The Glories of Mary - Saint Alphonsus Liguori

THE

GLORIESOF

M A R Y

SaintAlphonsusMariadeLiguori

ANEWTRANSLATIONFROMTHEITALIAN

TWOVOLUMESINONE

PublishedbyLiguoriPublicationsLiguori,Missouriwww.liguori.org

Revisededitioncopyright©2000byLiguoriPublications.Firsteditioncopyright©1962,1963byRedemptoristFathersofNewYork.

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Liguori,AlfonsoMariade’,Saint,1696–1787.[GloriediMaria.English]ThegloriesofMary/AlphonsusMariadeLiguori.p.cm.—(ALiguoriclassic)“AnewtranslationfromtheItalian.”Includesindex.ISBN978-0-7648-0664-3(pbk.)1.Mary,BlessedVirgin,Saint—Earlyworksto1800.I.Title.II.Series.

BT602.L54132000232.91—dc2100-030949

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CONTENTS

Editor’sPrefaceReadingTheGloriesofMaryTheAuthor’sPrayertoJesusandMaryIntroductionbySaintAlphonsusDeclarationoftheAuthor

PARTICOMMENTARYONTHE

HAIL,HOLYQUEENORSALVEREGINA

1.Hail,HolyQueen,MotherofMercyOurConfidenceinMaryShouldBeGreatBecauseSheIstheQueenofMercyOurConfidenceinMaryShouldBeEvenGreaterBecauseSheIsOurMotherOurMother’sGreatLoveforUsMaryIstheMotherofPenitentSinners

2.OurLife,OurSweetnessMaryIsOurLifeBecauseSheObtainsthePardonforOurSinsMaryIsAlsoOurLifeBecauseSheObtainsPerseveranceforUsMary,OurSweetness—SheMakesDeathSweettoHerClients

3.OurHopeMaryIsEverybody’sHopeMaryIstheHopeofSinners

4.ToYouDoWeCry,PoorBanishedChildrenofEveMaryIsPrompttoHelpThoseWhoInvokeHerMary’sPowerIsGreatinTimeofTemptation

5.ToYouDoWeSendUpOurSighs,Mourning,andWeepinginThisValleyofTearsMary’sIntercessionIsNecessaryforOurSalvationMaryIntercedesforAllSinners

6.MostGraciousAdvocateMaryIsanAdvocateWhoIsAbletoSaveEverybodyMaryPleadstheCauseofEventheGreatestSinnersMaryIsthePeacemakerBetweenSinnersandGod

7.TurnThen,YourEyesofMercyTowardUsMaryIsAllEyestoPityandHelpUs

8.AndAfterThis,OurExile,ShowUntoUstheBlessedFruitofYourWomb,JesusMarySavesHerServantsFromHellMaryHelpsHerServantsinPurgatoryMaryLeadsHerServantstoHeaven

9.OClement!OLoving!TheClemencyandCompassionofMary

10.OSweetVirginMary!Mary’sNameIsSweetinLifeandinDeath

PARTIIPRAYERSTOOURLADY

1.FerventPrayersofSomeSaintstotheMotherofGod2.PrayertoBeSaidtotheBlessedVirginAfteraDailyVisit

PARTIIISERMONSONTHEPRINCIPAL

FEASTSOFMARY

1.Sermon1:Mary’sImmaculateConception2.Sermon2:Mary’sBirth3.Sermon3:Mary’sPresentation4.Sermon4:Mary’sAnnunciation5.Sermon5:Mary’sVisitation6.Sermon6:Mary’sPurification7.Sermon7:Mary’sAssumption8.Sermon8:SecondSermononMary’sAssumption

PARTIVTHESORROWSOFMARY

1.TheFirstSorrow:TheProphecyofSaintSimeon2.TheSecondSorrow:TheFlightofJesusintoEgypt3.TheThirdSorrow:TheLossofJesusintheTemple4.TheFourthSorrow:TheSorrowfulMeetingofJesusandMary5.TheFifthSorrow:TheDeathofJesus6.TheSixthSorrow:ThePiercingoftheSideofJesusandHisDescentFromtheCross7.TheSeventhSorrow:TheBurialofJesus

PARTVTHEVIRTUESOFTHEBLESSEDVIRGINMARY

1.Mary’sHumility2.Mary’sLoveforGod3.Mary’sLoveforHerNeighbor4.Mary’sFaith5.Mary’sHope6.Mary’sChastity7.Mary’sPoverty8.Mary’sObedience

9.Mary’sPatience10.Mary’sSpiritofPrayer

PARTVIPRACTICESOFDEVOTIONINHONOROF

THEBLESSEDVIRGINMARY

1.TheHailMary2.Novenas3.TheRosaryandOfficeofOurBlessedLady4.Fasting5.VisitingMary’sShrines6.TheScapular7.ConfraternitiesofOurBlessedLady8.Almsgiving9.FrequentRecoursetoMary10.OtherPracticesinHonorofMary

PARTVIIFURTHEREXAMPLESRELATINGTO

THEBLESSEDVIRGIN

TestimoniesofDevotiontoOurLadyConclusion

APPENDICES:REPLIESTOCRITICS

Appendix1:ReplytoanAnonymousCriticAppendix2:ReplytotheAbbéRolli

NotesIndex

EDITOR’SPREFACE

It ismore thanacenturyandahalf since the firstAmericaneditionofTheGloriesofMaryappeared.Sincethattime,theGlorieshasgonethroughseveraleditionsandmanyprintings.WhenSaintAlphonsusfirstpublishedTheGloriesofMaryin1750,theworkappearedintwovolumes. The first contained the explanation of theHail, Holy Queen; the second, varioussermons, meditations, devotions, and prayers. Since the first edition, theGlories has oftenappearedinasinglevolume.Thisistheplanwehavefollowedinthisedition.Thepresentvolume,therefore,containssubstantiallythematerialthatappearsinVolume

VI(1935)andVolumeVII(1937)oftheOpereAscetichediSant’Alfonso,entitledLeGloriediMaria. The last section of Volume VII contained material which was composed by SaintAlphonsus at a later date and which was incorporated into some editions merely forconvenience.Thus,thelastsectionhasbeenomittedinthisvolume.This present edition is based on an English-language text, published in two volumes in

1962 and 1963, and made as a new translation by John Chapin from the critical Italianedition of The Glories of Mary (Le Glorie di Maria). This volume is not a synopsis orcompendiumof theGlories. It is a new translation of thework as it left the handof SaintAlphonsus.Thecontentishis;theaffectionsarehis;theexamplesarehis.Kind suggestions frommany sources recommending an abbreviation of thework, or at

leasttheeliminationofsomeofthemorecontroversialexamples,weresetasideinfavorofaplan to edit a faithful and unabridged translation of the Alphonsian original. Some of thestoriesandlegendsthesaintnarratespertain,itistrue,toanageandaculturequitedifferentfromours.Butthelessonbehindthestoriesisstillpracticalandvalid,andforthatreasontheoriginalexampleshavebeenretained.Several features of the new translation should be noted. An attempt has beenmade to

rendermanyinvolvedgrammaticalconstructionsoftheoriginalinreadablevernacularidiom.Sentences have been dissected and participial expressions, so cumbersome in previousversions, appear in amore felicitous clause form.Matterwhich is obviously repetitious, aswhenSaintAlphonsusreferstoanauthorityinhisownwordsandthengivesthequotationverbatim,hasbeensynthesized.Thistranslationgiveseithertheparaphraseorthequotation,seldomboth.WhereSaintAlphonsusreferstoholypersonswhohavesincebeenbeatifiedorcanonized,wehavereferredtothemasSaintThomasMore,SaintRobertBellarmine,ratherthanmerelySirThomasMore,CardinalBellarmine,andsoon.Footnotes have been reduced to a minimum. Where they have been employed, the

references are explanatory rather thanmere citations. Sources can be verified quickly andeasilybyreferringtothecriticalItalianedition,whichissuperblyannotated.The Confraternity Edition of the sacred Scriptures has been used wherever feasible. In

certain instances,however, itwasdeemedexpedient togive theDouay-Rheims translation.SaintAlphonsususedtheLatinVulgateexclusivelyandthereareinstanceswherehisdoctrineorimplicationswouldbelost,oratleastobscured,bytheuseofanyEnglishtextotherthanone based on theVulgate. Particularly is this true in themany citations from the Book of

Ecclesiasticus(Sirach).Perhaps the most significant differentiating feature of the present translation is the

consistentuseof“you”and“your”inplaceof“thou”anditsforms.Saint Alphonsus wrote The Glories of Mary as a defense of Our Lady at a time when

JansenisticwriterswereridiculingdevotiontoMary,singlingoutthe“Hail,HolyQueen”forparticularcriticism.Thisexplainsthesaint’sapproachtothesubject—hisnumerouscitationsfromtheFathers,Doctors,andtheologiansoftheChurch.Itexplains,too,theunctionandthefervorthatcharacterizethesepages.HiswasaLatintemperament,stronginitsloves,violentin its antagonisms. Some have suggested toning down his exuberances of expression,streamliningthetextandprayers.Thissuggestion,too,hasbeensetaside.Toeliminatetheunction,especiallyof theaffections,wouldbe todissipate thedistinctive flavor thatmakesthesewritingshis.AnditisthedistinctiveAlphonsianflavorthatisthesecretoftheappealthatTheGloriesofMaryhasalwaysexertedinthefieldofMarianliterature.TheGloriesofMary is,beyondalldoubt,SaintAlphonsus’smasterpiece.Thesaint’sown

deep,personalloveofOurLadywouldhaveenabledhimtowriteoriginally,enthusiastically,almost inexhaustibly, inhonorofhisQueen.Buthechose togive theworlda summaryofChristiantraditioninpraiseofMary.IntheGlories,heallowstheChurch,asitwere,tospeakforherselfbythevoiceoftheprophets,patriarchs,apostles,pontiffs,theDoctorsandFathersandsaintsofallagesandclimes.Hisworkisnomerecompilation,however.AwriternamedCandidoRomanohassaid:“Itisamosaicexecutedbyacleverartist…orbetter,aworkdoneinenamel,adornedwith jewels…abeautifulharmonyof lightandshadeandcolor…allrevealingthegeniusofthemasterwhoplannedtheworkandexecuteditwithconsummateskill.”QuotedintheActsofConferringtheDoctoratearethesewords:“SaintAlphonsushasgiven

usanexcellentwork—perfect fromeverypointofview. It isworthyofamanofhisgreatintellectualgiftsandprofoundknowledge. Itnotonlypromotespietyamongthe faithful; itprovidesamplematerialfortheologiansandpreachersoftheWordofGod.Acursoryreadingmay convey the impression that it is just an ordinary book. But an attentive study of thecontentswillrevealaveritablemineofecclesiasticalloreandMariantheology.…Themannaof sacredScripture seemed tohave thepropertyof adapting itself to the taste of everyonewhoate it.ThesameseemstobetrueofTheGloriesofMary. It satisfies theneedsand thetasteofthemostdiversereaders.”It is easy to understand why Pope Pius VII said what he did when the grave of Saint

AlphonsuswasopenedatPagani.“Letthethreefingersofhisrighthand,thosefingersthathavewritten sowell for thehonorofGod,of theBlessedVirgin,andofourholy faith,becarefullypreservedandsenttoRome.”CardinalDeschampsofBelgium(1810–1883)calledSaintAlphonsus’sGloriesofMaryhis

spiritualthermometer.“WhenIamfaithfultograce,”hewrote,“thisbookenlightensmeandsustainsmy confidence.When I grow negligent and become lukewarm, it hardly suitsmytaste.Itis,inaway,toomuchforme.Whenthishappens,IenterintomyselfandIrecognizewithoutdifficulty that it isnot the light thathasdiminished itsbrightness,butmy interioreyethatisnolongerabletobearitsbrilliance.ThenItrytorestoretotheeyeofmysoulitspurityandpower,andsoonthethermometerrises.”

Maythislittleworkbe,forallloversofMary,ourspiritualthermometer.Evenmore.Mayit serve immeasurably to increase our fervor, our devotion, our love for this greatQueen.Saint Alphonsus laid his sword atMary’s altar and dedicated his life to her.Maywe, hisreaders,beinspiredtoconsecrateourlivestoMaryineverydetailashedid.Mayourlives,likehis,reverberateincessantly,interminably,inpraiseofthegloriesofMary!

CHARLESG.FEHRENBACH,C.Ss.R.EDITOROFTHE1962/1963EDITION

READINGTHEGLORIESOFMARY

SaintAlphonsusiswellknownforhisdeepandaffectionatedevotiontotheBlessedMother.HewroteTheGlories ofMary in1750at themature ageof fifty-four as a testament tohisunfailingloveforthemotherofhisLord.Hisaimindoingsowastodeepenhisreaders’loveforMary.Toachievethisend,AlphonsusgatheredfromallthesourcesavailabletohimatthetimeallthatwouldservetodrawhisreadersclosertothewomanhailedbysaintsandangelsalikeasGod’sclosestandmosthighlyfavoreddaughter.Alphonsusputhisheartandsoulintothiswork.Hishighlycomplexmosaicofteachings,

anecdotes,prayers,andpracticesplacesMaryattheveryheartoftheChurchanddepictsherashavinganintimateroleintheredemptiveactionofherson.

AnOpenBook

One way of approaching this great classic of Catholic Marian devotion is to examine itsstructure. Alphonsus opens The Glories with a prayer to Jesus and Mary (page xxi). Thisopeningsupplicationisfollowedbyanintroductionwhereheexplainshisreasonsforwritingthe book and points out the commonbond he shareswith his readers by virtue ofMary’sspiritualmotherhood(pagesxxiii–xxvi).This,inturn,isfollowedbyabriefexplanatorynoteto his readers of the theological correctness of some of his terms; for example, Mary’smediationofgraceandhercooperationintheworkofredemption(pagexxvii).The body of the book is divided into parts, the first of which consists of a phrase-by-

phraseexpositionoftheSalveRegina(pages1–158),followedbyprayerstoOurLady(pages159–176),aseriesofshortertractsonvariousMarianfeasts(pages177–280),dolors(pages281–326),virtues(pages327–358),anddevotionalpractices(pages359–384).Attheendofthework,Alphonsusoffersabriefconclusionwhereheexpresseshishopethathisworkwilldeepenhisreaders’devotiontoMary.HealsoturnstoMaryherselfandexpresseshisjoythathehasleftonearthabookthatwillcontinuetopraiseandextolherlongafterherdeath.The greatest strength of this structure is its open-ended character. Each part falling

betweentheintroductionandtheconclusion—beithispolishedexpositionoftheSalveReginaor one of the smaller treatises and practices—is self-contained and could easily have beenpublished on its own. By placing them together in a singlework dedicated to the BlessedMother,Alphonsusgivesthereadertheimpressionthatnosingleliteraryformorstylecouldever exhaust the glories of this humblemaiden from Nazareth. This open-ended structurecorrespondsdirectlytothepraiseofMarywhich,asAlphonsusstatesinhisintroduction,“isaninexhaustiblefount;themoreitisenlarged,thefulleritgets.”Alphonsus’sapproachdisplaysaclearlythought-outmethodofpresentationthatprovides

a strong measure of internal unity. Most of the parts that make up The Glories follow afourfoldmethodof(1)theme;(2)exposition;(3)example;and(4)prayer.Alphonsusbegins

withabriefstatementofthetopichewillbetreating.Hethendevelopshistopicatlength,usuallywithnumeroussayingsfromtheFathers,Doctors,andsaintsoftheChurch.Afterthisexposition, he provides a concrete story from the lives of the saints that embodies theparticularpointheistryingtomake.HeconcludeseachsectionwithaprayertoMary,askingherforthegracetomakethatvalueaconcreterealityinthereader’slife.ThismethodimmerseshisreadersinthetraditionoftheChurchandencouragesthemto

thinkthegreatthoughtsthesaintshavethoughtaboutMary,toreadhowothershavetriedtoexpresstheirloveforher,toprayastheyhaveprayed,and,indoingso,todevelopalastingdevotion to the spiritualMother of all believers. Because it is used nearly throughout theentirework,themethodalsoservestobindthevariouspartstogetherandgivesthereaderaclearideaofwhattoexpectasheorshemovesfromoneparttothenext.Inadditiontothisfourfoldmethod,Alphonsususesthearrangementofhismaterialasa

wayofleadinghisreadersintoadeepdevotionalpractice.Hedoesthisbyplacingthemoreabstractconsiderationsatthebeginningandthoseofamorepracticalnatureattheend.TheexpositionoftheSalveReginaisafarcryfromthesimpledescriptionsofpracticesofdevotionin honor of Mary found at the end. This movement from teaching to practice marks thegeneral flow of the entire work. Teaching, in Alphonsus’s mind, must be reinforced bypractice,andviceversa.OnemustpracticedevotiontoMaryifonewishestofosteradeepandlastingloveforher.Otherwise,onerunstheriskofdeceivingoneselfwithemptywordsandpromises.

WhatHeSays

A brief examination of the principal parts of The Glories reveals Alphonsus’s mastery ofspiritualandpastoraltheology.

SalveReginaInPartI,Alphonsusprovidesaphrase-by-phraseexpositionoftheSalveRegina.Eachphraseof this popular Marian prayer is examined according to the fourfold method outlinedpreviously.Indoingso,AlphonsusrevealsthedepthofmeaningpresentinthissimpleprayerinpraiseofGod’sMother.BygatheringthesayingsoftheFathers,Doctors,andsaintsoftheChurch,hesteepshisreadersinthetraditionoftheChurchandgivesthemasenseofbeinginthemidst of the communion of saints. This literary device naturally carries over into theprayeritself.AfterreadingTheGlories,one’srecitationoftheprayercannothelpbuttakeondeeperandfresherdimensions.The examples Alphonsus uses to concretize the themes under consideration, moreover,

usually focus on a particular attribute with which the reader can easily identify: lack ofconfidenceinGod,fearofjudgment,shameofconfessingone’ssins,andsoforth.AlphonsuschoosesexamplesthatwillhelpthereadertoovercomewhatevermaybekeepinghimorherfromturningtoMary.Intheseexamplesalsothereaderfindsareflectionofwhoheorsheisorwouldlikeonedaytobecome.AfterAlphonsus’s exhaustiveexpositionof theSalveRegina, heoffers a seriesof shorter

treatises on various Marian themes. Except for the treatment of Mary’s virtues and hissamplingofMarianprayersanddevotions,Alphonsus follows roughly the samemethodheused in his treatment of the Salve Regina. These treatises are shorter and generally morepracticalinthattheyprovideconcretetoolsforpreachingandinstructiononMary.What followsare somebriefcommentarieson the themesof the remainingpartsofThe

GloriesofMary.

PrincipalFeastsofMaryThispartfocusesonthesevenmajorMarianfeasts:Mary’sImmaculateConception,herbirth,her presentation, the Annunciation, the visitation, her purification, and her Assumption.UsingthesamemethodfoundinPartI,Alphonsustriestobridgewhatevergapsmightexistbetweenthereader’spersonaldevotiontoMaryandtheChurch’s liturgicalcelebrations.Byintroducing a treatise dedicated to the major Marian feasts, Alphonsus emphasizes theintimaterelationbetweenpersonalandcommunaldevotiontoMary.

