Twenty-second Day.
Twenty-third Day.
Twenty-fourth Day.
Twenty-fifth Day.
Twenty-sixth Day.
Twenty-seventh Day.
Twenty-eighth Day.
 Twenty-ninth Day.
Thirtieth Day.
Thirty-first Day.
Mass in Commemoration of the Holy Infancy of Jesus Christ.
Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus.
Litany of the Infant Jesus.
The Mysteries of the Sacred Infancy.
Communion Prayers in Honor of the Infant Jesus.
February. The Holy Family.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day.
Second Day.
Third Day.
Fourth Day.
Fifth Day.
Sixth Day.
Seventh Day.
Eighth Day.
Ninth Day.
Tenth Day.
Eleventh Day.
Twelfth Day.
Thirteenth Day.
Fourteenth Day.
Fifteenth Day.
Sixteenth Day.
Seventeenth Day.
Eighteenth Day.
Nineteenth Day.
Twentieth Day.
Twenty-first Day.
Twenty-second Day.
Twenty-third Day.
Twenty-fourth Day.
Twenty-fifth Day.
Twenty-sixth Day.
 Twenty-seventh Day.
Twenty-eighth Day.
Twenty-ninth Day.
Litany of the Holy Family.
Memorare To Mary.
Form Of Renewing The Baptismal Vows.
Act Of Consecration.
March. St. Joseph.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day.
Second Day.
Third Day.
Fourth Day.
Fifth Day.
Sixth Day.
Seventh Day.
Eighth Day.
Ninth Day.
Tenth Day.
Eleventh Day.
Twelfth Day.
Thirteenth Day.
Fourteenth Day.
Fifteenth Day.
Sixteenth Day.
Seventeenth Day.
Eighteenth Day.
Nineteenth Day.
Twentieth Day.
Twenty-first Day.
Twenty-second Day.
Twenty-third Day.
Twenty-fourth Day.
Twenty-fifth Day.
Twenty-sixth Day.
Twenty-seventh Day.
 Twenty-eighth Day.
Twenty-ninth Day.
Thirtieth Day.
Thirty-first Day.
Efficacious Prayers.
Thirty Days' Prayer To St. Joseph.
Choice Of St. Joseph As A Patron.
Virginum Custos.
Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph.
Responsory To St. Joseph.
Litany of St. Joseph.
April. The Passion: Meditations for Every Day of Lent.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day.
Second Day.
Third Day.
Fourth Day.
Fifth Day.
Sixth Day.
Seventh Day.
Eighth Day.
Ninth Day.
Tenth Day.
Eleventh Day.
Twelfth Day.
Thirteenth Day.
Fourteenth Day.
Fifteenth Day.
Sixteenth Day.
Seventeenth Day.
Eighteenth Day.
Nineteenth Day.
Twentieth Day.
Twenty-first Day.
Twenty-second Day.
Twenty-third Day.
 Twenty-fourth Day.
Twenty-fifth Day.
Twenty-sixth Day.
Twenty-seventh Day.
Twenty-eighth Day.
Twenty-ninth Day.
Thirtieth Day.
Thirty-first Day.
Thirty-second Day.
Thirty-third Day.
Thirty-fourth Day.
Thirty-fifth Day.
Thirty-sixth Day.
Thirty-seventh Day.
Thirty-eighth Day.
Thirty-ninth Day.
Fortieth Day.
A Method of Hearing Mass by Way of Meditation.
Litany of the Passion of Our Lord.
A Prayer to Jesus Suffering.
Prayers to the Five Wounds of Our Lord.
May. The Blessed Virgin Mary.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day. Mary's Immaculate Conception.
Second Day. Mary's Nativity.
Third Day. Mary's Presentation.
Fourth Day. The Annunciation.
Fifth Day. The Visitation.
Sixth Day. The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Seventh Day. The Purification.
Eighth Day. Simeon's Prophecy.
Ninth Day. The Flight into Egypt.
Tenth Day. The Three Days' Loss.
Eleventh Day. Meeting Jesus with the Cross.
Twelfth Day. The Crucifixion.
Thirteenth Day. The Taking Down from the Cross.
 Fourteenth Day. The Burial of Jesus.
Fifteenth Day. Help of Christians.
Sixteenth Day. Our Lady of Mercy.
Seventeenth Day. Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Eighteenth Day. Confidence in Mary.
Nineteenth Day. The Love of Mary.
Twentieth Day. Imitation of Mary.
Twenty-first Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Faith.
Twenty-second Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Piety.
Twenty-third Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Hope.
Twenty-fourth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of
