GLORY OF MARY IN DEATH.
She was well prepared to die.
Ponder, O my soul, how glorious was Mary at the moment of her death, because in life she was so well prepared to die: first, by reason of her ardent longing to see her God and be again united to her Son; and next, by the unapproachable merit of her consummate perfection. Then will we reflect within ourselves, and learn how different we are from Mary in our own practice of preparation for our death.
Wherefore let us pray to her:
i. Holiest Virgin, who, to prepare thyself for a holy death, didst live in one long ceaseless thirst for the vision of thy God; O do thou, Virgin Mother, in mercy take from us the vain desire of the frail things of earth.
Three Ave Maria.
ii. Holiest Virgin, who, to prepare thyself holily to die, didst in life ever sigh to be united to thy Son Jesus; O obtain for us fidelity to Jesus, even unto death.
Three Ave Maria.
iii. Holiest Virgin, who, holily to die, madest it thy care to heap up merit to a height unapproachable by other than thyself; O intercede for us, that we may know that virtue and the grace of God alone lead to salvation.
Three Ave Maria.
Now will we raise high our voice in praise of Mary, so prudent to prepare for death; and whilst we hymn her glories in unison with the nine angel choirs who made her escort on her Assumption into heaven, we will with the first choir sing—
