A
Novena of Meditations on the Feast of the Purification,
Relating to the Titles
of Mary
First Day
I. "HOLY MARY, pray for us." Since, in the Litany of our Blessed Lady, the Church teaches us to ask this good
Mother so many times to pray for us, it will be well before meditating upon the
titles by which she is invoked, to consider the great power, which her prayers
have with God. Blessed is that person for whom Mary prays. Jesus rejoices when
His most beloved Mother prays to Him, that He may have the pleasure of granting
her all she asks. One day Saint Bridget heard Jesus speak to Mary and say,
'"My Mother, thou well knowest that I cannot do otherwise than grant thy
prayers; therefore ask of Me what thou wilt." And He then added, "Since thou, when on earth, didst deny Me
nothing, it is becoming, now that I am in Heaven, that I should deny thee
nothing that thou askest Me." Saint Bernard says, "To be heard by the
Son is to be graciously heard."
Mary has only to speak, and her Son grants her all that she asks. Let
us, therefore, pray to this Divine Mother, without ceasing, if we wish to
secure our eternal salvation; and let us address her in the words of Saint
Andrew of Crete: "We beseech thee, therefore, O Holy Virgin, to grant us
the help of thy prayers with God; prayers which are more precious than all the
treasures of the world; prayers which obtain for us a very great abundance of
graces; prayers which confound all enemies, and triumph over their
strength."
2. "HOLY MARY." ---- The
name of Mary is a name of salvation. This name came not of earth, but from
Heaven; hence St. Epiphanius says, that it was not given to Mary by her
parents, but was imposed on her by the express will of God. Therefore it is
that, after the name of Jesus, the name of Mary is above every other name; for
God has filled it with grace and sweetness, that every blessing may be obtained
by him who names it. St. Bernard says, "O Mary, thou canst not be named
without inflaming the heart of him who does so, with love for thee." Blessed Henry Suso used to exclaim, "O
Mary, what must thou thyself be, since thy very name is so amiable and
gracious!" That name is filled
with blessings. Saint Bonaventure says
that the name of Mary cannot be invoked without profit to him who does
so. Above all, this name has power to overcome the temptations of Hell. Ah, my
Lady, had I always invoked thee in my temptations, I should not have fallen.
For the future I will never cease, to invoke thee, saying, "Mary help me:
Mary succor me." And do thou obtain me the grace always to invoke thee in
time of spiritual danger.
3. "HOLY MOTHER OF GOD." ---- If
the prayers of the Saints are very powerful with God, how great must be the
power of those of Mary! The former are the prayers of servants, the
latter the prayers of a mother. Saint Antoninus says, that the prayers of Mary
have the force of a command with Jesus Christ. Hence he concludes, that it is
impossible for the Son not to grant a grace for which the Mother asks.
Saint Bernard, therefore, exhorts us to ask for every grace which we desire
from God through Mary: "Let us seek for grace, and seek it by Mary."
And why? "Because she is a mother, and is always graciously heard." O
great Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me. Behold the miseries of my soul, and
pity me. Pray, and never cease to pray, until thou seest me safe in Paradise. O
Mary, thou art my hope; abandon me not. "Holy Mother of God, pray for
us."
Second Day
4. "MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE." ---- Saint
Anselm calls Mary "the Mother of all graces;" and Blessed Raymond Jordano, "The
treasurer of Divine grace."
Hence, Saint Bernardine of Siena writes, that all the gifts and graces
which we receive from God are dispensed by the hands of Mary, to whom, when,
and as she pleases." This she
herself says: "With me are riches . . . that I may enrich them that love
me." "Our Lord has deposited
all the riches of His graces in my hands, that I may enrich those who love
me." Then, my Queen, if I love thee, I no longer shall be poor as I now
am. After God, I love thee above all things; do thou obtain me greater
tenderness and love for thy goodness. Saint Bonaventure tells me that all whom
thou willest are saved; therefore will I address thee with the same Saint,
"O salvation of all who call upon thee, save me from Hell;" But first
of all, save me from sin, which alone can take me to Hell.
5. "MOTHER MOST PURE." ---- This
Virgin Mother, all fair and pure, renders all her servants pure and chaste.
Saint Ambrose writes, that "When Mary was on earth her presence alone
inspired all those who looked at her with a love of purity. She was called a lily amongst thorns:
"As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters."
