Calends Devotional: August 1st

Daily Prayer for the Calends

Juno, guardian of the fleeting days,

In each month's dawn, thy presence arrays.

At the threshold of time, where moments unfold,

In thy grace, Juno, the tale is told.

With each new moon, thy scepter in hand,

Juno, we honor, as the days expand.

In the dance of months, thy sovereignty clear,

Crowning the year, in each premiere.

At the inception of the calendar's page,

Juno, thou art the guiding sage.

Blessing the weeks with thy regal decree,

In the rhythmic cadence of eternity.

Month by month, thy influence profound,

In Juno's name, our reverence resounds.

As the sun rises on each new morn,

Juno, in thy honor, our spirits are reborn.

Monthly Prayer

Augustus, divine in the Roman sun's glow,

Thy reign, a golden age, in history's flow.

From chaos and strife, thou didst emerge,

Architect of peace, and power did surge.

Imperator, first of the noble line,

In Pax Romana, thy glory did shine.

Thy name resounds in the marble of time,

A legacy grand, in prose and rhyme.

Founder of an empire, grand and vast,

In virtue and bronze, thy image cast.

Augustus, Caesar, revered and just,

In thy eternal city, we place our trust.

Daily Meditation

"For indeed, God inasmuch as he is the Father of all, stands in need of nothing; but it is good for us when we honor him with justice and chastity and the other virtues, making our very lives a prayer to him through imitation and intellectual inquiry about Him"

—Porphyry

Our most significant offering to God is to make ourselves as virtuous as possible. By living a life of virtue, we imitate God's greatness and perfection. Porphyry tells us that by doing this, we make our lives a constant prayer to the Father of Gods and men, King Jove. We also honor him through our intellectual inquiry about Him. By engaging in philosophical introspection, we bring our minds closer to God.

Monthly Ascesis

Developing a practice of chanting prayers is a powerful and effective way to create stillness in our souls, allowing us to behold God's presence in our lives.

This month, begin chanting the short prayer below. Start with just a few repetitions, for example, 10-15. Then, gradually increase the number over the month. When you reach a higher number of chants, say 100-200 per day, your mind will begin to quiet down, and a sense of stillness in your mind and soul will increase. Following your chants, take a moment to rest in the newfound stillness and keep your mind clear of thoughts for as long as you can.

DOMINE MERCURI, MACTE ESTO

(Do-min-ay Mehr-coor-ree, Mark-tay Es-tow)

Lord Mercury, Be Blessed

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