DolorsofMaryThispartfocusesonthesorrowsofMary.Itemphasizesherparticipationinthesufferingsofherson,showingthatshecollaboratedintheworkofredemptionnotjustatJesus’birthbutalsoduringtheWayoftheCross.ItbeginswithadiscourseonMaryunderthetitleof“Queenofmartyrs,” then offers a sermon on the dolors ofMary before entering into an extendedreflectiononeachofhersevensorrows:Simeon’sprophecy,theflightintoEgypt,hermeetingwith Jesus on theway toCalvary, thedeathof Jesus, thepiercingof his side anddescentfromthecross,andhisburial.The thrust of this section is todemonstrateMary’s total unitywith the sufferingofher

son.Mary’ssorrows,moreover,makeherapproachable.Inthem,readersseesomeonehumanlikethemselves,whowilllistentothem,understandwhattheythemselvesaregoingthrough,andlendahelpinghand.

VirtuesofMaryThispartofTheGloriesfocusesonthetenvirtuesmostcloselyassociatedwithMary:humility,charity towards God, charity towards neighbor, faith, hope, chastity, poverty, obedience,patience, and a spirit of prayer. In Alphonsus’s day, these virtueswere thosemost closelyassociatedwiththelifeofperfectionandespecially(althoughnotexclusively)withreligiouslife. Today, hemost likelywould emphasize these virtues as expressions of discipleship, aconceptwhichspansthevarious“statesoflife”intheChurchandwhichwouldappealtoallmembersofChrist’sBody, regardlessof their state in life. In thispartAlphonsusomits theexamplesfoundattheendofmostoftheothersections.Thereasonsshouldbeobvious.Maryherselfistheexampleparexcellenceofthevirtuesheisextolling.Thereisnoneedtopointtoanyoneoranythingelse.

PracticesofDevotioninHonorofMaryInthispart,AlphonsusoutlinesthevariouspopulardevotionsclosetotheheartofMary—the

HailMary,novenasinherhonor,therosary,herOffice,fasting,visitingherimages,wearingher scapular, confraternitiesdedicated toher,givingalms inherhonor,having recourse toher—to name but a few. In this practical section, Alphonsus takes great pains not only todescribethemakeupofeachdevotion,butalsotodelineatethevariouswaysofputtingitintopractice.Hisaiminallofthisistoprovidehisreaderswithasmanychoicesaspossiblesothattheywillbeabletomakeappropriateselectionsthatfitintotheexigenciesoftheirownlives.

ObservationsThisbriefexpositionofthestructure,method,andcontentofTheGloriesinvitesanumberofobservations.First,themostfundamentalimpressionthereadershouldreceivefromthisbookisthatof

Alphonsus’sgreatloveforMaryandhisdesiretokindleinasmanyheartsaspossibleadeepandlastingdevotiontoher.Second, itmustbe remembered that in expressinghis love for theMadonnaand in the

suggestionshemadetohisaudience,Alphonsuswasstronglyinfluencedbythecultureofhisday.Bornandraisedintheatmosphereofeighteenth-centuryBourbonNaples,aculturethatplaced great emphasis on strong familiar ties, patrician and feudal loyalties, and deepemotional expressions of fealty, love, and devotion, itmakes perfect sense that Alphonsuswould transfer his understanding of the nature of “right relationships” to the divine planeand,inthecaseofMary,tothesaintly.In the third place,TheGlories not only stands as amonument to Catholic practice and

devotionasitwasunderstoodinAlphonsus’sdayandinmanypartsoftheworlddowntothedawnoftheSecondVaticanCouncil,butalsoencouragesustoexamineourowncultureandunderstanding of “right relationships,” so that we can develop expressions of love anddevotiontoMaryappropriatetoourowntimeandplace.Fourth,whenreadingTheGlories,itmustberememberedthatAlphonsuswroteduringa

time when Christ’s divinity was emphasized over his humanity and Mary had acorrespondingly exalted place in Catholic thought and piety. Since the end of the SecondVatican Council, the emphasis has been more on Christ’s humanity, working up to hisdivinity, and an emphasis of Mary’s role as servant of the Lord, working up to her moreexalted titles. Whenever such shifts in Catholic thought and piety occur, they need to betaken into account when reading and interpreting devotional works of another time andplace.Fifth,AlphonsuswroteTheGlories for apredominantlyCatholic audienceduring a time

whenChristiansfromotherdenominationswerelookeduponwithgreatsuspicion.Althoughithasalongwaytogo,ecumenismsincethattimehasmadegreatstridesinpromotinganatmosphereofmutualrespectandunderstanding.Inthemidstofthesedevelopments,Maryhasgraduallyemergedfrombeingasourceofgreatcontentionamongbelieverstobecomeasymbol of servanthood and the meaning of discipleship. In reading The Glories, today’sreadersfacethetwofoldchallengeofremainingthoroughlyCatholicandtruetoitstradition,yet opening themselves up in appropriate and respectful ways to this wider ecumenicalaudience.

Sixth,Alphonsus’spresentationofMary’sactivecooperationinChrist’sredemptiveactionhas special significance for all of her spiritual sons and daughters. As the Mother of theChurch,shedemonstratesinherhumblefiattheopennessandwillingnesstorespondtoGod’sgracethatallChrist’sdisciplesshouldaspireto.LookingatMaryasthemodeldiscipleinnoway takes away from her unique role in God’s salvific plan. On the contrary, it actuallyreinforcesit.MarycouldnotbethemodelofdiscipleshipifshehadnotbeenspeciallychosenbyGodto followJesusoneverystepofhisredemptive journey.ShewaschosentodothiswhenshewasaskedtobeGod’smother,andsherespondedfulltothatcallfromthedepthsofhersoulandwitheveryaspectofherbeing.Herspiritualchildrenarecalledtoimitateherin this regard in their own lives. It is for this reason they invoke her under the titles ofAdvocate, Helper, Benefactress, andMediatrix (see Vatican II,Dogmatic Constitution on theChurch,#24).Finally, devotion to Mary rests at the very heart of the Church. All authentic private

devotiontoMarymustorientthebelievertotheChurch’sliturgicallifeandthereceptionofthesacraments.Thesesamecelebrations,inturn,calleachandeverybelievertodeepenhisorherrelationship toMary.Thiscircularrelationshipexists inallmatureMariandevotion.Privatedevotionleadstothecelebrationoftheliturgy,thesacraments,andtoaneverdeeperpersonalrelationshiptoMary.

DENNISBILLY,C.Ss.R.MARCH20,2000

THEAUTHOR’SPRAYERTOJESUSANDMARY

MymostlovingRedeemerandLordJesusChrist,I,yourunworthyservant,knowhowmuchpleasureanyonegivesyouwhostrivestopraiseandglorifyyourmostholyMother.Youlovehersotenderly.Iknowhowmuchyoudesiretoseeherknownandlovedbyeverybody.AndsoIhaveresolvedtopublishthisbookwhichtreatsofherglories.IdonotknowtowhomIcouldbetterdedicateitthantoyou,whohaveherglorysomuch

atheart.AndsotoyouIdedicateandcommendit.AcceptthistriflingtributeoftheloveIbeartoyouandyourdearMother.Blessit,andgrantthatallwhoreadthesepagesmayburnwithloveforthisImmaculateVirgininwhomyouhaveplacedourhopeandtheassuranceofoursalvation.Andasarewardformypoor labor,giveme,Ibegofyou,thatgreat loveofMarywhichIdesiretoseeenkindledintheheartsofallmyreaders.Iflytoyou,mymostsweetLadyandMotherMary.Youarewellawarethat,afterJesus,I

placeallmyhopeofsalvationinyou.Iacknowledgethateverythinggood—myconversion,myvocationtorenouncetheworld,andall theothergracesIhavereceivedfromGod—allcomesfromyou.Youknowthat inordertoseeyoulovedbyeverybody,andasatokenofgratitude for all you have done forme, I have tried in allmy preaching, both public andprivate,topromoteadeepdevotiontoyou.Ihopetocontinuedoingthistillmylastbreath,butmyadvancedyearsandfeeblehealth

warn me that I am near the end of my pilgrimage and that my entry into eternity isimminent.AndsoIwish,beforeIdie,toleavethisbooktotheworld,sothat,inmyplace,itmay continue to preach your glories and encourage others to praise you and glorify thetendermercyyoushowtothosewhoaredevotedtoyou.I trust,mostbelovedQueen, thatyourgraciousheartwillaccept this littlegift.Though

lackinginmerit,itisagiftoflove.Stretchoutthen,thatsametenderhandthatsnatchedmefromtheworldanddeliveredmefromhellandreceivethislittlebookandconsideritasyourown.Butknowatthesametime,OMary,thatIdoexpectarewardformyoffering.Anditisthis,thatImayloveyoumoreandmorefromthisdayforth,andthatallwhoreadthisbookmaybeinflamedwiththesameloveforyou,andthattheirdesireoflovingyouandseeingyou lovedbyothersmaygooneverydayalways increasingand that theymay laborwithaffection to spread and promote your glories and confidence in your most powerfulintercession.Amen.SoIhope,somayitbe.

Yourmostloving,thoughunworthy,servantALPHONSUSDELIGUORIOFTHEMOSTHOLYREDEEMER

INTRODUCTIONBYSAINTALPHONSUS

BelovedReaderandBrotherinMary:Thedevotionthatledmetowritethisbook,andmovesyou to read it,makesushappychildrenof thesamegoodMother.Shouldyouhear it saidthatImighthavesparedmyselfthelabor,sincetherearealreadysomanylearnedworksonthesamesubject,IhopethatyouwillreplyinthewordsoftheAbbotFrancone:“ThepraiseofMaryisaninexhaustiblefountain.Themoreitisenlarged,thefulleritgets;andthemoreyou fill it, somuchthemore is itenlarged.” Inshort, theBlessedVirgin is sogreatandsoexaltedthatthemorewesayinpraiseofher,themorethereremainstobesaid.SomuchsothatSaintAugustinedeclares:“Ifallthetonguesofmenwereputtogether,andevenifeachoftheirmemberswerechangedintoatongue,theywouldnotsufficetopraiseMaryasmuchasshedeserves.”Ihaveseeninnumerableworks, largeandsmall,whichtreatof thegloriesofMary.But

they were either rare, or bulky, or did not answer the object I have in view. And so Iendeavored to collect, fromasmany authors as I could laymyhands on, choicepassages,especiallyquotationsfromtheFathersandtheologians,whichsuitmypurpose.TheseIhavegatheredtogetherinthisbook,sothatdevoutsoulsmay,withlittletroubleandlittleexpense,read of the glories ofMary and be inflamedwith love forMary.More particularly have Iendeavoredtoprovidepriestswithmaterialforsermons,sothattheymayspreaddevotiontotheMotherofGodWorldly loversoftenspeakof thosethey love,andpraise themsothat these individuals

willbeesteemedandpraisedbyothers.TherearepeoplewhoclaimtobeloversofMary.Yettheyseldomspeakofherorendeavortoinspireotherstoloveher.Theirlovecannotbeverygreat. Those who really love Our Lady do not act that way. They endeavor to praise heralways and everywhere and to make the whole world love her. They never lose anopportunity,eitherinpublicorinprivate,ofenkindlingintheheartsofotherstheflameoflovetowardsOurLadywithwhichtheythemselvesburn.So that everyonemaybeconvinced,both forhisowngoodand for thegoodofothers,

howimportantitistopromotedevotiontoMary,letmerecallforyouwhattheologianssayonthesubject.SaintBonaventuremaintainsthatthosewhomakethegloriesofMaryknowntoothersare

certain of salvation. This opinion is confirmed byRichard of Saint Lawrencewho declaresthat tohonorMary is togaineternal life.Hesays:“OurLadywillhonor in thenextworldthosewhohonorherinthis.”IsthereanyonenotawareofthepromisemadebyMaryherselfin thewordsofEcclesiasticus:They thatexplainmeshallhave lifeeverlasting(Ecclus24:31)?TheChurchappliesthispassagetoMaryintheOfficeoftheImmaculateConception.“Rejoicethen,”exclaimsSaintBonaventure(whodidsomuchtomakethegloriesofMary

known),“rejoiceandbegladinher;formanygoodthingsarepreparedforthosewhopraiseher.”HetellsusthatthewholeoftheScripturesisfullofthepraisesofMaryandheadds:“LetusthereforealwayshonorwithourheartsandtonguesthisBlessedLadysothatshemayconductusintothekingdomoftheblessed.”

WelearnfromtherevelationsofSaintBridgetthattheBlessedBishopEmingowasinthehabitofalwaysbeginninghissermonswiththepraisesofMary.OnedaytheBlessedVirginappeared to thesaintand toldher to tell thebishop that she (Mary)wouldbehismother,thathewoulddieaholydeathandthatsheherselfwouldpresenthissoul toGod.Shortlyafterwards,thebishopdiedapeacefulandsaintlydeath.MaryalsoappearedtoaDominicanfriarwhoalwaysconcludedhissermonsbyspeaking

ofher.Whenhelaydying,Marydefendedhimfromthedevil,consoledhim,andthenherselfcarried his devout soul off to heaven. The pious Thomas à Kempis pictures Maryrecommending to her Son a soulwhohadhonoredher in life, and saying: “My Son, havemercyonthesoulofthisservantofyourswholovedandhonoredme.”As to theadvantageof thisdevotion foreverybody,SaintAnselmhas this to say:“How

canitbeotherwisethanthatthesalvationofsinnersshouldcomefromsingingthepraisesofherwhosewombwasmadethewaythroughwhichtheSaviorcametosavesinners?”Andiftheopinionistrue(andIconsideritindisputablytrue,asIshallpointoutinthefifthchapter)thatallgracesaredispensedbyMary,and thatallwhoare savedobtainsalvation throughMary, it follows naturally that everything depends on the preaching ofMary’s glories andconfidence in her intercession.We know that this was the way Saint Bernardine of SienasanctifiedagreatportionofItalyandthewaySaintDominicconvertedsomanyprovinces.SaintLouisBertrandnever failed inhis sermons toexhorthishearers todevotion toMary.Manyotherpreachershavefollowedthesamepractice.IfindthatFatherPaulSegneritheyounger,whowasaveryrenownedmissionary,usedto

preachasermonondevotiontoMaryineverymission.Hecalledthathisfavoritesermon.Inourownmissionswehaveaninviolableruletodothesame.Andwecanattest,inalltruth,thatnosermonismoreprofitableandnonearousesmorecompunctionintheheartsofpeoplethanthesermonon themercyofMary. I say“on themercyofMary,” for, in thewordsofSaintBernard,“wepraisehervirginity,weadmireherhumility,but,beingsinners,weareattractedmorebyhermercy.Werecallitoftenerandinvokeitmoreearnestly.”Forthisreason,IleaveittootherauthorstopraisetheotherprerogativesofMaryandI

confinemyself, for themost part, to hermercy and the power of her intercession. I havegathered,asfarasIwasable(anditwastheworkofmanyyears),allthattheFathersoftheChurchandthemostcelebratedauthorshavetosayonthesubject.IfindthatthemercyandpowerofOurLadyareadmirablyportrayed in theprayerSalveRegina (Hail,HolyQueen).Since all priests, secular aswell as religious, are obliged to recite this prayerdaily for thegreater part of the year, I propose to divide and explain this beautiful prayer in separatechapters of this book.Over and above this, I thoughtMary’s clientswould be pleased if Iadded some discourses pertaining to her principal feasts and her special virtues and if IincorporateddevotionsandpiouspracticeswhichmanyofherservantshaveusedandwhichhavebeenapprovedbytheChurch.BelovedReader, ifthisbookshouldfindfavorwithyou,Ibegthatyouwillrecommend

metotheBlessedVirginsothatshewillgivemegreatconfidenceinherprotection.Begthisgrace forme, and I promise thatnomatterwhoyoumaybe, Iwill ask the same for you.Happy are they who bind themselves with love and confidence to these two anchors ofsalvation, Jesus andMary! Certainly theywill not be lost. Let us both then say, with the

devoutAlphonsusRodriguez:“JesusandMary,mytwobest loves,foryoumayIsuffer; foryoumayIdie.Letmebelongentirelytoyouandnottomyself.”Let us love Jesus and Mary and become saints. We cannot hope or pray for anything

better.Farewellthen,untilwemeetinparadise,atthefeetofthismostsweetMotherandofthismost lovingson.Maywepraisethemthereandlovethemfaceto faceforalleternity.Amen.

DECLARATIONOFTHEAUTHOR

Lestanyonethinkthatanypropositionsexpoundedinthisbookaretooadvanced,IdeclarethatImeantheminthesenseinwhichtheyareconformabletotheteachingsofHolyChurchand of sound theology. For example, in callingMary ourmediatress, I mean that she is amediatrixofgrace,andthatherofficediffersfromthatofJesusChrist,whoisourprincipalandsolemediatorofjustice.IncallingMaryomnipotent(asSaintJohnDamascene,SaintPeterDamian,SaintBonaventure,SaintCosmasofJerusalem,andothershavedone), I intend tosignifythat,asMotherofGod,sheobtainsfromhimbyherprayersallthatsheasksforthebenefitofherclients.Takenabsolutely,neithermediationnoromnipotenceisattributabletoMary, since she isonlyacreature. Incallingherourhope, Imean thatallgraces (asSaintBernardteaches)passthroughherhands.

PARTI

COMMENTARYONTHEHAIL,HOLYQUEENORSALVEREGINA

Hail,holyqueen,Motherofmercy,ourlife,oursweetnessandourhope!Toyoudowecry,poorbanishedchildrenofEve.Toyoudowesendupoursighs,mourningandweepinginthisvalleyoftears.Turnthen,mostgraciousadvocate,youreyesofmercytowardus.Andafterthis,ourexile,showuntoustheblessedfruitofyourwomb,Jesus.Oclement!Oloving!OsweetVirginMary!

1HAIL,HOLYQUEEN,MOTHEROFMERCY

OurConfidenceinMaryShouldBeGreatBecauseSheIstheQueenofMercy

TheBlessedVirginMarywaschosentobetheMotheroftheKingofKings.Accordingly,holyChurchhonorsher,andwantseveryonetohonorher,withtheglorioustitleof“Queen.”SaintAthanasiusmentionshowproper this is inhissermonontheAnnunciation:“Ifhe

whowasbornofthevirginisaking,thentheonewhoborehimisrightlycalledaladyandaqueen.”EversincethemomentthatMarygaveherconsenttobetheMotheroftheEternalWord,addsSaintBernardineofSiena,shedeservedtobecalledthequeenofthewholeworldandofeverycreatureinit.IfJesustookhisfleshfromMary,howcanMarybedisjoinedfromtheroyaldignityofherson?SoasksArnoldtheAbbot.Wemustconclude,heinfers,thatnotonly the kingdom’s glory, but the very kingdom itself, belongs to both the Son and theMother.TheAbbotRupertalsosaysthatifJesusisthekingoftheuniverse,thenMaryisitsqueen.

