In blessed Mary we see the new starting-point in this last stage of the work of God. For the foreseen merits of her Son she is brought into union with God and spared the taint of sin, and becomes the second Eve, the Mother of the new race. Acting upon her pure humanity, the Holy Spirit produces that humanity which joined to the divinity in the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity becomes the Christ, the Son of the Living God. In Mary's rejoicing in this so great fact, the bringing of human redemption, we rightly share. It is with a right understanding of her Song that the Church throughout the ages has embodied it in its worship and through it constantly rejoices in God its Saviour. The actual detailed accomplishment of God's work in man's redemption is going on under our eyes. It is regrettable that human stupidity seems to prefer dwelling upon what seem God's failures, and are actually our own, rather than upon the constant triumphs of grace. But God reigns; and we can always find grounds of optimism if we can find that He is day by day reigning more perfectly in us. When we pray "Thy Kingdom Come," the field to examine for the fulfilment of our prayers is the field of our own souls. Our Lady took the road To Zachary's abode; O'er mountain, vale and lea, Full many a league sped she Toward Hebron's holy hill, By God's command and will. Full light did Mary, make Of trouble for his sake. God's Very Son of yore Within her breast she bore; And angels bright and fair, Unseen, her fellows were. She, ere she took her way, An orison would say, That God her steps might tend Safe to their journey's end; And there, in manner meet, Her cousin she 'gan greet. Elizabeth full fain Eft bowed her head again; She wist 'twas God's own Bride, As, worshipful she cried: 'O Lady, Full of Grace, Whence do I see thy face?' O House and Home of bliss, O earthly Paradis-- Nay, Heaven itself on ground Wherein the Lord is found, The Lord of Glory bright, In goodness great and might-- Clean Maiden thou that art, Come, visit this my heart; And bring me chief my Good, God's Son in Flesh and Blood; Bless body, soul; and bide For ever by my side. From the Köln Gesang-Buch. XVI Cent. PART TWO CHAPTER VI S. JOSEPH Joseph, her husband, being a just man-- S. Matt. I. 19. O God, our refuge and our strength, look down in mercy upon thy people who cry to thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, mother of God, of St. Joseph her spouse, and of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and of all saints, in mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of our holy mother the church. Through. ROMAN.