Supplication of the Author to Jesus and to Mary

My most loving Redeemer and Lord Jesus Christ, I, your miserable servant, knowing the pleasure you take when someone seeks to glorify your most holy Mother, whom you love so dearly and whom you so desire to see loved and honored by all, have resolved to publish this book of mine, which speaks of her glories.

I know not, therefore, to whom I could better commend it than to you, who care so deeply for the glory of this Mother. To you, then, I dedicate and commend it. Accept this small tribute of the love I bear for you and for this beloved Mother of yours. Protect it by pouring forth light of confidence and flames of love upon all who shall read it, toward this Immaculate Virgin, in whom you have placed the hope and refuge of all the redeemed. And as a reward for this poor labor of mine, grant me, I pray, that love for Mary which I have desired, through this little work, to see enkindled in all who read it.

To you I now turn, O my sweetest Lady and Mother Mary: you well know that after Jesus I have placed all the hope of my salvation in you, for all my good, my conversion, my vocation to leave the world, and every other grace I have received from God, I recognize as having been given to me through you. You already know that to see you loved by all, as you deserve, and to render you some token of gratitude for the many blessings you have bestowed on me, I have always sought to preach about you everywhere, in public and in private, encouraging all to embrace your sweet and saving devotion. I hope to continue doing so until the last breath of life that remains to me; but I see that with advancing years and failing health, the end of my pilgrimage and my entrance into eternity draws near. Therefore, before dying, I have resolved to leave the world this book of mine, which may continue in my place to preach about you and to encourage others as well to proclaim your glories and the great compassion you show to your devoted servants.

I hope, my dearest Queen, that this poor gift of mine, though far too meager for your merits, will yet be pleasing to your most gracious heart, for it is a gift wholly born of love. Extend, then, that sweetest hand of yours, with which you have delivered me from the world and from hell, and accept it and protect it as your own.

But know that for this small tribute I desire a reward: and it is this — that from this day forward I may love you more than ever before, and that all into whose hands this little work shall come may be set aflame with love for you, so that the desire to love you and to see you loved by others may at once grow in them, and they may devote themselves wholeheartedly to preaching and promoting, as far as they can, your praises and confidence in your most powerful intercession. Amen. So I hope, so may it be.

Your most loving though most unworthy servant,

ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI OF THE MOST HOLY REDEEMER.