Saint Cajetan lived in Rome in the early 1500s. He went to Venice and then returned to Rome to found the order of the Theatines.

This book is especially designed for the instruction of novices who sincerely desire to enter a religious community. It may be read with much fruit by all those who wish to lead exemplary lives. It is supposed that when you begin to peruse this Manual, you'do so through an earnest desire of advancing in virtue. We take it also for granted that you are convinced of the expediency of choosing the state of life which God has destined for you at your birth, because He attaches to it special help and graces. For men there are three states to which a special vocation is attached: the priesthood, the religious state in a community approved by the Church, and the lay state, Women are called only to the two last named. In the lay state there are the state of marriage and the state of virginity. The latter is in itself more perfect than the former but not for all, for to some the words of St. Paul may be applied, that "It is better to marry than to burn." Although this volume may be read with fruit by priests who are in charge of religious communities and by all those who wish to live holy lives, it is mainly intended for the instruction of postulants and novices, who desire to embrace the religious state, whether in a contemplative order or in an active religious institute, for the practical lessons are particularly applicable to them. St. Thomas teaches without the least hesitation that the essence of Christian perfection consists primarily in the love of God, and secondarily, in the love of neighbor for God's sake. There is then a perfection that we can attain in this world, a true perfection, which is a perfection according to man's nature, aided by God's grace, .and it is this perfection or charity to which we should all aspire according to the words of St. Paul: "Have before all charity which is the bond of perfection," as if he said, strive to possess the virtue of charity, which unites all the virtues into one homogeneous whole, and in that, perfection consists. Again the same Apostle says: "Love therefore is the fulfilling of the law," for he that loves God and his neighbor fulfills all that God has commanded, according to the Savior's words: "Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God. and thy neighbor as thyself. On these two Commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets."

Signs, Signals, Symbols seldom seen, science says sing silent songs of the glory of the maker of five hundred million suns. I. The Wonders of The Heavens. II. The Wonders of The Solar System. 111. The Wonders of 'l'he Earth. IV. The Wonders of Life. V. The. Wonders of Human Life. Go out at night, when the stars shine bright, and look up at the heavens. A ring of light at a vast height sweeps round amid the stars. A great half-circle it seems -in our northern latitude, its two ends lost below the horizon. Go south, below the equator, and you find it forms a mighty white cloudy ribbon, running round the whole heavens. It inclines at an angle of 63 degrees to the equinoctial, that imaginary plane where the sun is when days and nights are equal. From far-off days, when our race was young, men asked: What is it? Because of its whiteness, the Greeks called it the Galaxy, from gala, "milk," and we the Milky Way. Sweeping round the whole firmament, as a mighty ring, looking like a bright, 'long, white expanse with irregular borders, nowhere broken, it ever excited curiosity, and claimed the study of the world's greatest minds. All was guesswork till the telescope was invented. the two Herschels, Sir William and Sir John, father and son, using the most powerful instruments known in their -days, spent almost 'their whole lives in its study. The greatest astronomers of all ages, in every civilized country, tried to penetrate its mysteries, and in few words we will lay before the reader the sum total of their labors. How can we make the reader grasp the Wonders our instruments reveal, when so many learned men have spent their whole lives studying the heavens how, will we condense their discoveries into a few pages?

