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Mary, Virgin  most  blessed  and  Mother  of Our  Lord  and  Redeemer  Jesus  Christ, through thy  mercy  I  beseech  thee  to  come  to  my aid,  and  to  inspire  me  with  such  confidence  in  thy power, that  I  may  have  recourse  to  thee,  pray  to thee,  and  implore  thy  aid  in  all  needs  of  soul  and body.

ary, the  virgin  Mother  of  God,  was  conceived without original  sin. She never  dimmed the luster  of  sanctifying  grace  which  beautified her soul  by  actual  sin. Nevertheless she  had  to pass  through  the  dark  portal  of  death  before  she was assumed,  body  and  soul,  into  heaven. She had not been  endowed  with  the  privilege  of  immortality with  which  God  had  invested  our  first parents in  paradise. It was  meet  that  she  should be like  unto  her  divine  Son  in  everything,  even in death. But as  she  had  drained  the  bitter  cup