39 Preface O dearly beloved, you who are specially dedicated to devotion to the Mother of God! It is expedient first and before all else to keep the Virgin herself constantly before your eyes, directing your thoughts and your gaze upon her, as the Astrologers gazed upon the Star. Let the Virgin be your Model, your Oracle, your Rule. May you have no other greater eagerness than to render yourselves perfectly pleasing to the Spouse of your souls by imitating the Virgin. Certainly for you, Prudence, Counsel, Vocation, Religion, and Purpose in life lie in this; that you always serve God sincerely. Since the complete way of imitating the Virgin and of pleasing God according to her example — as laid down in your Rule — is derived from the Gospel, you must know what the Gospel says of the Virgin’s thoughts, words, and actions. In these three ways, the Virgin is presented to you as one who can shine forth in you and who can be imitated. If you make her shine forth in you, you shall have eternal life. Know then that, although the Virgin Mary was full of all grace and virtues, the Holy Spirit willed and caused that only 10 of these were mentioned by the
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