dness of his heart in such a way that his
mouth did not lose but gained in grace.[1150] So modest was it that it
could not be suspected of levity; so gentle,[1151] however, that it
sufficed to free his joyous countenance from every trace and shadow of
sadness.[1152] O perfect gift! O _rich burnt sacrifice_![1153] O
pleasing service in mind and hand! How _sweet unto God is the
savour_[1154] of him who employs his leisure in prayers, how sweet unto
men of him who is occupied in fatiguing labours.

5. Because he was such an one, then, _beloved of God_[1155] and men, not
undeservedly was Malachy received this day into the company of angels,
having attained in fact what his name denoted.[1156] And indeed, already
he was an angel not less in purity than in name. But now more happily is
the significance of his glorious name fulfilled in him, since he is glad
with a glory and happiness equal to that of the angels.[1157] Let us
also, dearly beloved, be glad because our _angel ascended_[1158] to his
fellow-citizens, acting as an ambassador for _the children of the
captivity_,[1159] winning for us the favour of the blessed ones,
declaring to them the desires of the wretched. Let us _be glad_, I say,
_and rejoice_,[1160] because in that heavenly court[1161] there is one
who went forth from us to take care of us,[1162] to protect us by his
merits,[1163] whom he instructed[1164] by his example and
strengthened[1165] by his miracles.

6. The holy pontiff, who _in a humble spirit_[1166] often brought
peace-offerings to the heavens, to-day in his own person has _gone unto
the altar of God_,[1167] himself the victim and the priest. With the
departure of the priest the rite of sacrifice is changed into a better
thing. The _fountain of tears_[1168] is dried up, every burnt sacrifice
is made _with gladness and rejoicing_.[1169] _Blessed be the Lord God
of_ Malachy, who by the ministry of so great a pontiff _hath visited his
people_,[1170] and now, _taking him up into the holy city_,[1171]
ceaseth not, by the remembrance of so great sweetness to _comfort our
captivity_.[1172] Let _the spirit of_ Malachy _rejoice in the
Lord_,[1173] because he is freed from the heavy load of the body, and is
no longer hindered, by the weight of impure and earthly matter, from
passing with all eagerness and fullness of life, through the whole
creation, corporeal and incorporeal, that he may enter entirely into
God, and _joined to_ Him may with Him _be one spi