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 body, because it was adorned with marvellous splendour and majesty, and spread around an odour of sanctity, which was the very fragrance of Paradise, and because innumerable miracles were wrought at the sight of it. Then, thinking upon our own miseries, let us say:

1. O Lady most pure, who, by reason of thy virginal purity, didst merit the glory to be so bright and so majestic in thy body after death; obtain for us the strength to detach ourselves from every foul spirit of impurity. Three Hail Marys.

2. O Lady most pure, who, by reason of thy rare virtue didst from thy dead body spread around the sweetness of Paradise; make it thy care that we may edify our neighbour by our life, and never more by our bad example become a stumbling-block to others. Three Hail Marys.

3. O Lady most pure, at the sight of whose body numberless bodily maladies were cured; intercede for us, that by thy prayers all our spiritual ills may be healed. Three Hail Marys.

Come, let us rejoice for the glory given to the dead body of Mary, magnifying her with the fourth choir of the angels.

LET us meditate how glorious Mary was after death, since by the power of the Most High her body, raised again to life, forthwith acquired the four gifts of brightness, subtilty, agility, and impassibility; and, filled with consolation at the excellency of her glory, let us thus invoke her:

1. Lady exalted, who wast so gloriously raised again to life by thy God; help us so to live on earth that we also may rise again like thee in the last judgment-day. Three Hail Marys.

2. O Lady exalted, to whose risen body were given the