Church, " Thou, daughter, art blessed by the Lord, for by thee we have been made partakers of the fruit of life. Do you in like manner rejoice with holy Mary, and address her in the language of the Church at this holy time: " Rejoice, O Queen of heaven! because He whom thou broughtest forth is risen from the dead. Pray for us, therefore, O holy Queen, to thy adorable Son; He will not refuse to grant the petition, which you address to Him."
WEDNESDAY.
Apparition of Angels to Devout Women.
I. " And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they came to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen." (Mark xvi. 2.) These devout women brought ointment and perfumes, in order to perform the last offices of love to their Lord, by anointing His body. For this purpose they rise very early, " it being yet dark." (John xx. 1.) Learn hence to spare no expense or labor in the service of God, consistently with your abilities. Follow the principle, and adopt the expression of the Wise Man, " We must prevent the sun to bless thee, O God! and adore thee at the dawning of the light." (Wis. xvi. 28.) Examine whether you be so early employed in the service of your Creator.
II. " And they said one to another, Who shall roll us back the stone from the door of the sepulchre?" (Mark xvi. 3.) Such were their anxiety and conversation on the way. But they no sooner arrived at the tomb, than, "looking, they saw the stone rolled back." Thus we frequently imagine many difficulties to exist in the way of virtue and perfection; but when we begin to walk resolutely in that way, we find them either entire-
