73. Saint Mary Magdalene

From the highest heights of glory,
Mid the sweets of endless calm,
Mary's spirit in its rapture.
On the earth is dropping balm.
On the bosom of the Saviour,
Like a flower of stainless white,
Lies the trophy of His mercy,
In a blaze of heavenly light.

Pardoned Sinner! wondrous Convert!
Was there ever home like thine?
Midst the splendors of the angels
How thy fervent graces shine!

Ever leaninor ever restins:
Upon Him thou lovMst so much,
What ecstatic joys burn in thee,
From the sweetness of His touch!

And yet thou too once wert wandering,
Once wert soiled with darkest stains.
Who art now the fairest blossom
In the land where Jesus reigns.
Thou wert wretched, thou wert drooping,
Thou wert crushed upon the earth,
Who art greater now and grander
Than an angel in his mirth.

Thou didst fly unto thy Saviour,
And thine eyes were fixed on His,
While thy guilty lips were printing
On His feet full many a kiss:
And then, wonder of compassion!
In one moment thou wert free.
And a gift of love unequalled
From Plis Heart came into thee.

Like the rising of the ocean
Was the tide of glorious grace;
liike the beauty of the morning
Grew the beauty of thy face;
Like the glory of an angel
Was the purity within,
Like the whiteness of thy namesake,
Of the Mary without Sin!

Blessed swiftness of a pardon
Which thy guilt could not delay!
Happy penance of a moment
Burning life-long sins away!
O those gentle Eyes of Jesus,
And those tender Words He said!
O the value that he places
On the tears that sinners shed!

The sweet fragrance of thine ointment
All the earth is filling now;
And thy tears are turned to jewels
For a crown upon thy brow:
There are thousands in all ao^es
Come to Christ because of thee,
Oh then, Mary, w4th thy converts
In thy kindness number me ]

Queen of Penance! Queen of fervor!
Thou art martyr too of love,
And thy likeness to thy Saviour
Makes the angels glad above.
O how wisely hast thou chosen
For thyself the better part,
To be braided like a jewel
On thy Saviour's Sacred Heart!