The Most Beloved Woman

THESE papers, now published in book form, are not meant as a complete or systematic treatise on the Blessed Virgin. They do not seek to exhaust the inexpressibly rich and beautiful theme which they touch so occasionally and briefly. Rather they are pious meditations on certain of the prerogatives and glories of the Mother of God, first published from month to month in The Queen's Work and now gathered together in more permanent form because they have proved helpful to devout clients of Our Lady, who wish to have them at hand for occasional reading. The article on the prophecies appeared in the Ave Maria. When one considers that the Blessed Mother is, after her divine Son, the most lovely object of human contemplation, it is rather strange that more has not been written in English in her praise. If this little book stirs a more ardent love of the holy Mother in its readers and makes them desire to read more of the Marian literature it will have fulfilled its purpose. And while offering this small and wilted flower at the shrine of the Mother of God the writer hopes that some future time may bring him the opportunity of making a worthier tribute to the boast and glory of our mere human nature, the Most Beloved Woman, the dearest Mother of God.