Humility.
Twenty-fifth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Charity.
Twenty-sixth Day. The Virgin Mary the Model of
Advancement in Virtue.
Twenty-seventh Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of
Patience.
Twenty-eighth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of
Poverty.
Twenty-ninth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of
Obedience.
Thirtieth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Modesty.
Thirty-first Day. The Assumption.
Mass in Union with Mary Immaculate.
Litany of the Blessed Virgin.
June. The Sacred Heart.
Considerations and prayers for Every Day.
First Day. The Love of the Sacred Heart for Us.
Second Day. The Heart of Jesus My Friend.
Third Day. The Heart of My Jesus the Heart of My Father.
Fourth Day. In Thy Heart I Shall Find Peace.
Fifth Day. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Teaching Charity.
Sixth Day. The Heart of Jesus My Comforter.
Seventh Day. The Heart of Jesus My Helper in Trials.
Eighth Day. In the Heart of Jesus I Shall Find Rest.
Ninth Day. The Heart of Jesus an Ocean of Love.
 Tenth Day. The Ingratitude of Men to the Heart of Jesus.
Eleventh Day. The Gratitude Due to the Heart of Jesus.
Twelfth Day. In the Heart of Jesus is Found the Way, the
Truth, and the Life.
Thirteenth Day. To the Heart of Jesus Alone I Turn.
Fourteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus Asks for Our Hearts.
Fifteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus at the Hour of Death.
Sixteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus for all Eternity.
Seventeenth Day. The Heart of Jesus Sorrowful unto Death.
Eighteenth Day. O Heart of Jesus, Thou Art All Mine and I
Am All Thine.
Nineteenth Day. God is Charity and He Who Lives in Charity
Lives in God.
Twentieth Day. The Sacred Heart is a Most Patient
Rewarder.
Twenty-first Day. The Heart of Jesus will Glorify us in
Heaven.
Twenty-second Day. The Heart of Jesus Opened.
Twenty-third Day. The Heart of Jesus the Source of All
Happiness.
Twenty-fourth Day. The Love of the Saints for the Heart of
Jesus.
Twenty-fifth Day. The Agony of the Heart of Jesus.
Twenty-sixth Day. The Heart of Jesus in the Tabernacle.
Twenty-seventh Day. The Heart of Jesus is My Hope.
Twenty-eighth Day. All Graces Come from the Heart of
Jesus.
Twenty-ninth Day. The Heart of Jesus the Source of
Sanctity.
Thirtieth Day. The Heart of Jesus in Holy Communion.
Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Mass in Union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
July. The Precious Blood.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day.
Second Day.
 Third Day.
Fourth Day.
Fifth Day.
Sixth Day.
Seventh Day.
Eighth Day.
Ninth Day.
Tenth Day.
Eleventh Day.
Twelfth Day.
Thirteenth Day.
Fourteenth Day.
Fifteenth Day.
Sixteenth Day.
Seventeenth Day.
Eighteenth Day.
Nineteenth Day.
Twentieth Day.
Twenty-first Day.
Twenty-second Day.
Twenty-third Day.
Twenty-fourth Day.
Twenty-fifth Day.
Twenty-sixth Day.
Twenty-seventh Day.
Twenty-eighth Day.
Twenty-ninth Day.
Thirtieth Day.
Thirty-first Day.
Mass in Honor of the Precious Blood.
Three Offerings of the Precious Blood.
Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood of Jesus.
Daily Offering.
Plenary Indulgences For Members of the Confraternity of the
Most Precious Blood.
Other Plenary Indulgences.
 Indulgences for all the Faithful, even Such as are not
Members.
Chaplet of the Precious Blood.
August. The Holy Ghost.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day.
Second Day.
Third Day.
Fourth Day.
Fifth Day.
Sixth Day.
Seventh Day.
Eighth Day.
Ninth Day.
Tenth Day.
Eleventh Day.
Twelfth Day.
Thirteenth Day.
Fourteenth Day.
Fifteenth Day.
Sixteenth Day.
Seventeenth Day.
Eighteenth Day.
Nineteenth Day.
