_The two Invocations of St. Philip Neri._
Of the many ejaculatory prayers of St. Philip Neri to the Most Holy
Virgin, two were very familiar to him. The first was, 'Virgin Mary,
Mother of God, pray to Jesus for us'; the second consisted in the two
words, 'Virgin and Mother'. He used to say that they contain all the
panegyrics of Mary, both because they express her admirable name, and
because they declare her two miraculous privileges of _Virginity_ and
_Maternity_, and the incomparable title of _Mother of God_. He
composed a rosary with these two invocations, which he recited
frequently with his penitents, and had always in his hands.
A pious person, who was continually tormented by evil thoughts, asked
him one day for a remedy. The Saint counselled her to recite this
rosary of his, which consisted in repeating these two invocations
alternately, sixty-three times. She followed his advice, and in a
short time recovered her peace of soul.
_Prayer of St. Gertrude_.--O Mary, Mother of Jesus, and my own dear
Mother! clothe me with the fleece of the true Lamb, your Son Jesus,
that His love may receive me, nourish me, possess me, and sanctify me.
Shining Lily, my only hope, after God, deign to speak to your Beloved
Son in my favour; say an efficacious word to Him, and faithfully and
earnestly plead my cause. I beseech you, O my Mother! by your love for
Jesus, to accept me as your child; be solicitous for my welfare
throughout the whole course of my life, and especially at the hour of
my death take me entirely under your protection. Amen.
_Ejaculation_.--Mary, Virgin and Mother! make me a Saint.
_Practice_.--Let all your actions this day be done in union with Jesus
and Mary.