Chapter

  1 Prol |          which reflects the life, grace, and glory of Mary, it is
  2 I    |     SALUTATION~Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
  3 I    |       because of the plenitude of grace in her; she was most firm
  4 I    |          Man."~Again, how full of grace was Mary by the abounding
  5 I    |          is said to her: "Full of grace." And truly full, and ever
  6 I    |        Woman full and overfull of grace, of whose abundance every
  7 I    |    abundance and immensity of her grace, she is rightly saluted
  8 I    |        rightly saluted as full of grace; because of the Divine Presence
  9 II   |     PUNISHMENT~Hail Mary, full of grace. Let us all utter this good
 10 II   |          was the greatness of the grace and glory of Mary, for whom,
 11 II   |       Throne of Solomon, great in grace and glory. St. Bernard well
 12 II   |          well says: "As much more grace than others as Mary obtained
 13 III  |        Mary. For the river of the grace of the angels enters into
 14 III  |        Mary; and the river of the grace of the patriarchs enters
 15 III  |        Mary; and the river of the grace of the Apostles enters into
 16 III  |        Mary; and the river of the grace of the martyrs enters into
 17 III  |        Mary; and the river of the grace of the confessors enters
 18 III  |        Mary; and the river of the grace of the virgins enters into
 19 III  |     Ecclesiasticus: "In me is all grace of the way and of the truth,
 20 III  |           25.) What wonder if all grace flowed into Mary, through
 21 III  |           Mary, through whom such grace flowed forth upon all !
 22 III  |            Mary, thou art full of grace, which thou hast found with
 23 III  |        she was illuminated by His grace in the world, is now illuminated
 24 III  |       work, as it was full of the grace of the Lord in this world,
 25 IV   |     affectionate name, so full of grace and so noble, so glorious
 26 IV   |            Mary is called full of grace; the overshadowing of the
 27 IV   |          deign to greet us by thy grace! And most certainly she
 28 IV   |            Alas, how far from the grace of Mary most meek are they
 29 IV   |         Mary, for thou hast found grace" (Luke II, 30.) Note that
 30 IV   |         is said: "thou hast found grace." Never would Mary have
 31 IV   |       Never would Mary have found grace, unless grace had found
 32 IV   |          have found grace, unless grace had found Mary temperate
 33 IV   |  temperate in food and drink. For grace and gluttony do not go together.
 34 IV   |        time be pleasing to God by grace, and displeasing by gluttony.
 35 IV   |          good, therefore, to seek grace and to fly gluttony. For
 36 IV   |         heart be established with grace, not with meats; which have
 37 IV   |        gluttony. How far from the grace of Mary are they who so
 38 IV   |            Alas, how far from the grace of Mary are they who are
 39 IV   |           bestow the gifts of His grace on thy servants, who invoke
 40 V    |                     CHAPTER V THE GRACE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
 41 V    |         USEFUL~Hail Mary, full of grace. It has been shown above,
 42 V    |           by the abundance of her grace, she deserves the salutation "
 43 V    |           the salutation "full of grace." Consider, dearly beloved,
 44 V    |    Consider, dearly beloved, this grace, the grace of Mary, this
 45 V    |          beloved, this grace, the grace of Mary, this admirable
 46 V    |           of Mary, this admirable grace. Consider the truth, the
 47 V    |  multiplicity, the utility of the grace of Mary. For the grace of
 48 V    |        the grace of Mary. For the grace of Mary is a most true grace,
 49 V    |      grace of Mary is a most true grace, a most immense grace, a
 50 V    |        true grace, a most immense grace, a most manifold grace,
 51 V    |    immense grace, a most manifold grace, and a most useful grace.~
 52 V    |          grace, and a most useful grace.~First, consider the truth
 53 V    |         consider the truth of the grace of Mary. Of this Gabriel
 54 V    |           saith: "Thou hast found grace," etc. (Luke I, 31.) That
 55 V    |           etc. (Luke I, 31.) That grace is true which is found with
 56 V    |          For the devil offers the grace of an evil prosperity, that
 57 V    |           with worldly men, false grace and false contrition are
 58 V    |       Bernard saith: "Let us seek grace, but grace with God, for
 59 V    |            Let us seek grace, but grace with God, for with men favor
 60 V    |           with the flesh; for the grace or favor of the flesh is
 61 V    |           Virgin Mary, so full of grace, condemned the false grace
 62 V    |        grace, condemned the false grace of the world, of the flesh
 63 V    |            Therefore did she find grace with God, true and pure,
 64 V    |         of Mary is the unction of grace, which was most copiously
 65 V    |         flattery. But because the grace of, Mary was so true and
 66 V    |        purity and simplicity, all grace and truth, all mercy and
 67 V    |    desires with Mary to find true grace, let him approach with Mary
 68 V    |       confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
 69 V    |        may obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid" (Heb.
 70 V    |       whoever wishes to find true grace with Mary. For it is said
 71 V    |       things, and thou shalt find grace before God" (III, 20.) Mary,
 72 V    |       humbled herself, found true grace, as it is said: "He hath
 73 V    |     consider the immensity of the grace because of which Mary is
 74 V    |           Mary is called "full of grace." The grace of which she
 75 V    |       called "full of grace." The grace of which she was full was
 76 V    |    immense a capacity was full of grace, it was fitting that that
 77 V    |          it was fitting that that grace which could fill so great
 78 V    |        hath made her, not only in grace and glory, but in mercy
 79 V    |           the manifoldness of the grace of Mary, of whom Ecclesiasticus
 80 V    |         branches are of honor and grace" (XXIV, 22.) According to
 81 V    |       life of Mary was watered by grace, for she grew in the healthful
 82 V    |         the healthful moisture of grace from the womb of her mother.
 83 V    |          grows in the moisture of grace, when without it every seed
 84 V    |       tree, branches of honor and grace, are the virtues, and the
 85 V    |   branches, branches of honor and grace, the merits of her abundant
 86 V    |        the merits of her abundant grace, her many virtues and good
 87 V    |           sinner pardon, the just grace, the angels joy, the Blessed
 88 V    |       consider the utility of the grace of Mary. It is said: "A
 89 V    |         Behold the utility of the grace of the gracious Mary; it
 90 V    |        glory. Most useful was the grace of Mary both to herself
 91 V    |       Most useful, I say, was the grace of Mary to herself. For
 92 V    |           of Mary to herself. For grace made Mary delightful, miraculous,
 93 V    |   glorious in her eternal diadem. Grace, therefore, made the mind
 94 V    |          word of Ecclesiasticus: "Grace is like a paradise in blessings" (
 95 V    |         of mercy, the fullness of grace, the prerogative of singular
 96 V    |         singular glory?" Likewise grace made Mary miraculous in
 97 V    |          of her: "Thou hast found grace with God" (Luke I, 30.)
 98 V    |        how great and what special grace thou shalt find with God,
 99 V    |        name of thy promised Son." Grace likewise made Mary glorious,
100 V    |          pure creature found such grace in this world, such glory
101 V    |          certainly she found both grace and glory with the Lord,
102 V    |        Psalm: "The Lord will give grace and glory" ( Ps. LXXXIII. )~
103 V    |            Ps. LXXXIII. )~But the grace of Mary was not only most
104 V    |        entire human race. For the grace of Mary gathers in the evil,
105 V    |       from guilt, fattens them by grace, delivers them from eternal
106 V    |          say, therefore, that the grace of Mary gathers in souls
107 V    |       said to Booz: "I have found grace in the eyes of my lord" (
108 V    |           of the Lord, found this grace, that she gathered up the
109 V    |        and pastors? O truly great grace of Mary, by which many are
110 V    |          good with the fatness of grace. Therefore is it said in
111 V    |           in Ecclesiasticus: "The grace of a diligent woman shall
112 V    |         bones, by the help of the grace of Mary, are fattened by
113 V    |        fattened by the unction of grace. They are fattened, I say,
114 V    |         nourished and fattened by grace? And who indeed can calculate
115 V    |       herself was this fatness of grace, by which so many millions
116 V    |        dwelling of all virtue and grace? St. John Damascene says: "
117 V    |          a twofold utility in the grace of Esther which she had
118 V    |         our Esther, obtained such grace with the eternal King that
119 V    |           beatitude." O Mother of grace, make us sons of grace.
120 V    |         of grace, make us sons of grace. Grant that by thy most
121 V    |       Grant that by thy most true grace we may be gathered for the
122 VI   |           CHAPTER VI THE FOURFOLD GRACE IN MARY-OF GIFTS, OF SPEECH,
123 VI   |         some things to say of the grace of the most sweet Mary.
124 VI   |         now consider the fourfold grace of her gifts, her speech,
125 VI   |       First, consider in Mary the grace of the Gifts of the Holy