AndSaintBernardineof Sienaassuresus that all creatureswho serveGodmust also serveMary.Allangels,allmen,allthingsinheavenandonearth,inasmuchastheyaresubjecttoGod’sdominion,arealsosubjecttoMary.ThatiswhytheAbbotGuerricturnstoMaryandsays:“Continue,OMary,tofeelthatallthatyourSonpossessesisyours.Havenohesitationinactingasaqueen,asMotheroftheKing,andashisspouse,forboththekingdomandthepoweroveritbelongtoyou.”There is no doubt, then, that Mary is a queen. But let everyone know, for his own

consolation, that she is amost sweet, amostmerciful queen, completely dedicated to thewell-being of sinners. That is why the Churchwants us to greet her in this prayer as the“queenofmercy.”Theverynameofqueen,observesSaintAlberttheGreat,implieskindnesstothepoorand

solicitude for them. It isdifferent fromthe titleofempress,whichusuallydenotes severityand rigor. According to Seneca, the greatness of kings and queens consists in helping theunfortunate. Tyrants have their own good in view; kings should look to the good of theirsubjects.That iswhykings,whentheyareconsecrated,havetheirheadsanointedwithoil.Oilisasymbolofmercy,anditsignifiesthatwhenakinggoverns,heshould,beforeallelse,bekindandcompassionatetohissubjects.It isobvious, therefore, thatkingsshould firstand foremost spend themselves inactsof

mercy. At the same time, of course, theymust not neglect to exercise justice towards theguiltywhenthisisnecessary.Mary,however,isdifferent.Thoughsheisqueen,sheisnotaqueenofjustice.Thatistosay,sheisnotconcernedwithpunishing.Sheisaqueenofmercy,committed to pity and pardon. Holy Church expressly wants us to call her a “queen ofmercy.”TheGrandChancellorofParis,JohnGerson,meditatingon thesewordsofDavid:These

two things have I heard, that power belongs toGod, andmercy to you,OLord (Ps61:12,13),reasoned thisway—sinceGod’s kingdom consists of two elements, justice andmercy,Goddecidedtodividehiskingdom.Justicehereservedtohimself;mercyhetransmittedtoMary,ordainingthatallmercieswhichcometohumanbeingsshouldcomethroughMary’shands,and that thesemercies shouldbedistributedaccording toher choice.SaintThomas, in thepreface tohis commentaryon theCanonical Epistles holds the sameopinion.He says thatwhentheBlessedVirginconceivedtheEternalWord inherwomb,sheobtainedhalfofhiskingdom. Mary became the queen of mercy, he says, while the distribution of justiceremainedinthehandsofherson.1

TheEternalFatherappointedJesusChristtheKingofjusticeandmadehimthejudgeofthewholeworld.Forthisreason,theprophetsays:OGod,withyourjudgmentendowtheking,andwithyourjusticetheking’sson(Ps71:2).Commentingonthis,alearnedinterpretersays:“Lord, you have given justice to your Son, because you have given mercy to the King’sMother.”SaintBonaventureparaphrasesthispassageofDavidbysaying:“OGod,givejudgmentto

the King and mercy to his Mother.” Ernest, the Archbishop of Prague, also says that theEternalFathergavetohisSontheofficeofjudgingandpunishingandtohisMothertheofficeof pitying and comforting.” Hence we can say that the prophet David foretold that Godhimself, as itwere, consecratedMaryas thequeenofmercy, anointingherwith theoil ofgladness:Godhasanointedyouwith the oil of gladness (Ps44:8).Goddid this, according toSaintBonaventure,sothatallthechildrenofAdammightbehappyinthethoughtofhavingin heaven so great a queen, a queen anointedwith the balmofmercy, a queen all full ofkindness.SaintAlberttheGreatappropriatelyappliestoMarythehistoryofQueenEstherwhowas

a figure of our heavenly queen. In the fourth chapter of the book of Esther,we read thatduringthereignofAhasuerusadecreewasissuedorderingallJewstobekilled.AtthattimeMordecai, one of their number, sought help fromEsther, begging her to use her influencewiththekingandhavethedecreerevoked.AtfirstEstherrefusedbecauseshewasafraidthatAhasueruswouldbecomeevenmoreangry.ButMordecaichidedherandtoldhersheshouldnotthinkofsavingmerelyherself:theLordhadputheronthethronetoinsurethesafetyofalltheJews:Thinknotthatyoumaysaveyourlifeonly,becauseyouareintheking’shousemorethanallJews (Est4:13).JustasMordecai spoke toEsther, sowepoor sinnerscan speak toMary,ourqueen,shouldsheeverrefusetopleadwithGodandsaveusfromthepunishmentwedeserve.“Donotthink,dearlady,”wecansay,“thattheLordhasmadeyouqueenoftheuniversemerelyforyourownsake.Hegaveyouthepoweryouhavesothatyoucouldfeelallthemorepityforusandhelpusallthemore.”WhenEsther appearedbeforeKingAhasuerus,he said lovingly:Whatdoyouaskofme,

Esther?Thequeenanswered:IfIhavefoundfavorinyoursight,Oking…giveme…mypeopleforwhomIpray(Est7:2–3).Ahasuerus’sheartwastouchedandheimmediatelyorderedthedecreetoberevoked.Now, if Ahasuerus spared the Jews because he loved Esther, how can God, who loves

Maryimmensely,failtohearherwhenshepraysforthesinnerswhorecommendthemselvestoher?IfIhavefoundfavorinyoursight,Oking…Maryknowsverywellthatshehasfound

favorinGod’ssight.Sheknowsverywellthatshealoneofallcreatureshasfoundthegracelostbymen,thatsheisthefavoriteoftheLord,lovedbyhimmorethanalltheangelsandsaints together. Therefore she can well say: “Givememy people, for whom I pray.” Is itpossibleforGodnottohearher?IsthereanyonewhohasneverheardofthepowerofMary’sprayerswithGod?Onhertongueiskindlycounsel(Prov31:26).HereveryprayerislikealawestablishedbyGod—adecision,wemight say,onGod’spart to showmercy towardall forwhomMaryintercedes.SaintBernardaskswhytheChurchcallsMarythe“queenofmercy.”Andheanswersthat

it isbecausewebelievethatMaryopensupthevaultsofGod’smercytoanyoneshe likes,whenshelikes,andasshelikes.Thereisnotasinner,headds,nomatterhowwicked,whoislostaslongasMaryprotectshim.PerhapstherearesomewhofearthatMarywouldrefusetoprayforthisorthatsinner,

because she sees him hopelessly involved in sin. Or some may feel that we ought to befrightenedbythemajestyandholinessofthisgreatqueen.SaintGregoryputsusatease.Thehigher Mary’s position, he says, and the greater her holiness, the more gentle andcompassionatesheiswithsinnerswhowanttoamendandwhohaverecoursetoher.Kingsandqueens,bytheverydisplayoftheirmajesty,inspireaweandtheirsubjectsareafraidtocomeintotheirpresence.Buthowcansinners,saysSaintBernard,beafraidofthisqueenofmercy?Maryisnotsternorforbidding.“WhyshouldweakhumanityfeartoapproachMary?Thereisnothingsevereabouther,nothingfrightening.Sheisunspeakablysweet,andoffersmilkandwool toall.”Marynotonlygives,but shegoesoutofherway tooffer toall,nomatter who they are, the milk of mercy to quicken their confidence, and the wool ofprotectiontoshelterthemfromthestormsofdivinejustice.SuetoniustellsusthattheEmperorTituswassotender-heartedthathecouldneverrefuse

afavor.Attimes,infact,hepromisedmorethanhewasasked.Whenthiswasbroughttohisattention,herepliedthataprinceshouldneversendanyoneawaydiscontented.2ButonceinawhileTitusmusthaveliedoratleastwasunabletokeephispromise.ButMarycannotlieandcertainly shehas sufficientpower toobtain forherclientsevery single favor that theyask.Herheartissokindandcompassionatethat,ifanyonepraystoher,shecannotbeartosendhimawayunsatisfied.“Sheissokind,”saysLouisBlosius,“thatsheneverletsanyonegoawaydisappointed.”Howcould you,OMother ofMercy, askedSaintBernard, refuse tohelp themiserable,

sinceyouarethequeenofmercy?Andwhoarethemostlikelycandidatesformercy,ifnotunfortunatesinners?“AndthatiswhyI,”headds,“themostwretchedofallsinners,amthefirstofyoursubjects.Youhavetotakemorecareofmethanoftherest.Havepityonallofus,therefore,Oqueenofmercy,anddoallinyourpowertosaveus.”Omostholyvirgin,praysSaintGregoryofNicomedia,3pleasedonotclaimthatyouare

unabletohelpusbecauseofthenumberofoursins.Yourpowerandmercyaresogreatthattheycanoutweighanynumberofsins.Nothingcanresistyourpower,fortheCreatorhimselfconsidersyourgloryashisown.Andyourson,exultinginthisglory,fulfillsallyourpetitionsasifhewerepayingbackadebt.SaintGregoryissaying,ineffect,thateventhoughMaryhasan infinite obligation towardsher sonbecausehe choseher tobehismother, at the sametimewecannotdenythatthesonisindebtedtohismotherforgivinghimhishumannature.

Andthat iswhy, inrecompensetoMarywhonowenjoyshisglory,Jesusespeciallyhonorsherbyalwayshearingherprayers.Howgreat,then,shouldbeourconfidenceinthisqueen,whenweknowontheonehand

howpowerfulsheiswithGod,andontheotherhowtremendouslyrichinmercysheis—somuch so that there is not a person on earth who does not share inMary’s kindness. TheBlessedVirginherself revealed this toSaintBridget. “I am thequeenof theworldand theMotherofMercy.IamthejoyofthejustandthegatethatopensuptosinnersthewaytoGod.Thereisnosinneronearthsoabandonedthat,whilehelives,hewillbedeprivedofmymercy. Ifhereceivesnoothergrace,hewillreceiveat least thegracetobe less frequentlytemptedbythedevilsthanhewouldotherwisebe.”“Nobody,”addsOurLady,“providedhehasnotbeenalreadydefinitelydamned(andthis

referstothefinalirrevocablesentenceofdamnation),issocutofffromGodthathewillnotreturntoGodandfindmercyifhecallsonme.EverybodycallsmetheMotherofMercy,andindeedit isGod’smercythathasmadememerciful.”Sheconcludeswiththesewords:“Hewill be verymiserablewhodoes not approachme,merciful as I am,whenhe cando so.”ThereisnodoubtthenthatthatmanwillbemiserableforeverinthelifetocomewhointhislifecanhaverecoursetoMary(whoissocompassionateandsoeagertohelpeveryone),butwhorefusestodosoandthusdamnshimself.Come,then,youandI—ifwewanttobesaved,letushastentothefeetofthissweetestof

queens.Ifwearefrightenedanddiscouragedatthesightofoursins,wemustrealizethatitwas precisely for this that Mary was made the queen of mercy, to protect and save thegreatestandmostabandonedsinnerswhobegherforhelp.Thesesinnersaretobehercrowninheaven,accordingtothewordsofherdivinespouse:ComefromLibanus,myspouse,comefromLibanus,come;youshallbecrowned…fromthedensofthelions,fromthemountainsoftheleopards (Cant 4:8). What else are these dens of wild beasts and monsters but wretchedsinners?Theirsoulshavebecomedensofsinandtheyarethemosthideousmonstersthatcanbe found. It is these samemiserable sinners, comments theAbbot Rupert, the sinners youhave saved,OMary,whowill crownyou inheaven.Their salvationwillbeyourcrown,aworthyandbecomingcrownforaqueenofmercy.Thefollowingexampleillustratesthispoint.

Example

It is related in the life of Sister Catherine of Saint Augustine, that in the city where thisservantofGodlived, therewasawomancalledMary,whohadbeenasinner inheryouthandeven inheradvancedagehadcontinued inherevilways.Shewas sowicked that thepeople of the place drove her away. Reduced to living in a cave, she practically rotted todeath,neglectedbyeverybodyandwithoutthesacraments.Likeananimal,shewasburiedinafield.Sister Catherine, who used to pray much for the dying, learned of this unfortunate

woman’sdeath.However,sheneverthoughtofprayingforherbecauseshe, likeeverybodyelse,consideredheralreadydamned.

After four years, a soul from purgatory appeared to Sister Catherine and said: “SisterCatherine,howmiserableIam!Yourecommendall thedyingtothemercyofGod,yetmysoulistheonlyoneyoudidnotprayfor.”“Andwhoareyou?”askedtheservantofGod.“IamthatpoorMarywhodiedinthecave,wasthereply.”“Buthowwereyousaved?”askedCatherine.“IwassavedbythemercyoftheBlessedVirginMary.WhenIrealizedthatIwasdyingandsawmyselfsoabandonedandsoloadedwithsins,IturnedtotheMotherofGodand said to her: ‘O Lady, you are the refuge of the abandoned. Right now everybody hasabandonedme.Youaremyonlyhope.Onlyyoucansaveme.Havepityonme.’TheBlessedVirginobtainedthegraceofcontritionforme. IdiedandIwassaved.Morethanthis.OurLadyhasobtainedformethegracetohavemytimeofpunishmentshortened.SheisallowingmetosufferintenselywhatIwouldhavesufferedthroughmanylongyears.NowIneedonlyafewMassestofreemeentirely.IbegyoutohavethemofferedformeandIshallpromisetopraytoGodandtoMaryforyou.”SisterCatherinehadtheMassessaidatonceandafewdayslaterthissoulappearedagain.

Radiantlyhappy,shesaidtothenun:“Thankyou,SisterCatherine.See,IamnowonmywaytoparadisetosingGod’smerciesandtoprayforyou.”4

Prayer

OMary, my Lady andMother of my God, as a poor, wounded beggar before a great queen, Ipresentmyselftoyou,thequeenofheavenandearth.Fromyourloftythrone,donotdisdain,Ibegof you, to turn your eyes uponme, a poor sinner.Godhasmadeyou rich so that you canhelpeveryone in need. He has made you queen of mercy so that you can bring comfort to thedisconsolate.Lookuponmeandhavepityonme.ProtectmeanddonotabandonmeuntilIhavechangedfromasinnerintoasaint.IunderstandverywellthatIdeservenothing.IknowthatformyingratitudeIshouldbestripped

ofeverygraceIhaveeverreceivedfromGodthroughyou.Butyouarethequeenofmercy.Andyoudo not go about looking for deserving souls, but rather for unworthy ones, so that you can helpthem.Whoispoorer,moreneedythanI?Osublimevirgin,Iknowthatasqueenoftheuniverseyouarealsomyqueen.Inaveryspecial

manner,Iwanttodedicatemyselftoyourservice,sothatyoucandowithmewhateveryouplease.AndsoIsaytoyouwithSaintBonaventure,“OLady,Iwanttosubjectmyselftoyourreign,sothatyouruleovermeandgovernmeineverything.Donotabandonmetomyself.”Commandme;usemeasyouplease;yes,evenpunishmeifIdisobeyyou.Anychastisementcomingfromyouwillbehelpfultome.Beingyourservantmeansmoretomethanbeingtherulerofthewholeworld.Iamyours;saveme(Ps118:94).OMary,acceptmeasyourown,andprocuremysalvation.Ihavenolongeranydesiretobelongtomyself.Igivemyselftoyouentirely.If inthepastIhavebeenremiss inyourservice, if Ihavelostsomanyopportunitiestohonor

you, Inowwantyou tonumbermeamongyourmost loyalanddevoted servants. Idonotwantanyonetosurpassme in lovingyou,myamiablequeen.This Ipromiseandthis Ihopewithyourhelptoaccomplish.Amen.

OurConfidenceinMaryShouldBeEvenGreaterBecauseSheIsOurMother

Mary’s clients are not using emptywords, or just speaking at random,when they call her“Mother.” It is because they know no other name for her and never tire of calling her“Mother.”Yes,shereallyisourmother.Notaccordingtotheflesh,ofcourse,butspiritually.Sheisthemotherofoursoulsandofoursalvation.Whensindeprivedoursoulsofgrace,italsodeprivedthemoflife.Jesus,ourRedeemer,

withanexcessofmercyandlove,cametorestorethislifebyhisowndeathonthecross.Hehimselfdeclared, Icamethat theymayhave lifeandmayhave itmoreabundantly(Jn10:10).Jesussaid“moreabundantly”because,asthetheologiansteach,JesusChristbroughtusmorebenefitsthroughtheRedemptionthanwehadlostthroughAdam’ssin.ByreconcilinguswithGod,hemadehimselftheFatherofoursoulsinthenewlawofgrace,astheprophetIsaiahforetold:Heshallbecalled…theFatheroftheworldtocome,theprinceofpeace(Isa9:6).Now,ifJesuswastheFatherofoursoulsthenMarywastheMother,becauseingivingusJesusshegave us true life. And by offering her son’s life on Mount Calvary for our salvation, shebroughtusforthtothelifeofgrace.The Fathers tell us thatMary became our spiritualmother on two occasions. The first,

accordingtoSaintAlberttheGreat,waswhenshemeritedtoconceiveinhervirginalwombtheSonofGod.EvenmoreclearlydoesSaintBernardineofSienatellus this:“TheBlessedVirgin, by her consent to the Son’s Incarnation, with the most intense ardor sought andobtainedthesalvationofall.Bythisconsentshededicatedherselftothesalvationofall.Somuchsothateversince,shehascarriedusinherwombasatruemothercarriesthechildrenofherflesh.”SpeakingofourRedeemer’sbirth,SaintLukesaysthatMarybroughtforthherfirstbornson

(Lk2:7).AcertainauthorremarksthatsincetheevangelistspeaksofMary’s“firstborn,”arewe to suppose that later she had other children? But then he replies to his own question,assertingthatifitisoffaiththataccordingtothefleshMaryhadnootherchildrenbutJesus,thenshemusthavehadotherchildrenwhowerespiritual.Weare thosespiritualchildren.Our Lord revealed this to Saint Gertrude, whowas puzzled on reading this text from theGospel.Shecouldnotunderstandhow,ifMaryhadnootherchildrenbutJesus,hecouldbecalledthefirstborn.Godexplainedittoher,sayingthatJesuswasMary’sfirstbornaccordingtotheflesh,butthatallmenarehersecond-bornaccordingtothespirit.InviewofthiswecanunderstandwhytheCanticleofCanticlessaysinreferencetoMary:

Yourbodyisaheapofwheatencircledwithlilies(Cant7:2).SaintAmbroseexplainsthisversebysaying:“OnegrainofwheatwasintheVirgin’swomb,ChristJesus.Butwesay‘heapofwheat’becausethissinglegraincontainedvirtuallyalltheelect,sothathewasthefirstbornofmanybrethren.”AndtheAbbotSaintWilliamwritesthatMary,inbringingforthJesus,ourSaviorandourlife,broughtforthmanyuntosalvation.“Bygivingbirthtolifeitself,shegavelifetomany.”ThesecondoccasiononwhichMarybecameourspiritualmotherwasonMountCalvary,

when she so sorrowfully offered the life of her beloved son to the Eternal Father for oursalvation.“AsshecooperatedbyherloveinthebirthofthefaithfultothelifeofherbelovedSontotheEternalFatherforoursalvation.MotherofallwhoaremembersoftheoneHead,

