In the Directory for the formation of novices of the Touraine Reform (ed., Paris, 1650-1651), there is mention of customs for honouring Mary and offering one's daily actions to her. Among others, we can note the following:
• The one who is to take care of cleaning the convent, can pray while he is working:
"Most holy Virgin,
I desire to apply myself to cleaning your house with care and love.
I ask for the help of your intercession.”
• The one who has the job of waking the community for the night office, prayed,
“Most holy Virgin, this monastery is consecrated to you and therefore is yours and the religious who live here form your own family. We are servants consecrated to your service. I bind myself with all my strength to guard the splendour of your Order and care for it. I ask you, as the Mother you are, obtain for me, your son, this grace."
• During meals, the religious prayed,
"Holy Virgin, beloved Mother and singular Patroness, because we are consecrated in a particular way to your name, we receive this food as a gift .
However the bread we eat is yours. With it you sustain your children.
Do not permit that we fall into the temptation of gluttony or offend God.
• In other manuals destined for formation, the professed were encouraged to practice daily the use of these Marian aspirations. For example, before spiritual reading, there was the custom of saying to Our Lady:
"Most Holy Virgin, give me your sweet devotion
with which you read the Holy Scriptures
when you lived in the temple of your house."
Boaga, Life Hidden with You, in The Lady of of The Place, Edizioni Carmelitane, Roma, 2001
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