Polyglot Prayers to the Virgin

[Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary in eight languages]. Officium parvum Beatae Mariae Virginis. Hebraicè, Graecè, Latinè, Hispanicè, Anglicè, Gallicè, Germanicè, Italicè.
Mexico: José M. Lara, 1870.
(BRB0088)

Printed in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian, this polyglot edition of the “Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary” was expressly intended to introduce young readers to an essential Catholic text in eight ancient and modern languages. The lithographic frontispiece presents the familiar image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, but with an unusual accompaniment of eight cherubs playing musical instruments within a continuous scroll that proclaims the words of the Magnificat in eight languages: “All generations shall call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).