I. How preparation for saying the Hours is to be made:—­

(a) Have we before commencing to recite the Breviary made a fervent act of faith in the presence of God and in the sovereign majesty of Him to Whom we are going to speak?

Have we endeavoured to purify our hearts by an act of contrition, in order that we may escape the terrible reproach which God addresses to the sinner—­“to the sinner God hath said, ’Why dost thou declare my justices and take away covenant in thy mouth?’” (Psalm 49, v.16)?

Have we taken particular care to clear off from our souls everything which can distract us, and above all others these things to which we are attracted and to which our minds may return during our prayer?

“Ante debes facere quod ait propheta:  scopebam spiritum meum donec incalescat spiritus tuus ex devota meditatione et affectum et desiderium concipiat” (D.  Gerhard Zutp. de spir.  Ascen.).  “Studeat oratione devota et recollectione animi interna divinum praevenire officium” (St. Bona. spec, di., p.2, c.7).

Have we recollected ourselves and remained silent for a time, particularly when passing from study or from a secular business, in order to banish vain or worldly thoughts, and to make ourselves ready to receive the Holy Ghost?

Have we united ourselves to Jesus Christ, Who is the perfect praise of God, the Father?  Have we united ourselves in spirit to the Church, in whose name we are going to praise God?  “In unione orationum ac meritorum Christi Jesu gratiam ad officium debite persolvendum petat” (St. Bona. ibid.)

Have we begged the Holy Ghost by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin and the saints, whose offices we read, that we may be allowed to join our praises to those which they give God?

Have we always formed intentions general and particular, not forgetting to form intentions embracing the intentions of Christ and His Church?

Have we adopted some pious thought prior to our reading, so that distractions may be excluded and fervour fostered during our recitation?  Have we chosen suitable time and place to pray?

Have we taken pains to mark the places in the Breviary and looked over the rubrics?  Has not negligence in these matters caused innumerable distractions?

II.  Dispositions which we should have in saying the Office:—­

Let us find out with what dispositions we recite the Divine Office, and if we say it in the manner in which the Church wishes it to be said, digne, attente, ac devote. (Orat. rec. ante offic.).

1.  Have we considered well that God is present and that we speak to Him?  Do we look on ourselves as instruments which need to be animated with God’s holy spirit in order to bless His holy name?  Have we said the Office with all the respect and all the veneration which His almighty majesty calls for?  Cum timore et humilitate, tanquam Deo visibiliter presente, psallant (S.  Bona, spec, discip., p. 1, c. 15).