My most loving Redeemer and Lord Jesus Christ. I, Thy miserable
servant, well knowing what pleasure he gives Thee who endeavors to exalt
Thy most holy Mother, whom Thou lovest so much; knowing, too, how much
Thou desirest to see her loved and honored by all, have determined to
publish this work of mine, which treats of her glories. I know not,
however, to whom I could better recommend it than to Thee, Who hast her
glory so much at heart. To Thee, therefore, do I dedicate and commend
it. Accept this little homage of the love I bear Thee and Thy beloved
Mother. Do Thou protect it by showering down on all that read it the
light of confidence and flames of love towards this Immaculate Virgin in
whom Thou hast placed the hope and whom Thou hast made the refuge of all
the redeemed. And as a reward for my poor labor, grant me, I beseech
Thee, that love towards Mary, which, by the means of this book, I desire
to see enkindled in all that read it.
And now I turn to thee, O my most sweet Lady and Mother Mary. Thou
well knowest that, after Jesus, I have placed my entire hope of
salvation in thee; for I acknowledge that everything good—my conversion,
my vocation to renounce the world and all the other graces that I have
received from God—all were given me through thy means. Thou knowest
that in order to see thee loved by all as thou deservest, and also as
some mark of gratitude for the many benefits thou has conferred upon me,
I have always endeavored in my sermons, in public and in private, to
insinuate into all thy sweet and salutary devotion. I hope to continue
doing so until my last breath, but my advanced years and feeble health
admonish me that I am near the end of my pilgrimage and my entry into
eternity; and therefore I wish, before dying, to leave this book to the
world, in order that in my place it may continue to preach thee, and
encourage others to announce thy glories, and the tender compassion thou
showest to thy clients. I trust, my most beloved Queen, that this
little gift, which is one of love, though far beneath thy merits, will
yet be acceptable to thy most gracious heart. Extend, then, that most
sweet hand with which thou hast drawn me from the world and delivered me
from Hell, and accept it and protect it as thine own. But at the same
time thou must know that I expect a reward for my little offering; and
that is, that from this day forward I may love thee more than ever, and
that every one into whose hands this work may fall may at once be
inflamed with love of thee; and that his desire of loving thee, and of
seeing thee loved by others, may be increased, so that he may labor with
all affection to preach and promote, as far as he can, thy praises, and
confidence in thy most powerful intercession.
Amen
