From a sermon by Saint , (see bio at the end)

Mary stored up all these things in her heart

While Mary contemplated all she had come to know through reading, listening and observing, she grew in faith, increased in merits, and was more illuminated by wisdom and more consumed by the fire of charity. The heavenly mysteries were opened to her, and she was filled with joy; she became fruitful by the Spirit, was being directed toward God, and watched over protectively while on earth. So remarkable are the divine graces that they elevate one from the lowest depths to the highest summit, and transform one to a greater holiness. How entirely blessed was the mind of the Virgin which, through the indwelling and guidance of the Spirit, was always and in every way open to the power of the Word of God. She was not led by her own senses, nor by her own will; thus she accomplished outwardly through her body what wisdom from within gave to her faith. It was fitting for divine Wisdom, which created itself a home in the Church, to use the intervention of the most blessed Mary in guarding the law, purifying the mind, giving an example of humility and providing a spiritual sacrifice.

Imitate her, O faithful soul. Enter into the deep recesses of your heart so that you may be purified spiritually and cleansed from your sins. God places more value on good will in all we do than on the works themselves. Therefore, whether we give ourselves to God in the work of contemplation or whether we serve the needs of our neighbor by good works, we accomplish these things because the love of Christ urges us on. The acceptable offering of the spiritual purification is accomplished not in a man-made temple but in the recesses of the heart where the Lord Jesus freely enters.

RESPONSORY

O pure and holy virgin, how can I find words to praise your beauty? — The highest heavens cannot contain God whom you carried in your womb.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. — The highest heavens cannot contain God whom you carried in your womb.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

O God, who prepared a fit dwelling place for the Holy Spirit in the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, graciously grant that through her intercession we may be a worthy temple of your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. — Amen.

ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community)

Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks. The English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) ©1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission by Surgeworks, Inc for the Divine Office Catholic Ministry. DivineOffice.org website, podcast, apps and all related media is © 2006-2020 Surgeworks, Inc. All rights reserved. St. Lawrence Justinian (1 July 1381 A.D. – 8 January 1456 A.D.) He was a canon regular who was appointed as a bishop and became the first of . St. Lawrence Justinian was a member of the well-known family, which includes several saints. The piety of his mother seems to have served as an inspiration for his own spirituality, as he chose of a life of prayer and service. In 1404, after he had been ordained a , at the suggestion of an uncle who was a priest, he joined a community of following a monastic form of life on the island of San Giorgio in Alga. [2] He was admired by his fellows for his poverty, mortification, and fervency of prayer. Two years after his ordination to the Catholic priesthood in 1407, the community accepted the Rule of St. Augustine. He was chosen to be the first of the community.[3] Lawrence promoted the Constitutions which he been established for the Canons of St. George, which was embraced by other communities of Canons in the region and shortly thereafter he became the Prior General of a Congregation. He was so zealous in spreading it that he was looked upon as if he were the actual founder of the Order. In 1433, Eugene IV, one of the founders of the Monastery of San Giorgio,[4] named Gustiniani as the Bishop of Castello. He found a diocese in shambles and his administration was marked by considerable growth and reform. In 1451, united the Diocese of Castello with the of Grado, and the seat of the patriarchate was moved to Venice, making Giustiniani the first , a post that he held for over four years. It was during Lawrence's rule that Constantinople fell to Muslim forces. Due to their centuries of close trading partnerships with , the people of Venice were in panic as to their future. He took a leading role in helping the Republic to deal with the crisis, working with the Senate to help chart its future, as well as with the clergy and people to calm them.[5] • Saint of the Day, September 5 saintpatrickdc.org. Retrieved 2012-02-29. • "San Lorenzo Giustiniani". Santi e beati (in Italian). Retrieved 19 January 2013. • "Saints of the Canons Regular". Confederation of Canons Regular of St. Augustine. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2013. • "Congregations and Houses". Augustinian canons. Retrieved 16 February 2013. Calendarium Romanum, Libreria Editrice Vaticana (1969), p. 137 • Martyrologium Romanum, Libreria Editrice Vaticana (2001), ISBN 88-209-7210-7