MORNING LESSON

ENLARGE

Verily, dearly beloved brethren, the Blessed Virgin Mary was a great wonder. What thing greater or more famous than she, hath ever at any time been found, or can be found? She alone is greater than heaven and earth. What thing holier than she hath been, or can be found? Neither Prophets, nor apostles, nor Martyrs, nor Patriarchs, nor angels, nor Thrones, nor Lordships, nor seraphim, nor cherubim, nor any other creature, visible or invisible, can be found that is greater or more excellent than she. She is at once the hand-maid and the parent of God, at once virgin and mother.

Responsory

Who is this that cometh up like the sun? This, comely as Jerusalem? The daughters of Zion saw her, and called her blessed; the queens also, and they praised her. (Alleluia.)

V. And about her it was as the flower of roses in the spring of the year, and lilies of the valleys.

R. The daughters of Zion saw her and called her blessed; the queens also, and they praised her. (Alleluia.)

(The Roman Breviary, William Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh & London, 1880).

Wood Engraving by H. Woods: 
Men, women and children praying at a shrine by the roadside during the 1873 cholera epidemic in Poland.