"PREFACE. The devotion of the faithful towards the Mother of Qod has inspired them to consecrate the month of May in a special manner to her honour. This pious practice originated in Italy; and the month of May was selected in preference to any other, from a wish to change a season of dissipation and amusement into one of instruction and devotion. From Italy it passed into France, and other countries of Europe, where it has been found productive of the most beneficial results. Within the last few years, it has been introduced into the United States, and has been practised by numbers of the faithful servants of Mary, who eagerly profit by this opportunity of testifying their love and gratitude to the Holy Mother of God, and of cultivating the virtues which would assimilate them to this perfect model of Christians...." Digitized by Google., Electronic reproduction, Master and use copy. Digital master created according to Benchmark for Faithful Digital Reproductions of Monographs and Serials, Version 1. Digital Library Federation, December 2002, digitized, Description based on print version record