126 VI   |           the Holy Ghost. To this grace Mary, giving thanks, could
127 VI   |     Ecclesiasticus: "In me is all grace of the way and the truth."
128 VI   |      wonder if she herself is the grace full of life and truth,
129 VI   |           of Him who was "full of grace and truth"? And what wonder
130 VI   |         we have all received, and grace for grace." Now that such
131 VI   |           received, and grace for grace." Now that such an abundance
132 VI   |         that such an abundance of grace has overflowed from this
133 VI   |           security, "In me is all grace of the way and the truth."
134 VI   |         the truth." Certainly the grace of the way and the truth
135 VI   |    aforesaid seven gifts that the grace of the way and the truth
136 VI   |        the truth was in Mary. The grace of the truth set Mary in
137 VI   |          and without herself. The grace, I say, of the truth set
138 VI   |        the gift of knowledge. The grace of the truth set in order
139 VI   | concerning all she had to do. The grace of her life set Mary in
140 VI   |           with regard to God. The grace, I say, of life set Mary
141 VI   |          by the gift of fear. The grace of life set Mary in order
142 VI   |         who desires the sevenfold grace of the Holy Spirit must
143 VI   |    approach to Christ, and by the grace of Christ we find the Holy
144 VI   |          Son, O blessed finder of grace, mother of life, mother
145 VI   |    Secondly, consider in Mary the grace of the lips, or of speech,
146 VI   |         it is said in the Psalm: "Grace is shed abroad on thy lips."
147 VI   |           thy lips." Such was the grace of the lips in Mary that
148 VI   |          We shall clearly see the grace of the lips in Mary if we
149 VI   |      excellently the honeyflowing grace of her lips, as it is said
150 VI   |          of kings, because of the grace of her lips, for it is written
151 VI   |       cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the
152 VI   |     Thirdly, consider in Mary the grace of privileges. Of this grace
153 VI   |      grace of privileges. Of this grace it is said: "Thou hast found
154 VI   |         is said: "Thou hast found grace with the Lord, behold thou
155 VI   |     asserting that Mary had found grace, immediately specifies what
156 VI   |   immediately specifies what that grace is, saying: "Behold thou
157 VI   |          abundantly sanctified by grace in her mother's womb that
158 VI   |          all men, she was full of grace. St. Jerome saith: "On others
159 VI   |          Jerome saith: "On others grace was bestowed in measure;
160 VI   |         but the whole fullness of grace was poured into Mary." And,
161 VI   |     Blessed Doctor, comparing the grace of Mary with that of the
162 VI   |           of virtue, and received grace praised by the angels."~
163 VI   |       which we obtain the life of grace. And therefore, we may implore
164 VI   |           my soul may live by thy grace" (Gen. XII, 13.) 0 Mary,
165 VI   |        live in God because of thy grace. Say, O our most beloved
166 VI   |    Fourthly, consider in Mary the grace of rewards, on which we
167 VI   |        seventh privilege. To this grace can be applied that word
168 VI   |          word of Ecclesiasticus: "Grace upon grace hath a chaste
169 VI   |       Ecclesiasticus: "Grace upon grace hath a chaste and holy woman" (
170 VI   |       above all women, in whom is grace above grace, the grace of
171 VI   |            in whom is grace above grace, the grace of glory above
172 VI   |         is grace above grace, the grace of glory above the grace
173 VI   |          grace of glory above the grace of the way, the grace of
174 VI   |         the grace of the way, the grace of rewards in Heaven above
175 VI   |       rewards in Heaven above the grace of merits in this world.
176 VI   |        merits in this world. This grace of the beatitude of Mary
177 VI   |       country with haste? For the grace of the Holy Spirit knoweth
178 VI   |         exceeds all Saints in the grace of the way and in the grace
179 VI   |       grace of the way and in the grace of merits, so she exceeds
180 VI   |         exceeds all Saints in the grace of glory and in the grace
181 VI   |         grace of glory and in the grace of rewards. Therefore, she
182 VI   |          King Assuerus, she found grace and mercy before him above
183 VI   |           possesses the favor and grace of the King Assuerus, that
184 VI   |       King Assuerus, that is, the grace of the True King above all
185 VI   |           in Mary there should be grace above that of all the blessed.
186 VI   |          have seen with how great grace of gifts Mary is enriched,
187 VI   |          enriched, with how great grace of the lips, with how great
188 VI   |          that she may let us find grace with God, through Our Lord
