Hence it is that the observance of the Rule of St. Francis is The Necessary Means for the restoration of the Universal Church. For if the Church is to be restored, it must be conformed to Christ and to His Immaculate Mother; to their will and their holiness of life, to their life of perfection and to their manner of mission.
O what a beatiful and wonderful thing the Rule is! It is the will of the Immaculate, the perfect consecration to the Mother of God! The instrument of the restoration of the Church! A spiritual wonder! A supernatual mystery! An enigma of sanctity to those outside; and a portal of holiness for those within! What a stunning and altogether extraordinary son of the Immaculate Virgin, our Father Francis was! Not since the Apostles was the like seen; and in the Order hence, may his likeness be seen again and again!
May both Mother and son obtain for us the true grace of faith and penance, humility and devotion, that we may attain to that Kingdom where Her Son lives and reigns and is glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
This document has been released to the public domain by is author.
——————————————————————————————- St. Francis was and is a most ardent devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He composed this salutation, which is modeled after the Angelic Salutation, to greet Her every day by recalling the mighty deeds that God had wrought in Her and for Her. Like St. Francis’ other prayers, the date of the composition of this Salutation is unknown.
Hail Lady, Holy Queen, Holy Mary Theotokos, who are the Virgin made church and the one chosen by the Most Holy Father of Heaven, whom He consecrated with His Most Holy Beloved Son and with the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete; in whom there was and is all fullness of grace and every good. Hail His Palace! Hail His Tabernacle! Hail His Home! Hail His Vestment! Hail His Handmaid! Hail His Mother! And hail all you holy virtues, which through the grace and illumination of the Holy Spirit are infused into the hearts of the faithful, so that from those unfaithful you make them faithful to God.
St. Francis Prayer Praising Mary the Mother of Jesus:
Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen, Mary, Mother of God, ever Virgin. You were chosen by the Most High Father in heaven, consecrated by Him, with His most Holy Beloved Son and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. On you descended and still remains all the fullness of grace and every good. Hail, His Palace! Hail His Tabernacle! Hail His Robe! Hail His Handmaid! Hail, His Mother! And Hail, all holy Virtues, who, by grace and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, are poured into the hearts of the faithful so that from their faithless state, they may be made faithful servants of God through you.