"All other virgins," says Denis the Carthusian, "were thorns
either to themselves or to others; but the Blessed Virgin was so neither to
herself nor to others, for she inspired all those upon whom she looked with
pure and holy affections."
Frigenius, who wrote the life of Saint Thomas Aquinas, relates that it
was an ordinary saying of the Saint, that "even the images of this chaste
turtle-dove extinguish sensual desires in those who look at them with
devotion." The venerable John D'Avila says, "that many who were
tempted against purity had preserved themselves chaste by devotion to our
Blessed Lady." O, how especially powerful is the name of Mary in conquering
all temptations to this vice! O most pure Mary, deliver me from it. Grant that
in my temptations I may always have recourse to thee, and invoke thee as long
as the temptation lasts.
6. "MOTHER UNDEFILED." ---- Mary was that spotless woman who always
appeared beautiful and without stain in the eyes of God: "Thou art all
fair, O my love, and there is not a spot in thee." Hence she was made the sinner's peacemaker,
as she is called by Saint Ephrem, "Hail, peacemaker of the whole
world!" This she also says herself
in the sacred Canticles, "I am become in His presence as one finding
peace." Saint Gregory says, "that if a rebel appeared before his
offended king to appease him, instead of doing so, he would provoke him to
greater anger." Hence, Mary being destined to treat of peace between God
and men, it was not becoming that she should appear as a sinner and as an
accomplice in Adam's sin; and therefore our Lord preserved her from every
stain. Ah, my Immaculate Queen, fair dove, and the beloved of God, disdain not
to cast thine eyes on the many stains and wounds of my soul; see me, and pity
me. God, who loves thee so much, denies thee nothing; and thou knowest not how
to refuse thee who have recourse to thee. O Mary, to thee I have recourse; pity
me. "Mother inviolate, pray for us."
Third Day
7. "MOTHER MOST AMIABLE." ---- Richard
of Saint Lawrence says, "that Mary was amiable in the eyes of God
Himself." Mary was so beautiful in
the eyes of God that He was enamored of her beauty. "How beautiful art
thou, my love! how beautiful art thou!"
Hence He called her His only dove, His only perfect one: "One is my
dove; my perfect one is but one."
"It is certain," as Father Suarez says, "that God loved Mary more than all the
other Saints together; and with reason; for she alone loved God more than all
men, and all Angels have ever loved Him." O most beautiful Mary, O most
amiable Mary, thou hast gained the heart of God; take also my poor heart, and
make me a Saint. I love thee; in thee is my confidence. "Most amiable
Mother, pray for us."
8. "MOTHER OF OUR REDEEMER." ---- Saint
Bonaventure calls Mary "the Mediatress of our salvation;" and Saint John Damascene "the Savior in
a certain mannerof the world." For two reasons Mary can be called the Savior of the world and
our Mediatress; that is, the mediatress of grace, as Jesus Christ is the
mediator of justice. First, on account of the consent which she gave at the
Incarnation of the Eternal Word; for by that consent, Saint Bernardine says,
"she procured us salvation."
Secondly, by the consent which Mary gave to the death of her Son, in
which she expressed her willingness that He should be sacrificed on the Cross
for our salvation. I remind thee, then, O Mother of my Savior, that thou didst
once offer the life of thy Son to God; save me now by thy intercession.
9. "VIRGIN MOST VENERABLE." ---- Saint Anselm says, "that when we say that Mary is the Mother of
God, we speak of a dignity which is above every other dignity that can be named
or thought of, after that of God;" therefore he says, "O Lady,
nothing equals thee; for all is either above thee, and this is God alone, or
beneath thee, and this is all which is not God." In fine, Saint Bernardine writes, "that God alone can know
the greatness of Mary." Blessed Albert the Great says, that Mary could not
be more closely united to God without becoming God. This great Mother of God
is, then, indeed worthy of our veneration, since God Himself could not have
made her greater than He did when He made her His Mother. O Mother of God, my
Mother Mary, I venerate thee, and would wish thee to be venerated by all
hearts, as that exalted Lady, which thou art. Pity a poor sinner who loves
thee, and trusts in thee. "Virgin most venerable, pray for us."