OUR holy faith teaches us, and we are bound to believe, that in the consecrated Host, Jesus Christ is really present under the species of bread. But we must also understand that He is thus present on our altars as on a throne of love and mercy, to dispense graces, and there to show us the love which He bears us, by being pleased to dwell night and day hidden in the midst of us. It is well known that the Holy Church instituted the Festival of Corpus Christi with a solemn octave, and that she celebrates it with the many usual processions, and such frequent expositions of this Most Holy Sacrament, that men may thereby be moved gratefully to acknowledge and honour this loving presence and dwelling of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar, by their devotions, thanksgivings, and the tender affections of their souls. O God how many insults and outrages has not this amiable Redeemer had, and has He not daily, to endure in this Sacrament on the part of those very men for whose love He remains upon their altars on earth Of this He indeed conlplained to His dear servant Sister Margaret Alacoque, as the author of the Book of Devotion to the Heart of Jesus relates. One day, as she was in prayer before the Most Holy Sacrament, Jesus showed her His Heart on a throne of flames, crowned with thorns, and surmounted by a cross, and thus addressed her: "Behold that Heart, which has loved men so much, and which has spared Itself nothing; and has even gone so far as to consume Itself, thereby to show them Its love; but in return the greater part of men only show Me ingratitude, and this by the irreverences, tepidity, sacrileges, and contempt which they offer Me in this Sacrament of Love; and that which I feel the most acutely is, that they are hearts consecrated to Me." Jesus then expressed His wish, that the first Fridtty after the Octave of Corpus Christi should be dedicated as a particular festival in honour of His adorable Heart; and that on that day all souls who loved Him should endeavour, by their homage, and by the affections of their souls, to make amends for the insults which men have offered Him in this Sacrament of the Altar; and at the same time He promised abundant graces to all who should thus honour Him.

This is an eight volume set. The volumes contain the following 1.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 1-9 and Introduction on the Gospels 2.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 10-21 3.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 22-28 and Marks Gospel 4.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Luke's Gospel 5.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide John 1-11 6.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide John 12-21 and Saint John's Epistles 7.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide I Corinthians 8.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide II Corinthians and Galatians This is a photographic reprint of the original to insure accuracy of reproduction. The dignity, usefulness, and majesty of Scripture are so great that it surpasses the books of all philosophers and theologians, both Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, as much as Divine surpasses human wisdom. For Scripture is the Word of God. It is the very utterance of God, by means ot which God enunciates His wisdom to us, and points out to us the way to virtue, health, and eternal happiness. S. Augustine asserts that" Sacred Scripture is an Encyclopedia of all the sciences. Here is Natural Philosophy, because all the causes of all creatures are in God, the Creator. Here is Moral Philosophy, because a good and honest life is derived from no other source than the love of God and our neighbour as they ought to be loved. Here is Logic, because Truth and the Light of the rational soul are God. Here is Political Science, for a really flourishing State can neither be founded nor preserved except upon the foundation, and by the bond of faith, and firm concord, when the common good of all is loved: that is to say, when God is loved above all things, and when men love one another in Him, and for His sake." After an interval he adds, "By the Scriptures depraved minds are corrected, little minds are nourished, great minds are delighted. The only minds which are hostile to this doctrine are those which either by going astray know not its healthfulness, or being sick dislike its medicine." Sacred Scripture is the art of arts, the science ot sciences: it is the Pandora of Wisdom. In our own time, S. Theresa, a woman endowed with the spirit of prophecy, and renowned throughout all Spain for the glory of her miracles, and the sanctity of her life, was taught by God that all the troubles of the Church, all the evils in the world, flow from this source, that men do not, by clear and sound knowledge, and serious consideration, penetrate into the verities of Sacred Scripture. See Franciscus Ribera in her Life. S. Basil says, "Holy Scripture is the universal depository of medicine for the cure of souls. From it everyone may select the remedy which is salutary and appropriate for his own disease."

This is an eight volume set. The volumes contain the following 1.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 1-9 and Introduction on the Gospels 2.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 10-21 3.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 22-28 and Marks Gospel 4.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Luke's Gospel 5.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide John 1-11 6.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide John 12-21 and Saint John's Epistles 7.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide I Corinthians 8.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide II Corinthians and Galatians This is a photographic reprint of the original to insure accuracy of reproduction. The dignity, usefulness, and majesty of Scripture are so great that it surpasses the books of all philosophers and theologians, both Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, as much as Divine surpasses human wisdom. For Scripture is the Word of God. It is the very utterance of God, by means ot which God enunciates His wisdom to us, and points out to us the way to virtue, health, and eternal happiness. S. Augustine asserts that" Sacred Scripture is an Encyclopedia of all the sciences. Here is Natural Philosophy, because all the causes of all creatures are in God, the Creator. Here is Moral Philosophy, because a good and honest life is derived from no other source than the love of God and our neighbour as they ought to be loved. Here is Logic, because Truth and the Light of the rational soul are God. Here is Political Science, for a really flourishing State can neither be founded nor preserved except upon the foundation, and by the bond of faith, and firm concord, when the common good of all is loved: that is to say, when God is loved above all things, and when men love one another in Him, and for His sake." After an interval he adds, "By the Scriptures depraved minds are corrected, little minds are nourished, great minds are delighted. The only minds which are hostile to this doctrine are those which either by going astray know not its healthfulness, or being sick dislike its medicine." Sacred Scripture is the art of arts, the science ot sciences: it is the Pandora of Wisdom. In our own time, S. Theresa, a woman endowed with the spirit of prophecy, and renowned throughout all Spain for the glory of her miracles, and the sanctity of her life, was taught by God that all the troubles of the Church, all the evils in the world, flow from this source, that men do not, by clear and sound knowledge, and serious consideration, penetrate into the verities of Sacred Scripture. See Franciscus Ribera in her Life. S. Basil says, "Holy Scripture is the universal depository of medicine for the cure of souls. From it everyone may select the remedy which is salutary and appropriate for his own disease."

