O Virgin thou, the spirit's fairest,
Predestined by the will divine,
Within thy sacred womb thou bearest
His only Son, and also thine.
O thou in whom rich grace abounds,
Foretold thou wast to be the foe
Who in her origin confounds
The wicked demon here below.
Within thy womb anew Life's made,
The very life by Adam lost
Hath been renewed by thee, sweet maid,
Who didst provide the holocaust.
Thy will immersed in Jesu's own,
Atoning for the sins of all,
He raiseth thee to Heaven's throne,
In victory o'er death's dread thrall.
In thy great glory burning bright
Exalted nature sings the praise,
And unto beauty's very height,
Dost honour and all glory raise.
Triumphant Queen to Heaven borne,
Upon us exiles turn thy sight,
That to the ever-blessed morn
We may be guided by thy light.
All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-Born, to thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.
Ant. on Magnificat: O wisest of virgins, * whither goest thou, like to the Day-Spring gloriously rising? O daughter of Sion, altogether lovely art thou, and pleasant for delights, fair as the moon, clear as the sun.
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast taken up into heavenly glory both the body and soul of the Mother of thy Son, the immaculate Virgin Mary : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may in such wise set our affections on things above ; that we may finally attain unto fellowship with her in glory. Through the same.