St. Vincent's Manual/The Seven Joyful Mysteries of the Life of the Ever-Blessed Virgin
THE SEVEN JOYFUL MYSTERIES OF THE LIFE OF THE EVER-BLESSED VIRGIN.
THAT congratulating each day our Blessed Lady, of the seven joyful incidents or mysteries of her life, is a devotion both pious in itself, and agreeable to her, the following example will demonstrate: St. Anselm is the author from whom we take it.
A religious man, among other devotions, was accustomed every day to entertain himself on the seven signal joys our Blessed Lady; received whilst living upon earth: he fell sick; his continual devotion and virtuous life did not render him unsusceptible of the fears which generally accompany the passage from time to eternity. His mind was troubled with apprehensions for the event, of that moment. Our Blessed Lady appeared to him and comforted him in the following words: "Fear not, my son, the passage is short: you go from a miserable life to a happy eternity. Your daily congratulations with me upon the joyful mysteries of my life, have brought me hither; and I now assure you that soon you shall partake of them in heaven." So unspeakable was the joy he experienced in his soul upon hearing these words, and at witnessing the care which this admirable protectress manifests for her clients, that, forgetting his sickness, and making an effort to fling himself at her feet, to thank her for so signal a favor, he expired; and, no doubt, accompanied his benefactress to heaven, and entered upon the possession of that reward she had so graciously promised him.
St. Bernardin of Sienna, a peculiar client of our Blessed Lady, recited daily his beads in honor of these joyful mysteries, to which, he assures us, he stood indebted for all the particular favors and blessings he received from the liberal hand of Almighty God.
I.
MARY IS MOTHER OF GOD, AND A VIRGIN.
THRICE happy Virgin! suffer thy servant to congratulate thee for the ineffable joy with which thy sacred heart was replenished, when, without injury to thy virginal purity, thou conceivedst the eternal Word in thy sacred womb. I rejoice in thy happiness, O blessed Mother! Look thou on me in this moment, and obtain for me of thy divine Son, through thy merits and thy exaltation to this sublime dignity, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
II.
MARY CARRIES THE SON OF GOD IN HER WOMB, AND IS DECLARED BLESSED AMONGST ALL WOMEN.
THRICE happy Virgin I suffer thy servant to congratulate thee for the ineffable joy with which thy sacred heart was replenished, when, for the space of nine months, thou carriedst in thy chaste womb the Son of God, the second person of the adorable Trinity, and wast, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, sainted blessed amongst all women, and the fruit of thy, womb pronounced blessed. I rejoice in thy happiness O blessed Mother! Look thou on me in this moment, and obtain for me, of thy divine Son, through thy merits and thy exaltation to this sublime dignity, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
III.
JESUS CHRIST IS BORN OF MARY AT BETHLEHEM.
THRICE happy Virgin! suffer thy servant to congratulate thee for the ineffable joy with which thy sacred heart was replenished, when the Son of God was born of thee in a stable at Bethlehem. I rejoice in thy happiness, O blessed Mother! Look thou on me in this moment, and obtain for me, of thy divine Son, through thy merits and this sublime favor of heaven, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
IV.
THE MAGI COME TO ADORE THE NEW-BORN KING.
THRICE happy Virgin! suffer thy servant to congratulate thee for the ineffable joy with which thy sacred heart was replenished, when the Magi from the east arrived at the stable of Bethlehem. They prostrate themselves before thy divine Son, O blessed Mother! and by the offerings they make and the homage they pay, acknowledge him as King, God and Man. I rejoice in thy happiness. Look thou on me in this moment, and obtain for me, of thy divine Son, through thy merits, and by the joy thou receivedst on this occasion, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
V.
MARY FINDS HER SON IN THE TEMPLE.
THRICE happy Virgin! suffer thy servant to congratulate thee for the ineffable joy with which thy sacred heart was replenished, when thou foundest thy beloved Son in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions with an admirable wisdom, to the great astonishment of all present. I rejoice in thy happiness, O blessed Mother! Look thou on me in this moment, and obtain for me, of thy divine Son, through thy merits and the joy of this event, a meek and pure a heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
VI.
MARY SEES HER SON TRIUMPHANT OVER DEATH.
THRICE happy Virgin! suffer thy servant to congratulate thee for the ineffable joy with which thy sacred heart was replenished, when thy divine Son, Environed with glory, and triumphant over death and the ignominy of his passion, appeared to thee comforting thy soul. I rejoice in thy happiness, O blessed Mother! Look thou on me in this moment, and obtain for me, of thy divine Son, through thy merits and the glory of that day, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.
VII.
MARY IS QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.
THRICE happy Virgin! suffer thy servant to congratulate thee for the ineffable joy with which thy sacred heart was replenished, when thou wast carried to the highest heavens on the wings of the Seraphim, even to the throne of God, environed with celestial choirs of Angels and Saints; but above all, when the most adorable Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, placed thee on a seat of glory, prepared for thee from all eternity. I rejoice in thy happiness, O blessed Mother! Look thou on me in this moment, and obtain for me, of thy divine Son, through thy merits and thy exaltation to this sublime dignity, a meek and pure heart, and a happy departure from this life, under thy maternal care and powerful protection. Amen. Hail Mary.