This is an eight volume set. The volumes contain the following 1.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 1-9 and Introduction on the Gospels 2.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 10-21 3.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 22-28 and Marks Gospel 4.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Luke's Gospel 5.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide John 1-11 6.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide John 12-21 and Saint John's Epistles 7.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide I Corinthians 8.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide II Corinthians and Galatians This is a photographic reprint of the original to insure accuracy of reproduction. The dignity, usefulness, and majesty of Scripture are so great that it surpasses the books of all philosophers and theologians, both Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, as much as Divine surpasses human wisdom. For Scripture is the Word of God. It is the very utterance of God, by means ot which God enunciates His wisdom to us, and points out to us the way to virtue, health, and eternal happiness. S. Augustine asserts that" Sacred Scripture is an Encyclopedia of all the sciences. Here is Natural Philosophy, because all the causes of all creatures are in God, the Creator. Here is Moral Philosophy, because a good and honest life is derived from no other source than the love of God and our neighbour as they ought to be loved. Here is Logic, because Truth and the Light of the rational soul are God. Here is Political Science, for a really flourishing State can neither be founded nor preserved except upon the foundation, and by the bond of faith, and firm concord, when the common good of all is loved: that is to say, when God is loved above all things, and when men love one another in Him, and for His sake." After an interval he adds, "By the Scriptures depraved minds are corrected, little minds are nourished, great minds are delighted. The only minds which are hostile to this doctrine are those which either by going astray know not its healthfulness, or being sick dislike its medicine." Sacred Scripture is the art of arts, the science ot sciences: it is the Pandora of Wisdom. In our own time, S. Theresa, a woman endowed with the spirit of prophecy, and renowned throughout all Spain for the glory of her miracles, and the sanctity of her life, was taught by God that all the troubles of the Church, all the evils in the world, flow from this source, that men do not, by clear and sound knowledge, and serious consideration, penetrate into the verities of Sacred Scripture. See Franciscus Ribera in her Life. S. Basil says, "Holy Scripture is the universal depository of medicine for the cure of souls. From it everyone may select the remedy which is salutary and appropriate for his own disease."

