TO THE MOST HOLY CHILD JESUS,

AND TO HIS MOTHER, THE EMPRESS

of the Heavens, the Virgin MARY: a secure refuge,

and most efficacious advocate for sinners.

Large ornamental woodcut initial 'A' decorated with flowing vine and leaf motifs.ALTHOUGH I am most vile (for I am but dust and ashes), trusting in your infinite goodness, I come to present this work to you, my most benign Creator; to you I dedicate it, my sweetest Redeemer; and to you I offer it, my most amiable Benefactor: and likewise to your most holy Mother, the Empress of the Heavens and Queen of the Angels. And in doing this, I am moved by many causes, but principally so as not to let myself be surpassed in gratitude by a tiny blade of grass (a creature so imperfect and vile); for I consider that it naturally seeks to recognize you as its legitimate Creator, raising each year a small flower toward Heaven—your eternal dwelling and residence—as a sign of acknowledgment. From this it follows (my sweetest JESUS and my Redeemer) that since I am the work of your hands; knowing I have received more graces from your mercy than there are moments in the time of my life; seeing myself covered and surrounded by your favors, rained down upon me, your useless servant: coming (I say) to a knowledge of myself, and remembering never to have shown a sign of gratitude to such a great Benefactor of mine, with much and no small shame, full of confusion, and with my face bowed to the ground, I presently offer and dedicate this work to you. Therefore (sweetest Child and my Lord JESUS CHRIST), I humbly pray Your Divine Majesty original: "V. D. M." (Vuestra Divina Majestad) to accept this small service as a sign of the much that I owe you: trusting that you will as well accept the two cornados A "cornado" was a copper coin of very little value; the author is likening his work to the "widow's mite" mentioned in the Bible. from one who can offer no more, just as you accept the great services of the powerful. And just as on the last day of your life, while suffering on the Cross, you said to your Most Holy Mother: Woman, behold your son: original Latin: "Mulier ecce Filius tuus" and then said to the Disciple: Behold your Mother: original Latin: "Ecce Mater tua" so may you see fit that I be commended to this blessed Lady, and that I may always hold for her the love and reverence of a son for a mother. And to you, O Virgin without stain, comfort of the afflicted, and intercessor for sinners, I come to pray that you entreat your most loving Son, that through his goodness and mercy, he may forgive me for what I have done against his will and commandment. To you, O loving MARY, I come to pray affectionately, as Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Lord of all, that you see fit to obtain copious gifts and graces for this servant of yours, who is in this valley of tears; and that you be my advocate in every place and time: and in the hour of my death, defend me from the snares of the Devil, so that my soul may go to freely enjoy your most holy presence, with the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.