Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/456

 her with  grace,  as  the  Angel  said  to  her,  “ Hail! full of grace! ” It is  not  for  herself  alone,  but  for  us also,  adds  St.  Peter  Chrysologus,  that  she  received this great  treasure  of  grace,  so  that  afterwards she might  communicate  it  to  her  devout  followers  in every  age.

QUEEN of  the  universe,  and  most  bountiful sovereign! thou art  the  great  advocate  of  sinners, the sure  port  of  those  who  have  suffered  shipwreck, the resource  of  the  world,  the  ransom  of  captives,  the solace of  the  weak,  the  comfort  of  the  afflicted,  the refuge and  salvation  of  every  creature. O! full of grace! enlighten my  understanding,  and  loosen  my tongue,  that I may  recount  thy  praises,  and  sing  to thee  that  angelical  salutation  which  thou  dost  so  justly merit. Hail! thou who  art  the  peace,  the  joy,  the consolation of  the  whole  world! Hail! Paradise of delight,  the  sure  asylum  of  all  who  are  in  danger, the source  of  grace,  the  mediatrix  between  God and man!

Short prayer  to  remember  and  repeat. — “ Refuge  of sinners,  take  pity  on  me.”

At the end  of  each  visit,  repeat  the  following  prayer,  in  order  to obtain  the  powerful  patronage  of  the  Mother  of  God:

OST holy  and  immaculate  Virgin,  my  Mother Mary, it  is  to  thee,  the  Mother  of  my  God,  the Queen of  the  world,  the  advocate,  the  hope,  and  the refuge of  sinners,  that  I have  recourse  to-day: I, who  am  the  most  miserable  of  all. I love thee,  O most  amiable  Sovereign,  and  for  the  love  I bear  thee, I promise to  serve  thee  always,  and  do  all  in  my