his is an eight volume set. The volumes contain the following 1.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 1-9 and Introduction on the Gospels 2.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 10-21 3.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 22-28 and Marks Gospel 4.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Luke's Gospel 5.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide John 1-11 6.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide John 12-21 and Saint John's Epistles 7.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide I Corinthians 8.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide II Corinthians and Galatians This is a photographic reprint of the original to insure accuracy of reproduction. The dignity, usefulness, and majesty of Scripture are so great that it surpasses the books of all philosophers and theologians, both Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, as much as Divine surpasses human wisdom. For Scripture is the Word of God. It is the very utterance of God, by means ot which God enunciates His wisdom to us, and points out to us the way to virtue, health, and eternal happiness. S. Augustine asserts that" Sacred Scripture is an Encyclopedia of all the sciences. Here is Natural Philosophy, because all the causes of all creatures are in God, the Creator. Here is Moral Philosophy, because a good and honest life is derived from no other source than the love of God and our neighbour as they ought to be loved. Here is Logic, because Truth and the Light of the rational soul are God. Here is Political Science, for a really flourishing State can neither be founded nor preserved except upon the foundation, and by the bond of faith, and firm concord, when the common good of all is loved: that is to say, when God is loved above all things, and when men love one another in Him, and for His sake." After an interval he adds, "By the Scriptures depraved minds are corrected, little minds are nourished, great minds are delighted. The only minds which are hostile to this doctrine are those which either by going astray know not its healthfulness, or being sick dislike its medicine." Sacred Scripture is the art of arts, the science ot sciences: it is the Pandora of Wisdom. In our own time, S. Theresa, a woman endowed with the spirit of prophecy, and renowned throughout all Spain for the glory of her miracles, and the sanctity of her life, was taught by God that all the troubles of the Church, all the evils in the world, flow from this source, that men do not, by clear and sound knowledge, and serious consideration, penetrate into the verities of Sacred Scripture. See Franciscus Ribera in her Life. S. Basil says, "Holy Scripture is the universal depository of medicine for the cure of souls. From it everyone may select the remedy which is salutary and appropriate for his own disease."

Note this is a six volume set of wonderful meditations. How the Venerable Author has treated each meditation, and made it bear on the scope of the division to which it belongs, can be tested only by diligent practice. Certain it is, that he has brought to the work all the knowledge of a profound theologian, the experience of a consummate master of spirits, and the light and unction of a soul in close and habitual intercourse with God. Hence, whilst the points of the meditations fLre stored with sound reasoning and alignment, the colloquies are so many out-pourings of the heart in prayer, always natural and impressive not unfrequently sublime. It may be added, that every expression of the soul, and every tone of the heart, so they be in earnest and rightly disposed, will not fail to find an echo in those deep and devout breathings. Nor are the quotations from Scripture and the Fathers the least excellence of the work. They are scattered through the meditations, pointing and sanctioning the truths set forth, with a force, frequency, and appositeness which bespeak a rare amount of scriptural and patristic learning. Those who, through God's grace, feel happily drawn to aspire to this "science of the saints," will find in the Introduction a course of instruction admirably adapted to initiate and lead them on. Nor will it be consulted without profit even by the more advanced. As a proof of the estimation in which this work has ever been held, it may be observed that it passed through three editions within one year after its first appearance, and has gone through at least fourteen more subsequently. Note this is a photographic reprint of the original. Each page is hand inspected for errors.

Note this is a six volume set of wonderful meditations. How the Venerable Author has treated each meditation, and made it bear on the scope of the division to which it belongs, can be tested only by diligent practice. Certain it is, that he has brought to the work all the knowledge of a profound theologian, the experience of a consummate master of spirits, and the light and unction of a soul in close and habitual intercourse with God. Hence, whilst the points of the meditations fLre stored with sound reasoning and alignment, the colloquies are so many out-pourings of the heart in prayer, always natural and impressive not unfrequently sublime. It may be added, that every expression of the soul, and every tone of the heart, so they be in earnest and rightly disposed, will not fail to find an echo in those deep and devout breathings. Nor are the quotations from Scripture and the Fathers the least excellence of the work. They are scattered through the meditations, pointing and sanctioning the truths set forth, with a force, frequency, and appositeness which bespeak a rare amount of scriptural and patristic learning. Those who, through God's grace, feel happily drawn to aspire to this "science of the saints," will find in the Introduction a course of instruction admirably adapted to initiate and lead them on. Nor will it be consulted without profit even by the more advanced. As a proof of the estimation in which this work has ever been held, it may be observed that it passed through three editions within one year after its first appearance, and has gone through at least fourteen more subsequently. Note this is a photographic reprint of the original. Each page is hand inspected for errors.