JesusChrist.”ThisisthemeaningofthewordsofthesacredCanticleasappliedtoMary:…theychargedmewiththecareofthevineyards:myownvineyardIhavenotcaredfor(Cant1:5).Inordertosaveoursouls,Marywascontenttosacrificeherson’slife,asSaintWilliamtheAbbotcomments:“Thatshemightsavemanysouls,sheexposedherownsoultodeath.”AndwhobutJesuswasthesoulofMary?Hewasherwholelifeandallherlove.AndthatiswhatSimeonmeantwhenhe announced that oneday a swordwouldpierceher soul (Lk2:35).This sword was the lance that pierced the side of Jesus, her very soul. It was then that,through her sorrows, she brought us forth to eternal life. And that is why we can callourselves “children of Mary’s sorrows.” Our most loving mother was always completelyunitedtothewillofGod.Andtherefore,saysSaintBonaventure,whenshesawthattheloveoftheFathertowardhumankindwassogreatthatinordertosavemenhewilledthedeathofhis son;andon theotherhand, that the son,outof love,wished todie forus, inorder toconform herself to what Saint Bonaventure reverently calls the excessive love of both theFatherandtheSon,Maryalso,forthesalvationofmen,offeredandconsentedtothedeathofherson.It is true thatJesuswanted tobealone indying for thehumanrace. I have trodden the

winepressalone(Isa63:3).ButwhenhesawMary’seagernesstoshareinman’ssalvation,hesoarrangeditthatshe,byofferingthelifeofherJesus,shouldcooperateinoursalvationandin that way become themother of our souls. Our Saviormanifested this when he lookeddownfromthecrossuponhismotheranduponSaintJohn,whostoodatitsfoot,andsaidtoMary:Beholdyour son (Jn19:26).By thathemeant to say:Behold thewholehuman race,whichisevennowbeingborntothelifeofgraceasaresultofthesacrificeyouhavemadeofmylifeforthesalvationofall.Turningtothedisciple,hesaid:BeholdyourMother(Jn19:26).Bythesewords,saysSaintBernardineofSiena,MarybecamemothernotonlytoSaintJohn,but also to allmen, because of the love she bore them. Sylveiramakes the reflection thatSaintJohnhimselfgivesusthisideabythewordingheusesinhisGospel:Thenhesaidtothedisciple,“BeholdyourMother.”Takenotice,ChristdidnotsaythesewordsspecificallytoJohn,buttothe“disciple.”ThiswastoshowthattheSaviorassignedMaryasthecommonmotherto allwho, because they are Christians, bear the name of “disciple.” “John is a particularname,but‘disciple’isageneralnameanditshowsthatMaryisbeinggivenasamothertoall.”Blessedaretheywholiveundertheprotectionofamothersolovingandsopowerful!The

prophetDavid,beforeMarywasevenborn,soughtsalvationfromGodbydedicatinghimselftoherasason.Heprayed:Savethesonofyourhandmaid(Ps85:16).“Ofwhathandmaid?”asksSaintAugustine.Heanswers,“Ofherwhosaid,‘BeholdthehandmaidoftheLord.’”Andwho, asksCardinalBellarmine,will dare to snatch these children from thebosomofMaryonce they have turned to her to be saved from their enemies?What power of hell, whattemptationcanovercomethem,oncetheyhaveplacedtheirconfidenceintheprotectionofthisgreatmother?It issaidthatwhenawhaleseesherlittleonesindanger,fromstormsorfromhunters,

sheopenshermouthandswallowsthem.5NovarinusappliesthistoMary,andsaysthatwhenMaryseesherchildrenindangershereceivesthemintoherbosomandprotectsthemthereuntilshebringsthemtotheharborofsalvation.OmostlovingMother,mostcompassionateMother,praisebetoyouforever,andpraisebetoGodforever,forhavinggivenyoutousas

ourmotherandasarefugefromallthedangersoflife.TheBlessedVirginrevealedtoSaintBridgetthatsheislikeamotherwhoseesherchild

surroundedbytheenemy’sswords.Shewantstodoeverythinginherpowertosavehim.“…Andthis I shalldo formychildren, sinners though theybe,as longas they turn tome forhelp.”Thereisnodoubt,then,thatineverybattlewithhellweshallsurelywinifweflytoMaryandrepeatoverandoveragain:“Weflytothypatronage,OholyMotherofGod.”OhowmanyvictorieshavethefaithfulwonovertheforcesofhellbecausetheyhadrecoursetoMarywiththisshortbutpowerfulprayer!ItwaswiththisprayerthatthatgreatservantofGod,SisterMaryCrucified,theBenedictinenun,alwaysconqueredthedemons.6

Rejoice,therefore,youwhoareMary’schildren.AndknowthatMaryreceivesandacceptseveryone who wants to be her child. Why should you fear to be lost when this motherdefends and protects you? Saint Bonaventure says: “Say it, my soul, and say it mostconfidently:Irejoiceandexultbecause,whatevermyjudgmentwillbe,itdependsonwhatmyBrotherandmyMothersay.”ThesamethoughtmakesSaintAnselmcryoutwithjoy:“Oblessed hope! O safe refuge! The Mother of God is my mother! How firm should be ourconfidence,sinceoursalvationdependsonthejudgmentofsogoodaBrotherandsotenderaMother.”Itisthenourmotherwhocallsouttous:Whosoeverisalittleone,lethimcometome(Prov9:4).Littlechildrenalwayshavetheword“mother”ontheirlips.Andeverytimetheyare frightened, they immediately raise their voice and cry out: “Mother! Mother!”—OsweetestMary,OmostlovingMother,thisispreciselywhatyouwantustodo.Youwantustocryouttoyoulikechildrenineverydanger.Youwantustoruntoyoualways,becauseyouwanttohelpandsaveus,asyouhaveinthepasthelpedandsavedallyourchildrenwhorantoyouforhelp.

Example

InthehistoryoftheSocietyofJesusintheKingdomofNaples,wereadofayoungScotchnoblemannamedWilliamElphinstone.7HewasrelatedtoKingJamesofScotland8andlivedforsomeyearsintheheresyinwhichhewasborn.Enlightenedbydivinegrace,hegraduallysawhiserrors.HewenttoFrance,andwiththehelpofagoodJesuitFather,whowasalsoaScotsman,andmoreespecially,throughtheintercessionofMary,heabjuredhisheresyandbecameaCatholic.LaterhewenttoRome.Hereafriendonedaynoticedhimsadandonthevergeoftears.

Thefriendaskedthereason.Williamrepliedthatduringthenighthismotherhadappearedtohimfromhellandsaid:“Myson,itisgoodthatyouenteredthetrueChurch.Iamdamnedbecause I died in heresy.” From that moment, he redoubled his devotion to Mary. Sheinspiredhimwiththethoughtofenteringreligionandheboundhimselfbyvowtodothis.ButtheyoungmanbecameillandwenttoNaples,hopingtobecuredbyachangeofair.

ThereitwasthewillofGodthatheshoulddie,andasareligious.Shortlyafterhisarrival,hisillnessbecamemuchworse.Byhisprayersandtearshemovedthesuperiorstoaccepthim.Itwas while he was receiving Viaticum that he pronounced his vows and was declared amemberoftheSocietyofJesus.

Afterpronouncinghisvows,heedifiedeveryonebythefervorwithwhichhethankedtheBlessedVirginforhavingsnatchedhimfromheresy,forleadinghimtodieinthetrueChurchandsurroundedbyhisreligiousbrethreninthehouseofGod.Heexclaimed:“Ohowgloriousitistodieinthemidstofsomanyangels!”Whenexhortedtorestabit,heanswered:“Nowisno time for rest,when I amat theendofmy life.”Beforehedied,he said to thoseathisbedside:“Brothers,don’tyouseetheangelsofheavenwhohavecometohelpme?”Oneofthereligiousheardhimmurmuringsomewordsandaskedwhathewassaying.HeansweredthathisGuardianAngelhadjustrevealedtohimthathewastospendonlyashorttimeinpurgatory and soon go to heaven. He then began to converse with the Blessed Virgin.“Mother,Mother!”he repeated, and thenquietlybreathedhis last like a little child fallingasleepinitsmother’sarms.Shortlyafterwards,itwasrevealedtoadevoutreligiousthathewasalreadyinheaven.

Prayer

OmostholyMother,howis itpossible thatI,whoamsowicked,shouldhavesoholyamother?HowisitthatIshouldstill lovecreatureswhenIhaveamotherallaflamewiththeloveofGod?HowisitthatIhaveamothersorichinvirtuesandIamsospirituallypoor?Itistrue,mostlovingMother,thatIdonotdeservetobeyourchild,becausemysinfullifehasmademeunworthy.Iwillbequitecontentifyouacceptmemerelyasyourservant.Justtobenumberedamongyourlowliestservants,Iwouldgiveupallthetreasuresoftheworld.Yes,IwouldbesatisfiedwiththisifonlyIcouldcontinuetocallyou“Mother.”This name consoles me, softens my heart, and reminds me of my obligation to love you. It

encouragesmetoputmyconfidenceinyou.WhenthememoryofmysinsandthethoughtofGod’sjusticeterrifyme,Iamsoothedbytheconvictionthatyouaremymother.Allowmethentocallyou“mother.”Idocallyou“mother”andwillalwayscallyou“mother.”Inthisvalleyoftears,youmustbe,afterGod,myrefuge,myhope,andmylove.Ihopetodie

entrustingmysoultoyouandsaying:“MyMother,helpme,havepityonme!”Amen.

OurMother’sGreatLoveforUs

Precisely because Mary is our mother, let us see how much she loves us. Love for one’schildrenisanaturalinstinct.ThatiswhySaintThomaspointsoutthatGod’slawcommandschildrentolovetheirparents,butgivesnoexpresscommandtoparentstolovetheirchildren.SaintAmbrosegoesfurtherandsaysthatloveforone’soffspringissostrongaforceandoneso deeply implanted by nature itself that even the wild beasts have to love their young.Explorerstellusthatwhentigershearthecriesoftheircubswhentheyhavebeencapturedbyhunters,theywillevenplungeintotheseatoreachtheshipsonwhichtheyare.9

Sincetheverytigers,saysourlovingMotherMary,cannotforgettheiryoungones,howcan I forget to love you, my children? And should the impossible happen, that a womanshould forgether child, it is impossible that I forget a soul that ismychild.Can awomanforgetherinfant,soasnottohavepityonthesonofherwomb?Andifsheshouldforget,yetwillI

notforgetyou(Isa49:15).Aswehavesaid,Maryisourmother,notaccordingtotheflesh,butthroughlove,Iamthe

mother of fair love (Prov 24:24). It is her love for us thatmakes her ourmother and, as acertainauthorobserves, sheglories inbeing themotherof love.Allher love is forus,heradoptedchildren.It is absolutely impossible to analyze the love Mary has for us creatures. Arnold of

ChartrestellsusthatatthedeathoftheSavior,Marydesired,withintenseardor,todiealongwithhimforloveofus.AndSaintAmbroseaddsthatwhilehersonwashangingonthecross,Maryofferedherselftotheexecutioners.Considernowthereasonforsuchlove,andyouwillcometosomeunderstandingofhow

muchMarylovesus.The first reasonbehind thegreat loveMarybears tomen is thegreat love shebears to

God.AccordingtoSaintJohn, loveofGodandloveofourneighborbelongtooneandthesamecommandment:AndthiscommandwehavefromGod,thathewholovesGod,lovealsohisbrother (1 Jn4:21).As theone love increases, sodoes theother. Seewhat the saintshavedone out of love for their neighbor, because they loved God so much. They gave upeverything,eventheirlives.ReadwhatSaintFrancisXavierdidinIndia.Tohelpthesoulsofthose people and to bring them toGod, hewent climbingmountains and submitted to allkindsofdangersinhisquestforthesepoorwretcheswho,likeanimals,livedincaves.10

SaintFrancisdeSales,toconvertthehereticsintheprovinceofChablais,riskedhis lifeforafullyearashedailycrossedthestreamsonanice-coveredbeamtoreachtheothersideandpreachtothoseobstinatepeople.SaintPaulinusgavehimselfupasaslavetofreethesonofapoorwidow.11SaintFidelispersistedingoingtoacertainplacetopreachtotheheretics,eventhoughheknewitwouldcosthimhislife.ItwasbecausethesaintslovedGodsomuchthattheysucceededindoingsomuchfortheirneighbor.Butwhoever lovedGodmore thanMarydid?At thevery firstmomentofher life, she

lovedGodmorethanalltheangelsandsaintsdidinthewholecourseoftheirexistence—asweshallconsideratlengthwhenwetreatofMary’svirtues.OurBlessedLadyherselfrevealedtoSisterMaryCrucifiedthatthefireoflovewithwhichshewasinflamedtowardGodwassogreat that if the heavens and the earthwere put in it, theywould be instantly consumed.Compared to it, the ardor of the seraphim is like a fresh, gentle breeze. Therefore, sinceneitherangelsnorsaintssurpassMary in lovingGod,sonoone,afterGod, lovesusorcanloveus asmuch asMary.And ifwewere to combine all the love thatmothers bear theirchildren,alltheloveofhusbandsfortheirwives,alltheloveoftheangelsandsaintsfortheirdevotedclients,allthiswouldnotequalMary’sloveforasinglesoul.FatherNierembergsaysthatthelovethatallmothershaveeverhadfortheirchildrenis

butashadowincomparisonwiththelovewhichMarybearstoeachoneofus;andheaddsthatshelovesusmorethanalltheangelsandsaintsputtogether.Furthermore,MarylovesussomuchbecauseJesushimselfgaveustoherwhenhesaid,

justbeforedying:Woman,beholdyourson(Jn19:26).HeintendedSaintJohntorepresentallmen, as we observed above. These were the last words her son said to her. The lastmementoesourlovedonesleaveusatthepointofdeatharealwayscherishedandcannever

beforgotten.Again,wearesodeartoMarybecausewecausedhersomuchsorrow.Mothersgenerally

lovethosechildrenmostwhocausethemthemostlaborandpaintobekeptalive.Webelongto this class of children. To obtain for us the life of grace,Maryhad to suffer the pain ofoffering her owndear son to the executioners. Shewas content to see himdie in tormentbeforeherveryeyes.ThroughthisgrandsacrificeofMary,wewereborntothelifeofgrace.Analogously,wemayapplytoMarywhatwaswrittenofGod’sloveformenindeliveringhisownSon todeath:God so loved theworld that he gavehis only-begottenSon (Jn3:16). SaintBonaventurewrites that it canbe saidofMary: “Mary so lovedus that shegaveheronly-begottenson.”Whendidshegivehim?Shegavehimfirst,saysFatherNieremberg,whenshegavehim

permissiontogoanddie.Second,whenshedeclinedtodefendherson’slifebeforehisjudgeswhenothers,outoffearorhatred,failedtodefendhim.WecanwellbelievethatthewordsofsowonderfulamotherwouldhaveinfluencedPilateandstoppedhimfromcondemningtodeath a man whom he himself had recognized and declared as innocent. But no; Marydeclined to say oneword in favor of her son to hinder the death onwhich our salvationdepended.Finally, shegavehim tousa thousand timesat the footof thecrossduring thethreehoursshewatchedhimdie.Everymomentofthesethreehours,asherheartoverflowedwithsorrowandwithloveforus,sheconstantlyofferedthesacrificeofherson’slifeforus.So much so that Saint Anselm and Saint Antoninus maintain that, if there had been noexecutioners,sheherselfwouldhavecrucifiedhimtoobeythewilloftheFatherwhowishedhisSon todie forour salvation. IfAbrahamshowedasimilarcourage inhiswillingness tosacrificehis sonwithhisownhand,wemustbelieve thatMarywouldhave fulfilledGod’swillwithevengreatercourage,sincesheismoreholyandmoreobedientthanAbraham.Returningtoourtheme,howgratefulweoughttobetoMaryforsogreatanactoflove!

Shesacrificedherson’slifeamidsomuchsorrowtoobtainsalvationforusall.GodrewardedAbrahamgenerouslyforhiswillingnesstosacrificehissonIsaac.ButhowcanwethankMaryenoughforthelifeofherson,somuchmoreholyandbelovedthanAbraham’sson?TheonlygiftwecangiveMaryisthegiftofourownlove,especiallysinceMarylovedusmorethananyone else ever loved us. Saint Bonaventure says: “No one besidesMary has loved us somuchastogiveanonly-begottenandwell-belovedSonforus.”This last reason supplies anothermotivewhyMary lovedus sodearly. She realizes the

greatpriceoftheransomherSonpaidforoursouls.Supposeamothersawherbelovedsonransomoneofherservantsat thecostof twentyyears’hard laborandimprisonment.Howhighlyshewouldesteemthatservant!MaryknowsverywellthatChristcametoearthforthesolepurposeofsavinguspoorcreatures.Hehimselfprotested:ThesonofMancametosavewhatwaslost(Lk19:10).Andtosaveus,hewascontenteventolaydownhislife:…becomingobedienttodeath(Phil2:8).WereMarynottoloveus,shewouldshowverylittleappreciationofherson’sblood,thepriceofoursalvation.ItwasrevealedtoSaintElizabethofHungarythat from the timeMary entered the temple, she prayed continually thatGodwould soonsendhis Son for theworld’s salvation.Howmuchmore does she love us now that hehascomeandpurchasedusatsoheavyacost!MarylovesandfavorsallofusbecauseallmenwereredeemedbyJesus.SaintJohnsaw

OurLadyclothedwith the sun (Apoc12:1).She is clothed“with the sun”because there isnothingonearththatcanbehiddenfromtheheatof thesun:There isnoone that canhidehimselffromhisheat(Ps18:7).SotoothereisnolivingbeingonearthwithoutMary’slove.TheBlessedRaymondJordano,whocalledhimselftheUnlearned,says:“Fromherheat,thatis,fromherlove,noonecanescape.”Whocanformanyidea,asksSaintAntoninus,ofthegreatconcernthatMaryhasforeach

oneofus?Thatiswhysheoffersanddispenseshermercytoeveryone.Asourmother,shelongedforthesalvationofallandcooperatedinthesalvationofall.Itisevident,saysSaintBernard,thatshewassolicitousforthewholehumanrace.AccordingtoCorneliusàLapide,someclientsofMaryhaveadoptedtheverybeneficialpracticeofbeggingGodtograntthemthegraces thatMary implores for them, saying, “Lord, givemewhatever theMostBlessedVirginasksforme.”CorneliusàLapidesaysthisisveryreasonable,sinceMarydesiresgreaterfavorsforusthanweourselvescoulddesire.12BernardinedeBustissaysthesamething:“Sheismore eager todoyougoodand tobegenerouswithhergraces thanyouyourself coulddesirehertobe.”SaintAlberttheGreatappliestoMaryatextfromtheBookofWisdomandsaysthatMary

forestallsthosewhohaverecoursetoherbymakingthemfindherbeforetheyevenlookforher.RichardofSaintVictorsaysthatthelovewhichthisgoodmotherhasforusissogreatthat,assoonassheisawarethatweneedsomething,sherunstohelpus.“Shecomesbeforesheisasked.”Now,ifMaryissogoodtoall,eventotheungratefulandthenegligentwhodonotlove

heranddonotinvokeher,howmuchmoredevotedwillshebetowardthosewhoreallyloveherandfrequentlycalluponher?Sheiseasilyfoundbythemthatseekher(Wis6:13).Ohoweasyit is,saysSaintAlbert theGreat, forthosewholoveMarytofindher,andtofindherfilledwithcompassionandlove!OurBlessedMotherprotests:Thosewholoveme,Ialsolove(Prov 8:17). Though thismost loving lady loves all people as her children, yet, says SaintBernard,sheknowsandlovesmoretenderlythosewholoveher.AndthesehappyloversofMary,assertsRaymondJordano,arenotonlylovedbyher,butareevenservedbyher.TheChroniclesoftheOrderofSaintDominicrelatethatoneofthefriarsnamedLeonard

usedtorecommendhimselftwohundredtimesadaytoMary,andthatwhenhewasdyinghesawamostbeautifulqueenbyhisbedside.Shesaidtohim,“Leonard,doyouwanttodieandcometomySonandme?”“Whoareyou?”heasked.Andthequeenreplied,“IamtheMotherof Mercy. You have prayed to me very often. Now I am coming for you. Let us go toparadise.”TheChroniclesays,“AndLeonarddiedthatveryday,and,wehope,followedhertothekingdomoftheblessed.”“Ah,mymostsweetMary,”exclaimedSaintJohnBerchmans,S.J.,“happythemanthat

lovesyou.IfIloveMary,IamcertainoffinalperseveranceandIshallobtainwhateverIaskfromGod.”Therefore,thisholyyouthnevertiredofrenewinghisresolutionandofrepeatingoftentohimself:“IwillloveMary!IwillloveMary!”It is a truism that the BlessedMothermakes all her children advance in love. “She is

especiallyamiabletowardsthosewholoveher,”saysSaintIgnatiustheMartyr.Letthemloveher as did Saint Stanislaus Kostka.He lovedMary somuch thatwhen he spoke of her hemade everyonewhoheardhim loveher.He coinednewwords and inventednew titles to

honorher.HeneverdidanythingwithoutfirstturningtoMaryandaskingherblessing.WhenherecitedtheOffice,saidhisrosary,andrecitedotherprayers,hedidsowithsuchaffectionanddevotionthatheseemedtobespeakingwithMaryfacetoface.WhentheSalveReginawassung,hiswholesoulandhiscountenancewereaglowwithlove.Ononeoccasion,whilehe and a Jesuit companion were on their way to visit a certain shrine of Our Lady, hiscompanionaskedhimhowmuchhelovedMary.Hereplied,“WhatmorecanIsaythanthatshe ismymother?”TheFatherafterwards said thatwhen theyouthspoke thesewords,heutteredthemwithsuchtendernessanddevotionthatheseemednolongeraman,butratheranangelspeakingofloveforMary.13

