_POINT I._ The salvation of souls is the most earnest desire of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was the purpose for which He came down to earth, which was ever before Him during His private life, His preaching, His sufferings and His death; and it is still the object of His intercession for us in Heaven. For He realizes, better than any one else, the immense interests at stake in saving souls. This is the reason of His infinite self-humiliation, His boundless self-sacrifice. This grand work He wishes to be continued by His ministers, to whom He says: “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” To do this work He has ever since inspired His dearest friends: the Apostles, all missionaries and pastors, numberless Saints in all ages and all lands. _POINT II. This eagerness is as earnest with Him to-day as it ever was._ It is so in particular for this land of ours, where the fields are certainly white for the harvest. And for this work Christ has chosen you: “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you; and have appointed you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and your fruit should remain” (St. John xv, 16). It would be a deplorable blindness in us if we failed to understand the importance of the work before us, and not only a sad but a guilty listlessness if we were to set our minds on selfish trifles, and not profit by the golden opportunity offered us to do God’s work and labor generously at the salvation of souls every day of our lives. Of course you cannot at the present stage of your religious life, go forth and preach and give missions and bring non-Catholics into the fold, nor are you urged to do things extraordinary. _POINT III. What can you do in your present circumstances to lead zealous lives? What does God desire of you?_ 1. You must acquire thoroughly the spirit of our institute. You are still in the stage of formation to this spirit. Christ had called His first disciples with the words: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” (St. Mark i, 17). So He has called you for the same purpose. Yet He did not send them at once to preach; He kept them in training, instructing and directing them. So He is doing with you. Do not pretend to know better than those put over you; do not criticise and murmur at any time; but pray much to obtain fully the spirit of our Society. Do so particularly during this meditation and this whole triduum. 2. Do the tasks entrusted to you with much zeal and devotedness. All the labor in which any Jesuit is employed by his superiors bears, in some way or other, on the salvation of souls. Do all your tasks in that spirit.