Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/75

 placency entered  this  world. After the  lapse  of four  thousand  years  God,  in  His  wisdom,  power, and love,  for  the  first  time  again  created  a  human being in  that  state  in  which  He  had  originally created our  first  parents. Mary, from  the  first moment of  her  existence  was,  in  virtue  of  the sanctifying grace  infused  into  her  soul,  most  intimately united  with  God,  and  endowed  with  the most precious  gifts  of  heaven. Because she  was predestined to  become  the  Mother  of  the  Redeemer of  mankind,  it  was  befitting  that  she should unite  in  herself  all  the  gifts  becoming  to such  an  ineffable  dignity. Hence she  surpassed in grace  and  holiness  all  other  created  beings, and was  consecrated  a  worthy  temple  of  the  incarnate Word. Therefore she  was  saluted  by  the angel as  "full  of  grace,"  and  the  Church,  in  our behalf, addresses  the  Almighty:  "O  God,  who through  the  immaculate  conception  of  the  Virgin didst  prepare  a  worthy  dwelling-place  for  Thy divine  Son;  grant,  that,  as  in  view  of  the  death of  that  Son  Thou  didst  preserve  her  from  all taint,  so  Thou  wouldst  vouchsafe  unto  us  that, cleansed  from  all  sin  by  her  intercession,  we  too may  arrive  at  Thine  eternal  glory."

he world  considers  men  according  to  their rank and  station,  their  wealth  and  knowledge. God recognizes  in  them  but  one  difference,  that