87 praise of the virgin mary, mother of god PRAISE OF THE VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF GOD It seems, dear members of the Marian confraternity, that he who attempts to praise Mary, aims at a great matter. For I may rightly believe that all the tongues of the world would not be sufficient to express the praise of her, who surpassed the blessedness and dignity of all people. Even if one hundred poets with their one hundred mouths wanted to state something great on this theme, here, not even a thousand mouths would be sufficient. The one who strives to honor the Virgin Mother of God more by devotion than by eloquence manages it in the best manner. Yet, lest by fearing too much our weakness, we entirely hold back from this praise of the Most Blessed Virgin. Her known devotee and enthusiastic admirer Casimir maintains that imprudently and groundlessly does he behave who, not trusting in man’s eloquence, refuses to praise her, who is the greatest adornment of earth and Heaven. Therefore, however much the weakness of the human nature permits, however much the feebleness of the sterile mind and insufficient language shall be able, so much shall I try to praise the name of the heavenly Lady, even more so, as I feel threatened by the great dangers of our times. I think that I will succeed all the more easily, dear members, insomuch as I shall more graciously be sustained by your kindness. Above all in my speech, I am concerned with the descent of the most noble Virgin. Her genealogy indicating royal lineage of a priestly clan cannot be surpassed by the excellence and antiquity of any family. For she herself surpasses all, because, according to the witness of the Holy Spirit, she was created from the beginning and before all ages.1 1 Cf. Prov 8:22-23.
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