CIUDAD to - the Catholic Kingdom!

THE CORONATION 117
structed in the faith. And if it is according to thy will
and service, I desire also that the Apostles commence even
now to consecrate the body and the blood of thy and my
this new and admirable sacrifice
Son, in order that by
they may give Thee praise and thanks for the blessing
of the Redemption and all the favors Thou hast through
it conferred upon the world, and also that according to
thy will the children of the Church may in it receive the
nourishment of eternal life. I am but dust and ashes,
the least handmaid of thy faithful, and a woman ;
and on
that account I hesitate in proposing this to thy priests
and Apostles. But do Thou inspire, O Lord, the heart
of saint Peter, thy Vicar, to ordain what Thou wishest."
99. The Church therefore owes thanks to most holy
Mary for this special blessing that by her most discreet
:
attention and intercession the body and blood of her
divine Son was consecrated for the first time after the
Ascension and after the coming of the Holy Ghost. It
was natural, that through her efforts the bread of life
should begin to be distributed among her children Prov.
(
31, 14), since She was the richly laden and prosperous
vessel, which brought it from heaven. The Lord then
answered Her :
"My
beloved Dove, let what thou wish
est, be done. My Apostles, with saint Peter and John,
shall speak to thee and thou shalt order through them
what thou wishest to be done."
Immediately
all of the
Apostles entered the presence of the great Queen, and She
received them as usual by reverently falling on her knees
before them and asking their blessing. This Saint Peter,
as the head of the Apostles, imparted. He spoke for all
of them and represented to Mary, how the newly con
verted had already been instructed in the mysteries of the
Lord s faith; how it was just, that they should receive
Baptism, and that they should be marked as the children
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