Let them love her as Blessed Herman loved her. He called her the spouse of his love,becauseMaryherselfhadhonoredhimwiththattitle.14LetthemloveherasSaintPhilipNeridid.HewasfilledwithconsolationwhenhemerelythoughtofMary,andforthatreasonhecalledherhisdelight.LetthemloveherlikeSaintBonaventure,whocalledMarynotonlyhisladyandmotherbutevenhisheartandhissoul.Let them love her like that great lover of Mary, Saint Bernard, who called her the

“ravisherofhearts.”Toexpresshisardentlovehewouldoftensay:“Haveyounotstolenmyheart?”Letthemevencallher“sweetheart,”asdidSaintBernardineofSiena.Everyday,hemade

avisittoashrineofMaryandprotestedhisloveforher.Whensomeoneaskedhimwherehewenteachday,herepliedthathewenttocallonhissweetheart.Let them love her as Saint Aloysius Gonzaga loved her. He loved her so much that

wheneverheheardhernamementionedhisheartwas inflamedandevenhis countenancereddenedwithaglowthateverybodycouldsee.15

LetthemloveherasSaintFrancisSolanodid,whowasconsideredmad(butwithaholymadness)forloveofMary.Hewouldsingbeforeherpictureandplayamusicalinstrument,andclaim,likeworldlytroubadours,thathewasserenadinghisqueen.Finally,letthemloveherasdidsomanyofherservantswhocouldneverdoenoughto

show their love. Father John Trexo, S.J., used to call himself the slave ofMary.He oftenvisitedherinoneortheotherofherchurches.Then,toprovehisservitude,hewoulddrenchthefloorwithhistears.Next,hewouldwipeawaythosetearswithkisses—allbecausethiswasthehouseofhislady.AnotherJesuit,FatherJamesMartinez,washonoredinaspecialwayforhisdevotionto

Mary.Ongreatfeastshewastakenbyangelstoheaventoseehowthefeastswereobservedthere.Hewouldoftensay:“IwishIhadtheheartsofalltheangelsandsaintstoloveMaryastheyloveher!IwishIcouldcontrolthelivesofallmen,sothatIcoulddirectthemalltotheloveofMary.”16

LetstillothersloveherasdidSaintBridget’sson,Charles,whoclaimedhehadnogreaterconsolationonearththanknowingthatGodlovedMarysodearly.HealsomaintainedthathewouldgladlyacceptanysufferingratherthanhaveMaryloseevenoneiotaofhergreatness,ifindeedifwerepossibleforhertoloseany.Furthermore,hesaidthatifherglorywerehis,hewouldrenounceitinherfavorsincesheiseversomuchmoreworthyofit.Let them desire even to lay down their lives as proof of their love forMary, as Saint

AlphonsusRodriguezdid. Let them loveMary as did thosewho carved the sweet nameofMaryontheirbreastswithsharpknives,asdidFrancisBinanzio,aholyreligious,andQueenRadigunde,thewifeofKingClothaire.Letthemloveherasdidthosewhotookredhotironsandimprintedhernameupontheirflesh,sothatitwouldremainthereclearandlong,asdidJohnBaptistAchintoandAugustined’EspinosooftheSocietyofJesus,bothdriventothisbythevehemenceoftheirlove.EventhoughtheseloversofMaryexerttheirbesteffortstoprovetheiraffectionforher,

theywillneversucceedinlovingherasmuchasshelovesthem.“Iknow,OMary,”saysSaintPeterDamian, “that you aremost lovable and that you loveuswith an invincible love.” Iknow,my Lady, he said in effect, that you love uswith a love that is unsurpassable, thatcannotbetoppedbyanyotherlove.Ononeoccasion,SaintAlphonsusRodriguez,S.J.,wasprayingbeforeanimageofMary.

Hisheartbecameinflamedwithloveforherandhecriedout:“MydearestMother,Iknowthatyouloveme,butyoudonotlovemeasmuchasIloveyou.”Mary,offended,asitwere,onapointoflove,immediatelyanswered:“Whatareyousaying,Alphonsus?Myloveforyouisgreaterthananyloveyoucouldhaveforme.Thedistancebetweenheavenandearthisnotsogreatasthedistancebetweenyourloveandmine.”SaintBonaventurethenwasright inexclaiming:“Blessedare thehearts that loveMary!

Blessedarethosewhoserveher!”Yes, forMarywillneverallowherself tobesurpassed inlovebyherclients.“Inthiscontest,shewillneverbeworstedbyus.Shereturnsourloveandalways adds somenew favors to past ones.” In this respectMary imitates ourmost lovingRedeemer.Shereturnstothosewholovehertheirlovedoubledandredoubledinfavorsandbenefits.WithSaintAnselm,soenamoredofMary,Ialsoexclaim:“Maytheloveofyou,OMary,

make my heart languish and my soul melt!” May my heart always burn and my soul beconsumedwith love foryou,mydearSavior,and foryou,mydearMotherMary.Throughyourmerits, therefore, andnotbecause Ideserve it, grantmy suppliant soul a love that isworthyofyou.Therefore,throughyourmeritsandnotmyown,OJesusandMary,grantmysoulthegraceto loveyouasmuchasyoudeserve.Oloverofsouls,youwereableto loveguiltymenuntodeath.Willyouthenrefuseloveforyourselfandforyourmothertoonewhopraysforit?

Example

FatherAuriemmatellsthisstoryaboutapoorshepherdgirlwhowasguardingherflocks.ShelovedOurBlessedLadysomuchthat,whilehersheepweregrazing,shewouldgotoatinychapelofOurLadysituatedonalonelymountainandtherewouldprayandconversewithMary. Seeing that the small statue ofOur Ladywas unadorned, she set towork herself toprovidesomedecorations for it.Onedayshegathereda fewflowers in the fieldandwovethemintoawreath.Sheplacedthewreathontheheadofthestatueandsaid:“MyMother,IwishIcouldplaceacrownofgoldandpreciousgemsonyourbrow.ButsinceIamsopoor,Iwantyoutoacceptthispoorcrownofflowersintokenofmygreatloveforyou.”Withthisandothersmallsignsofdevotion,thepiouslittlegirloftenendeavoredtohonorMary.See

nowhowtheMotherofGodreturnedthevisitsandthedevotionofthelittleshepherdess.The youngster became ill andwas lying at death’s door. Two religious happened to be

passingthatwayandstoppedtorestintheshadeofthetrees.Oneofthemfellasleepandtheotherremainedawake.Butbothofthemhadthesameremarkablevision.Theysawagroupofmostbeautifulmaidens,oneofwhomwasevenmore lovely thantheothers.Oneof thereligiousaskedher:“Whoareyou?”Sheanswered:“IamtheMotherofGod.Iamonmywaywiththeseholyvirginstovisitadyinglittleshepherdgirlwhohasoftenvisitedme.”Afterthesewordsthevisiondisappeared.Thereligioussaidtoeachother:“Wewillalsogotovisither.”Theysoonfoundthehousewherethegirllaydying.Theyenteredthelittlehutandfound

herlyingonastrawpallet.Theygreetedherandshesaidtothem:“Dearfriends,askGodtoletyouseethecompanythatsurroundsme.”ThetworeligiouskneltdownandimmediatelysawOurLadystandingatthegirl’sside,consolingher,andholdingacrowninherhand.Thegroupofvirginsbegantosing,andatthatmomentthechild’ssoulleftherbody.Maryplacedthecrownonherhead,and,takinghersoul,ledittoparadise.17

Prayer

“OLady!O ravisherofhearts!” Iwill exclaimwithSaintBonaventure, “OLady, ravishalsomyheartwhichdesires somuch to loveyou.Youhave enamoredaGodwithyourbeautyandhavedrawnhimdownfromheavenintoyourchastewomb.HowshallIlivewithoutlovingyou?”Letmesaywithyourbeloved son,SaintJohnBerchmans,“Iwillnever restuntil Iamcertainofhavingobtainedyourlove.”YoulovedmesomuchevenwhenIwasungratefultoyou.WhereshouldIbenow,OMary,ifyouhadnotobtainedsomanygracesforme?SinceyoulovedmesomuchwhenIdidnot love youat all, howmuchmoremay I nownot hope fromyou since I now love you sofondly.Iloveyou,OMother,andIwishIhadahearttoloveyouinplaceofallthoseunfortunatecreatureswhodonotloveyou.IwishIhadathousandtongues,sothatIcouldcryouttoalltheworldandmakethewholeworldknowyourgreatness,yourholiness,yourmercy,andespeciallytheloveyouhaveforallwholoveyou.WereIrich,Iwouldusemyrichestohonoryou.HadIsubjectsunderme,Iwouldmakethemallloveyou.WereIabletolaydownmylife,Iwoulddosoforyourglory.Iloveyouthen,OMother,butIfearthatperhapsIdonotloveyouasmuchasIshould.Itis

saidthatlovemakestheloverandthelovedonealike.“Loveeitherfindsloversalikeormakesthemso,” saidAristotle.18 Therefore,when I seemyself so different from you, itmeans that I do notreallyloveyou.YouaresopureandIamsodefiled.YouaresohumbleandIamsoproud.YouaresoholyandI,sosinful.Hereiswhatyoumustdoforme,OMary.Sinceyouloveme,youmustmakemeresembleyou.Youhavethepowertochangehearts.Takemine,then,andchangeit.Makethewholeworldseewhatyoucandoforthosewholoveyou.Makemeasaint.Makemeaworthychildofyours.ThisiswhatIhopefor;mayitbeso.

MaryIstheMotherofPenitentSinners

OurBlessedLadytoldSaintBridgetthatshewasthemothernotonlyofthejustandinnocent,butalsoofsinners,providedtheywerewillingtorepent.Everysinnerwhowishestomendhiswaysfindsthisgoodmothereversowillingtoembraceandhelphim;farmoresothanany earthly mother. Saint Gregory VII had this thought in mind when he wrote to theCountessMatilda,saying:“Resolvetogiveupsin,andIpromiseyouthatyouwillfindMarymorereadytoloveyouthananyearthlymother.”Butwhoeverhopes tobeachildof thisgreatmothermust firstabandonsin.Only then

canhehope to be accepted asMary’s son.Richardof Saint Lawrence, commentingon thewordsofProverbs:Herchildrenriseupandpraiseher(Prov31:28),remarksthatthesewordsindicatethatnoonecanbeachildofMarywithoutfirstendeavoringtorisefromthedepthsintowhichhehasfallen.Hewhoisinmortalsinisnotworthytobecalledthesonofsuchamother.AndSaintPeterChrysologussays,“HewhoactsdifferentlyfromMaryplainlyprovesthathedoesnotwanttobeherson.”Maryishumble,andheisproud;Maryispure,andheisevil;Maryisfulloflove,andhehateshisneighbor.“The sons ofMary,” says Richard of Saint Lawrence, “imitate her, and they follow her

chiefly in four things: in chastity, meekness, humility, and mercy.” How can he whorepudiatesMaryby livingawickedlifeevendaretowishtobeachildofMary?AcertainsinneroncesaidtoMary,“Provethatyouaremymother.”ButtheBlessedVirginanswered:“Provethatyouaremyson.”Anothersinner invokedMary,callingher the“MotherofMercy.”Andshereplied:“You

sinners,whenyouwantmyhelp,callmeMotherofMercy.Butatthesametime,youdonotceasebyyoursinstomakemeamotherofsorrowsandanguish.”We read inEcclesiasticus,He is cursed ofGod that angers hismother (Ecclus 3:18). That

mother,saysRichardofSaintLawrence,isMary.GodcursesthosewhobytheirwickedlifeandbytheirobstinacyinsinafflictsogoodaMother.I say, by their obstinacy, for if a sinner, though he may not have given up his sin,

endeavorstomendhiswaysand,forthispurpose,seeksthehelpofMary,thisgoodmotherwillnotfailtohelphimandmakehimrecoverthegraceofGod.Oneday,SaintBridgetheardJesussaytohisMother:“YouhelpeveryonewhotriestorisetoGod,andyouleavenobodydeprived of your consolation.” But when the sinner is obstinate, Mary cannot love him.However, ifhefindshimselfchainedbysomepassionwhichmakeshimaslaveofhellandstillrecommendshimselftotheBlessedVirginandimploresherwithconfidencetodrawhimoutofthatstateofsin,therecanbenodoubtthatMarywillreachforthherpowerfulhand,willdeliverhimfromhischains,andwillbringhimtosalvation.Thedoctrinethatallprayersandworksperformedinthestateofsinarethemselvessins

wascondemnedashereticalbytheCouncilofTrent.SaintBernardsaysthat,althoughprayerin themouth of a sinner is devoid of allmerit because it is not accompanied by charity,nevertheless it is useful andwins the grace to abandon sin. SaintThomas teaches that theprayerof a sinner, thoughwithoutmerit, is anactwhichobtains thegraceof forgiveness,sincethepowerofimpetrationisbasednotonthemeritofhimwhoasks,butonthedivinegoodnessandthemeritsofJesusChrist,whosaid:Everyonewhoasksreceives(Lk11:10).WemustsaythesameofprayersofferedtotheBlessedMother.“Ifthepersonwhoprays,”

saysSaintAnselm,“doesnotmerittobeheard,themeritsofMary,towhomherecommends

himself,willeffectuallyintercedeforhim.”SaintBernardexhortseverysinnertoinvokeMaryandtohavethegreatestconfidenceinprayingtoher,because,althoughthesinnerdoesnotdeservewhatheasks,itwillbegrantedtoMaryonaccountofhermerits.AndthosegraceswillbegiventothesinnerwhichshebegsofGodforhim.Adam,theAbbotofPerseigne,usesthiscomparison.Supposeamotherknewthathertwo

sonsweredeadlyenemiesandplottingeachother’smurder.Whatelsewouldshedothantryineverywaytopacifythem?“Mary,”saystheabbot,“isman’smotherandJesus’mother.”When she sees a sinner become the enemy of Jesus Christ, she cannot bear it, andconsequently does everything in her power to establish peace between them. “O happyMary,”hesaid,“youarethemotherofthecriminalandthemotheroftheJudge.Youarethemotherofbothandyoucannotsuffertoseediscordbetweenyoursons.”19

TheonlythingthatMarydemandsisthatthesinnerhaverecoursetoherandintendtochange his ways. When Mary sees a sinner at her feet begging for mercy, she does notconcentrateonthesinswithwhichheisburdened,butratherontheintentionwithwhichhecomes.Ifhecomeswiththepropergoodintention,eventhoughhissoulbeblackwithsin,shewelcomeshim,andlikealovingmother,doesnothesitatetohealallthewoundsofhissoul.ForMaryisnotmerelycalled,butactuallyis,theMotherofMercy.Shemakesherselfknownassuchbythespontaneousloveandtendernesswithwhichshehelpsallwhoturntoher.ThisispreciselywhatshesaidtoSaintBridget;“Nomatterhowmuchamansins,Iaminstantlyreadytowelcomehimback.Idonotfixmyattentiononthenumberofhissins,butratherontheintentionwithwhichhereturns.Iwillnotrefusetoanointandhealhiswounds,forIamcalledandreallyamtheMotherofMercy.”Mary is themotherofall sinnerswhowishtorepent.Andassuch,shecannothelpbut

pity them. In fact, she feels themisfortunes of her children as though theywereher own.When the Canaanite woman begged Our Lord to free her daughter from the devil thattroubledher,shesaid:Havepityonme,OLord,SonofDavid!Mydaughterissorelybesetbyadevil(Mt15:22).Now,sinceitwasthedaughter,andnotthemotherwhowastormentedbythedevil,wewouldthinksheshouldhavesaid:“Lord,havepityonmydaughter,”andnot“havepityonme.”Neverthelessshesaid:“Havepityonme.”Andrightly,becausemothersfeelthemiseriesoftheirchildrenasiftheyweretheirown.RichardofSaintLawrencesaysthatisthewaythatMarypraysforsinnerswhohaverecoursetoher:“Marycriesoutwithaloudvoiceforasinfulsoulandsays,‘Havepityonme.’”“Yes,”sheseemstosay,“thispoorsoulisinsin.Thissoulismychild,andthereforehavepitynotonlyonherbutalsoonme,hermother.”GodgrantthatallsinnershaverecoursetoMary.Becausethenhewillpardonthemall.In

rapture,SaintBonaventureexclaims:“OMary,youaffectionatelyembracethesinnerwhoisdespisedby thewholeworld.Andyoudonot leavehimgo tillyoureconcilehimwithhisJudge.”What the saintwants to say is, that a sinner is hated and despised by everybody.Inanimatecreatures—fire,air,andearth—wouldliketopunishhimandtakerevengeonhimfordishonoringtheirLordwhomthesinnerhasdespised.ButwhenthewretchturnstoMary,does she turn away?On the contrary. If he goes to her for help and is ready tomendhisways,sheembraceshimlikeanaffectionatemother.AndshewillnotresttillbyherpowerfulintercessionshehasreconciledhimtoGodandrestoredhimtograce.

