_Devotion of St. Francis of Sales to the Blessed Virgin Mary._
Of all the festivals of the most holy Virgin there was none more dear
to the tender piety of St. Francis of Sales than the Immaculate
Conception. When but a subdeacon he instituted a confraternity of
penitents, under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Every year he
prepared for this feast by fasting and prayer, and his zeal induced
him to proclaim this day a festival of obligation throughout his
diocese. In order to place his episcopate under the protection of the
Immaculate Virgin, he chose this solemnity for the day of his
consecration, and during the ceremony he was rapt in ecstasy, and saw
the most Holy Trinity working in his heart all that the Bishops were
doing exteriorly, and moreover, he saw the most holy Virgin take him
under her protection.
Once, as he was making the visitation of his diocese, he arrived at
the foot of a steep and rugged hill, upon the summit of which was the
church of the most Blessed Virgin of Nancy-sur-Cluses. He climbed it
with great difficulty, whilst blood streamed from his feet; but in
reply to those who would dissuade him from the attempt, he said: 'It
is true that I am almost sinking from fatigue, but whilst I am ashamed
to be so unaccustomed to labour for the service of God, I feel the
greatest joy to shed my blood in honour of the Mother of God.'
Continuing his visitation he found three parish churches in succession
which were dedicated to Mary. 'What a consolation I feel,' said he,
'to see so many churches in my diocese dedicated to the Mother of God!
Whenever I enter a place consecrated to this august Queen, well do the
beatings of my heart tell me that I am in the house of my Mother; for
I am the son of her who is the refuge of sinners.'
_Prayer._--O Mary! Immaculate Lily of Purity, I rejoice with you that
you have been filled with grace, endowed with the use of reason, and
have loved God more than the Seraphim from the first instant of your
Immaculate Conception. May the most Holy Trinity be eternally thanked
and adored for so many and such rare privileges bestowed upon you. I
humble myself profoundly before you, seeing that I am so devoid of
graces and poor in merits. O my most loving Mother, make me a partaker
of the graces which you have received so abundantly, that I also may
be able to love God ardently during life, and not be separated from
Him in death. Amen.
_Practice._--Recite three _Paters_, three _Aves_, and three _Glorias_,
to thank the most Holy Trinity for the grace of the Immaculate
Conception conferred upon Mary.
_Aspiration._--O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have
recourse to you.