the Mother of God, so often do we in the " Holy Mary," invoke her powerful intercession for us poor sinners now, and especially at the hour of our death. Finally, as though to head off a Protestant objection, we at the end of each decade turn from Mary, her honor and perfections, to Mary's Creator, the sole Author of her greatness, the one Source of all good things, and we say, " Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost."
But beautiful as are the vocal prayers of the Rosary, the accompanying meditations are not less praiseworthy — a fitting accompaniment for so sweet a melody. " If," says St. Bernard, " you would avoid going down to hell after your death, you must frequently go down there by meditation during your life." With equal good reason may we say if we would go to heaven in eternity, we must accustom our thoughts to go there often in time. But how can we do this better than by following in spirit the footsteps of our divine Guide — Jesus Christ? Hence we divide His history into fifteen parts or mysteries, and we allot one mystery to each decade, and thus we proceed, as He did and as every true disciple of His must do, from joy through sorrow to glory.
We see the gentle Virgin once again in her humble home, and we see the resplendent Gabriel coming with his tidings of great joy to her and all mankind. We hear Mary and Elizabeth blend their voices in magnifying the Lord for choosing them to be the mothers of men greater than whom have never been born of women, and we kneel again by the