Twentieth Day.
Twenty-first Day.
Twenty-second Day.
Twenty-third Day.
Twenty-fourth Day.
Twenty-fifth Day.
Twenty-sixth Day.
Twenty-seventh Day.
Twenty-eighth Day.
Twenty-ninth Day.
Thirtieth Day.
Thirty-first Day.
 Litany of the Holy Ghost.
Hymns to the Holy Ghost.
Veni, Creator Spiritus.
Come, Holy Ghost.
Act Of Oblation To The Holy Ghost.
The Office of the Holy Ghost.
Novena to the Holy Ghost.
September. The Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day.
Second Day.
Third Day.
Fourth Day.
Fifth Day.
Sixth Day.
Seventh Day.
Eighth Day.
Ninth Day.
Tenth Day.
Eleventh Day.
Twelfth Day.
Thirteenth Day.
Fourteenth Day.
Fifteenth Day.
Sixteenth Day.
Seventeenth Day.
Eighteenth Day.
Nineteenth Day.
Twentieth Day.
Twenty-first Day.
Twenty-second Day.
Twenty-third Day.
Twenty-fourth Day.
Twenty-fifth Day.
Twenty-sixth Day.
Twenty-seventh Day.
 Twenty-eighth Day.
Twenty-ninth Day.
Thirtieth Day.
Exercise in Honor of the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.
Rosary or Chaplet of the Seven Dolors.
October. The Angels.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day.
Second Day.
Third Day.
Fourth Day.
Fifth Day.
Sixth Day.
Seventh Day.
Eighth Day.
Ninth day.
Tenth Day.
Eleventh Day.
Twelfth Day.
Thirteenth Day.
Fourteenth Day.
Fifteenth Day.
Sixteenth Day.
Seventeenth Day.
Eighteenth Day.
Nineteenth Day.
Twentieth Day.
Twenty-first Day.
Twenty-second Day.
Twenty-third Day.
Twenty-fourth Day.
Twenty-fifth Day.
Twenty-sixth Day.
Twenty-seventh Day.
Twenty-eighth Day.
Twenty-ninth Day.
 Thirtieth Day.
Thirty-first Day.
Litany of the Holy Guardian Angel.
Special Prayers.
Prayer To The Guardian Angel.
Prayers To St. Michael, St. Gabriel, And St. Raphael.
Act Of Consecration To Our Guardian Angel.
Prayer To The Holy Angels During The Month Of October.
November. The Souls in Purgatory.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day.
Second Day.
Third Day.
Fourth Day.
Fifth Day.
Sixth Day.
Seventh Day.
Eighth Day.
Ninth Day.
Tenth Day.
Eleventh Day.
Twelfth Day.
Thirteenth Day.
Fourteenth Day.
Fifteenth Day.
Sixteenth Day.
Seventeenth Day.
Eighteenth Day.
Nineteenth Day.
Twentieth Day.
Twenty-first Day.
Twenty-second Day.
Twenty-third Day.
Twenty-fourth Day.
Twenty-fifth Day.
Twenty-sixth Day.
 Twenty-seventh Day.
Twenty-eighth Day.
Twenty-ninth Day.
Thirtieth Day.
Mass for the Souls in Purgatory.
The Litany of the Saints.
The Seven Penitential Psalms.
Efficacious Prayers for the Souls in Purgatory.
Prayers for Each Day for the Souls in Purgatory.
An Invocation of the Most Holy Trinity for the Souls in Purgatory.
Litany of the Faithful Departed.
Psalm CXXIX.
December. Advent.
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.
First Day.
Second Day.
Third Day.
Fourth Day.
Fifth Day.
Sixth Day.
Seventh Day.
Eighth Day.
Ninth Day.
Tenth Day.
Eleventh Day.
Twelfth Day.
Thirteenth Day.
Fourteenth Day.
Fifteenth Day.
Sixteenth Day.
Seventeenth Day.
Eighteenth Day.
Nineteenth Day.
Twentieth Day.
Twenty-first Day.
Twenty-second Day.
 Twenty-third Day.
Twenty-fourth Day.
Special Devotions to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, during the Time
of Advent.
Mass for Advent.
To Be Said Throughout Advent.
Litany for Christmas.
Crown of the Twelve Stars, Or Rosary of the Immaculate
Conception.
The Salve Regina.
Novena In Preparation for the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception.
Novena In Preparation For Christmas.
The Ordinary of the Mass.
Vespers for Sundays.
Exposition and Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament.
Devotions for Confession and Communion.
Confession.
Communion.
Footnotes
[Transcriber's Note: The above cover image was produced by the
submitter at Distributed Proofreaders, and is being placed into the
public domain.]

