Mother of that Divine Humanity,
Stedfast of purpose - now begins for thee
A Life of pure Compassion. Secretly,
Thou in thy bosom bearest what must be
The sharpest pain for pure Maternity.
'Twas thine own will - immersed in God's decree-
To leave thy still retreat in Galilee.
The Mother's nature could not brook to be
In peace and safety, while alone wrought He
The work of Man's Redemption, painfully.
But Mother's Nature not alone would be
The motive force of this fidelity:
Though none perchance so capable would be
To rise above itself, and valiantly
The burthen bear prepared for Him and thee.
Thus is it, seeming miracles may be
By Grace in Nature wrought. In verity,
Doth God His Way prepare most dexterously
Through Human Nature, when her cure shall be
The purpose of Eternal Clemency.
And what is now His Purpose? Verily,
The restoration of Humanity;
Of that Creation so beloved, that He
Designed it for Himself eternally -
And in which Order He hath moulded thee.
Thou art the Valiant Woman. Prophecy
In thee had seen a perfect entity.
No Miracle was it enabling thee
To follow Him throughout courageously:
But Nature born again, re-formed in thee.
Apart wert thou from others: yet, we see
How Mary and Salome stayed by thee
Through those three years of wandering. Verily,
Two ministering Angels they, to thee -
Those faithful Women out of Galilee.
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote