PRAYER.
Lady, here is the flower of the day: it is a bouquet
of carnations. I present it to you as a symbol of an
intention that I have conceived and it is that of putting
my life in order in my actions, the order that my
conscience dictates and that of maintaining it amidst the
vicissitudes and the elements of this world and to
persevere in it until death. I will be strong with the
strength that I hope to receive from God through your
mediation. Accept this flower.

I. The pink carnation (clavel)

1. After the roses and the lilies the carnations come
among the aromatic flowers. They are very common plants,
easy to cultivate and they bloom throughout the seasons of
the year; they have varied colours and they bloom
abundantly. Its odour is very delicate and pleasant.

II. Fortitude

2. Fortitude is the third among the cardinal virtues.
Magnanimity and magnificence, patience and perseverance
are at her service. It has in the battle two acts, which are: to assail and to
sustain until death the conquered territory. It goes forward
rather than backward, wages offensive and defensive war.
Prudence proposes well the means and the manner of
what has to be practiced; in the function, in the act, in the
actual, fortitude sustains the soul firm, unshaken,
unchanging and constant until the end, until death.
The carnation, once it is placed in the garden, sustains
itself against the elements of the weather and amidst all
vicissitudes it blooms throughout the seasons of the year.
It pertains to this virtue and to its dependents the gift of
fortitude.

III. Fortitude in Mary

3. Mary gave proofs of her fortitude in all the course of
her life, but especially in the passion of her Son.
IV. (without title)
4. Enter into the garden of your soul and see if the
carnations are blooming. Examine your heart.
Set your heart on the good, resolve to practice such and
other virtue: are you firm, faithful and constant in its
execution?. What do you do when because of your virtue,
persecution or contradiction occurs? Do you weaken? Do
you step back? Stir up your courage, strength and spirit;
undertake resolutely whatever action your prudence may
propose and order you to execute in life’s situations; direct
your life to God, and once the design is planned stick to it
and fight against the obstacles until you overcome them:
take your flowers and when you offer your intentions to the
Queen, say to her:

Presentation of the carnation to Mary

PRAYER. Lady, here is the flower of the day: it is a bouquet
of carnations. I present it to you as a symbol of an
intention that I have conceived and it is that of putting
my life in order in my actions, the order that my
conscience dictates and that of maintaining it amidst the
vicissitudes and the elements of this world and to
persevere in it until death. I will be strong with the
strength that I hope to receive from God through your
mediation. Accept this flower.