[pg i]
 He was wounded for our
iniquities, he was bruised for our
sins.—Is. liii. 5.

Nihil Obstat.
THOMAS L. KINKEAD,

Censor Librorum.

Imprimatur.

† MICHAEL AUGUSTINE,

Archbishop of New York.

New York, May 10, 1899.

Copyright, 1899, by Benziger Brothers.

[pg 003]

Preface.

The Church, desirous of filling our minds with pious thoughts from
the beginning to the end of the year, has encouraged, and in some
cases designated, certain devotions to be practised, and sets aside a
whole month in which the prevailing thought ought to be centred on
a certain devotion. Not that the Church has by any decree appointed
a special devotion for any particular time, except in the cases of
Advent and Lent; but the universal piety of the people has adopted
them; and each month has its particular devotion.

The Church celebrates the feast of the Sacred Heart in June, and
during this month we may offer our prayers in honor of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus, that our souls may be thoroughly imbued with the
beauty of this devotion.

The Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Rosary on the first
Sunday of October, and our Holy Father Leo XIII. has ordered that
the Rosary be recited each day during the month.

The feast of the Guardian Angel is celebrated on the second of

October; thus two devotions are practised [pg 004] during this
month. The Church has arranged some special devotion for each
month by which our confidence in God is increased, and our love of
holy Church intensified. What a rich treasure of piety and love for
God may a good Catholic not gather from one year of such holy
practices!

[pg 011]

January. The Holy Infancy.

The month of the holy infancy of Our Lord is January. The Lord was
born in December as we know, but so late in the month that we
must take the beginning of the new year and consecrate the first
part of the year to God. We begin with the childhood of Our Lord in
our devotions, that we may grow as He did in grace before God and
man. The holy Infant is laid in our arms this month, that we may
contemplate Him and learn holy lessons. What are these lessons?
The goodness of God towards us—the mercy and kindness of the
Child Jesus for us; for His infancy is infinitely meritorious before God,
and all grace comes to us on account of Christ, Who has been an
Infant among us. We should be like children in our confidence in
God, Who has created us and will not make us stand greater trials
than we are able to bear. We should not care over much for the
things of this world; we should not depend so much on our own
efforts; but with filial resignation we should say to God: “You want
this done, and you want one to do it. Well, then, give me the grace,
the intelligence, the will, and I will do it in such a manner as will be
worthy of God.” The whole month can be spent in meditating on
these virtues; be assured they are worth being learned, and will
repay you for the trouble of practising them.

[pg 012]
Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.

First Day.

Consider the Holy Family on this day. They rise early to make
preparations to proceed to the Temple to fulfil the law of God given
to Moses, that every male child of the Jewish nation should be
circumcised. Let us accompany them in spirit to the Temple, and
witness God's providence working plainly in behalf of His divine Son.
To-day the Child Jesus is circumcised. A painful operation is
performed on the body of the pure and holy Babe which was formed
in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Jesus knew that by this ceremony
He subjected Himself to the Law, and the observance of all the
dictates of a life regulated by it. Be you also subject to the law of
God, hard though it may be to man's corrupt nature. The life of a
Christian will be a difficult one if you are not good and pious. It will
be hard for you to pray, to fast, to go to Mass, or confession. Only
by submitting to the law of God will you learn to bear your burdens
patiently, willingly, and joyfully. Remember you are not carrying your
cross alone, for the great Bearer of the cross, Our Lord Jesus Christ,
will help you: He Who has said, “My yoke is sweet and My burden
light.”

Prayer.

O God, Who, by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, hast bestowed

on mankind the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech
Thee, that we may experience the intercession of her through whom
we have had the happiness to receive the Author of life, Our Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen.
[pg 013]

Second Day.

