life to the dead, and delivered the poor from the executioner. For thy body and soul were made the temple of the Deity, wherein was the roof of divine charity, under which the Son of God, going forth from the Father to thee, dwelt joyfully with thee. The pavement of the temple was thy well-ordered life and assiduous exercise of virtues; for no grace was wanting in thee, for all in thee was stable, all humble, all devout, all perfect. The walls of the temple were square, for thou art troubled by no opprobrium, puffed up by no honor, disquieted by no impatience, seeking naught but God’s love and honor. The pictures of thy temple were a constant fire of the Holy Ghost, whereby thy soul was so exalted, that there was no virtue not more ample and perfect in thee than in any other creature. God walked in his temple, when he infused into thy frame the sweetness of his visitation. He rested when the deity was associated to the humanity. Blessed, therefore, art thou O most blessed Virgin, in whom the mighty God became a little child; the ancient Lord became a puny infant; the everlasting God and invisible Creator became a visible creature. Therefore, because thou art most compassionate and most powerful, O Lady, I beg
