Mary is the Ark of God, the center of the universe, the cause of creation, the business of the ages. Towards her turn the men who have gone before us we who are now living, those who are to follow us, our children's children, and their descendants. If we have any chance of salvation, we have it all from Mary. Go, then, have recourse to Mary.

St. Bernard, "On the Feast of Pentecost," "On the Assumption"