Jesus underwent the circumcision as an act of redemption. He was

carried forth by His holy Mother to begin the way of the cross, and
from that moment until the day of His death He suffered physical
pain. You may here form many thoughts on this period in the life of
this holy Child, which will console you in your sufferings. Be not cast
down in your struggle after a livelihood, be not impatient in poverty
and suffering, for by these Jesus has redeemed the world. These
crosses will one day bring you to heaven. All humanity from
childhood has the vicissitudes of nature and fortune to combat. Cruel
indeed is the fate of some children: poverty, neglect, sickness, the
death of parents, and other misfortunes, leave them often in a
deplorable state. But there is a Providence watching over them; not
a sparrow falls from the housetop without the will of the heavenly
Father. At the same time those who have the means should be
interested in God's poor, and seek to help them in all their
necessities.

Prayer.

O Jesus, when Thou givest me such touching proof of Thy love,

could I remain cold towards Thee? No! it is not possible. I will love
Thee, then, O my God, with a love which nothing will daunt or repel.

Third Day.
At the presentation of the Lord in the Temple were present Simeon
and Anna; they were faithful people, and were permitted to witness
the solemn entry of Our Lord into the Temple. They [pg 014] were
old and had served the Lord God with faithfulness all their days, and
were now waiting for the coming of the Messias. On this day their
fidelity was partially rewarded. It was certainly a great grace to be
allowed to witness the presentation of Jesus to God, His Father, and
this great reward for a good life was followed afterwards by eternal
happiness in heaven. Be faithful, then, to the teachings of God in His
holy Church. Begin in your youth, or at least when the grace of God
visits you. Never cease to trust in God during your whole life, so that
you, too, may be received into the heavenly kingdom as a reward for
your fidelity. Pray always, as Simeon and Anna did, who never left
the Temple but remained there in prayer and fasting, waiting for the
consolation of Israel.

Prayer.

O my God, how Thou didst love me on the day of Thy presentation!

Oh, how well Thou dost teach me thereby what love is when it burns
the heart! O my God! come and consume me, come and take
possession of my whole being, so that I may belong entirely to
Thee. Let Thy good pleasure dispose of me as Thou willest. Amen.

Fourth Day.

On the occasion of the circumcision, the name of Jesus was given to

Our Lord. He was called Jesus, the Redeemer: a name which was
given to Him by His Father and announced to man by an angel. Let
this holy name be on your lips—it will be to you a light, guiding you
on your way through this valley of darkness. Let it be your food, to
strengthen you on [pg 015] your journey to your heavenly home. Let
it be a watchword at the end of your life, by which you may open
the gates of heaven. The name of Jesus is a powerful one; it is the
conqueror of death, the victor over hell. You are a follower of Jesus,
therefore you ought to show yourself an enthusiastic follower, and
love to repeat that sacred name. The name of Jesus piously said will
strengthen our good resolutions, and our resistance against
temptations. When the end of life approaches, and the darkness of
despair comes over us because we have done so little in the hours of
daylight, when we should have worked, the merits of Jesus will give
us hope, for He came to this earth to suffer for us, to give us hope,
and to supply the deficiency of our efforts.

Prayer.

Oh, may the adorable name of Jesus be the sweet and daily music
of my soul and the seal of my heart; and when, in the agony and
cold sweat of death, I shall give the last look for mercy, may the
parting sigh of my soul be Jesus. Amen, sweet Jesus, Amen.

Fifth Day.

The name of Jesus must not only be on our lips, but it must also be
indelibly engraven in our hearts. You have heard perhaps in the life
of that blessed Dominican, Suso, that he cut over his heart the name
of Jesus. In this name you can overcome all things. In this name you
will be rich in grace and strength, you will be victorious over all
temptations and successful in all your labors. Why should you not
have the name of Jesus in your heart? [pg 016] St. Paul has said:
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.”
You remember the exclamation of the great Apostle, “If any man
love not Our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema.” There is great
peace and comfort in the name of Jesus; it is this which enables
pious people to remain faithful for long years in dryness of the
spiritual life. It is this which gives us courage to do good actions, not
for an earthly gain, but for Jesus, and the reward of His society for
all eternity. Let us never pronounce it except with confidence,
respect, love, and delight.

Prayer.

