5. One should recommend the pious exercises for young women to be performed every Sunday in some church or chapel, in the following manner :
At first the Rosary is recited, and is concluded by the singing of a pious hymn. Then the priest, who has been appointed, gives a short instruction on all that those present have to practise during the week, according to the rules given afterwards. He then teaches them how they should make mental prayer, the acts for Communion, for the visit to the Blessed Sacrament, for the Mass, and even for the time of work ; how they should frequently raise their mind to God. He also instructs them on the virtues, mortification, humility, patience, and particularly prayer ; how they should recommend themselves to God, in the morning, the evening, during the day, and especially in temptations, by often invoking the holy names of Jesus and Mary until the temptation ceases.
After this instruction the Rosary of the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin is recited. A conclusion is made by a little sermon or a short meditation, which lasts only a quarter of an hour, inclusively of the act of contrition. The matter of the discourse, or meditation, should usually be sin, death, judgment, hell, paradise, eternity, or the Passion of Jesus Christ.
The discourse finished, all those present are sent to make together a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin ; after this they return home. The whole exercise should not last longer than an hour and a half.
RULES OF CONDUCT AND PRACTICES OF DEVOTION WHICH SHOULD BE OBSERVED BY EVERY UNMARRIED WOMAN WHO PERFORMS THE PIOUS EXERCISES
1. In the morning, on rising, she should thank the Lord, then make an offering of all that she is to do and to suffer during the day; then she shall say three "Hail Marys," that the Blessed Virgin may keep her under her protection during the day and preserve her from every sin.
2. She should make mental prayer during half an hour, or at least a quarter of an hour, on the Passion of Jesus Christ or on the eternal truths, and this at the time and at the place most suitable for her either in the church or at home.
3. She should hear Mass every time that she is able, and make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, if not in the church, at least at home.
4. In the evening she should make the examination of conscience with the Christian Acts, of faith, hope, charity, and contrition; and before going to bed, she should again place herself under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by saying three "Hail Marys."
5. She should receive Communion every Sunday, and oftener if she can, but always in accordance with the advice of her spiritual Father.
6. In honor of Mary she should recite every day five decades of the Rosary; she should fast every Saturday on bread and water, or as well as she can, and during the novenas of the seven feasts of the Blessed Virgin, according as the preacher may direct.
7. She should try always to lead a retired life, avoid going to banquets, to festivals, and frequenting the houses of others, even of relatives. She should flee as from death the danger that is to her of joking and laughing with men; if through necessity she must speak to them, she should do so in a few words and with her eyes cast down. She should never remain at the window or be seated at the door of the house [so as to be not seen by people], and should never sing profane songs.
8. She should keep silence in the church and in the streets; she should even keep silence for an hour when at home.
9. She should dress modestly, wearing a garment of a dark color [so as to be not eye-catching] and a veil when she goes to church or walks the streets. She should wear neither gold nor jewels, nor any other object of vanity.
10. She should avoid every venial sin committed wilfully, especially lies, imprecations, and acts of impatience. She should patiently bear sufferings, injuries, and all contradictions, and then say: My Jesus, may all be for Thee. Mary, my Mother, give me patience. May God sanctify me! etc.
11. She should obey her confessor in all that regards her soul, and her parents in whatever regards the government of the house. I said: "The government of the house;" for if her parents wished to marry her by force, she would not be obliged to obey.
12. At the death of any member who has frequented the exercises, all the others should offer up for her five Communions, and say the Rosary for her for a week.
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