Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/92

 upon the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  by  reflecting  on her  singular  and  glorious  predestination. From all eternity  she  was  predestined  to  become  the Mother of  His  divine  Son;  therefore,  says  Pope Pius IX,  God  loved  her  above  all  created  beings, and in  His  special  predilection  made  her  the  object of His  divine  complacency. With singular  appropriateness we  may  apply  to  her  the  words  of Holy  Scripture,  "I  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting love"  (Jer.  xxxi.  3). The eternal  Father regarded Mary  as  His  beloved  Daughter;  the divine Son  honored  her  as  His  dearest  Mother; the Holy  Ghost  loved  her  as  His  spotless  Spouse. "And," says  St.  Anselm,  "they  loved  each  other with  an  affection  unsurpassed  by  any  other."

nspired by  the  contemplation  of  Mary's  extraordinary privileges,  St.  Anselm  exclaims: "Thou, O  Mary,  art  more  exalted  than  the  patriarchs, greater  than  the  martyrs,  more  glorious than  the  confessors,  purer  than  the  virgins,  and therefore  thou,  alone,  canst  achieve  more  than they  can  without  thee." Let us,  then,  rejoice  that we possess  such  a  powerful  advocate  in  heaven, and let  us  place  implicit  trust  in  her. But let  us also  co-operate  with  the  graces  and  favors  which she obtains  for  us. Moreover, let  us  remember that we  grievously  offend  God  and  Mary  if  we abuse  what  we  obtain  through  her  intercession  to