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 his assaults. This human  being  retaining  liberty, this tree  escaping  destruction,  this  city  repelling the enemy's  attack  is  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary.

Will the  almighty  and  merciful  God,  who  has accomplished such  great  things  in  Mary,  who  has selected her  for  His  Mother,  not  listen  to  her prayers when  she  intercedes  for  us? St. William of Paris  exclaims:  "No  other  created  being  can obtain  for  us  so  many  and  so  great  graces  from God  as  His  Mother.  By  the  all-powerful  might of  her  intercession  He  honors  her  not  only  as  His handmaid,  but  also  as  His  Mother." Therefore we ought  not  be  surprised  when  the  holy Fathers maintain  that  a  single  sigh  of  Mary  is more  effective  with  God  than  the  combined  intercession of  all  the  angels  and  saints. If, then, Mary's power  is  so  great,  she  will  surely  hear  us when  we  invoke  her  help  in  our  combat  with Satan. Having conquered  him  herself,  she  will also help  us  to  conquer  him.

Prayer of  the  Church  (p.  53).

Litany of  Loreto  (p. 322).

ary, thou  mystical  rose  of  purity,  my  heart rejoices with  thine  at  the  glorious  triumph which thou  didst  gain  over  the  infernal  serpent by thy  immaculate  conception,  and  because  thou wast conceived  without  stain  of  original  sin. I