May 28th
Chapter Twenty-Five of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
How One Must go to Jesus Through Mary

Happy is he who daily comes to offer his homage, his praise, his heart, and his love to Jesus and Mary.  Happy is he who invokes them and seeks them !  Oh! what sweetness is there in the name of Jesus!  What sweetness also in the name of Mary.  Happy is the pilgrim who in time of exile remembers constantly his fatherland on high, where Jesus and Mary, surrounded by choirs of angels, await him to give him joy for all eternity!  Happy is the traveler who does not seek for a dwelling place here, but who always aspires to reign and to live with Christ in heaven!  Happy are the poor and indigent who each day come to ask for bread at the table of the Mater, and who do not cease to plead, praying until they have received a few crumbs!  Happy is he who is called to the feat of the Lamb, and approaches daily the banquet of the altar while waiting for the eternal banquet of heaven!

Every time that the faithful receive Communion, or that the priest offers the Holy Sacrifice, so often do they receive in union with Jesus and Mary food for the soul.  He who communicates becomes by that act the apostle of Jesus, the page of Mary, the companion of the saints, the brother of the apostles, an intimate of God, the kinsman of the saints, and the heir of the happiness of heaven.  Flee confusion, avoid dissipation of the soul, watch carefully over both your heart and your sense, if you wish to please Jesus and Mary.  You will then receive all succor from on high, and, always, when you call for aid in the midst of perils, and in the greatest dangers, you will be heard by the Master Himself.  It is thus that once on a tempestuous night the frightened apostles called upon Jesus.  At once Jesus coming to them said, "Why are you fearful?  O men of little faith!  I am here; do not fear."

The voice of Jesus has the sweetness that consoles, the strength that supports, the joy that reassures, the grace that absolves, the goodness that pardons.  The voice of Mary also reconciles, and adds to the sweetness of the honey the strength of its comb.

Oh, how pleasing, sweet and agreeable to hear your voice, O Mary, my Mother!  What voice?  The caressing and divine voice heard by John, the beloved disciple, the voice that said, "My son, behold your Mother."  The apostle heard it from the lips of Jesus.  I wish to hear it from your own lips.  

O Mary!  Say to your servant, "My son, here is your Mother: here she is near to you."  At this voice, my soul, rekindled with joy, will find again strength and consolation, as John found them on receiving his Mother.  Let your voice, sweeter than all others, come to my ears!  O Mary, let it come to my heart!  Your fruitful maternal words will bring to me the gifts of the Holy Ghost.