2.  In order to say it attentively have we taken great pains to put away all kinds of distractions?

“Munda cor meum ab omnibus vanis perversis et alienis cogitationibus” (ibid.).

Have we rejected even good thoughts which were unsuitable for the time of recitation, and above all have we banished idle or indifferent ones?

Have we tried, following the example of the saints, to excite in ourselves the different sentiments expressed by the Psalms, or to dwell on some perfection of God, or on some mystery of our Lord, or on some virtue of the saint whose office we read?  Have we piously dwelt on these, or on some other subject proper to the Church’s season or according to our needs?

“Si orat psalmus, orate; si gemit, gemite; si gratulatur, gaudete; si timet, timete” (St. Aug. in Ps. 30).

In order to say the Office devoutly, have we said it with love, having our hearts and souls fully alive to the advantages and the excellence and the beauties of the Divine Office?

Have we said it with fervour, abandoning ourselves to a good emotion, to holy affections, and to joyous transports, which the Holy Ghost usually works in fervent souls?  Have we done this work with joy, taking a peculiar pleasure in this holy labour, recognising the great honour it is to be a partaker in the songs of praise offered to God by the heavenly company, whose hosts are filled with His glory?

III.  How we must keep watch over ourselves in reading the Office:—­

Let us examine ourselves to find out if in reading the Breviary we keep the rules of good recitation, as laid down by the saints—­Distincte, integre, continue, reverenter, ordinate (St. Bonav., spec. discip. p. 1, c. 16).

1. Distincte, Do we recite distinctly, observing the ordinary pause at the middle and at the end of each verse, not hurrying the one on the other?  Do we articulate every word, not adopting a careless or too speedy pronunciation?

“Non in gutture vel inter dentes, seu deglutiendo et syncopando dictiones vel verba” (Con.  Basil, sess. 22).

2. Integre.  Do we say the Office in its entirety, being scrupulously careful not to omit the smallest part, and taking great care that a part that we should wish or try to say by heart shall not slip out of our recitation altogether or be mutilated?

“Integre, ut de dicendis nihil omittant” (St. Bona., spec, discip., p. 1).

3.  Continue.  Do we say our Hours without interruption?  Do we love this holy exercise?  Or do we easily interrupt our prayer on any trifling pretext, and on the first opportunity?

“Interruptiones in eo non fiant, nisi urgente necessitate” (ibid.).

4. Ordinate.  Do we say our Office with order, that is, order both in substance (not substituting one Office for another) and in manner, according to the rubrics arranging the several hours?