Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/83

 privilege. Holy Virgin,  obtain  for  me  utter  and constant hatred  of  all  sin  above  every  other  evil, and let  me  rather  die  than  ever  again  fall  into  sin.

Hail Mary,  etc.

Ejaculation (p.  54).

Preparatory Prayer  (p.  51).

hristian art  represents  the  Immaculate  Conception  as  follows:  The  Blessed  Virgin appears standing  on  a  globe,  about  which  is  coiled a serpent  holding  an  apple  in  its  mouth. One of Mary's  feet  rests  upon  the  serpent,  the  other  is placed  on  the  moon. Her eyes  are  raised  toward heaven; her  hands  are  either  joined  in  prayer, or she  holds  a  lily  in  her  right,  and  places  the  left on her  breast. Her dress  is  white;  her  ample mantle is  of  blue  color. A crown  of  twelve  stars encircles her  head. These emblems  typify  in  a most  striking  manner  Mary's  power  and  glory. "And a  great  sign  appeared  in  heaven.  A  woman clothed  with  the  sun,  and  the  moon  under  her  feet, and  on  her  head  a  crown  of  twelve  stars"  (Apoc. xii.  1).