Fourteenth meditation. The incomparable grace that we possess in being daughters of Holy Church

First point.

Consider that Jesus Christ came into this world to establish His holy Church, the Mother of all the children of salvation. It is a work so excellent that He constituted Himself its architect. " Blessed art thou," said He, " thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Second point.

Behold the majesty and sanctity of this Church. Jesus is her Head, and she is His matchless spouse. Whoever is not a child of this holy Mother cannot be a child of God. 0 how rich she is! The keys of heaven are bestowed upon her, the sacraments are her treasures, and Jerusalem triumphant is her sister.

Third point.

Consider the incomparable grace that God has granted you in making you daughters of this Church. This reflection formed all the glory of the saints. " I value nothing," said St. Catharine, " except to be a Christian." And a martyr sang when dying: "lam the son of a Mother, the most holy Church, whose true children can never die." St. Teresa could not sufficiently thank God for being a daughter of His Church.

St. Francis de Sales made his happiness in this world consist in laboring, and even sacrificing his life, for the service of this true spouse of J esus Christ. " Ah! " he exclaimed, "how incomparably animated do I feel my courage to serve more faithfully than ever the Church of the living God, and the living God of the Church," In short, all the saints had no other delight They were consumed with gratitude; and you very probably have never thought of returning thanks to God for so signal a benefit.

Affections.

"Were my heart to melt with love and thanksgiving toward Thee, O Lord, for having built this Church for us, I would not yet have fulfilled my obligation. When I reflect upon the thought, I cannot refrain from exclaiming with David: " Blessed be the work of the hands of my God; and may He be ever blessed in His work."

I salute you, incomparable dove without stain, pillar of strength, house of the King!

Mother most benign, who dost receive repentant sinners and reconcile them to God! Mother most sweet, who dost feed her children with the bread of life and make them drink even of the blood of the Spouse! Ah, why should I not love my religious vocation! Assuredly, O my God, I believe that Thou hast given it to me, that I may become a most devoted daughter of so glorious a Mother. O holy spouse of the divine Spouse! assisted by your grace, I desire to embrace all your maxims, and to drink of your doctrine as a beverage of salvation.

My soul, be confounded! O Lord, what am I that Thoi hast placed me in this tabernacle of the just, among the assembly of Thy glorious apostles, of Thy victorious martyrs, of Thy venerable pontiffs and confessors, of Thy most pure virgins and of all Thy beloved elect! I confess, O my

God, that it is the grace of graces, and that Thy predilection alone has imparted it to ma 0 holy assembly of the elect of my Saviour Jesus, who will obtain for me this favor, except my God, that by your prayers, I may not become unworthy of your society; but that rather in this world, as a generous daughter of the Church, I may never cease to triumph over myself and make progress in virtue, until I reach Jerusalem triumphant in your sweet company.