virtues blossom there, that so we may find more and more favour in thy gracious eyes. Mary! be thou our Mary, and may we feel the saving power of thy sweetest name; let it ever be our comfort to call on that great name in all our troubles; be it our hope in danger, our shield in temptation and in death, with the name of thy Divine Son, our last comfort. Sit nomen Maries mel in ore, melos in aure, et jubilus in corde. Amen . Let the name of Mary be honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, ecstacy in the heart. Amen.
V. Thy Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God,
R. Hath brought joy to a whole world.
LET US PRAY.
GRANT to us thy servants, we beseech thee, Lord, the gift of heavenly grace; that to those, for whom the delivery of the Virgin was the commencement of salvation, this her votive festival may give increasing peace. Through, &c.
O God, &c., p. 569.
Novena
IN PREPARATION FOR THE FEAST OF THE PURIFICATION
(Beginning January 24th).
MOST holy Mary, bright mirror of all virtues, the forty days after thy delivery were no sooner past than thou, though the purest of all virgins, didst will to be presented in the Temple to be purified; Oh, help us, then, by imitating thee, to keep our hearts unstained by sin, that so we too may be made worthy one day to be presented to our God in heaven. Hail Mary.
