May 23rd
Chapter Twenty of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
How to Act After the Example of Mary

My memory will live in the succession of centuries, is said in Ecclesiastes in reference to Mary.  Mary, humble and poor in everything, a model of patience and perfection, from the day of her birth until the hour of her death lived poor and hidden, a life of suffering.  You who suffer, come to her always, and each day search for what you can put at her feet, as at the feet of a mother, in eager token of respect and love.  If you wish to rejoice in heaven with Mary, suffer poverty on earth with Mary.  Take for a  model her examples both of poverty and humility.  Flee the vain amusements of men; watch lest you offend by useless words or unworthy acts, either Jesus your God, or Mary your mother.

It is certainly not a simple and slight fault to offend such loving protectors.  They see at all times how you work and how you try to reform yourself; and, depending on your efforts, they regulate their help.  However, their love surpasses your wickedness, and their goodness always incites repentance.  If you realize that you have erred, change your resolution for the better.  Persevere in the good and know how to give thanks for all the gifts received.  It is thus that Mary acted in her life of union with Jesus here on earth.  Learn from the example of this goodness to accept the annoyances of life, to submit yourself in everything to the unknown designs chosen for you by God from all eternity.  Jesus will then be for you a protector, and Mary a loving and faithful mother.  Be on your part a devoted child, a faithful servant, always eager for that which is good.

I greet you with composure, Virgin full of grace, the Lord is with you!  I greet you, sole hope of the poor!  I greet you, gentle mother of orphans!  I have revealed to you, up until now to you alone, my failings:  henceforth I shall reveal them with still more assurance, because I feel that a great virtue flows from you, and that your name exhales a perfume that embalms the heart and comforts the soul.  O sweet name of Mary, name of grace and charm, name always sweet to say, and sweet to think upon, name fashioned in heaven, name carried by the angels, name recommended by the Gospel to men, when as if by making of it a eulogy: the name of the chosen virgin was:  Mary!