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THE CORONATION 593
message, according to the prediction of the archangel
was to be the day of the glorious Transition of the most
blessed Mary. But from the very hour in which She re
ceived the announcement, She became so inflamed with the
fires of divine love and so multiplied her exercises of
devotion, that it seemed as if She wished to make up
for any relaxation or negligence in her fervor up to that
time. The traveler hastens his footsteps when a great
part of his way is still before him as the day declines;
the laborer or the merchant redoubles his exertions, when
evening overtakes him before the completion of his task.
But our great Queen hastened on in her heroic efforts,
not for fear of the approaching night or the risks of
journeying in the dark, but urged on by the loving desires
of the eternal light and in order to enter more rich and
of the Lord. She im
prosperous into everlasting joys
mediately wrote to the Apostles and disciples to encourage
them in their labors for the conversion of the world, and
thereafter, during those three years, more frequently than
before, repeated her injunctions. She used still greater
diligence in exhorting and confirming the faithful living
near Her by her personal intercourse. Although She
kept her own secret, yet her behavior was that of one
who begins to take her departure and desires to leave her
friends rich and prosperous, filled with celestial benedic
tions.
703. But in regard to the evangelist saint John She
had reason to take a different course ;
for She regarded
him as her son, who attended upon Her and assisted Her
in a special manner. Hence it seemed good to the most
blessed Lady to inform him of the message regarding
her death. After some days therefore and after having
asked his permission and blessing, She said to him :
"Thou
dost already know, my son and master, that among the
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