Fourth Day
10. "VIRGIN MOST RENOWNED." ---- The
Holy Church proclaims that this Divine Mother is "most worthy of every
praise;" for, as Saint Ildephonsus says, "all praise which is given
to the Mother redounds to the honor of the Son." With reason, then, did Saint George of Nicomedia declare,
"that God accepts the praises which are lavished on Mary, as if they were
bestowed on Himself." The Blessed
Virgin promises Paradise to him who endeavors to make her known and loved:
"they that explain me, shall have life everlasting." Therefore, Richard of Saint Lawrence writes,
that "all who honor her in this world, will be honored by her in the
next." Saint Anselm says, "that as Mary, by becoming the Mother of
God, was the means of the salvation of sinners, so are sinners saved by
proclaiming her praises." All cannot
be preachers, but all can praise her, and speak to relations and friends in
familiar conversation of the merits of Mary, of her powers and mercy, and thus
lead them to devotion towards this Divine Mother. O Queen of Heaven, from this
time forward I am determined to do all that I can to cause thee to be venerated
and loved by all. Accept my desire, and help me to execute it; in the mean time
inscribe me in the number of thy servants, and never permit me again to become
a slave of Lucifer.
11. "VIRGIN MOST POWERFUL." ---- And
who amongst the Saints is as powerful with God as His most holy Mother? She
obtains all that she pleases. "Thou willest," says Saint Bernard,
"and all is done." Saint Peter Damian even says, "that when Mary
asks graces from God, she does not ask, but, so to say, commands; for her Son
honors her by refusing her nothing."
Thus does the Son honor His beloved Mother by granting her whatever she
asks, even in favor of sinners. Hence, Saint Germanus says, "Thou, O
Mother of God, art omnipotent to save sinners, and needest no other
recommendation with God, for thou art the Mother of true life." O Mary, thou canst make me a Saint; I rely
on thee.
12. "VIRGIN MOST MERCIFUL." ---- Mary is as clement and merciful towards those
who have recourse to her intercession as she is powerful with God. Saint
Bernard says, "that since the power to save us cannot be wanting to Mary,
as she is the Mother of God, so neither can the will be wanting to her, for she
is our Mother." Who is there that
ever had recourse to Mary and was abandoned? "Let him cease to praise thy
mercy" says the same Saint Bernard, "who remembers having ever
invoked thee without being graciously heard." Saint Bonaventure writes, "that Mary has so great a desire
to be invoked by us, that she may dispense her favors to us in greater
abundance, that she is not only offended by those who speak ill of her, but
also by those who neglect to ask her for graces." Thus, to obtain her
help, we are not obliged to entreat this Mother of Mercy much; it is enough to
ask for it with confidence. "Her mercy," says Richard of Saint
Victor, "comes to our aid before we invoke it;" and he tells us why:
"It is because she cannot know and see our miseries without relieving
them." See, then, O Mary, see my
miseries, and help me. "Virgin most merciful, pray for us."
Fifth Day
13. "VIRGIN MOST FAITHFUL." ---- Blessed
is he who by his prayers watches at the gates of Mary, as the poor wait at the
door of the rich to obtain relief. "Blessed is the man," Mary says,
"that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates." O that we
were as faithful to serve this Divine Mother, as she is faithful to relieve us
when we pray to her! Mary promises that all who serve and honor her shall be
free from sin and obtain eternal life: "They that work by me shall not
sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting." She invites all to have recourse to her, and
promises them every grace which they desire: "In me is all grace of the
way and of the truth; in me is all hope of life and of virtue; come over to me,
all ye that desire me." Saint Lawrence Justinian applies to Mary that
other text of Ecclesiasticus, "her bands are a healthful binding;"
and then adds, "wherefore bands, unless to bind her servants, that they
may not stray in the fields of sin." Mary binds her servants, that they
may not give themselves too much liberty, which would cause their ruin. O
Mother of God, in thee do I place all my confidence; thou must preserve me from
falling any more into sin. My Lady, abandon me not, obtain me the grace rather
to die than to lose the grace of God.
