_Colloquy_ with Our Lady, asking her to get me more faith. _Resolution._ To let nothing interrupt my union with GOD. _Spiritual Bouquet._ "Sancta Virgo virginum, ora pro nobis." Hail Mary! "_The Angel Gabriel was sent from GOD into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the Virgin's name was Mary. And the Angel, being come in, said unto her: Hail! full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women!_" (St Luke i. 26-28.) _1st Prelude._ Gabriel saying the first _Hail Mary_. _2nd Prelude._ Grace to say my _Hail Maries_ well. When all was ready and GOD'S moment had arrived--"when the fulness of the time was come" (Gal. iv. 4)--heaven opened, and one of GOD'S messengers, Gabriel, an Archangel, was sent to Nazareth on a secret errand to Mary. He knew her well, and he expressed his knowledge in the first _Hail Mary_ that was ever said. Let us meditate on these familiar words, and try to find a few thoughts which may help us to say our _Hail Maries_ better. _Point I._--HAIL! Reverently he salutes her; for though she is not yet the Mother of GOD, she is immaculate, and worthy of all honour; besides, he is in the secret, and knows GOD'S designs. "Hail! full of grace." What does it mean--this word "_Ave_," _Hail!_ with which Gabriel begins his message? It is an expression of respect, honour, and reverence. It was the salutation always given to the Roman Emperor: _Ave! Cæsar Imperator._ But it is not only a form of greeting; it implies also that he who uses it is anxious to attract attention because he has something to say or some favour to ask. How often I say it!--_Hail Mary!_ What do I mean by it? I ought to mean that I am saluting the Queen of Heaven with all respect, honour, and reverence; and also that I, her child, am calling my Mother's attention. When she hears my _Hail!_ she expects that I have something to say to her, or that I want something. Is it so? And if Mary turned and said: "Yes, my child, what is it?" should I know? My _Hail!_ should be also to call my Mother's attention to the fact that I am there if _she_ has anything to say to me, or if she wants anything. Hail Mary! Your child is here, ready to do anything for you. When she turns at my _Hail!_ to ask me for something, does she always get it? Or is she disappointed to find that her child's thoughts are not really with her at all? What shall I do, for I know that I stand convicted; and much though I should like each _Hail Mary_ that I say to mean all this, I know that it does _not_? Would it be better not to say it at all, than to risk any want of respect to that Mother whom I love so dearly?