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Preparatory Prayer  (p. 95).

ary's true  greatness  consists  in  her  having been chosen  the  Mother  of  God. This sublime dignity,  pre-eminently  her  own  and  shared by no  other  creature,  elevates  her  to  a  station  inconceivably exalted. Mother of  God! St. Peter Damian thus  gives  expression  to  his  conception of this  dignity:  "In  what  words  may  mortal  man be  permitted  to  pronounce  the  praises  of  her  who brought  forth  that  divine  Word  who  lives  for  all eternity?  Where  can  a  tongue  be  found  holy  and pure  enough  to  eulogize  her  who  bore  the  author of  all  created  things,  whom  the  elements  praise and  obey  in  fear  and  trembling?  When  we  essay to  extol  a  martyr's  constancy,  to  recount  his heroic  acts  of  virtue,  to  describe  his  devotion  to his  Saviour's  cause  and  honor,  we  are  supplied with  words  by  facts  and  occurrences  that  belong to  the  province  of  human  experience.  But  when we  undertake  to  describe  the  glories  of  the  Blessed Virgin,  we  are  on  unknown  ground,  on  a  subject transcending  all  human  effort.  We  fail  to  find words  suitable  to  portray  her  sublime  prerogatives, privileges,  and  mysteries."