A Thought for Each Day of the Year

Meditation, or contemplative prayer, is the practise of dwelling upon the truths of religion in order to awaken within the mind good resolutions to practise. Together with vocal prayer, meditation aids the faithful to gain graces and to advance rapidly on the path to spiritual perfection. In addition to daily vocal prayers, the Catholic Church recommends the practise of meditation for at least several minutes a day in order to progress in the spiritual life. But meditation is difficult you say? 'I don't have the time!' 'I don't know how to meditate!' 'I don't know what to meditate on!' 'How do I form a good resolution to practise?' Fr. Marin de Boylesve, S.J. (1813-1892) provided an easy way to overcome these seeming hurdles with his helpful spiritual guide book 'A Thought for Each Day of the Year'. Featuring a short passage from the Gospel readings for each Sunday, a clear and concise reflection to meditate upon and a prayer inspired by the reflection is provided, followed by a resolution drawn from the passage that anyone can easily put into practise. 'A Thought for Each Day of the Year' will provide a simple and time effective way to help fulfil your daily meditations in union with the liturgical year of the Church. About the author: Fr. Marin de Boylesve is best remembered in France for spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart with his writings thereby promoting the cause for the construction of the Sacre Coeur Basilica in Paris.

Review :
The Dublin Review, Vol. 29, July-Oct, (1877) This is a valuable book, and we can safely prophesy that we shall take a score of publications before finding another of the same dimensions as vigorous and comprehensive. We gather its purpose from the preface; from a frequent perusal of it we give our judgement of its worth. Many persons, we are reminded, dispense themselves from the duty of meditation, on the plea of having no time to spare. The author of this work annihilates the excuse by giving for each day in the year the briefest of reflections suggested by the Gospels of the Sunday. A few moments suffice for reading, and less than a quarter of an hour for considering the thought and bringing it home to mind. If this brief spell cannot be snatched from incessant occupation, at least the thought can be read after morning prayers, and be made a subject of reflection throughout the day. The value of a work conceived with such a purpose is evident, if it be well done. In our opinion it is thoroughly well done. It fits the comparison of Ecclesiastes, "The words of the wise are goads, and as nails deeply fastened in," for there is in every thought a unity and point that make it capable of being driving in like a nail. The reflections are usually very appropriate to the text, always striking, and in many instances of singular power; while their practical tendency is shown in the fact that each one is the inspiration of a short prayer, and takes root in a resolution. We agree with the author of the title, 'A Thought for Each Day of the Year', (and we know not that we can give higher praise), for he gives thoughts; and, taken throughout, his little work is an admirable commentary on the Gospel of the Sundays, from a devotional point of view. The following (quote from the book) is the meditation for (Easter Sunday): "Who shall roll us back the stone from the door of the sepulchre?" (Mark 16:3) Thought: How would it be if we were to know everything? Not only does an enormous stone close the entrance to the sepulchre, but this stone is sealed by the powerful enemies of Our Lord and is surrounded by soldiers. Go on in spite of all this; God asks of you only that which you are able to perform; He takes what seems impossible upon Himself. When you draw near, all these obstacles have disappeared. True, your sweet spices are of no service, but your wishes have been accomplished and even surpassed. Prayer: Jesus, if Thou triest Thy friends, it is but to surprise them with consolations which more than recompense for any sacrifice. Practise: Make progress in spite of obstacles.