O sweet Jesus! O loving Jesus! O Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, full
of piety and of love! O sweet Jesus, according to Thy great mercy
have mercy on me; blot out my iniquities, and look with tenderness
upon me, a miserable sinner invoking Thy holy name, Jesus. Amen.

Sixth Day.

The Lord has commended His holy name to every Christian as a

precious jewel which he is to use to obtain mercy and grace. “That
whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it
you.” We all belong to the army of the Lord, stand under His banner,
and are supposed to be ever ready to make battle in His cause. How
often have not you received the body and blood of the Lord? Think,
then, what efficacy your prayers have when you appear before God,
with the sign of the blood of Jesus on your soul; you then pray with
a power to which nothing is equal, for not only do [pg 017] you
pray, but Christ prays in and by you. By this holy name God is
honored, as He is honored in His adorable Son. “God hath given Him
a name which is above all names.”—Phil. ii. 9. The Lord is always an
intercessor for us—it is His office of Redeemer and Saviour that has
merited this name, by His life on earth and His death on the cross.
To-day is the feast of the Epiphany, the manifestation of the Lord
Himself to the Gentiles. Let us thank God during the day by frequent
outbursts of love, for our vocation to the faith in the person of the
Magi.

Prayer.
O God! Who didst this day reveal Thy only-begotten Son to the
Gentiles by the guidance of a star; grant in Thy mercy, that we, who
already know Thee by faith, may be brought to contemplate the
beauty of Thy majesty, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Seventh Day.

The Lord has shown Himself to you also, as He did to the three Wise
Men from the East who represented you on the feast of Epiphany.
You have had mercy shown you on this day because now you have
the right to choose the true faith, and you should be thankful for this
grace. You have had a singular privilege extended to you, which all
Christians do not enjoy to the fulness. There are among us many
who have not the consolation of dying in the arms of Jesus. They
cannot claim that He said to them, “I am the Resurrection and the
Life.” We know that they, too, are hastening with us to [pg 018] the
Last Judgment, but with what a difference! When a misfortune
befalls these men in life they have no peace of mind; when a
humiliation meets them, the ungentle spirit of nature is aroused in
them at being despised. They are unhappy in privations, impatient in
disputes, and they are selfish. The life of those who think not of
Christ is full of misery, disappointment, and dissatisfaction; they sit
in the darkness of heathenism; but you who have the faith find relief
in all your ills. Be not one of those who by their sinfulness deserve to
be deserted by God.

Prayer.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, in Thy heavenly mercy, the prayers

of Thy suppliant people; that they may perceive where their duty
lies, and be enabled to accomplish whatsoever tasks are necessary
for their salvation. Amen.
Eighth Day.

Our faith ought to be pure and precious as the gold which the wise
kings offered at the throne of God. You ought, then, to hold fast the
faith of Jesus Christ, which is preserved in the Catholic Church.
Learn your faith, learn the proofs of it; you will be a more fervent
adherent to the chair of St. Peter and be well instructed in
everything that concerns the Church. You will pray for our Holy
Father, the Pope, and for holy Mother Church in these troublous
times. If love is a part of that purity of faith, read nothing, listen to
nothing which is against your faith; do not belong to societies that
are condemned by the Church, for they are enemies of God's
religion. Your faith must be a lively one; [pg 019] give signs of it in
your actions. Sweet-smelling as the incense in the hands of the kings
must be our faith. Every one should see that we are good and
stanch Catholics; education or riches or social standing should not
be an obstacle to our humble practice of our religion. What is there
more beautiful than a well-educated man practising the Catholic faith
according to the laws of the Church? Unhappily the rich and the
learned are sometimes ashamed of the Church, leaving it to the poor
and ignorant to be good Catholics.

Prayer.

O my God, I thank Thee for the inestimable gift of faith which Thou
hast bestowed upon me. Grant that I may always acknowledge this
Thy mercy with thanksgiving; and this not only in words, but in
making a good use of it. This grace I ask through Thy sweet name,
Jesus. Amen.

