Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/90

 gustine: "The  day  has  dawned,  the  long-wished for  day  of  the  blessed  and  venerable  Virgin  Mary. Well  may  this  earth  of  ours  rejoice  and  be  glad for  having  been  honored  and  sanctified  by  the birth  of  such  a  virgin."

et us,  then,  rejoice  in  Mary's  coming. Let us hail  the  birth  of  her  who  attained  the  dignity of  mother  without  losing  the  high  privilege of a  virgin. Let us  imitate  her  holy  life,  that  she may become  our  intercessor  before  the  throne  of her  Son,  our  judge  and  redeemer. By becoming the Mother  of  God  she  became  also  our  Mother. As Mother  of  the  Redeemer  she  is  also  the  Mother of the  redeemed. Richard of  St.  Lawrence writes: "If  we  desire  grace  and  help,  let  us  have recourse  to  Mary  and  we  shall  obtain  what  we desire." For, as  St.  Alphonsus  remarks:  "All graces  and  gifts  which  God  has  resolved  to  bestow upon  us  He  gives  us  through  the  hands  of  Mary."

rant to  us,  Thy  servants,  we  beseech  Thee, O Lord,  the  gift  of  heavenly  grace;  that  to those  for  whom  the  delivery  of  the  Blessed  Virgin was the  commencement  of  salvation,  the  commemoration of  her  nativity  may  give  increasing peace. Through Christ  our  Lord. Amen.

Litany of  Loreto  (p. 322).