The Seventh Day Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception

Let us consider how our Blessed Lady, having arrived- at the house of her holy cousin Elizabeth, rendered her every possible service with the greatest love, favoured her with her sweet and holy conversations, assisted at the glorious Birth of St. John the Baptist, and at length returned home to her humble dwelling at Nazareth. But, that we may the better enter into these divine mysteries, let us again listen to the Seraphic St. Bonaventure :

" When, therefore, her time was expired, Elizabeth with all diligence did what was required. The babe looked into Mary's face like one that knew her ; and as she gave him unto his mother, he turned his head towards Mary, for he fain would be in her arms again. Mary, on her part, delighted in nursing this holy babe, and fondled him, and kissed him with great joy. Consider the honour that is here given unto John. Never had child such arms as these to carry him. Many other privileges are related as being granted unto him ; but for this present, I must needs pass them by.

" Now, on the eighth day, the child was circumcised, and was called John. Then was the mouth gave birth to a son, whom

DEC. 14 SEVENTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE. '489

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel ! Thus were made, in that house, the two most beautiful Canticles, namely, the Magnificat and the Benedictus. Meanwhile, our Lady going aside, lest she should be seen by those that had come together for the ce'retnony, listened attentively to the Canticle of Zachary, which prophesied of her Son, and most prudently pondered in her heart upon all these things. At length, when the time came for her to return home, she bade Elizabeth and Zachary farewell, and giving John her blessing, she returned unto Nazareth. Recal to thy mind, in this her second journey, all that was told thee of her poverty. She returned to her house, where she would find neither bread, nor wine, nor those things which were needed. She had no property, nor money. She had been, now these three months, living with persons who were very rich; but now she returns unto her poor cottage, and has to procure her livelihood by the labour of her hands. Do thou sympathise with her, and learn to love poverty."

SEQUENCE IN HONOUR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

(Taken from the ancient Roman-French Missals,)

Hail, O glorious Virgin ! brightness of the heavens, rose of the world, lily of purity.

Hail, precious gem ! more beauteous than the sun, and joy of pure souls.

Thou art the sinner's hope, O Mary ! thou art the holy Mother of our Redeemer, and the consolation of us whom lie redeemed.

Aye, Virgo gloriosa, Coeli jubar, mundi rosa, Coelioatus lilium.

Ave, gemma pretiosa, Super solem speciosa, Virginale gaudium.

Spes reorum, O Maria, Redemptoris Mater pia, Redemptorum gloria.

ADVENT.

Finis lethi, vitae via ; Tibi triplex Hierarchia Digna dat praeconia.

Virga Jesse florida, Stella maris lucida, Sidus vera lucis.

Fructum vitae proferens, Et ad portum transferens Salutis, quod ducis.

Florens hortus, segris gratus, Puritatis fons signatus, Dans fluenta gratiae.

Thronus veri Salomonis, Quern praeclaris coeli donis Ornavit Rex gloriae.

O regina pietatis, Et totius sanctitatis Flumen indeficiens.

In te salva confidentes, Salutari sitientes Potu nos reficiens.

Ad te flentes suspiramus. Rege mentes, invocamus, Evae proles misera.

Statum nostrae paupertatis,

Vultu tuae bonitatis, Clementer considera.

Cella fragrans aromatum Apotheca cnarismatum Salutaris. Tuam nobis fragrantiam Spirans, infunde gratiam

Qua ditaris. Dulc

_ Jcis Jesu Mater bona, Mundi salus, et Matrona Supernorum civium.

Thou didst stay the reign of death, thou didst commence the reign of life. To thee, O Mary, the triple Hierarchy sing their praises.

Hail ! flowery stem of Jesse, bright Star of the Sea, source that broughtest to us Him that is our true light

Thou bearest the Fruit of life, and he whom thou leadest will not miss the port of salvation.

O flowery garden, so sweet to the sick ! O sealed fount of purity, that gavest us Jesus the author of grace.

Thou throne of the true Solomon, enriched by the King of glory with the best of heaven's gifts.

O merciful Queen ! thon art the rich unfailing stream of all sanctity.

Have pity on us who trust in thee, and refresh our thirsty souls with thy efficacious prayers.

Hear our sighs, O Mary ! and suffer not us, poor children of Eve, to go astray.

Look with thy eye of love on our many wants : compassionate our poverty.

Vessel of every fragrance, and Mother and treasury of divine grace.

Breathe thy fragrance into our souls, and obtain for us the riches of grace.

Beautiful Mother of our sweet Jesus ! the world received its Saviour through thee, and the heavenly citizens call thee Queen.

DEC. 14. SEVENTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE. .491

Obtain for us that peace Pacem confer sempiterwhich has no end, and after nam, this our exile, that light which Et ad lucem nos supernam

PRAYER FOR THE TIME OF ADVENT.

{The Mozarabic Breviary, Friday of the Second Week of Advent, Capitula.)

Dominator desiderabilis, Domine Jesu Christe, quasi ignis conflans ab scoriis peccaminum nos absterge : et quasi aurum purum arpurgatum, nos ad quaerendum te jugiter, corda nostra succende : ut ad te ardenter nostra desicontota aviditate festi-

O King, whom our hearts desire, Lord Jesus Christ, come. we beseech thee, cleanse us as a furnace of fire from the dross of our sins, and make us like gold that is gentumque pure, and like silver that is effice ; tuoque inspiramine, without alloy. Inflame our hearts, by thy inspiration, that they seek thee unceasingly : so may our desires deria anhelent, tibique long with all ardour after jungi thee, and pant with all eager- nent. Amen* ness to be united with thee. is divine. Amen.

Transfer post exilium. Amen.

Amen.