189 VII  |       angel simply to commend the grace of Mary; he wished also
190 VII  |         of God, Mary was full (of grace), how much more so afterwards?
191 VII  |           thousand times full (of grace), was saluted by the Angel,
192 VII  |      wisdom, of the outpouring of grace, of the riches of a good
193 VII  |   treasure of His mercies and His grace from the world. But lo!
194 VII  |         full moon is Mary full of grace. Well is Mary compared to
195 VII  |          the Virgin by a singular grace brought forth that same
196 VII  |         full of the outpouring of grace in her affections. For such
197 VII  |        such was the inundation of grace, so great was its depth
198 VII  |          of Wisdom: "In me is all grace of the way and of the truth" (
199 VII  |          is this sea, how full of grace is Mary, St. Jerome declares,
200 VII  |       Mary the whole plenitude of grace was outpoured at once."
201 VII  |           all; by her fullness of grace, the most useful of all.
202 VII  |        that she should be full of grace, she who gave glory to the
203 VII  |         sinner, pardon; the just, grace; the angel, joy; in fine,
204 VII  |          alone said to be full of grace, who alone obtained the
205 VII  |            who alone obtained the grace which none other ever had,
206 VII  |         filled with the author of grace." O truly happy house, full
207 VII  |      saith: "Well was she full of grace, who both kept the grace
208 VII  |          grace, who both kept the grace of virginity and acquired
209 VII  |     throne of the mind of Mary by grace, and filled the house of
210 VII  |         He has in the fullness of grace in Mary. Therefore, well
211 VII  |        For by the fullness of thy grace those who were in limbo
212 VII  |         is she said to be full of grace, who is most pleasing to
213 VII  |      Jerome says: "Full indeed of grace, full of God, full of virtues,
214 VII  |         He has in the fullness of grace in Mary. Therefore, well
215 VII  |        For by the fullness of thy grace those who were in limbo
216 VII  |         is she said to be full of grace, who is most pleasing to
217 VII  |      Jerome says: "Full indeed of grace, full of God, full of virtues,
218 VII  |           in the kingdom, who had grace full and overflowing in
219 VII  |        Woman full and overfull of grace, of the overflowing of whose
220 VII  |           fullness of overflowing grace, the fullness of a fruitful
221 VII  |       therefore, O Virgin full of grace, deign to make us, who are
222 VIII |           rightly called "full of grace." We have now to show how,
223 VIII |          spirits, all nature, all grace, all heavenly glory, all
224 VIII |     together riches of virtue and grace, of merits and rewards,
225 VIII |         angels find joy, the just grace, sinners pardon forever."
226 X    |         daughter, and full of all grace, dearly beloved in thy delights,
227 X    |          with thee, grant that by grace He may also be with us.~
228 XI   |            I beseech thee, by the grace by which the Lord wished
229 XI   |       sake, according to the same grace, His mercy to me; grant
230 XI   |          for the world the day of grace of such a Sun, as St. Bernard
231 XI   |          approach of the light of grace; third, because of the rising
232 XI   |          progress in the light of grace, according to that word: "
233 XI   |      advancing in the splendor of grace and of a good life. She
234 XI   |         burned in Mary by seeking grace, virginity was resplendent
235 XI   |           who was already full of grace found grace, that, being
236 XI   |       already full of grace found grace, that, being fervent in
237 XI   |           advance of the light of grace in her most bright conversation;
238 XI   |      comes to our aid, and if her grace and mercy supervene, it
239 XII  |         which is indeed devoid of grace and virtue. The aromatical
240 XII  |         Him no one could have the grace of the Spirit. St. Jerome
241 XIII |       nature, her progress was of grace, her entrance was into glory,
242 XIII |        progressed by advancing in grace and virtue, she entered
243 XIII |    advancing without equal by her grace. Therefore it is said in
244 XIII |       said to her: "Hail, full of grace!" Again Mary was chosen
245 XIII |      surpassed them in nature, in grace, in glory; thou hast surpassed
246 XIII |       Likewise, Mary surpassed in grace all the souls of the Saints,
247 XIII |          she was not only full of grace, but overfull (superplena),
248 XIII |           said at first, "full of grace," and afterwards added: "
249 XIII |        therefore, she was full of grace, whatever the Holy Spirit
250 XIII |           coming, she was full of grace for herself (plena sibi);
251 XIII |      overfull and overflowed with grace for our sakes (superplena
