Preparation
Place yourself in the presence of God.
Ask him to give you his grace.
Imagine yourself to be seriously ill, lying on your death-bed, with no hope of recovery.
Reflections
Be aware that the day of your death is uncertain. One day my spirit will leave my body. When will it be? In winter or in summer? In town or in the country? During the day or at night? Will you have time to make your confession or not? Will your confessor or spiritual father be present to help you? Alas, we know nothing about any of these things. Only one thing is certain, that we shall die sooner than we expect.
Realize that then the world will come to an end, as far as you are concerned. It will be no more for you. It will turn upside down before your eyes. Yes, because then pleasures, trifles, worldly joys and foolish affections will be seen as shadows and clouds. How foolish I have been to offend my God for such trifles and illusions.
You will see that you have turned away from God for nothing. On the contrary, devotion and good works will then seem to you so desirable and pleasant. Why did I not follow this beautiful and delightful path? Then sins that seemed very small will appear as big as mountains, and your devotion very small.
Think of your final farewell to this poor world made with much reluctance: you will say goodbye to riches, to trifles and useless company, to pleasures, to friends and neighbours, to relations, to children, to husband, to wife, in short to every creature. Last of all, to your body which will be left pale, haggard, emaciated, frightful and foul-smelling.
See that with haste your body will be carried away and hidden in the earth. After this, the world will seldom think of you. You will not be remembered anymore, just as you have scarcely thought of others. They will say, “God grant him peace.” That will be all. Death, you are powerful and you are without pity.
Consider that the spirit, on leaving the body, makes its way to the right or to the left. Alas, where will you go? Which way will you follow? None other than the one you have begun in this world.
Give vent to Good Movements of the Will and make Deliberate Decisions[1]
Pray to God: Throw yourself into his arms. Alas, Lord, take me into your protection on that day of terror. Make that hour happy and favourable for me. Rather, may all the other hours of my life be sad and troubled.
Despise the world: O World, since I do not know the hour when I must leave you, I will not be attached to you. My dear friends, my dear relatives, I shall not love you except with a holy friendship that will last forever. Why should I love you with a love that has to be ended?
I want to be ready for that hour: I shall take all the necessary care to make this journey happily. I will do my best to have a clear conscience. I will correct such and such shortcomings.
Conclusion
Thank God for giving you these resolutions.
Offer them to him.
Ask him earnestly once more to give you a happy death through the merits of the death of his Son. Implore the help of our Lady and the Saints.
Our Father. Hail Mary
Make a bouquet of myrrh.
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[1] As in Second Part Chapter 6.