14. "CAUSE OF OUR JOY." ---- As
the dawn is a cause of joy, after the darkness and gloom of night, so was the
birth of Mary, who is our dawn, a cause of joy to the world, which, before the
coming of Jesus Christ, had been, for four thousand years, immersed in the
darkness of sin. A holy father says, "that in the birth of Mary the dawn
appeared." The dawn is the
forerunner of the sun, and Mary was the precursor of the Incarnate Word, the
Sun of Justice, the Redeemer, Who, by His death, delivered us from eternal
death. With reason the Church sings, on the nativity of Mary, "Thy birth,
O holy Mother of God, announced joy to the whole world." And as Mary was
the beginning of our joy, so is she also its completion; for Saint Bernard
says, "that Jesus Christ deposited the whole price of our redemption in
the hands of Mary; that every grace which we receive, we may receive it from
her." O Mother of God, thou art my
joy and my hope; for thou deniest thy graces to no one, and thou obtainest all
that thou wilIest from God.
15. "VESSEL OF SINGULAR DEVOTION." ---- Devotion,
as Saint Thomas teaches, consists in the readiness with which our will conforms
itself to the will of God. This was the principal virtue which rendered His
most Holy Mother so dear to God. This also was the signification of the answer
which our Lord gave to the woman who called the womb which bore Him blessed:
Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." By this, according to Venerable Bede, our
Lord meant that Mary was more blessed by the union of her will with that of God
than by being His Mother. That flower which always turns towards the sun is a real
type of Mary. The Divine will was alone the aim and satisfaction of the heart
of Mary; as she herself proclaimed, "My spirit hath rejoiced in God my
Savior." O blessed art thou, my Lady, who wast always, and in all, united
to the Divine will. Obtain me the grace to spend the rest of my life in constant
uniformity with the will of God.
Sixth Day
16. "MYSTICAL ROSE." ---- Of
Mary it is said, in the sacred Canticles, that she was the enclosed Garden of
God, " My sister, my spouse, is a garden enclosed." Saint Bernard writes, "that our Lord
planted all the flowers which adorn the Church in this garden; and amongst
others the violet of humility, the lily of purity, and the rose of
charity." "A rose is red, and
of a fiery color," says Blessed Raymond Jordano; "which denotes love
of God and our neighbor;"
therefore, on account of the ardent love with which the heart of Mary
was always inflamed towards God and us, she is called a rose. And where can we
find an advocate who is more earnest in the affair of our salvation, or who
loves us more than Mary? "We acknowledge," says Saint Augustine of
her, "that one alone is solicitous for us in Heaven." O my dear Mother, could I but love thee as
thou lovest me! I will not, however, cease to do all that I can to honor and
love thee. My most sweet Lady, do thou obtain me grace to be faithful to thee.
17. "TOWER OF DAVID." ---- Mary
is called in the sacred Canticles the Tower of David: "Thy neck is as the
tower of David; a thousand bucklers hang upon it; all the armor of valiant
men." Saint Bernardine says, that the
tower of David stood on high, that is, on Sion; therefore Mary is called the
Tower of David, to denote the height of the perfection of this great creature:
"As Sion was a very elevated spot, so was the Blessed Virgin most
exalted." Therefore of Mary it is
said in the Psalms, that the very beginning of her sanctity was more exalted
than the mountains: "The foundations thereof are in the holy
mountains." Saint Gregory explains it to mean that the Divine
Mother was more holy in the first moment of her life than any of the Saints
were at the moment of their death. Ah, my Queen and Mother, I rejoice in thy
greatness, and am willing rather to sacrifice my life than that thy glory
should be diminished in the least degree, were such a thing possible. O, that I
could only by shedding every drop of my blood cause all nations of the earth to
venerate and love thee as the great Lady which thou art!
18. "TOWER OF IVORY." ---- Thus
is Mary also called, "Thy neck is as a tower of ivory." Mary is
called a neck; for she is the mystic neck through which the vital spirits, that
is, the Divine help which preserves in us the life of grace, are transmitted
from Jesus Christ the Head to us the faithful, who are members of the mystic
body of the Church. Saint Bernardine says, "The life-giving graces flow
from Christ the Head, through the Blessed Virgin, into His mystic
body." The Saint then adds,
"that from the time when Mary conceived the Incarnate Word, she received
the great honor from God, that no one should receive any grace otherwise than
through her hands." In fine, ivory is greatly esteemed, and is strong.
Hence the Abbot Rupert writes of Mary, "that as a tower of ivory she is
beloved by God, and terrible to the devil." Then, O my sovereign Lady, because thou art so beloved of God,
thou canst obtain us every grace; and because thou art terrible to the evil
spirits, thou canst deliver us from all their snares. Have mercy on us, who
glory in living under thy protection.