Ninth Day.
In trying to lead a good Christian life you will often meet with
contradictions and persecutions, even from your associates. But the
Wise Men included the myrrh of mortification among their gifts. He
who wants to lead a life of purity will necessarily meet with many
persecutions and crosses, and only when he has taken up the cross
can he follow the divine Redeemer. The faith of Christ cannot exist
without the bitter herb of mortification. This faith is the power that
conquers the world, and the world's insults. Let us then be firm in
our faith as the three kings were in all their trials, for they had many
a one to encounter before they [pg 020] found the cave of
Bethlehem. Let us show our appreciation then by our zeal and our
holy lives. “He is my God, and I will glorify Him: the God of my
father, and I will exalt Him.”—Exod. xv. 2. The holy man Job will be
an example to us as to how we should serve God in trials and
tribulations. Though the Lord allowed great sufferings to come upon
him, and precisely because he had been good, still he remained true
and firm and would not make a compromise with the devil, his
persecutor. Job was thankful for everything that came from the
hands of God. He praised God for it all his days.

Prayer.

O my God, how good it is to serve Thee thus, and to give ourselves

wholly to Thee. Give to me as Thou didst to the Magi the spirit of
wisdom, of prayer, and of sacrifice, so that, following Thee through
all my life, I may reach a happy eternity. Amen.

Tenth Day.

It is a singular fact that the star disappeared at Jerusalem, though

that was not, as yet, the place where the new-born King of the Jews
was to be looked for. Herod was the temporal king of Jerusalem; the
high priest and the doctors of the Law were also there. As this was
the seat of the religion of the people of God, here were made many
prophecies that were to be accomplished. We should have thought
that here also the star would have been seen. Jerusalem, however,
remains in darkness, the people that were to be the recipients of
God's promises are passed over, and the great [pg 021] grace of
vocation was given to men who knew nothing of the testament of
God—to pagans. The star appears to them and illuminates the
darkness in which they find themselves, and calls them to a
heavenly light. Our Lord explained this Himself afterwards, when He
said that from the rising to the setting of the sun would come those
who would sit at His banquet, while the “children of the kingdom”
should go out empty-handed, for they deserved no better treatment
because of their infidelity and presumption.

Prayer.

O God, Who didst permit the children of Israel so often to sink under
the trials which Thou didst send them, and so often to offend by
yielding under temptation: have regard, I beseech Thee, to Thy
servant, and assist me with heavenly strength that I may have
patience and courage under all the trials of life. Amen.

Eleventh Day.

We are similar in condition to Jerusalem: We have the promise of

God, we have the Messias in our midst, on our altars. Jerusalem was
the gay capital of the Jewish nation, and it had no time to attend to
the call of God. We also will meet the same fate that overtook that
unfortunate city, which knew not the day of its visitation. Our Lord
“came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” We are too
busy with the things of this world to give a few thoughts to God; we
do not realize the precious gifts of Our Lord, or of His sacred
presence, and so we will be allowed to go [pg 022] forth empty-
handed; strangers will take our places in the heavenly kingdom,
while we shall sit in darkness for all eternity. The Lord will find
faithful followers among strangers who have not our knowledge;
they are guided only by a star that does not speak. They follow it
and are rewarded; they follow it because they acknowledge the fact
that they stand in need of a leader and guide.

Prayer.

Help me, O my God, and defend me from all dangers; let Thy
heavenly light dart upon my soul amidst all its darkness; let faith be
its guide, and support it with hope. Behold, I now protest that I
renounce all kinds of suggestions that are injurious to that faith and
hope which I am bound to have in Thee. Amen.

Twelfth Day.

Mary was found with the Child by the Magi; she it was who received
the gifts for the Lord. There sat Mary as on a throne, having the
Infant Jesus in her lap, and the Wise Men fell down and adored Him.
How kingly seemed to them the poverty of that Babe! how right
royal that sinless Mother's lap, on which He was enthroned! We, too,
have arrived at the stable of Bethlehem in our meditations. Mary is
there, holding out towards us also her divine Son. Through her He
has become ours in holy communion, ours when we are faithful
servants of this good Master. Mary is always with Jesus; we cannot
think of the sacred humanity of Christ without thinking also of the
Mother who gave Him birth. How far removed is the Mother [pg 023]
from the Son? Let us then bow down in humility and adoration
before the Child who is Our God; but let us also look up to Mary. She
teaches us God as we never could else have learned Him. The Child
Jesus seems to understand better than we that the caresses which
are poured out to Him are also intended for us. Let us look with