This is an eight volume set. The volumes contain the following 1.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 1-9 and Introduction on the Gospels 2.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 10-21 3.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Matthew 22-28 and Marks Gospel 4.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide Luke's Gospel 5.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide John 1-11 6.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide John 12-21 and Saint John's Epistles 7.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide I Corinthians 8.The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide II Corinthians and Galatians This is a photographic reprint of the original to insure accuracy of reproduction. The dignity, usefulness, and majesty of Scripture are so great that it surpasses the books of all philosophers and theologians, both Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, as much as Divine surpasses human wisdom. For Scripture is the Word of God. It is the very utterance of God, by means ot which God enunciates His wisdom to us, and points out to us the way to virtue, health, and eternal happiness. S. Augustine asserts that" Sacred Scripture is an Encyclopedia of all the sciences. Here is Natural Philosophy, because all the causes of all creatures are in God, the Creator. Here is Moral Philosophy, because a good and honest life is derived from no other source than the love of God and our neighbour as they ought to be loved. Here is Logic, because Truth and the Light of the rational soul are God. Here is Political Science, for a really flourishing State can neither be founded nor preserved except upon the foundation, and by the bond of faith, and firm concord, when the common good of all is loved: that is to say, when God is loved above all things, and when men love one another in Him, and for His sake." After an interval he adds, "By the Scriptures depraved minds are corrected, little minds are nourished, great minds are delighted. The only minds which are hostile to this doctrine are those which either by going astray know not its healthfulness, or being sick dislike its medicine." Sacred Scripture is the art of arts, the science ot sciences: it is the Pandora of Wisdom. In our own time, S. Theresa, a woman endowed with the spirit of prophecy, and renowned throughout all Spain for the glory of her miracles, and the sanctity of her life, was taught by God that all the troubles of the Church, all the evils in the world, flow from this source, that men do not, by clear and sound knowledge, and serious consideration, penetrate into the verities of Sacred Scripture. See Franciscus Ribera in her Life. S. Basil says, "Holy Scripture is the universal depository of medicine for the cure of souls. From it everyone may select the remedy which is salutary and appropriate for his own disease."

This work begins with the dignity of the family and proceeds to the dignity of man and woman. This is followed by the dignity of the Christian child and then proceeds to discuss the holy sacrament of Marriage. This work is a must read fro anyone entering the holy state of Matrimony, as it details the rights and responsibilities of Christian parents. Consider this on the dignity of the Christian child: "A foreigner, who has come to the United States and wishes to enjoy the rights and privileges of an American citizen, has to appear in open court and declare his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States. If he then continues to reside, for five years, within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the grand llepublic, and conducts himself, during that time, as a man of good moral character, is attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same, he receives his naturalization papers as a citizen of the Union, after having declared on oath, in open court, that he will support the Constitution of the United States, and that he does absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, or state sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly to the government of the country to which he was formerly subject. "Christian parents your children, too, have become, on similar conditions, citizens of the kingdom of God on earth and in heaven. There are two great kingdoms in this world-the kingdom of Jesus Christ and of Satan. The kingdom of Jesus Christ is the Roman Catholic Church. In his kingdom alone are found true peace and happiness, the forgiveness of sins, the means to obtain the grace of God and to lead a virtuous life. To remain a faithful citizen and subject of this kingdom, is to be forever a citizen of God's kingdom in heaven. The kingdom of Satan in this world is that corrupt body composed of three foul and abominable members: "The concupiscence of the flesh, the concupiscence of the eyes, and of the pride of life." One day our dear Saviour permitted Satan "to tako him up into a high mountain, and to show him his kingdom of this world and the glory of it,"-that is, the riches, the honors, and the sinful pleasures of the flesh; and Satan said to him: "All this I will give thee, if, falling down, thou wilt adore me." What Satan here promised to our Saviour, he promises to every one who wishes to follow him. To remain a faithful subject of Satan's kingdom, is to be forever his subject in the torments of hell. Now, Christian parents Your children were born into this world as citizens and subjects of Satan. You knew this, and therefore you felt that something was wanting to fill up the measure of your happiness at their birth. It was not the subject of Satan, but the subject of Jesus Christ, that you wished to press to your heart. Your children were therefore taken from the cradle, and in the midst of the rejoicings of the whole family, in the arms of a godfather and of a godmother who were to lend to them their heart and tongue; they were taken, as it were, to the open court of Christ's kingdom on earth, that is, to the en trance of the house of God, humbly begging the Church to admit them to become her children, subjects of Jesus Christ, and citizens of his kingdom.