Seventh Day
19. "HOUSE OF GOLD." ---- Gold is a symbol of love. Therefore Blessed
Albert the Great calls Mary "a golden temple of charity." And with reason; for Saint Thomas says, that
"as all in the temple was covered with gold, so was everything in the
beautiful soul of Mary filled with sanctity." Mary was the house of gold which Eternal Wisdom, that is, the
Divine Word, chose for His dwelling on earth: "Wisdom hath built herself a
house." "This House of
God," says Richard of Saint Lawrence, "is so rich that it can relieve
all our wants." O Mary, thou lovest God so much, and therefore thou
desirest to see Him loved by all. This is the grace which above all others I
ask of thee, and which I hope from thee: obtain me great love for God.
20. "ARK OF THE COVENANT." ---- Hesychius calls Mary "an ark more spacious than that of
Noah;" for in the ark of Noah only two animals of every kind were
received, but under the mantle of Mary the just and sinners find place. This
was one day revealed to Saint Gertrude;
for she saw a multitude of wild beasts, lions, leopards, and the like,
who took refuge under the mantle of Mary; and she not only did not drive them
away, but with her benign hands caressed them, that they might not fly away.
The animals which entered the ark remained animals; but sinners who are received
under the mantle of Mary do not remain sinners. She is certain to change their
hearts, and to render them dear to God. The Blessed Virgin herself said to
Saint Bridget, "However much a man may have sinned, if he returns to me
with a real purpose of amendment, I am ready at once to receive him; neither do
I pay attention to the sins with which he is laden, but only to the good
disposition in which he comes; and then I do not disdain to anoint and heal his
wounds, for I am called and truly am the Mother of Mercy." O Mother of Mercy, will I then say to thee,
in the words of Saint Bernard, "Remember that it has never been heard of
in any age, that any sinner who had recourse to thee was rejected by thee."
I, a miserable sinner, have recourse to thee and trust in thee.
21. "GATE OF HEAVEN." ---- Mary
is called the "Gate of Heaven," because, as Saint Bonaventure
declares, "no one can enter Heaven unless by Mary, as through a
door." Our Queen says, "My power is in Jerusalem." Richard of Saint Lawrence adds: "commanding
what I will, and introducing whom I will." I can obtain whatever I please for my clients, and introduce all
whom I please into Paradise. Hence, Saint Bonaventure writes, that "those
who enjoy the favor of Mary are recognized by the citizens of Heaven; and those
who bear her stamp, that is, have the grace to be her servants, are inscribed
in the Book of Life." For this
reason, Bernardine de Bustis calls Mary "the Book of Life," and says
that whoever, by his devotion, is written in this book, is certain to be saved.
Ah, my Mother, in thee do I repose my hope of eternal salvation. I love thee;
do thou save me; never allow a servant of thine who loves thee to go to
blaspheme thee in Hell.
Eighth Day
22. "MORNING STAR." ---- Saint
John Damascene calls Mary "the Star which indicates the rising of the
sun." As the morning star precedes
the sun, so does devotion towards the most Blessed Virgin precede the sun of
Divine grace; for Saint Germanus says
that "devotion in a soul towards Mary is a sign either that it is
already in a state of grace, or that it will very soon be so." Our Lady is
also called "the Star of the Sea" by the Church; for, as Saint Thomas
explains it, "as mariners, in tempestuous weather, are guided by the star
of the sea into port, so are souls guided by Mary over the sea of this world
into Paradise." Hence Saint
Bernard warns us, saying, "If you do not wish to be lost in the storm of
temptations, turn not your eyes from this star of salvation." He then
continues, "if you follow Mary, you will not go astray; if Mary protects
you, you cannot fear to be lost; if Mary favors you, you will reach
Paradise."
23. HEALTH OF THE WEAK." ---- Mary
is called by Saint Simon Stock "the medicine of sinners;" and by
Saint Ephrem, not only medicine, but health itself: "Robust health for
those who have recourse to her."
