Those, however, who court the danger will perish in it.  They can not expect divine assistance who wilfully seek temptation and sin.

3.  The seventh and last petition is “But deliver us from evil.”  After asking God not to lead us into temptation we urge Him to preserve us from evil of soul and body.  We confidently trust God to guide us according to His wisdom and mercy, and to deliver us from everything which is an obstacle to our salvation, even if in our own shortsightedness we may think it good and desirable.

We conclude the “Lord’s Prayer” with the little word “Amen,” which is equivalent to “So be it.”  With this single word we confirm all our petitions.  It means:  “O God grant us these things for which we have just prayed.”

Truly this prayer, taught us by Our Lord, is of high dignity and importance.  It is not alone a prayer, but a sermon as well.  It is a prayer which comprises in itself all other prayers.  It is a prayer of praise, of thanksgiving and supplication.  It is, therefore, appropriate for all occasions.  Are you discouraged and faint-hearted, go and say the “Our Father.”  The thought that you have an all-merciful Father in heaven will lift you up, inspire you with confidence and comfort you.  Do self-love and pride strive for the mastery within you, go and say, “Hallowed be Thy name.”  Is anger and malice in your heart, say, “Forgive us our trespasses at we forgive those who trespass against us.”  If impatience is your fault say, “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”  When beset by temptation invoke God:  “Lead us not into temptation,” and in trial and adversity beseech God:  “Deliver us from evil.”

O that this holy and sublime prayer would be properly understood and appreciated.  What blessings it would produce everywhere.  May then our contemplation contribute with the blessing of God toward our own love of this wonderful prayer and greater devotion in its recital.

VIII.  THE EXCELLENCE OF THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE ROSARY

(e) The Hail Mary.

“And the angel said to her:  Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women.”—­Luke i, 28.

Dear Brethren:  To-day there is offered for our consideration one of the sweetest of prayers of our holy Religion.  It is the “Hail Mary,” or Angelical Salutation, which we say so often, particularly in the Rosary.  Considered in its origin, its contents, and in its efficacy it is beautiful and sublime, and, with the exception of the Lord’s Prayer, the most excellent.  Its origin is to be had in the words which the Archangel Gabriel addressed to blessed Mary, ever virgin.  To these have been added the words of St. Elizabeth on the occasion of Mary’s visit, and the holy Church has completed the prayer with a consoling supplication.  Its very origin, therefore, makes this prayer a holy and venerable one.

The words of salutation are brief, but they contain everything that one could ever say in praise of the Virgin Mother of God.