Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/174

 ingly lay  at  thy  feet  all  my  needs,  miseries,  and petitions. My queen,  my  Mother,  turn  not  thy gracious eyes  from  me. Remember me  with  thy divine Son;  cease  not  to  pray  for  me  and  take  me under  thy  protection,  so  that  I  may  finally  have the happiness  to  see  and  praise  thee  in  thy  glory for ever  and  ever.

Hail Mary,  etc.

Ejaculation (p. 135).

Preparatory Prayer  (p. 133).

ary's help  as  Mother  of  mercy  is  not  confined to individuals. She is  the  protectress  and helper of  the  whole  Church. All over  the  earth, wherever we  cast  our  glance,  in  the  records  of the  history  of  times  long  past  and  those  of  recent occurrence, we  find  testimony  of  the  graces  and benefits obtained  through  her  intercession. The feasts celebrated  by  the  Church  throughout  the year, what  are  they  but  evidences  of  gratitude offered to  the  queen  of  heaven  for  the  oftentimes miraculous delivery  from  war,  pestilence,  and other great  afflictions? Hence she  is  rightly  invoked as  the  "Help  of  Christians."