May 13th
Chapter Ten of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
The Divine Maternity of Mary

A new marvel appears in creation:  by the power of God a woman encompasses the Creator in her flesh.  What is this marvel, O Lord Jesus, but your conception by the Holy Ghost and your nativity of the Virgin Mary?  It is the nativity not yet understood here below, it has not had a parallel, it will never have an equal.  O holy and truly blessed nativity which puts to flight the ancient sin, and which brings to the world a new sanctity.

Rise, new Mother; sing, O Mary, you are the woman spoken of by the prophet, you are she who by her maternity merits this ineffable glory, this indescribably glory, for you have borne within your womb, O Immaculate One, enclosed in your virginal flesh Him whom the whole world knows not how to contain:  You have thus become more than the whole universe.

There is not here below a woman equal to you in power, in grandeur, in beauty, in meekness, in charity, in sweetness, in compassion, in fidelity, nor in love.

I desire, today, to choose you for my mother, and I desire, Mary, to confide myself entirely to you.  I would desire that this choice might be confirmed by you forever; for it suffices for me, Mary, to be able to be united to you for all time.  I shall then greatly rejoice in your name, and I shall magnify your praises for all eternity, O Mary.