O Mary! how sweet it is for us to contemplate the brilliance of your innocence! If your dawn is so bright, though you are illuminated only by the first rays of the sun of righteousness; If you are already so adorned with grace, on the first morning of your life, what will it be like when you have been filled with all heavenly blessings and embellished with all the gifts of heaven?
O blessed is the child who, warned of your blessings, has never seen his innocence wither, and has kept this beautiful adornment without blemish! His heart is pure and his hands innocent: he is worthy to walk in your footsteps, O Mary! following the Lamb! Alas! Is this happiness ours? Why must a bitter memory disturb the joy we taste in contemplating your innocence!
But if our fidelity has been denied, if the breath of passions has withered our souls, our hearts do not close to humble hopes; repaired innocence also has beautiful privileges, and we have been told of the welcome given to prodigal children. Let …More