252 XIII |      mortal life; she advanced in grace and privileges; she entered
253 XIII |         also may be the flower of grace! O most powerful Queen,
254 XIV  |        ACCOUNT OF HER FULLNESS OF GRACE, THE MAJESTY OF HER OFFSPRING,
255 XIV  |           rightly called "full of grace," because of the most copious
256 XIV  |          copious affluence of her grace; it has moreover been shown
257 XIV  |        because of the fullness of grace to be venerated in thee;
258 XIV  |        because of the fullness of grace to be venerated in her,
259 XIV  |           he says: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
260 XIV  |          because thou art full of grace. Thou hast found grace with
261 XIV  |         of grace. Thou hast found grace with God, and therefore
262 XIV  |    blessed among women, finder of grace, Mother of life, Mother
263 XIV  |          thou, O Mary, because of grace. Blessed, I say, because
264 XIV  |    Blessed, I say, because of the grace of the heart, of the lips,
265 XIV  |          in heart, because of the grace of gifts; blessed in mouth,
266 XIV  |          in mouth, because of the grace of the lips; blessed in
267 XIV  |           in work, because of the grace of manners. Truly is Mary
268 XIV  |       Mary blessed because of the grace of the heart, for the grace
269 XIV  |       grace of the heart, for the grace of her gifts in her heart;
270 XIV  |          word of Ecclesiasticus: "Grace is like a paradise in blessing."
271 XIV  |           Christ." If, therefore, grace makes the mind of man delightful
272 XIV  |           God in the blessings of grace, but a sink of the devils
273 XIV  |           but also because of the grace of her lips, according to
274 XIV  |          that word of the Psalm: "Grace is poured abroad in thy
275 XIV  |         forever." Oh, how great a grace was on the lips of Mary,
276 XIV  |    conversations! Oh, how great a grace was always on the lips of
277 XIV  |        unlike hers, on whose lips grace is not poured, but malice;
278 XIV  |           but also because of the grace of her life and conversation.
279 XIV  |        purity and simplicity, all grace and truth, all mercy and
280 XIV  |        because of thy fullness of grace. Blessed, I say, because
281 XIV  |    Blessed, I say, because of the grace of conscience and of gifts;
282 XIV  |           blessed, because of the grace of the tongue and of the
283 XIV  |           blessed, because of the grace of thy life and thy manners.~
284 XIV  |         she is said to be full of grace, from whose womb the Fruit
285 XIV  |            O blessed Virgin, that grace which thou hast merited
286 XIV  |        because of the fullness of grace which thou hast found; blessed,
287 XIV  |      Grant, O blessed one, by the grace which thou hast found, by
288 XV   |       glory, and on earth that of grace; and thus be blessed both
289 XV   |           by whom the blessing of grace is ministered to every faithful
290 XV   |           soul enriched by divine grace. Blessed is the bush, and
291 XV   |     things she was rather full of grace and loving kindness, full
292 XV   |         thee, O blessed finder of grace, we have access to God,
293 XV   |          word of Ecclesiasticus: "Grace is like paradise in blessings."
294 XV   |          So great an abundance of grace was in Mary that she, the
295 XV   |            might almost be called grace itself. This grace, that
296 XV   |         called grace itself. This grace, that is, the most gracious
297 XVI  |           of the abundance of her grace, she is called full of grace;
298 XVI  |      grace, she is called full of grace; how because of the familiar
299 XVI  |        Son, He consecrated by the grace of the Holy Ghost the temple
300 XVI  |     assumed; thine spiritually by grace; thine sacramentally by
301 XVI  |     Church, preserves the life of grace; in the midst of the Paradise
302 XVI  |          It preserves the life of grace from the corruption of guilt,
303 XVI  |          and filled by a singular grace, that she might have Him
304 XVII |       things, and thou shalt find grace before God." Also, the taller
305 XVII |         say, in the visitation by grace, but more so in the visitation
306 XVII |          to her womb, and more to grace than to nature; he rather
307 XVIII|        that he may become near by grace, and peace to him who is
308 XVIII|       peace to him who is near by grace, lest he should be made
309 XVIII|          only partially healed by grace; but in the future life
310 XVIII|        His fullness have received grace for grace."~Ninthly, the
311 XVIII|           have received grace for grace."~Ninthly, the blessed fruit
312 XVIII|         waters but the streams of grace, by which man gives or produces
313 XVIII|     thanks to this fruit by whose grace we fill up the number of
314 XVIII|          seventhly, to obtain the grace to despise earthly things;