privilege, or dispensation, when she might lawfully have done so. Oh that you would imitate her conduct, even in things which you are obliged to perform! Her profound humility dictated the propriety of concealing her mysterious conception, and the birth of her Son, and of being considered unclean. Be ashamed of your pride, which prompts you to wish for the esteem of others and the reputation of sanctity, whilst you ought to acknowledge yourself a sinner, as did the Prophet: " We are all become as one unclean; we are fallen as a leaf, and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away." (Is. lxiv. 6.)
III. Consider her incomparable purity, in which virtue, although she excelled every other creature, still, from a desire of becoming more pure, she performed the ceremonial purification which the law required in others. Learn hence to cherish that virtue, and continually to . improve in it, however perfect you may conceive yourself to be. Ponder, in fine, her singular devotion in hastening to the temple, to offer in a solemn manner to the eternal Father His and her only Son. Mark this conduct, and imitate it, as often as you are present at the solemn sacrifice of the Mass.
TUESDAY.
Christ's Presentation.
I. "After the days of her purification were accomplished, they carried Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord." (Luke ii. 22.) Ponder the acts of virtue, which the divine mother exercised on this occasion, viz., of faith, devotion, and thanksgiving, towards God; and of charity, in relation to mankind, for whom she offered her own son. Reflect how the divine Infant rejoiced that the moment had arrived which He had so earnestly
