Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/598



ET us  meditate  how  glorious  Mary  was  at  the moment of  her  death,  because  in  life  she  was  so well  prepared  to  die: first,  by  reason  of  her  ardent longing to  see  her  God  and  to  be  again  united  to her  Son; and  next,  by  the  unapproachable  merit  of her  consummate  perfection. Then, reflecting  how different we  are  from  Mary  in  our  own  practice  of preparation  for  our  death,  let  us  say:

1. Most  holy  Virgin,  who,  in  order  to  prepare thyself for  a holy  death,  didst  live  in  continual  desire after the  beatific  vision; oh,  take  from  us  all  vain desires for  the  frail  things  of  earth. Three Hail Marys.

2. Most  holy  Virgin,  who,  in  order  to  prepare thyself holily  to  die,  didst  in  life  ever  sigh  to  be united  to  thy  Son  Jesus; obtain  for  us  fidelity  to Jesus,  even  unto  death. Three Hail  Marys.

3. Most  Holy  Virgin,  who,  in  order  that  thou mightest die  holily,  didst  attain  an  unapproachable height of  merit  and  of  virtue; intercede  for  us,  that we may  know  that  virtue  alone,  and  the  grace  of God,  will  lead  us  to  salvation. Three Hail  Marys.

Let us  now  give  praise  to  Mary,  so  prudent  in preparing  for  death; and  whilst  we  exalt  her  glory, we will  unite  with  the  nine  angel  choirs  who,  on  her Assumption into  heaven,  escorted  her; singing  with the first  choir —

The hymn Tota  Pulchra,  p.  568,  or  the  Litany  of  Loretto;  then,