flesh; and
so acceptable was this her disposition to God, that she deserved
immediately to hear, that she should bring forth the Son of the Most
High, still remaining a most pure virgin: nor would God have otherwise
raised her to this astonishing honor. The Holy Ghost is invited by
purity to dwell in souls, but is chased away by the filth of the
contrary vice. The dreadful havoc which it now-a-days makes among
Christian souls, calls for torrents of tears, and is the source of the
infidelity and universal desolation which spreads on every side.
Humility is the foundation of a spiritual life. By it Mary was prepared
for the extraordinary graces, and all virtues with which she was
enriched, and for the eminent dignity of Mother of God.

St. Austin says, that according to an ancient tradition, this mystery
was completed on the 25th of March.[14] Both eastern and western
churches celebrate it on this day, and have done so at least ever since
the fifth century. This festival is mentioned by pope Gelasius I., in
492. The council of Constantinople, in 692, orders the missa
praesanctificatorum, as on Good-Friday, to be said on all days in Lent,
except Saturdays, Sundays, and the feast of the Annunciation.[15] The
tenth council of Toledo, in 656, calls this solemnity, The festival of
the Mother of God,[16] by way of excellence. To praise the divine
goodness for this incomprehensible mystery of the incarnation, Urban
II., in the council of Clermont, in 1095, ordered the bell to be rung
every day for the triple Angelical Salutation, called Angelus Domini, at
morning, noon, and night. Which practice of devotion several popes have
recommended by indulgences; as John XXII., Calixtus III., Paul III.,
Alexander VII., and Clement X. The late Benedict XIII. has augmented
them to those who at the aforesaid hours shall devoutly recite this
prayer kneeling.

Footnotes:
1. Luke i. 28.
2. Ps. lxxxvi.
3. John 1. 14.
4. Ibid. 16.
5. Acts iv. 8.
6. Luke i. 22.
7. Ibid. 48.
8. Isai. vii. 14.
9. O hospitium solis angelis pervium: S. Amb. in Luc.
10. Luke i. 29.
11. Quid profecto non diceret nisi se virginem ante vovisset. L. de
Virg. c. 4, t. 6, p. 343.
12. Serm. 146.
13. St. Greg. Nyss. Tr. de Nativ.
14. L. 4. de Trin. c. 5.
15. See Thomasin des Fetes, p. 229.
16. Festum Sanctae Virginis Genitricis dies, festivitas matris--nam quod
festum est matris nisi incarnatio Verbi? Conc. Folet X.

ST. CAMMIN, ABBOT.

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