Page:StVincentsManual.djvu/475

 those  who  love  and  reverence  thee. Great is  their portion, happy  their  lot  in  particular,  who  with  zeal and affection  promote  thy  honor  and  thy  glory. I rejoice in  the  favor  thou  enjoyest,  O  glorious  Mother  of God! Look down  on  thy  servant,  and  by  thy  power and goodness,  obtain  for  me,  from  thy  Son,  a  meek and pure  heart,  that  I  may  serve  thee  in  this  life,  and by thy  intercession,  be  happy  with  thee  hereafter. ''Amen. Hail Mary.''

EJOICE, O  most  glorious  Virgin! thy essential bliss and  happiness,  how  immense  soever,  will never have  an  end  or  diminution,  and  thy  joy  will, through all  ages,  be  augmented. I rejoice  in  thy felicity, O  glorious  Mother  of  God! Look down  on thy  servant,  and  by  thy  power  and  goodness,  obtain for me,  from  thy  Son,  a  meek  and  pure  heart,  that  I may  serve  thee  in  this  life,  and  by  thy  intercession, be happy  with  thee  hereafter. ''Amen. Hail Mary.''

HE devotion  of  the  Scapular  is  almost  as  ancient  as  that of the  Rosary,  having  been  established  in  1265,  by  St. Simon  Stock,  the  sixth  general  of  the  order  of  Carmelites. The blessed  Virgin  appeared  to  him  holding  in  her  hand the form  of  a  Scapular,  and  directed  him  to  institute  a  pious confraternity, the  members  of  which  would  consecrate themselves to  her  service,  and  wear  her  livery. This association soon  extended  itself  over  the  Church,  and  it  has always counted  among  its  members  a  large  number  of  the clergy and  laity. Almighty God  has  often  favored-  those who wear  the  Scapular  with  marks  of  his  special  protection, and  the  Holy  See  has  given  its  fullest  approbation  to it,  as  we  may  learn  from  the  ample  indulgence  granted  to the  association,  and  the  establishment  of  the  feast  of  Our