forgetting his sickness, and making an effort to fling himself at her feet, to thank her for so signal a favor, he expired; and, no doubt, accompanied his benefactress to heaven, and entered upon the possession of that reward she had so graciously promised him.
St. Bernardin of Sienna, a peculiar client of our Blessed Lady, recited daily his beads in honor of these joyful mysteries, to which, he assures us, he stood indebted for all the particular favors and blessings he received from the liberal hand of Almighty God.
I.
MARY IS MOTHER OF GOD, AND A VIRGIN.
THRICE happy Virgin! suffer thy servant to congratulate thee for the ineffable joy with which thy sacred heart was replenished, when, without injury to thy virginal purity, thou conceivedst the eternal Word in thy sacred womb. I rejoice in thy happiness, O blessed Mother! Look thou on me in this moment, and obtain for me of thy divine Son, through thy merits and thy exaltation to this sublime dignity, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
II.
MARY CARRIES THE SON OF GOD IN HER WOMB, AND IS DECLARED BLESSED AMONGST ALL WOMEN.
THRICE happy Virgin I suffer thy servant to congratulate thee for the ineffable joy with which thy sacred heart was replenished, when, for the space of nine months, thou carriedst in thy chaste womb the Son of God, the second person of the adorable Trinity, and wast, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, sainted blessed amongst all women, and the fruit of thy, womb pronounced blessed. I rejoice in thy happiness O blessed Mother! Look thou on me in this moment, and obtain for me, of thy divine Son, through
