Here, with antiphonal song, thy people worshippeth thee, o Mary, and adoreth thee with pious hearts: thou, the worshipful daughter of high born Abraham, sprung from the royal stem of David.
Rejoice, o mother and noble virgin, who, trusting in the archangelic oracle of Gabriel, although unbroken, didst bear a Son, in Whose most sacred blood the whole of this most degenerate race is cleansed, as did promise God to Abraham!
Thee, o Mary, doth figure the barren rod of Aaron, with its fair flower, thou who bloomest without seed begotten of man.
Thou, o Mary, art the gate, ever barred, which Ezechiel’s voice witnesseth: thou whom we believe God alone can penetrate.
Yet thou, although desiring to commend unto us the example of a mother of virtues, didst undergo the remedy that is ordained to mothers who are stained.
Thou didst carry with thee to the Temple, that He should be cleansed, the One Who, God become Man, did grant to thee the honour of wholeness, o Mother that hast not been touched.
Rejoice thou, o holy Mary, that the Searcher of heart and reins findeth none but thee worthy to be His dwelling!
Exult, o Mary, that, when little, He did once smile upon thee, Who hath bestowed it upon all to rejoice and to exist at His nod!
Therefore, if we latecomers who keep the feast of the little Christ, made for our sake, and Mary’s, His pious mother’s, are not able to attain God’s mighty humility, let His mother be our model!
Praise to the Father of Glory, Who, unveiling His Son to the gentiles and His people, joineth us to Israel!
Praise to His Son, Who, reconciling us with His blood to the Father, joineth us to the citizens of heaven!
Praise be also to the Holy Spirit forever!