Hence those who have recourse to Mary, not only find in her a remedy,
but health itself; and this she herself promises to all who seek her: "He
that shall find me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the
Lord." Neither let us fear that, on account of the bad odor of our wounds,
she may refuse to take care of us: she is our Mother; and as a mother does not
shrink from dressing the wounds of her child, neither does this celestial
physician refuse to heal her servants who have recourse to her. Wherefore Saint
Bernard says, "O Mother of God, thou dost not disdain a sinner, however
loathsome he may be: if he sends up his sighs to thee, thou wilt deliver him
with thine own hand from despair."
24. "REFUGE OF SINNERS." ---- Thus
is Mary called by Saint Germanus; he says, "She is the ever-ready refuge
of sinners." Yes, of all sinners;
for as the Abbot of Celles says, "she can despise no sinner, but receives
all, and welcomes all, the moment they have recourse to her." Hence Saint John Damascene affirms, that
Mary is not only the refuge of the innocent, but also of the wicked, who
implore her protection: "I am a city of refuge to all who fly to
me." Therefore Saint Anselm
exclaims, "Thou embracest with maternal affection a sinner who is even
despised by the whole world, nor dost thou cease thine embrace until thou hast
reconciled him with his Judge." By this the Saint gives us to understand,
that a sinner being hated by God is also odious and abominable to all
creatures; but if he has recourse to Mary, the refuge of sinners, not only she
does not despise him, but embraces him with affection, and does not leave him
until her Son Jesus Christ, Who is our Judge, has forgiven him. Since, then, O
my Lady, thou art the refuge of all sinners, thou art also my refuge. Thou, who
despisest no one who has recourse to thee, despise me not, who recommend myself
to thee: "Refuge of sinners, pray for us." O Mary, pray for us, and
save us.
Ninth Day
25. "COMFORTRESS OF THE AFFLICTED." ---- Saint Germanus says, "O Mary, who, after thy Son, is as solicitous
for the whole human race as thou art? Who protects us in our trials as thou
dost?" Who, O Mary, watches over
our interests as thou dost? Who is solicitous as thou art for us in our
afflictions? "No," replies Saint Antoninus: "no Saint can be
found who compassionates us in our miseries as does this most tender Lady, the
Blessed Virgin Mary." And as the
miseries which afflict us the most are disorders of the soul, blessed Henry
Suso calls Mary "the most faithful comfortress of sinners." We need
only show Mary the wounds of our souls, and she immediately heals them by her
prayers, and consoles us. Nay, even as Richard of Saint Victor writes, her
compassion anticipates our wants, and she relieves us before ee invoke
her. Let us, say, then, with Saint
Bonaventure, "O Mary, console us always, but especially at the hour of our
death; come at that last hour and receive our souls, and present them thyself
to thy Son, Who will judge us."
26. "HELP OF CHRISTlANS." ---- Saint
John Damascene calls Mary "the prepared and always ready-help of
Christians, by which they are delivered from dangers." The help of Mary is, as Saint Cosmas of
Jerusalem writes, "all powerful to deliver us from sin and Hell."
Saint Bernard, addressing Mary, says,
"Thou art an invincible warrior in defense of thy servants, fighting
against the devils who assail them." For this reason she is called an army
in the sacred Canticles: "thou art . . . terrible as an army set in
array." Ah, my Queen, had I always
had recourse to thee, I should never have been conquered by my enemies; from
henceforth thou shalt be my strength; in my temptations I will always have
recourse to thee; from thee do I hope for victory.
27. "QUEEN OF MARTYRS." ---- With
reason is Mary called the Queen of Martyrs, for her martyrdom in the death of
her Son on the Cross exceeded the sufferings of all the Martyrs. "There
stood by the Cross of Jesus His Mother." Mothers fly from their children
when they see them dying and are unable to help them. Mary did not fly, but
remained with Jesus until she saw Him expire. "She stood by the
cross," and whilst Jesus was in His agony she offered the life of her Son
to the Eternal Father for our salvation; but in doing so she also was in an
agony, and experienced a torment greater than any death. O my afflicted Mother,
be graciously pleased, by the merit of the sorrows which thou didst endure at
the foot of the Cross, to obtain me true sorrow for my sins, and love for Jesus
my Redeemer; and by the sword which transpierced thy heart when thou didst see
Him bow down His head and expire, I beseech thee to help me at the hour of my
death, and then to obtain me eternal salvation, that I may love thee with thy
Jesus forever.
by Saint Alphonsus de Liguori
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