from heaven to hail thee as full of grace, and as the choosen Mother of the Author of grace. O most happy Mother! most pure Virgin! most favored among all women, why can not we join with the generations yet unborn, which will call thee blessed? (Luke i.). Why can not we share in the profound feelings of humiliation which filled thy soul, even in the moment of thy glorious exaltation? O most humble, but most privileged handmaid of the Lord! since thou hast found grace before God, obtain for us that we may persevere in grace to the end of our lives. Since thou hast never felt the anguish which springs from sin, and wert never degraded by a single imperfection, thou hast no cause to fear those tremendous judgments which certainly await us if we continue to lead imperfect, tepid lives in the sanctuary of religion. O powerful Protectress of those who trust in thee! O Refuge of sinners! whose misfortunes thou well knowest how to compassionate! shield us from the anger of thy divine Son; obtain for us that we may be like thee ever docile to holy inspirations and ever ready to say with thee: "Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum": "Be it done unto me according to thy word;" and since it is by thee that Our Lord comes to us, may we, by thee, attain to the enjoyment of His adorable presence in heaven. Amen.
St. Gabriel, angel of the Annunciation, pray thou also for us in our present needs. Amen.
Novena in Honor of Our Saviour's Passion. For Lent.
I.O JESUS, my Saviour, Who didst sweat blood in the garden at the sight of the sufferings which my sins and my ingratitude were to cause Thee: I adore Thee bathed in Thy blood; I give thanks to Thy Sacred Heart which suffered so much for me, I hate my sins which were the cause of Thy sufferings; and I am resolved to die rather than to afflict Thee again. Grant me grace to understand the great evil of sin; that I may resist even unto blood
