May 25th
Chapter Twenty-Two of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
The Works and Example of Mary

For my  spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb.  It is in all truth that these lovely words, words of eternal wisdom, are said about Mary, the mother of Jesus our Savior.  Jesus is gentle to us; Mary is all sweetness.  There is in them neither bitterness nor sadness, but compassion, sweetness, love, and an untiring eternal mercy.  Happy is he who follows the example of Jesus!  Happy is he who confides himself to the love of Mary!  He will unfailingly secure help and support from them.

Gather together as souvenirs the actions and words of Jesus while on earth.  What He did, what He said: you will find in these more than all the treasures of the world.  Meditate with equal attention on the words and actions of Mary:  They will be for you a help and support more pleasing to the heart than balm and perfumes.

Just as the body has need of food in order to live; and perfume in order to be sweet-smelling, so too the soul has need of virtues to keep alive, and of meditations to remain strong.  The more the soul gives itself to elevated matters, the more it confides itself to wise directors, the better it acquires the glorious science of the saints, and the more quickly it attains the joys of the blessed.  Jesus and Mary are for us in every way sublime masters and models of sanctity; keep them constantly before your eyes and be attentive to them.  Unite yourself to them; enter into intimacy with them.

Everywhere that anyone speaks on the mysteries of Jesus our Savior and of Mary His mother, listen carefully, and think often of what the names of Jesus and Mary hold for you of strength and sweetness.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, ever virgin, mother enriched while on earth with so many favors that the mind of man can neither comprehend them nor speak of them in their greatness, behold me before you, I am your servant, humbly prostrate at the foot of your throne, with all the ardor of a heart which knows how to love.

You are elevated above the archangels, holy Mother of God; you deserve to be, because you have been the most humble of women.  You have found grace even in the eyes of God, O Virgin all beautiful and Mother incomparable.  There is not in heaven nor on earth a creature worthy to be compared to you.  Again I kneel humbly at your feet, O Mary, in order to be better able to offer you praises from reverent lips and a sinless heart.