How lovely is the rose! and yet it causes great sadness in my soul. It
reminds me of my sin, on account of which the earth was condemned to
produce thorns.--_St. Basil._
Mary, conceived without sin, is compared to the incorruptible cedar,
the scent of which puts serpents to flight.--_St. Alphonsus Liguori._
How great will be our happiness in heaven, where we shall be able to
contemplate Mary, to love her and be loved by her; for she alone forms
a paradise of delights. Mary is truly, after God, all that is
beautiful, sweet, glorious and amiable in that celestial realm; all is
in Mary, all through Mary, all, in fine, is hers.--_St. Bonaventure._
Nothing is of greater service to our soul, nor more sustains and
strengthens it, than the frequent thought of Mary.--_St. Teresa._