proportioned to thy dignity of Mother of God; I acknowledge thee with joy as my advocate, my refuge, and my mother; I will glory all my life in being of the number of thy most devoted children, and it shall be my happiness to win all hearts to thy love. Vouchsafe, O spotless Virgin, to obtain for me grace to imitate thy virtues, and to dwell with thee hereafter in the abode of glory. Amen.
An Act of Consecration to the Holy Virgin.
O Holy Mary, Mother of God, who, from the first moment of thy conception, wast free from the stain of original sin, I choose thee this day for my queen, my patroness, my advocate with God, and my glorious mother. I am most earnestly resolved, from this day, to persevere in thy worship, and in promoting thy honour, during the whole course of my life; I will never say any thing, nor do any thing, nor suffer any who belong to me to offer, in their conversation or their actions, the slightest injury to the reverence and homage which are due to thee by a thousand titles. Vouchsafe, then, I beseech thee, O august Queen of heaven and earth, to admit me to-day into thy service for ever, and to grant me thy holy protection every moment of my life. Above all, O most sacred Mother of my Saviour, I beseech thee not to abandon me at the hour of my death. Amen.
A Prayer for Perseverance in Devotion to the Blessed Virgin.
O God, who hast placed us under the patronage of the most holy Mother of thy Son Jesus, and dost excite us to strive for the prize of our high calling; come into our hearts, and pour down upon us thy purifying grace, whereby we may persevere in thy service, and in the service of the same most holy Virgin Mary; so that, fortified by so powerful a protection, we may perform those good desires which thou hast put into our hearts, and having effectually accomplished all that was set before us to do, may attain those things which thou hast been pleased to promise to those that abide in thee. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
