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Apostles and the martyrs; She was the standard-bearer of virgins,
                    the model of married people; She united in Herself perfect innocence and perfect mortification. In
                    fine, She united in Her heart all the most heroic virtues that any saint ever practiced. Hence of
                Her it was said, The Queen stands on Thy right hand in gilded clothing, surrounded with variety
            (Ps. 44:10). All the graces, privileges, and merits of the other saints are all united in Mary.

                    As the splendor of the sun exceeds that of all the stars united, so does Mary's glory exceed that
                of all the blessed. And as the planets are illumined by the sun, so do all the blessed receive an
                increase of happiness from the sight of Mary. Therefore was the joy of all the inhabitants of
                        Heaven augmented when the glorious Virgin Mother of God ascended thither, and the greatest glory of
        the blessed in Heaven is, after seeing God, the presence of this most beautiful Queen.

                        Let us, then, rejoice with Mary that God has exalted Her to so high a throne in Heaven. Let us also
                        rejoice on our own account; for though our most dear Mother is no longer present with us on earth,
                        having been assumed in glory into Heaven, yet in affection She is always with us. Nay, being there
                    nearer to God, She better knows our miseries, and Her pity for us is greater, while She is also
better able to help us.

                        Let us, in the meantime, dedicate ourselves to the service of this Queen, to honor and love Her as
much as we can.
 
This chapter is drawn from St. Alphonsus de Liguori,
The Glories of Mary, pages 529-535.