May 16th
Chapter Thirteen of the Imitation of Mary
The Exultations of Mary

My soul has exulted before God, my Saviour.  Exult again and again, Mary, because you give to the world the joy of its salvation.  Rejoice, O Immaculate Mother, because you preserve the honor of virginity.  Exult with happiness, virgin made mother, because you preserve the honor of virginity, from the maledictions which weigh upon women.

You can surely rejoice before God.  Him whom the earth and heaven united, could not contain, you have within you.  You warm Him in your arms, you place Him joyfully in His crib, you alone, Mother, can adore Jesus, your Son, born of you in time, He who, before you, before all time, possesses God as Father from all eternity.  You alone fulfill the duties of a mother to the God who confers maternity on you.  You alone can truly exult in Him who renders you sublime and heavenly.

O Mary, I know my sins and my failings.  I know that I am unworthy to see Jesus, but I am unable to rest until I have contemplated Him.  Neither can I forbear to plead, for I know He wishes to be asked.  My heart urges me to insist, for I know that you, too, wish that we ask.  Thus, O my Mother, I desire to persevere in prayer and contemplation.