WereadintheSecondBookofKingshowthatwisewomanofThecuasaidtoDavid:Ihadtwosons.Unfortunately, theonekilled theother,and so Ihave losta son.Now in justice, theywanttotaketheother,theonlyonelefttome.Havepityonme,theirpoormother,anddonotletmebedeprivedofbothmysons(2Kings14).Davidwiselydeclaredthatthedelinquentshouldbe set free and restored to her.Mary seems to say the same thingwhenGod is indignantagainstasinnerwhohasrecoursetoher:“MyGod,Ihadtwosons,Jesusandman.ManhasslainmyJesusonthecrossandnowyourmercywantstocondemnman.OLord,myJesusisalreadydead.Havepityonme.NowthatIhavelosttheoneson,donotmakemelosetheotheralso.”SurelyGoddoesnotcondemnthosesinnerswhohaverecoursetoMaryandforwhomshe

intercedes. God himself has recommended these sinners as sons to Mary. The devoutLanspergiusmakesGodspeakinthisvein:“IhavecommendedsinnerstoMaryashersons.Noonecommittedtohercareshallperish,particularlyifhegoestoherforhelp.Inasfarasitliesinherpower,shewillbringhimbacktome.”Who,saysBlosius,caneverdescribethemercy, thefidelity,andthecharitywithwhich

thisgoodmotherseekstosaveuswheneverwebegherforhelp?Letusprostrateourselvesbefore her, says Saint Bernard, let us embrace her feet, let us not leave her until she hasblessedusandreceivedusasherchildren.WhocouldevermistrustthecompassionofMary?SaintBonaventureusedtosay,“Even

thoughsheshouldaskformylife,Iwouldstillhopeinher.Fullofconfidence,Ihopetodiebeforeherimage.AndIknowIshallbesaved.”Everysinnerwhohasrecoursetohershouldfeelthesameandshouldsay:“OLady,OmyMother!OnaccountofmysinsIdeservetobeabandonedbyyouandpunishedaccordingtomyjustdesserts.Buteventhoughyouwouldbanishmeandtakemylife,Iwillstilltrustinyouandhopewithafirmhopethatyouwillsave me. My entire confidence is in you. Give me the grace to die before your image,recommendingmyselftoyourmercy.ThatwillconvincemethatIwillnotbelostandthatIwill go to praise you in heaven, in the company of somany of your servantswho,whendying,calledonyouforhelp,andwhowereallsavedbyyourpowerfulintercession.”Readthe followingstoryandseehownosinnerwhohasrecourse toMarycanpossibly

mistrusttheloveandmercyofthisgoodmother.

Example

TheJesuitFather,CarloBovio,relatesthatintheyear1430ayoungnoblemannamedErnestgaveallhispatrimonytothepoorandenteredamonasteryatChâteaurouxinFrance.Therehe led suchaholy life thathis superiors came to thinkagreatdealofhim.Theyadmiredparticularlyhisdevotion to theBlessedVirgin.About that time,aviolentplagueswept thecityandthecitizenscametothemonasteryforhelp.TheabbotorderedErnesttogoandpraybeforeMary’saltarandtostay thereuntil theMadonnaansweredhim.After threedayshereceivedananswerfromMarytotheeffectthatcertainprayersshouldbesaid.Thiswasdoneandtheplagueceased.After a time Ernest cooled in his devotion toMary. The devil attacked himwithmany

temptations.Hewastemptedparticularlytoimpurityandtofleefromthemonastery.Since

hehadstoppedprayingtoMary,heyieldedtothetemptationandmadeplanstorunawaybyclimbingoverthemonasterywall.Onhiswayoutthroughthecorridor,hepassedinfrontofa statue of theMadonna.Mary called out to him and said: “My son,why are you leavingme?” Ernestwas stunned at this, threw himself on the ground, and replied: “But,Mother,don’tyou see that I can’t resistany longer?Whydon’tyouhelpme?”OurLadyanswered:“Whydidn’tyoucometomeforhelp?Hadyoucometome,Iwouldnothaveletyoufallsolow.Fromnowon,callonmeforhelpanddon’tbeafraidofanything.”Ernestreturnedtohiscell.Histemptationsreturned,andagainhefailedtopraytoMary.

Finallyhefledfromthemonasteryandgavehimselfovertoalifeofsin.Eventuallyheturnedtomurder.Hetookovertheownershipofaninnwhereatnighthewouldrobandkillpoortravelers.Onenighthekilledthecousinofthelocalmagistrate.Hewascaughtandsentencedtodeath.Beforehewastakenintocustody,however,anotheryoungguestarrivedattheinn.Ernest

made his usual plans tomurder and rob the victim. But that night, when he entered theguest’sroom,hedidnotfindtheyoungman.InhisplacelayourcrucifiedSavior,bleedingandcoveredwithwounds.Jesuslookedathimandsaidreproachfully:“Myson,areyounotsatisfiedthatIdiedforyouonce?Doyouwanttokillmeagain?Verywell!Raiseyourhandandstrike!”Filledwithremorse,thepoorwretchbegantocryandpromisedimmediatelytoreturntothemonastery.Onhiswayhewas overtakenby the police and freely admitted all his crimes.Hewas

condemnedtobehangedimmediately,withnoopportunityforconfession. Itwasthenthathe once more thought of Mary and prayed to her for help. Mary heard his prayer. Shepersonallyloosenedthenoosearoundhisneckandsenthimbacktothemonastery.“Gobackto the monastery,” she said, “and do penance. And when you see a paper in my handsannouncingyourpardon,preparetodie.”Hereturnedtothemonastery,toldtheabbotthewholestory,andacceptedamostsevere

penance. Many years later he saw a paper in Mary’s hands announcing his pardon. Hepreparedimmediatelyfordeathandpassedawaymostedifyinglyashorttimelater.

Prayer

OmyQueen,myMother,mostholyMary!WhenIconsidermymiseryandtheburdenofmysins,Ishould not dare to come and call youmother. But I do not wantmy sins to depriveme of theconsolationofcallingyoumother.IknowthatIdeservetobeabandonedbyyou.Butfirstofall,IbegyoutoconsiderallthatJesushasdoneandsufferedforme.Thenbanishmeifyoucan.IamreallyonlyapoorsinnerwhomorethananyoneelsehasdespisedGod’sgoodness.But theevil isdone.Icometoyou.Youareabletohelpme.Dohelpme.Donottellmethatyouareunabletohelpme,becauseIknowyouareall-powerfulandcanobtainfromGodwhateveryouaskhim.Andifyousayyoucannothelpme,thentellmetowhomIcangoforhelp.WithSaintAnselmIsaytoJesusandyou:“Havemercyonme—oneofyousparingme,theotherintercedingforme.Orelse,atleasttellmetowhomIcangowhoismorecompassionatethanyouandinwhomIcanhavegreatertrust.”Neither inheavennoronearthcan I findanyonewho ismorewilling tohelpamiserablewretchorwhoisbetterabletohelp.

You,OJesus,aremyfather,andyou,OMary,aremymother.Bothofyouhaveagreatlovefor sinners and actually seek them out in order to save them. I amworse than all the rest anddeserve nothing but hell. But you do not have to search forme. I come rushing to youwith thecertain hope that youwill not abandonme.Here I stand at your feet,Omy Jesus. Pardonme!Mary,mymother,helpme!

2OURLIFE,OURSWEETNESS

MaryIsOurLifeBecauseSheObtainsthePardonofOurSins

TounderstandclearlywhyHolyChurchbidsuscallMaryour life,wemustrealizethat,asthesoulisthelifeofthebody,sodivinegraceisthelifeofthesoul.TheApocalypsesaysthatasoulwithoutgraceisreallydead,eventhoughitappearstobealive:Youhavethenameofbeingalive,andyouaredead(Apoc3:1).Therefore,whenMary,byherintercession,obtainsgraceforsinners,sheobtainslifeforthem.TheChurchappliestoMarythesewordsofProverbs,andhasMarysay:Theythat in the

earlymorningwatchforme,shallfindme(Prov8:17).IntheSeptuagintthewordsshallfindmearetranslatedshallfindgrace,implying,ofcourse,thattofindMaryandtofindgraceareoneandthesamething.Later,inthesamebookofProverbs,thesewordsareappliedtoMary:Hethatshallfindme,

shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord (Prov 8:35). “Pay attention to thesewords,”exclaimsSaintBonaventure,“youthatdesirethekingdomofGod.HonorMaryandyoushallfindlifeandeternalsalvation.”SaintBernardineofSienagivesitashisopinionthat,ifGoddidnotdestroymanafterhis

firstsin, itwasbecauseofhisgreat lovefortheBlessedVirgin,whowastobebornofthisrace.HeaddsthathedoesnotdoubtthatallthemercyandpardonreceivedbysinnersintheOldTestamentweregrantedinconsiderationofMary.Therefore,SaintBernarddoeswelltoexhortusinthesewords:“Letusseekgrace,andlet

usseekitthroughMary.”Eventhoughwemayhavelostgrace,itisshewhohasrecoveredit.Hecallsher“thefinderofgrace.”TheideawasearlierexpressedbytheArchangelGabriel,whosaidtoMary:Donotbeafraid,Mary,foryouhavefoundgrace…(Lk1:30).HowcantheArchangel sayMary found gracewhen shehadneverbeenwithout it?Whenanybodygetssomethinghedidnotpreviouslyhave,heissaidtohavefoundit.YettheArchangelhimselfsaidthatMarywasalwayswithGodandalwayspossessedgrace:Hail,fullofgrace,theLordiswithyou (Lk1:28).Since, then,Marydidnot findgrace forherself,andwasalways fullofgrace,forwhomdidshefindit?CardinalHugo,incommentingonthesewordsofSaintLuke,says:“Shefoundit forsinnerswhohadlost it.”Therefore,saysthesamewriter, letsinnerswho have lost grace run toMary and they will find grace with her. Let them say to herconfidently:“Giveusbackwhatwehavelostandwhatyouhavefound.Whateverislostmustberestoredto itsowner.Thisgracewhichyouhavefoundisnotreallyyours,becauseyounever lost it.Therefore,youmustreturn it tous.” Inkeepingwith this thought,RichardofSaint Lawrence concludes: “Sincewe desire to find grace, let us go to the finder of grace.Maryalwaysfindswhatsheseeks,andcannotpossiblyfailus.”IntheeighthchapterofCanticles,MarysaysthatGodhasplacedherinthisworldtobe

ourdefense. Iamawall;andmybreastsare like towers (Cant8:10).And soMary is trulya

mediatrixofpeacebetweenGodandsinners.Iambecomeinhispresenceasonefindingpeace(Cant8:10). Inspiredbythesewords,SaintBernardencourages thesinnerandsays:“GototheMother ofMercy and show her thewounds inflicted by your sins. Shewill show youmercy, because the son always hears his mother.”20 This is the sentiment we find in theprayer recited after the Ave Regina Coelorum: “Grant, O merciful God, protection for ourweakness,sothatwewhoareevermindfuloftheholyMotherofGodmay,bythehelpofherintercession,riseagainfromoursins.”With good reason, then, does Saint Lawrence Giustiniani call Mary “the hope of

evildoers,”sinceshealoneistheonewhoobtainsGod’spardonforthem.Withgoodreason,too,does SaintBernard styleher “the ladderof sinners,” because she extendshermercifulhandtorescuesinnersfromtheabyssintowhichtheyhavefallenandraisesthemuptoGod.SaintAugustine calls her “the only hope of sinners,” because throughMary alone do theyhope for forgivenessof their sins.SaintJohnChrysostomspeaks in thesameveinwhenhesaysthatonlythroughMary’sintercessiondosinnersreceivepardon.ThereforedoeshegreetMaryinthisfashioninthenameofallsinners:“Hail,MotherofGodandofusall—theheavenwhere God dwells, the throne from which Our Lord dispenses all graces, the glory of ourChurch!Prayunceasingly toJesus so thatwemay findmercyon thedayof judgment,andthatthroughyouwemaycomeintopossessionofthewonderfulthingshehaspreparedforthosewholovehim.”Finally,Mary is fittingly called “the dawn.”Who is she that comes forth like the dawn…

(Cant 6:9). “Yes,” says Pope Innocent III, “as the dawn marks the end of night and thebeginningofday,soisMarytrulystyledthedawn,becauseshemarkstheendofviceandthebeginning of virtue.”When devotion towardMary begins in a soul, it produces the sameeffectasthebirthofMaryproducedintheworld.Itputsanendtothenightofsinandmakesthesoulwalkinthepathofvirtue.ThatiswhySaintGermanussays:“OMotherofGod,yourprotection never ceases; your intercession is life.” He goes on to say that the affectionatementionofMary’snameisaproofoflifeinthesoulorasignthatlifewillsoonreturnthere.WereadintheGospelofSaintLukethatMarysaid:Behold,henceforthallgenerationsshall

callmeblessed(Lk1:48).“Yes,myLady,”exclaimsSaintBernard,“henceforthallgenerationsshallcallyoublessed,becauseyouhavebrought forthgloryand life forallgenerations. Inyoudosinnersfindtheirpardon,andthejustperseveranceandeternallife.”ListentothedevoutBernardinedeBustis:“Donotbeafraid,Osinner,evenifyouhave

committedeverykindofsin.Runtothisladyandyouwillfindherhandsfilledwithmercy.Shedesiresmoretodoyougoodthanyoucandesiretoreceivefavorsfromher.”SaintAndrewofCrete callsMary the guarantee of divine pardon.Here is hismeaning.

WhensinnerscalluponMary inorder tobe reconciled toGod,Godpromises thempardonand moreover gives a pledge of it. That pledge is Mary, whom he has given them as achampionoradvocate.ThroughherintercessionandbyvirtueofthemeritsofJesusChrist,God pardons all sinners who go to Mary. Saint Bridget tells us that she heard from herGuardianAngelthattheearlyprophetswerehappyinknowingthatGodwastobereconciledwithsinnersthroughthehumilityandpurityofMary.NosinnerneedeverfearthatMarywillspurnhimwhenhecallsonherformercy.Never!

Because Mary is the Mother of Mercy and she burns with the desire to help unfortunate

sinners.Mary is that blessed ark, says Saint Bernard,where anyonewho takes refugewillescapetheshipwreckofeternaldamnation.Atthetimeofthedeluge,eventhebruteanimalsweresavedinNoah’sark.Andso,underMary’sprotection,evensinnersaresaved.Onedayinavision,SaintGertrudesawMarywithhercloakspreadwideopen.Underits

foldsweremanywildanimals:lions,bears,tigers—allofwhomhadtakenrefugethere.Thesaint noticed that Mary did not chase the beasts away. She welcomed them kindly andcaressedthem.Fromthis,SaintGertrudeconcludedthateventhemostsordidsinnersarenotonlynotrejectedbyMary,butareevenwelcomedandsavedbyherfrometernaldeath.Letusthenenterthisark,letustakerefugeunderthecloakofMaryandshewillmostcertainlynotspurnus,butwillsecureoureternalsalvation.

Example

FatherBoviorelatesthatthereoncewasaverywickedwomannamedHelen,whoenteredachurchandchancedtohearasermonontherosary.Aftersheleftthechurch,sheboughtarosary, but carried it concealed, as she did notwant people to know that she had it. Shebegantorecitethebeadsand,thoughshesometimesdidsowithoutdevotion,OurLadyfilledherwithsuchconsolationandfervorthatafteratimeshecouldnotstoprepeatingtheHailMary.Finally,shewasfilledwithsuchhorrorforherwickedlifethatshecouldfindnorestandfeltobligedtogotoconfession.She told her sins so remorsefully that the confessor was amazed. After confession, she

walked up to Mary’s altar to thank her. Here she again recited the rosary. Then Mary,speaking from the image on the altar, said to Helen: “That is enough, Helen. You haveoffendedGodandmeenough.Fromnowon,changeyourlife,becauseIamgoingtogiveyoumanygraces.”Overwhelmed,thepoorsinnerreplied:“OmostholyVirgin,itistruethattillthismoment I have been a criminal, but you,who are so powerful,must helpme. I givemyselftoyouandIwanttospendtherestofmylifedoingpenanceformysins.”HelpedbyMary,shegaveawayallherpossessionsandbeganalifeofrigorouspenance.

Shewas tormentedbyterrible temptations,butsheconstantlyrecommendedherself toOurBlessed Lady andwas ultimately victorious. She receivedmany favors, even such unusualonesasvisions,revelations,andprophecy.Finally,whenshecametodie,theBlessedVirgintogetherwithherDivineSon,visitedher,asMaryhadpromisedseveraldaysearlier.WhenHelenexpired,hersoul,intheformofabeautifuldove,wasseenwingingitswaytoheaven.

Prayer

Behold,OMotherofGod,Mary,myhope,beholdmeatyourfeet,apoorsinnerbeggingformercy.Allthefaithfulallovertheworldproclaimyouthe“refugeofsinners.”Youarethenmyrefuge,andyoumustsaveme.You know, O sweet Mother—as William of Paris says—how much your Son desires our

salvation.Youknowwhat JesusChrist suffered to saveme. I present these sufferings of Jesus toyou,myMother:thecoldhesufferedinthestableofBethlehem,thestepshetookinhisjourneyto

Egypt,thetoilandperspirationofhisworkinghours,thebloodheshed,thesorrowsthatkilledhimbeforeyourveryeyesashewashangingonthecross.Provethatyoulovethissonofyours,andbythisloveIbegyoutohelpme.Stretchoutyourhandtoafallensinnerwhoasksmercyofyou.IfIwereasaint,Iwouldnotbe

lookingformercy.ButsinceIamasinner,Ihastentoyou,theMotherofMercy.Iknowfullwellthataslongasasinnerdoesnotremainobstinateinhissin,youarehappytohelphimwheneveryouareable.Thereforetoday,OMother,bringconsolationtoyourheartbybringingconsolationtomine.Iamgivingyounowtheopportunityofsavingapoorsinnercondemnedtohell.Youcanhelpme,preciselybecauseIdonotwanttoremainobdurateinmysin.I herebyplacemyself in yourhands.Tellmewhat todoand giveme the strength todo it. I

determinetodoallIcantogetbackintoGod’sgrace.Iflytoyourprotection.Jesuswantsmetoturn toyou, so that, tohis gloryandyours,bothhisbloodandyourprayersmayhelpme tobesaved.ItisJesuswhosendsmetoyouforhelp.OMary,seehowIruntoyoutoconfideinyou.Youprayforsomanyothers;prayformetoo.

Sayonlyawordinmybehalf.TellGodyouwantmetobesavedandhewillsurelysaveme.TellhimIbelongtoyou.ThisisallIaskofyou.

MaryIsAlsoOurLifeBecauseSheObtainsPerseveranceforUs

Finalperseverance is sogreatagiftofGod that,as theCouncilofTrenthasdeclared, it isentirelygratuitousonhispart,andwecannotmerit it.AccordingtoSaintAugustine, thosewhoaskforperseverancewillobtainit.AndaccordingtoSuarez,theywillinfalliblyobtainitif they ask for it diligently till the endof their lives. SaintRobertBellarminewrites: “Youmustaskforperseveranceeveryday,inordertoobtainiteveryday.”Now,if it is true—andIholdthat it is true,accordingtothecommonopinion,andasI

shall show later in Chapter V—if it is true that all graces given us by God come throughMary’shands,thenitisalsotruethatonlythroughthehelpofMaryareweabletohopeforandobtainthegreatestgraceofall,thegraceoffinalperseverance.WewillcertainlyobtainitifweconstantlyandconfidentlyaskitofMary.Sheherselfpromisesthisgracetoallwhointhislifeserveherfaithfully,accordingtothewordswhichtheChurchputsonherlipsforthefeastof the ImmaculateConception:They thatworkbyme shallnot sin; they that explainmeshallhavelifeeverlasting(Ecclus24:30–31).21

Tobepreserved in the lifeofgracewemusthave thespiritual strength toresistall theenemiesofoursalvation.Thisstrength,however,wewillobtainonlythroughMary. In theliturgyofthefeastofOurLadyoftheSnowswereadthisquotationfromProverbs:Mine isstrength;bymekingsreign(Prov8:14–15).Thisstrength ismine,saysMary.Godhasputthisgiftinmyhands,sothatIcandispenseittomydevotedones.Bymyhelp,kingsreign.Bymyhelp,mychildrenreignoverandhavecontroloveralltheirsensesandpassions,andinthatwaymakethemselvesworthytoreigneternallyinheaven.HowtremendousisthispowerwhichMary’sservantshavetoconquerallthetemptations

ofhell!MaryisthattowerofwhichthesacredCanticlesays:YourneckislikeDavid’stower,girtwithbattlements;athousandbucklershanguponit,alltheshieldsofvaliantmen(Cant4:4).

