13 September - The Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Text is taken from The Liturgical Year by Abbot Gueranger, O.S.B.
Translated from the French by Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B.
The Illustration is from Wikimedia Commons

The Virgin in Prayer.

Giovanni Battista Salvi "Il Sassoferrato", 

Jungfrun i bön (1640-1650). 

National Gallery, London. 

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Book of Canticles, vii. 1, 2.

How beautiful are thy first steps, O prince's daughter !

Our eyes are never weary of contemplating in thee the marvel of harmonious sweetness united to the strength of an army.

Blessed child, continue to grow in grace;

   may thy course be prosperous;

   may thy royalty be strengthened and established.

But the Church will not wait till thou be grown up,

   to sing to thee her beautiful antiphon:

First Antiphon of the Third Nocturn of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary;

   thou alone hast destroyed all heresies throughout the world.