faithful in the highest esteem. It was used, as the fathers tell us,
not only in public, but also in private devotions.

This holy, excellent and most efficacious prayer forms a part of the
Rosary, and we will give it our consideration, in order the better to
understand it, to appreciate it more fully, and to say it more
devoutly.

I. The "Our Father" consists of a preface and seven petitions. The
preface is intended to lift up our thoughts to God. Holy Scripture
admonishes us to such preparation, "Before prayer, prepare thy soul:
and be not as a man that tempteth God" (Eccles. xviii, 23). When
beginning to pray we should present to our mind God as He is enthroned
in heaven. We should approach God in humility and reverence with
childlike confidence and love. Thus prepared for prayer we will be
pleasing to God. To give our mind this disposition is the purpose of
the preface: "Our Father, who art in heaven." Hence this preface should
be said with devotion and piety.

The seven petitions of the "Our Father" contain everything a Christian
ought and may ask for. But what may and should a Christian ask for? For
all things necessary and serviceable for the proper fulfilment of his
life work. This prayer contains petitions for everything necessary for
the attainment of the last end for which we were created, and that is,
in the first place, the glorification of God, and, in the second place,
our eternal salvation. In the first four petitions Christ teaches us
and commands us to beseech for the things that pertain to this last
end, and in the last three petitions for protection against the things
which hinder the attainment of this end.