Toallwholoveherandlooktoherforhelpinbattle,Maryislikeastrongtowersurroundedbydefenses.Shecontainsalltheshieldsandweaponstheyneedtobattleagainsttheforcesofevil.ThatiswhyMaryisalsocalledaplanetree:AsaplanetreebythewaterinthestreetswasI

exalted (Ecclus 24:19). Cardinal Hugo explains this by pointing out that the leaves of theplane tree resemble shields. Blessed Amadeus gives another explanation. He says Maryresembles theplanetreebecause theshadeof its leavesoffers the travelershelter fromthesun’s heat and from rain.Under the shade ofMary’s protection, humanbeings find refugefromtheheatoftheirpassionsandfromthefuryoftemptation.Unfortunateindeedarethosesoulswhogetawayfromthisprotection,whogiveuptheir

devotion toMary, who no longer recommend themselves to her in occasions of sin. SaintBernardsaysthatifthesundidnotriseupontheworld,theworldwouldbenothingbutachaos of darkness and horror. “Take away the sun,” says the saint, “and where is thedaylight?TakeawayMary,andwhatisleftbutdarkness?”Oncea soul losesdevotion toMary, there isnothing leftbut thedarknessofwhich the

HolySpiritspeaks:Youbringdarknessanditisnight;thenallthebeastsoftheforestroamabout(Ps103:20).Divine lightnolongershines inthesoul. It isnight,andthesoulbecomesthehauntofdevilsandofeverysin.Woetothose,saysSaintAnselm,whodespisethe lightofthissun,whodespisedevotiontoMary!SaintFrancisBorgiausedtofearfortheperseveranceofthoseinwhomhefoundnodevotiontoMary.HewarnedtheNoviceMastertokeepaneyeonsuchunfortunatenovices.IthappenedthateveryoneofthoseeventuallylosthisvocationandlefttheOrder.SoitwasperfectlynaturalforSaintGermanustocallMarythe“breathofChristians.”Just

asthebodycannotlivewithoutbreathing,sothesoulcannotlivewithouthavingrecoursetoMary, throughwhomthe lifeofgrace isacquiredandpreserved inus.Hereare the saint’sownwords:“Asbreathingisnotonlyasignoflife,butalsoitsverycause,soMary’sname,everonthelipsofGod’sservants,notonlyisasignthattheyreallylive,butactuallycausesthatlifeandgivesthemeveryhelptheyneedtosustainit.”BlessedAlanwasonceassailedbyastrongtemptationandwasonthepointofyielding,

because he had neglected to recommend himself toMary. The Blessed Virgin appeared tohim. To warn him once and for all, she struck him on the face, saying, “If you hadrecommendedyourselftomebefore,youwouldnotbeinthisdanger.”Happytheman,saysMary,watchingdailyatmygates,waitingatmydoorposts(Prov8:34).

Happythemanthathearsmyvoiceandisalwaysreadytocometothedoorsofmymercyforlightandhelp.Marywilltakecareofsuchaman.Marywillgetforhimthelightandstrengthtoabandonsinandwalkthewayofvirtue.ThatiswhyPopeInnocentIIIbeautifullycallsher“themoon in thenight, thedawn in themorning,and the sun in theday.”She isamoon,because she enlightens those steeped in the night of sin so that they will recognize theirwretchedstate;sheisthedawn,thatis,theheraldofthesun,tothosewhomshehasalreadyenlightened,tohelpthemabandonsinandreturntodivinegrace;sheisthesuntothosewhoarealreadyinthestateofgrace,lesttheyfallbackintosinagain.Learned writers apply these words of Ecclesiasticus to Mary:Her bands are a healthful

binding(Ecclus6:31).“Whybands,”asksSaintLawrenceGiustiniani,“unlessitbetobindher

children lest theyrunabout freelyonthe fieldsofvice?”SaintBonaventuregivesasimilarexplanationofthesewordsinOurLady’sOffice,Myabodeis inthefullassemblyofthesaints(Ecclus 24:16). He says thatMary is not only placed in themidst of the assembly of thesaints, but also preserves the saints from falling out of that assembly. She preserves theirvirtueandkeepsthedemonsfromharmingthem.OurLady’sservantsaresaidtobeclothedverywarmly.Allherchargesaredoublyclothed

(Prov 31:21). Cornelius à Lapide explainswhat this double clothing is. He says thatMaryadornsherservantswiththevirtuesofhersonandwithherown.Clothedinthisway,theypersevereinvirtue.ThatiswhySaintPhilipNerialwaysadmonishedhispenitentswiththesewords:“Ifyou

want to persevere, be devoted to Mary.” Saint John Berchmans, S.J., often used to say:“WhoeverlovesMarywillpersevere.”TheAbbotRupertmakesabeautifulcommentontheparableoftheProdigalSon.Hesays

thatifthiswaywardsonhadhadamotheralive,eitherhewouldneverhavelefthisfather’shouseorhewouldhavereturnedsoonerthathedid.ItisobviousthattheabbotmeanttosaythatwhoeverisachildofMaryeitherwillnotleaveGod,or,ifhehasunfortunatelydoneso,willsoonreturnthroughMary.WhowouldeverfallintosinifallmenlovedthismostkindMotherandimmediatelyran

toherintemptations?Whowouldeverbelost?NottohaverecoursetoMaryisoneofthesurest ways of falling into sin. Saint Lawrence Giustiniani applies toMary thesewords ofEcclesiasticus:I…havewalkedinthewavesofthesea(Ecclus24:8).Andhemakeshersay:“Ihavewalkedwithmy servants in thewaves of the sea, so that Imight rescue them fromshipwreck.”FatherBernardinedeBustis tellsofa littlebird thatwas taught to say:“Ave,Maria!” A

sparrow-hawkwas on the point of seizing itwhen the bird cried out, “Ave,Maria!” In aninstant,thehawkfelldead.Bythis,Godwantedtoshowthat,ifanirrationallittlebirdwassavedbyinvokingMary,howmuchmoresurelywillonewhoistemptedbesavedfromtheclutchesofSatanwhoatthemomentoftheattackcallsuponMary.Allwehavetodowhenwearetempted,saysSaintThomasofVillanova,istoimitatelittle

chicks.Assoonastheyseethechickenhawkflyingabout,theyrununderthewingsoftheirmother forprotection.That isexactlywhatweshoulddo inmomentsof temptation.Thereshouldbeno stopping to reasonor toarguewith the temptation.We should flyunder thewingsofMary’sprotectionimmediately.“Weknownootherrefugethanyou,”saysthesaint.“Youareouronlyhope;youaretheonlyonetowhomwecanlookforhelp.”LetusconcludetheninthewordsofSaintBernard:“Oman,whoeveryouare,knowthat

in thisworldyouare tossedaroundona stormysea, rather thanwalkingon solidground.Remember that, ifyouwant toescapeshipwreck,youmustnever turnyoureyes fromthisbright star which is Mary. Keep your eyes fixed on her and call on her. In dangers, introubles,indoubts,rememberMary,callonMary.”Yes,indangerofsinning,andwhenbesetbytemptations,whenindoubthowtoact,rememberthatMarycanhelpyou.Callonherandshewillhelpyouimmediately.Neverlethernamebeabsentfromyourheartandlips.Followher,andyoucannotgoastray.Praytoherandyouwillneverdespair.Ifshesustainsyou,youwill not fall. If she protects you, you need never fear. If she guides you, you will never

becomeexhausted.Withherhelp,youwillreachyourgoal.Inshort,withMaryonyourside,youwillsurelyreachheaven.Dothis,andlive!

Example

ThehistoryofSaintMaryofEgypt,astoldintheLivesoftheFathers,isverywellknown.Atthe age of twelve, she ran away from home and went to Alexandria, where she led aninfamous lifeandbecameascandal to thewholecity.After livingsixteenyears in sin, shewas seizedwith thedesireofgoing toJerusalem.Shewas roamingaround thecityon thefeast of the Holy Cross. More through curiosity than devotion, she determined to enter achurch.Attheverydoor,shefeltherselfrepulsedbyaninvisibleforce.Shetriedagainandagaintoenter,andthesamethingwasrepeatedathirdandafourthtime.Thenthepoorsoulretiredtoacornerofthevestibulewhere,enlightenedbyGod,sheunderstoodthatitwasonaccountofher sinful life that shewasdrivenaway. Ina fortunatemoment, she raisedhereyesandnoticedapictureofMarypaintedonthevestibulewall.Withtearsinhereyes,sheturned to thepictureandsaid: “OMotherofGod,havepityonapoor sinner. Iknowthatbecause ofmy sins I do not even deserve that you look atme. But you are the refuge ofsinners.Fortheloveofyourson,Jesus,helpmeandbringmeintothechurch.Ipromisetochangemylifeandtodopenanceinwhateverplaceyouappointforme.”Sheimmediatelyheardaninteriorvoice,whichshetooktobethatofMary,saying:“Very

well;sinceyoucometomeandpromisetoamend,enterthechurch.Itisnolongerclosedtoyou.”Thesinnerentered,adored theHolyCross,andweptunceasingly.Then, returning tothepicture,shesaid:“MyLady,Iamready.Wheredoyouwantmetogoanddopenance?”“Go,” saidMary, “across the Jordan. There youwill find your place of rest.” The penitentwent to confession and Communion, then crossed over the river into a lonely desert andbegantodopenanceforhersinfullife.Duringthefirstseventeenyearsofherseclusion,shesufferedthemostviolenttemptations

ofthedevil.Whatdidshedo?SherecommendedherselftoMary,andMaryprocuredforherthegracetoresistheroicallyduringthewholeseventeenyears.Thenthestruggleceased.Whenshehadspentfifty-sevenlongyearsinthedesertandhadreachedtheageofeighty-

seven,shewasfoundbytheAbbotZosimus.Shetoldhimherlife’sstoryandbeggedhimtoreturnafterayearandbringherHolyCommunion.Thistheabbotdid.Thensherequestedthathecomeagaintoseeher.Hereturnedbutfoundherdead.Her

bodywassurroundedbyadazzlinglightandatherheadhefoundthisnote:“Hereburythebodyofawretchedsinner,andpraytoGodforme.”Alioncameandwithhisclawsdugthegraveinwhichtheabbotlaidthebody.Onhisreturntothemonastery,ZosimusrelatedthemarvelsofGod’ssurprisingmercytowardsthishappypenitent.22

Prayer

O compassionatemother,most sacred virgin, look downupon this traitorwho, by repayingwithingratitudethemanygraceshehasreceivedfromGod,hasbetrayedbothhimandyou.Butyet,O

mostblessedLady,mymisery,farfromtakingawaymyconfidenceinyou,increasesit,becauseIknowthatyourmercyisasgreatasmygriefisgreat.Itisenoughifyouwillonlylookonmeandpityme.For ifyourheartpitiesme, itwillnotceaseprotectingme.And ifyouprotectme,whatshallIfear?Ifearnothing.Notfrommysins,becauseyoucanrepairthedamageIhavedone.Notfromthedevils,becauseyouaremorepowerfulthanallhelltogether.Notevenfromyourson,whoissojustlyangrywithme,becauseatonewordfromyouhewillbeappeased.TheonlythingIfearisthis:thatthroughmyownfaultIshallfailtorecommendmyselftoyouinthetimeoftemptationand so losemy soul. But today I promise always to have recourse to you.Helpme to keep thispromise.Donotlosethisopportunityoffulfillingyourdesiretohelpandcomfortasenselesssinner.Inyou,OMotherofmyGod, I have the greatest confidence. Fromyou I expect the grace to

grieveformysinsasIought.FromyouIhopeforthestrengthnevertofallagain.IfIeverbecomeill again, you,Oheavenly physician, canhealme. Ifmy sins haveweakenedme, your help canmakemestrong.OMary,Ihopeforeverythingfromyou,becauseyouareall-powerfulwithGod.Amen.

Mary,OurSweetness—SheMakesDeathSweettoHerClients

Hewhoisafriendisalwaysafriend,andabrotherisbornforthetimeofstress(Prov17:17).Itisin times of distress andmisery that we recognize true friends, not in times of prosperity.Peopleoftheworldneverabandonafriendaslongasheiswealthyandsuccessful.But,ifheshouldhavesomemisfortune,andparticularlywhendeathcomesalong,hisfriendsarequickto abandonhim.That is not thewayMary acts.When thosewho loveher are in distress,particularlywhentheyareatthepointofdeath,whichisthegreatesttrialtheycanhaveonearth, thisgoodmothersimplycannotabandonher faithful servants.AsduringourearthlyexileMaryisourlife,sotooatthemomentofdeathshebecomesoursweetnessbyobtainingforusa sweetandpeacefuldeath.From theverydaywhenMary sorrowfully stoodat thecrossofherson,Jesus,whoistheheadoftheMysticalBody,shereceivedthegracetoassistthemembersofthatMysticalBodyatthemomentoftheirdeath.ThatiswhyHolyChurchbegs us to admonishMary to assist us, particularly at themoment of death: “Pray for ussinners,nowandatthehourofourdeath.”Themomentofdeathbrings toadepartingsoulmanyanxieties. It isapt to suffer from

remorseforpastsins,fearoftheapproachingjudgment,anduncertaintyofeternalsalvation.It is at that moment that all hell arms itself to snatch the soul on the point of enteringeternity.Satanknowsthereislittletimelefttowinthatsoulandthat,ifthisattemptfails,hehaslostthatsoulforever.Thedevilhasgonedowntoyouingreatwrath,knowingthathehasbutashorttime(Apoc12:12).Thatiswhytoo,asIsaiahsays,thedevil,whohasbeentemptingthesoulduringlife,is

notcontent toactalone intemptingthesoulatdeath.Hecallsonhiscompanionstohelp:Theirhousesshallbefilledwithserpents(Isa13:21).Whenapersonisatthepointofdeath,thewholeplaceisfilledwithdevilswhoallcombineintheattempttomakehimlosehissoul.ThestoryistoldthatwhenSaintAndrewAvellinolaydying,tenthousanddemonscame

totempthim.Theconflictthathehadwiththepowersofhellathislastagonywassoseverethatthegoodreligiousathisbedsidetrembledwithfear.Theysawthesaint’sfaceswelland

turnblackwithagitation.Theysawhislimbsquiverandbecomefrightfullycontorted.Tearscoursed down his cheeks and his head shook violently. All this was an evidence of thefrightful battle hellwaswaging against him. Tremblingwith fear to see a saint dying thisway, the brethren in the room wept with pity and redoubled their prayers. They wereconsoled,however,inseeingthatveryoften,asifbeggingforhelp,thesaintturnedhiseyesto a picture ofMary. They remembered howhe had assured them that at the hour of hisdeathMarywouldhavetobehisrefuge.Finally,Godputanendtotheconflictandgavethesaintagloriousvictory.Thecontortionsceased;hisfaceresumeditsoriginalshapeandcolor,hiseyesremainedpeacefullyfixedontheimageofMary.Then,asiftothankOurLady,thesaint bowed to her anddevoutly expired. It is piously believed thatOurBlessed Ladyhadappeared tohimat thatmoment.ACapuchinnun,whowasalso inheragonyat thesametime,turnedtotheSistersaroundherandsaid:“SayanAveMaria,forasainthasjustdied.”ImaginehowtheevilspiritsmustfleefromthepresenceofMary!IfwehaveMaryonour

sideatthehourofdeath,thereisnoreasontofeartheenemiesfromhell.WhenDavidgrewfrightenedatthethoughtofdeath,hecomfortedhimselfbyplacinghisrelianceinthedeathofthecomingRedeemerandintheintercessionoftheBlessedMother.EventhoughIwalkinthedarkvalley, I fearnoevil; foryouareatmysidewithyour rodandyour staff thatgivemecourage(Ps22:4).CardinalHugobeautifullyexplainsthesewordsbysayingthatthestaffisthewoodofthecrossandtherodistheintercessionofMary,whowastherodforetoldbyIsaiah;ThereshallcomefortharodoutoftherootofJesse,andaflowershallriseoutofhisroot(Isa11:1).SaintPeterDamianaffirmsthatMaryisthatpowerfulrodbywhichtheviolenceofhellis

overcome.SaintAntoninusencouragesusbysaying:“IfMary is forus,who isagainstus?”WhenFatherManuelPadialwasatthepointofdeath,Maryappearedtohimandspoketheseconsolingwords:“Atlengththehourhascomewhenangelsrejoicewithyouandexclaim:Ohappylabors!Owell-rewardedmortifications!”Atthesamemoment,anarmyofdemonswasseentakingflightandhowlinginhideousdespair:“Wearehelplessnow,becauseshewhoisspotlessisdefendinghim.”FatherJasperHayewoodwassimilarlyattackedbydevilswithastrong temptationagainst faith.He turned immediately toMary forhelpand thosearoundhimheardhimexclaim:“Thankyou,Mary,forcomingtomyaid.”Saint Bonaventure claims that, to defend her dying clients, Mary sends the Archangel

SaintMichael, togetherwithhis host of angels.Moreover, she commands SaintMichael toreceivethesoulsofallwhohadconstantlyrecommendedthemselvestoher.AddressingOurBlessedLady,thesaintsays:“Michael,theleaderandprinceoftheheavenlyarmy,withallhisministeringangels,obeysyourcommands,OVirgin,anddefendsandreceivesthesoulsofthefaithfuldepartedwhodayandnighthaveparticularlyrecommendedthemselvestoyou.”TheprophetIsaiahtellsusthatwhenamanisabouttodie,hellisopenedandsendsout

itsworstdevils,bothtotemptthesoulbeforeitleavesthebodyandtoaccuseitwhenitispresentedbeforethetribunalofJesusChristforjudgment.Theprophetsays:Hellbelowwasinanuproar tomeetyouat thycoming; it stirredup thegiants foryou(Isa14:9).ButRichardofSaintLawrencesaysthatwhenMarydefendsasoul,thedevilsdarenotevenaccuseit.Theyknowthesupremejudgeneverhascondemned,noreverwillcondemn,suchasoul.Saint Jeromewrote to Eustochius thatMary not only helps her servants at the hour of

death;sheevencomestomeetthemontheirwaytoeternity,sothatshecanencouragethemand accompany them to the divine tribunal. This is in linewithwhat Saint Bridget heardfromtheBlessedVirgin.Speakingofthedeathofthosewhoaredevotedtoher,Marysaid:“ThenwillI,theirladyandmother,flyswiftlytothemtoconsoleandrefreshthem.”Saint Vincent Ferrer writes: “This loving queen takes the souls of the dying under her

protection and presents them to the judge, her son, and most certainly obtains theirsalvation.”ThiswasverifiedinthecaseofCharles,thesonofSaintBridget,whodiedonthefieldofbattle,farfromhismother.TheBlessedVirginrevealedtoSaintBridgetthatCharleswas saved because of his love forMary, and that she herself had aided him at death andsuggested to him the acts of faith, hope, love, and contrition that should bemade at thathour. In the samevision, the saint sawJesus seatedonhis throneas thedevil lodged twoaccusationsagainsttheBlessedMother.ThefirstwasthatMaryhadpreventedthedevilfromtempting Charles at themoment of death; the second, that without giving any reason forclaiminghimasherson,sheherselfpresentedCharlestobejudgedandthussavedhim.SaintBridgetsawthe judgedrivethedevilawayinconfusionandCharles’ssoulcarriedawaytoheaven.Inherthereisbeautyoflife,saysEcclesiasticus,andherbandsareahealthfulbinding(Ecclus

