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 Blessed Virgin Mary, on the day of her purification, presented the child Jesus in the Temple, where holy Simeon, giving thanks to God with great devotion, received him into his arms,

Our Father, &c.

By the joy of Simeon blest ‘When he clasp’d thee to his breast; By the widow'd Anna's song Pour'd amid the wondering throng; Child of Mary, &c.

O Holy Virgin, and admirable mistress and pattern of Obedience, who didst present in the Temple the Lord of the Temple; obtain for us of thy beloved Son, that, with holy Simeon and devout Anna, we may praise and glorify him forever. Amen.

Let us contemplate, in this mystery, how the Blessed Virgin Mary, having lost her beloved Son in Jerusalem, sought him for the space of three days, and at length found him the fourth day in the Temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them, being then but twelve years old.

Our Father, &c.

By our Lady’s glad delight, In the Temple, at the sight Of her Child so young and fair, ‘Wiser than the wisest there ; Child of Mary, &c,

Most Blessed Virgin, more than martyr in thy sufferings, and-yet the comfort of such as are afflicted, by that unspeakable joy wherewith thy soul was ravished in finding thy beloved Son in the Temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them ; obtain of him for us so to seek him and to find him in the Holy Catholic Church, that we may never be separated from him. Amen.

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweet-