Lest You Remain

23 Christ! I am going wherever you call me, among the shots and fire, through the waters and deserts, thorns and rocks. Under your lead, any arduous road will be easy, Especially, when my friend love, lends its wings to me. ( Christus Patiens) M ARY 1 I confess that I believe in whatever the Holy Roman Catholic Church believes and will announce to be believed in the future, especially, I confess that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God was conceived without original sin and I promise to spread and defend Her honor, even at the cost of my life. So help me God and this Holy Gospel. ( Oblatio) 2 The one who tries to praise Mary aims high. I could rightly claim, that to express the praise of she who exceeds the happiness and dignity of all people, all of the tongues of the world would not suffice. A hundred lips of poets could attempt to say something great, but here even a thousand would not do. The one who will try to praise the Immaculate Mother of God with devotion, rather than with words, will do the best. ( Prodromus Reginae Artium ) 3 My soul, so far, you have used books from different fields of science. Today, look through a new book, fresh, previously unseen, the most Holy Mother of God; a book, which God Himself has created, written and adorned. Could you find any- L EST Y OU R EMAIN W ITHOUT W ORK IN THE V INEYARD OF THE L ORD 116