lessed."(247) On these words I
shall pause to make one reflection.

The Holy Ghost, through the organ of Mary's chaste lips, prophesies that
all generations shall call her blessed, with evident approval of the
praise she should receive.

What a daring prophecy is this! Among the wonderful predictions recorded
in Holy Scripture, I can recall none that more strongly commands my
admiration. Here is a modest, retiring maiden, living in an obscure
village in a remote quarter of the civilized world, openly announcing that
every age till the end of time, should pronounce her hallowed. We have no
reason to question this prophecy, for it is recorded in the inspired pages
of the Gospel. And we know also without the shadow of a doubt that the
prophecy has been literally fulfilled. For, in every epoch, and in every
Christian land from the rising to the setting sun, her _Magnificat_ has
daily resounded.

Now the Catholic is the only Church whose children, generation after
generation, from the first to the present century, have pronounced her
blessed; of all Christians in this land, they alone contribute to the
fulfilment of the prophecy.

Therefore, it is only Catholics that earn the approval of Heaven by
fulfilling the prediction of the Holy Ghost.

Protestants not only concede that we bless the name of Mary, but they even
reproach us with being too lavish in our praises of her.

On the other hand, they are careful to exclude themselves from the
"generations" that were destined to call her blessed, for, in speaking of
her, they almost invariably withhold from her the title of _blessed_,
prefering to call her _the Virgin_, or _Mary the Virgin_, or _the Mother
of Jesus_. And while Protestant churches will resound with the praises of
Sarah and Rebecca and Rachel, of Miriam and Ruth, of Esther and Judith of
the Old Testament, and of Elizabeth and Anna, of Magdalen and Martha of
the New, the name of Mary the Mother of Jesus is uttered with bated
breath, lest the sound of her name should make the preacher liable to the
charge of superstition.

The piety of a mother usually sheds additional lustre on the son, and the
halo that encircles her brow is reflected upon his. The more the mother is
extolled, the greater honor redounds to the son. And if this is true of
all men who do not choose their mothers, how much more strictly may it be
affirmed of Him who chose His own Mother, and made her Himself such as He
would have her, so that