_The Fourteen Joys of the Most Holy Virgin._
St. Thomas of Canterbury had the pious custom of reciting seven _Ave
Marias_ every day in honour of the Seven Joys of Our Lady upon earth:
the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Birth of Our Lord, the Epiphany,
the Finding in the Temple, the Resurrection, and the Ascension. One
day the Blessed Virgin appeared to him, and said: 'Thy devotion,
Thomas, is very pleasing to me; but why dost thou commemorate only the
joys I experienced whilst on earth? Henceforth, be mindful also of
those that I enjoy in heaven; I assure thee that I will console and
present to my Son, at the hour of their death, all those who during
life shall have honoured the latter, as well as the former joys.' The
holy Archbishop, filled with consolation at these words, exclaimed:
'But how can I do so, Most Holy Virgin, when I know not these joys?'
The august Mother of God then taught the Saint to recite seven _Ave
Marias_ in honour of the following joys: the honour that the Most Holy
Trinity conferred upon her above all creatures; the excellence of her
Virginity, which raised her above the Angels and the Saints; the
splendour of her glory, which illuminates heaven; the veneration paid
to her by the Blessed, on account of her dignity of Mother of God; her
power with her Divine Son in our behalf; the graces with which she was
enriched when on earth, and the reward reserved in heaven for those
who are devout to her during life; finally, her accidental glory,
which will continually increase until the Day of Judgment.
Many Saints have practised this devotion with fruit, and a great
number of the devoted servants of Mary have made use of it to honour
their august Mother.
_Prayer of St. Alfonso Maria di Liguori._--Mary! I acknowledge that
you are the most beautiful, the most holy, and most amiable of all
creatures. Ah! would that all knew you, O Holy Virgin, and loved you
as you deserve. I rejoice that you are so revered by all the Blessed
in heaven, and by so many faithful souls on earth, but especially that
you are so much loved by God. Most amiable Queen! I also love you,
miserable sinner that I am, and I desire to love you more; obtain for
me, then, this love, O my dear Mother, because it is a sign of
predestination. I know that you will help me, and by your help I shall
conquer, if I cease not to recommend myself to you. But I fear that I
may not always invoke you in occasions of danger; succour me then
always, O Mary, my good Mother, and never permit me to offend my God.
Amen.
_Ejaculation._--In your love do I wish to live and die, my Blessed
Mother!
_Practice._--Offer an act of mortification to God, through the Blessed
Virgin, for those who are to die this day.