Oh no. Does not a mother love to hear the voice of her babe in its cradle, even though the sounds it makes are quite inarticulate, and it cannot say what it wants? She always understands, and is able to interpret the baby language, and will give it what is good for it, though it may be all unconscious of its needs. None but the mother would recognise that the babe was calling her attention--not even the babe itself. Is not this something like my _Hail Maries_ carelessly and lightly said? I say them because I am Mary's child; it is the most natural thing to do; and she will interpret them as her Mother's heart knows how. And, like the babe in its cradle, I love to feel that she is at my side, because I have attracted her attention, even though I may have done it almost from habit, and may not know exactly why. Hail Mary! I will say the blest words as often as I can, putting into them all the meaning and fervour of which I am capable, and leaving it to my Mother to make up all deficiencies. _Point II._--FULL OF GRACE How is Mary full of grace? 1. Because she was conceived without sin: that is, her soul was full of grace instead of original sin. She was full of grace always--even before she was the Mother of the Author of grace. 2. Because of her correspondence to grace. She was always faithful to grace. She never let one single opportunity pass by her unused. The more faithful I am to the inspirations of grace, the fuller shall I be of grace. It is a question of my fidelity, not of GOD'S generosity. He never fails--the grace is always there waiting for me. 3. Because she was always meriting grace. Each correspondence to grace entitled her to more, as it does me. It is by virtue of her merits that she can obtain from her Divine Son all the grace that her children need. Confidently may they appeal to her, for she is the "Mother of Divine Grace." "_In me is all grace of the way._" (Ecclus. xxiv. 25.) So Mary says to her children, and she has all I need for the way--that is, for my journey through life. The way is hard--it is the Highway of the Cross, the way that JESUS trod before me. Let me never attempt to tread it alone--not for a single hour, for the pitfalls are many; but let me ask Mary to accompany me--Mary with her never-failing supply of grace. It was JESUS Himself Who gave me His Mother, and He gave her also all the grace that He knew I should need for the way. What a provision He has made for me! If I drew upon my stores more confidently, I should be much fuller of grace than I am. _Hail Mary! full of grace_, thou art my Mother. Let me put my hands in thine and keep close to thee. So shall the way have no terrors for me, and so shall I be able to tread in the Footsteps of thy Son, along His Own Highway of the Cross. _Point III._--THE LORD IS WITH THEE. BLESSED ART THOU AMONG WOMEN