6:31).HeindeedisblessedwhofindshimselfatdeathboundbythesweetchainsofloveforMary.Thesechainsarechainsofsalvationthatassureusofeternalhappiness.FatherBinetti,inhisbookThePerfectionsofOurBlessedLord,tellshowhewaspresentatthedeathbedofagreatclientofMary.Justbeforebreathinghis last, thedyingmansaid:“OFather, IwishIcould letyouknowhowhappyI feel that IhaveservedthemostBlessedMotherofGod. IcannotpossiblydescribethejoyIfeelatthismoment.”FatherSuarezwassodevotedtoMarythatheclaimedhewouldbewillingtoexchangeall

ofhisknowledgeforthemeritofasingleHailMary.Asaresultofhisdevotion,hediedsocheerfullyandsohappilythathewasabletosay:“Ineverthoughtitwassosweettodie.”You, too,will have the same satisfaction at themoment of death if you remember havinglovedthisgoodmother.Marysimplycannothelpbeingloyaltothosewhohavebeenfaithfultoher—faithfulbytheirvisits,rosaries,fasts,andotheractsofdevotion.Inspiteofyoursins,aslongasyouaredeterminedfromnowontoleadagoodlifeandto

bedevoted to her,Marywill give you this consolation. In your trials, in your temptations(which thedevilwill surelybringbeforeyou tomakeyoudespair),Marywillcomfortyouand will come to assist you at the moment of death. Saint Peter Damian relates that hisbrother,Marinus,hadseriouslyoffendedGodandhadonedaygonetoanaltarofMarytodedicatehimselftoherasherslave.Hetookthecordwhichheworeabouthiswaistandputitaroundhisneckasasignofslavery,andthensaidtotheBlessedMother:“MyLady,mirrorofpurity,IhaveoffendedGodandyoubyasinagainstchastity.Thereisnothingleftformebuttooffermyselftoyouasyourslave.ThisIdo.Receiveme,arebel,anddonotabandonme.”HeleftasumofmoneyonthealtarstepandpromisedtoleavethesameamountthereannuallyasatributeofhisslaverytoMary.EventuallyMarinuscametodie.Onemorningbeforehepassedaway,hewasheardsaying

thesewords:“Arise,andhonorthepresenceofmylady.”Thenheadded:“Whatfavoristhis,OQueenofHeaven,thatyoucometovisityourpoorslave?Blessme,OLady,anddonotlet

mebelostafteryouhavehonoredmewithyourpresence.”AtthatmomenthisbrotherPeterentered the room. Marinus told him all that had happened, how the Blessed Mother hadappearedtohimandblessedhim.Thenhecomplainedthatthepersonspresentintheroomat the time had not risen from their seatswhileMarywas present. A fewmoments later,Marinusdiedpeacefully.You,too,dearreader,willtastethesamejoyindeath,ifyouarefaithfultoMary.Even

thoughyouhaveoffendedGodseriously inthepast,shewillseeto it thatyoudieasweetandhappydeath.Andifatthatmomentyouarestillfrightenedandloseconfidenceatthethoughtofyour

past sins, she will come and encourage you just as she did Adolph, the Count of Alsace.AdolphhadlefttheworldandbecameaFranciscanandwasverydevotedtotheMotherofGod.Hisdayswerecomingtoanend,andashereviewedhispastlife—thegovernmentofhispropertyandthetreatmentofhisvassals—therigorsofGod’sjusticeroseupbeforehismindandhebegantotrembleforhissalvation.SuddenlyMaryappearedtohim,accompaniedbymanysaints.Reprovingthedyingreligious,shesaidtohim:“Adolph,youaremine.Youhavegivenyourselftomeandbelongtome.Whyareyousoafraidtodie?”AtthesewordsofOurLady, Adolph felt immensely consoled. Every fear disappeared and he died peacefully andcontentedly.Even thoughwe are sinners, as long aswe have this confidence inMary,wemay rest

assuredthatMarywillcometoassistusatthehourofourdeath.ShesaidasmuchtoSaintMatilda.Whataconsolationitwillbeatthelastmomentofourlives,wheninafewmomentstheissueofoursalvationmustbesettled,toseethequeenofheavennearus,assistingandconsolinguswiththeassuranceofherprotection!InvariousbookstherearecountlessexamplesbesidesthoseIhavejustcited,ofhowMary

comestotheassistanceofherdevoteesatthemomentofdeath.SaintClare,SaintFelixtheCapuchin, Saint Clare of Montefalco, Saint Teresa, Saint Peter of Alcántara—all wereremarkably assisted by Mary on their deathbed. But for your encouragement andextraordinaryconsolation,letmerelatethefollowingincidents.FatherCrassetrelatesthatBlessedMaryofOigniessawtheBlessedVirginstandingnear

thedeathbedof a devoutwidowofWillambronx.Thewidowwasburningwith fever, andMarystoodnearherconsolingherandcoolingherwithafan.TheytellofSaintJohnofGodthathewastenderlydevotedtoMaryandthatheexpected

a visit from her when he was dying. He was disappointed when she did not appearimmediately and even complained a little. First, Mary reproved him for his lack ofconfidence. Then she spoke to him these tender words that should console all who aredevotedtoMary:“John,itisnotmypracticetoabandonmyclientsatthishour.”Asmuchastosay:“MydearJohn,whatisthematterwithyou?DidyouthinkIhadforsakenyou?DoyounotknowthatIcannotabandonmyclientsatthepointofdeath?Ididnotcomesoonerbecausetheappointedhourhadnotyetstruck.Now,however,thehourhascomeandIhavecometotakeyou.Letusgotoparadise.”Shortlyafter,thesaintbreathedhislastandhissoultookflighttoheaven,theretothankhismostlovingqueenforever.

Example

Letmeclosethisdiscoursewithanotherexample,inwhichweseehowfarthetendernessofthisgoodmothergoesforherchildrenatthetimeofdeath.Thepastorofacertaincountryvillagewascalledtoassistatthedeathbedofaveryrich

parishioner.Thehousewasbeautifullyfurnished.Servants,relatives,andmanyfriendsstoodat the bedside, but the good priest also saw devils, in the form of black dogs, waiting tosnatchtheman’ssoul.Snatchittheydid,forthemandiedinsin.Whilethiswashappening,thepastorwasalsocalledbyapoorwomanwholaydyingand

wantedtoreceivethesacraments.Sincehecouldnotleavetherichmanwhowasinsomuchneed of spiritual help, the pastor sent another priest, who took the pyx with the BlessedSacramentandwenttothehomeofthepoorwoman.Whatacontrast!Noservantshere;notroupeofrelatives;nocostlyfurniture.Justafew

scatteredarticles,andthedyingwomanlyingonapalletofstraw.Butasheenteredthedoor,agreat lightfilledtheroom.NearthepoordyingpatientthepriestsawtheMotherofGodconsolingherandwipingtheperspirationofdeathfromthewoman’sbrow.Atfirstthepriestwas loathe to enter, but Mary made a sign and bade him come and hear the woman’sconfession.Mary herself placed a chair for him at thewoman’s bedside. The poorwomanmadeherconfession,receivedCommunionmostdevoutly,andhappilybreathedhersoulintoMary’sarms.

Prayer

OmysweetestMother,whatkindofdeathwillbemine,poorsinnerthatIam?AsIthinkofthatcriticalmomentwhenIshallhavetoappearbeforethedivinetribunal,andasIrememberhowoftenIwrotemyowncondemnationbyperverselyconsenting tosin, I tremble, Iamconfounded,andIfearformyeternalsalvation.OMary,IplaceallmyhopeinthebloodofJesusandinyourintercession.YouaretheQueenof

Heaven.Youreignovertheuniverse.ItisenoughtosaythatyouaretheMotherofGod.Butyourgreatnessdoesnotmakeyoudistant. Infact, it inclinesyoutopityourmiseries.Worldlyfriends,whentheyareraisedtosomedignity,becomedistantanddisdaintoassociatewiththeiroldfriends.Your noble and loving heart,OMary, allows nothing of this kind. The greater themiseries thatcome toyournotice, themoreyou try tohelp.As soonaswe call toyou,youcome toouraid.Actually,your favorsanticipateourprayers.Youareonhand toconsoleus inourafflictions, todispersethestormcloudsthatgather,toconquerourenemies.Youneverignoreasingleopportunitytodousgood.Foreverblessedbethedivinehandwhichsowellcombinesmajestywithtenderness,andunites

such greatness with so much love. I thank God for this constantly and I rejoice to make yourhappinessmyhappiness.Oconsoleroftheafflicted,comfortonewhoisafflictedandwhoturnstoyou. I am burdened with remorse for the many sins that stain my conscience. I am uncertainwhetherIhavebewailedthemenough.AllthatIdoissoimperfectandfullofdefects.Hellawaitsmydeathinordertoaccuseme.God’soffendedjusticewaitstobesatisfied.DearMother,whatwillbecomeofme?Ifyouwillnothelpme,Iamlost.Whatdoyousay?Willyouhelpme?

OcompassionateVirgin,consoleme.Obtainformetruesorrowformysinsandthestrengthtoamendandbefaithful toGodfor therestofmy life.Andwhenfinally I findmyself face to facewithdeath,donotabandonme,Mary,myhope!Atthathourhelpandconsolememorethanever,sothatIwillnotdespairatthesightofthesinsIamsurethedevilwillconfrontmewith.If this seems likepiousaudacity,OLady, forgiveme.Docome then to consolemewithyour

presence.YouhavedonethisforsomanyandIwantyoutodoitforme.Ifmydesireisgreat,yourgoodnessisevengreater,becauseitisyourcustomtoseekoutthemostmiserabletoconsolethem.Thisisthebasisofmyconfidence.Letthisbetoyoureternalglory,thatyouhavesavedawretchalreadycondemnedtohellandhave ledhimtoyourkingdomwhere,atyourfeet, Ihopeever tolove,tobless,tothankyoueternally.OMary,Ishallbewaitingforyou.Donotleavemewithoutyourconsolationatthemomentofdeath.Sobeit.Amen.Amen.

3OURHOPE

MaryIsEverybody’sHope

PeopleoutsidetheChurchcannotbeartohearuscallMary“ourhope.”TheysaythatGodisouronlyhopeandthathecursesanyonewhoputshistrust increatures:Cursedbe themanthattrustsinman(Jer17:5).Maryisacreature,theyargue,andhowcanacreaturebe“ourhope”?That iswhatmanynon-Catholics say.Nevertheless,HolyChurchobliges all priestsandreligioustoraisetheirvoiceseverydayinthenameofthefaithfulandinvokeMarybythesweetnameof“ourhope,”thehopeofall:Hail,ourhope!TheAngelicDoctor, SaintThomas, says thatwecanplaceourhope inaperson in two

ways:asaprincipalcauseandasamediatecause.Thosewhoexpectsomethingfromakingputtheirtrustinhimastheirsovereign.Theyputtheirtrustinhisministersorcourtiersasintercessors.Whenthefavorisgranted,itcomesreallyfromtheking,thoughtheministerorcourtieristheintermediary.Inthiscase,theonewhoseeksthefavorisrightincallingtheintercessororintermediaryhishope.Becausehis goodness is infinite, thekingofheaven ismost eager to enrichuswithhis

graces.Onourpart,wemusthaveconfidence.Toincreasethisconfidence,Godhasgivenushisownmotherasourmotherandadvocateandhassuppliedherwiththepowertohelpus.Thereforehewantsustoplaceourhopeofsalvationandofeveryblessinginher.Tofixone’shopeoncreaturesalone,independentlyofGod,assinnersarewonttodo,andtooutrageGodin seeking the friendshipand favorofmen, is tobringdown thecurseofheaven, says theprophetJeremiah.ButtohopeinMary,theMotherofGod,whocanreallyobtaingraceandeternallifeformen,istodosomethingverypleasingtotheheartofGod.ForGoddesirestoseeMaryhonoredinthisway,thatsameMarywhominthisworldhelovedandwholovedandhonoredhimmorethanallangelsandallpeopletogether.That is why we justly and reasonably call Mary our hope, trusting, as Saint Robert

Bellarmine says, to obtain through her intercessionwhatwe cannot obtain by our prayersalone.SaintAnselmsaysthatwepraytohersothatherdignityasintercessormaysupplyforour unworthiness. And he adds thatwhenwe invoke the Blessed Virginwith this kind ofhope, itdoesnotmeanthatwelackhope inGod’smercy,butratherthatwefearourownlackoftheproperdispositions.Consequently,theChurchisrightwhensheappliesthesewordsofEcclesiasticustoMary:

Iamthemother…ofholyhope(Ecclus24:24).Sheisthemotherwhogivesbirthtoholyhopeinourhearts.Notthehopeofthetransitorygoodsofthislife,butthehopeofboundlessjoysandtheeternalgoodsofheaven.SaintEphremgreetsMarybysaying:“Hail,hopeofmysoul!Hail, sure salvation of Christians!Hail, helper of sinners!Hail, defense of the faithful andsalvationoftheworld.”SaintBasil,too,isrightinremindingusthatafterGodwehavenootherhopethanMary.

ReflectingonthepresentarrangementofProvidencebywhich,asSaintBernardsays(andasweshalldiscussat length later),Godhasdisposedthatallwhoare tobesavedmustbesavedthroughMary,SaintEphremsaystoher:“Lady,neverstopguardingandprotectingus,because,nexttoGod,wehavenootherhopebutyou.”SaintThomasofVillanovasaysthesamething:“Youareouronlyrefuge,ouronlyhope.”SaintBernardgivesthereasonforthiswhenhe says: “Behold,Oman,God’smerciful plan.About to redeem the human race, heplaces the price in Mary’s hands.” He places the price in Mary’s hands so that she candispenseitatwill.We read in the Book of Exodus that God commandedMoses to make a mercy-seat of

purestgold,becauseitwasfromtherehewouldspeaktohim(Exod25:17–22).SaintAndrewof Crete says that the whole world considers Mary as this mercy-seat. A certain author,commentingonthis,says:“You,OMary,arethepropitiatoryofthewholeworld.Fromyou,ourmostcompassionateLordspeakstoourhearts.Fromyou,hespeakswordsofpardonandmercy. From you, he bestows his gifts. From you, all good flows to us.” And, therefore,accordingtoSaint Irenaeus,beforetheDivineWordtookflesh inMary’swomb,hesentanarchangeltoaskherconsent:becausehewilledthattheworldshouldreceivetheIncarnateWordthroughMaryandthatsheshouldbethesourceofeveryblessing.Blessed Raymond Jordano, who styles himself the Unlearned, says: “Through her the

worldhas,andshallhave,everygood.”Everygood,everyhelp,everygracethatmenaretoreceivefromGodtilltheveryendoftime,andeverygracethatmenhavereceivedmusthavecometothemandshallcometothemthroughMaryandherintercession.ThedevoutBlosiusdidwelltoexclaim:“OMary,whowouldnotloveyou?Youarealightindoubts,acomfortinsadness,arefugeindanger.AfteryouronlybegottenSon,youarethesuresalvationofthefaithful.Hail,hopeofthedespairing!Hail,helperoftheneedy!SomuchdoesyourSonhonoryouthatheimmediatelydoeswhatyouaskhim.”SaintGermanusrecognizesMaryasthechannelofallourblessingsandofourliberation

fromevil,andaddressesherinthisfashion:“OmyLady,youalonearemyconsolationfromGod, theguide formypath, the strength formyweakness, thewealth formypoverty, themedicineformywounds,theassuagementofmysorrows,theseveringofmyfetters,thehopeofmysalvation.Hearmyprayers,havepityonmysighs,OmyLady,myrefuge,mylife,myhelp,myhope,andmystrength.”WeshouldnotbesurprisedthenthatSaintAntoninusappliesthesewordsfromtheBook

ofWisdomtoMary:Allgoodthingstogethercametomeinhercompany(Wis7:11).SinceMaryis the mother and dispenser of every good, the whole world, and more particularly eachindividualwho is devoted toMary,may saywith truth that,withdevotion toMary, therecametobothhimandtheworldeverythinggoodandperfect.AndtheAbbotofCellesdoesnothesitatetosayabsolutely:“TofindMarymeanstofindeverygood.”WhoeverfindsMary,findsallgracesandeveryvirtue,becausebyherintercessionheobtainseverythingheneedsto become rich in divine grace. In the Book of Proverbs Mary herself tells us that shepossesses all the riches of God, that is, hismercies, so that shemay disperse them to herlovers:Withmearerichesandhonor,enduringwealthandprosperity…OnthewayofdutyIwalk…grantingwealthtothosewholoveme,andfillingtheirtreasuries(Prov8:18–21).ThatiswhySaintBonaventure says thatallofus shouldkeepoureyes fixedonMary’shands, soas to

receivefromherwhateverfavorwewant.Oh,howmanypeoplewhowereonceproudhavebecomehumble throughMary!How

manyill-temperedpeoplehavebecomemeek,andhowmanyblindhavebeenenlightened!Howmanyindespairhavefoundconfidence,howmanylosthavebeensaved!OurBlessedLady foretold all this in the sublime canticle she sangwhen visiting Elizabeth: For behold,henceforthallgenerationsshallcallmeblessed(Lk1:48).SaintBernardparaphrasesthesewordsand says: “Henceforth all generations shall call you blessed, because you have brought allgenerations forth to life and glory. In you, sinners find forgiveness, and the just findperseveranceindivinegrace.”We find the devout Lanspergius picturingOur Lord as saying to theworld: “Men, poor

children of Adam,who live surrounded by somany enemies and in themidst of somanytrials, endeavor to honormyMother and yours with special veneration. For I have givenMarytotheworldsothatshemaybeyourmodel,andthatyoumaylearnfromhertoleadagood life.Alsoso thatshemaybearefuge towhichyoucan fly inallyourafflictionsandtrials.Ihavesocreatedthisdaughterofminethatnobodyshouldfearherorhesitatetoturntoher. Ihavegivenhersokindandcompassionateanaturethat it is impossibleforhertodespiseanyonehavingrecoursetoher,norcanshedenyher favortoanyonewhoseeks it.Hermercyisopentoallandshedoesnotallowanyonetoleaveherwithoutbeingconsoled.”May the immense goodness of God be forever praised and blessed for having given us sogreat,sotender,solovingamotherandadvocate!How touching and full of confidence are the sentiments of the enamored Saint

BonaventuretowardJesusourlovingRedeemerandMaryourmostlovingadvocate.Hesays:“Nomatter howmuch the Lordmay know aboutme, I am confident that he cannot denyhimselftoonewholoveshimandseekshimwithallhisheart.Iwillembracehim,andifhedoesnotblessme,Iwillneverlethimgo,forwithoutmehewillneverbeabletoleaveme.IfIcandonothingelse,Icanatleasthidemyselfinthedepthofhiswoundsanditwillbeinhimselfalonethathewillfindme.Andif,finally,onaccountofmysins,myRedeemerdoesdrive me from his feet, I will throw myself at the feet of Mary and there I will remainprostrateuntilshehasobtainedforgivenessforme.ThisMotherofMercydoesnotknow,andhas never known, how to do otherwise than pity the miseries and satisfy the wishes oftroubledcreatureswhoruntoherforhelp.Andso,ifnotoutofduty,atleastoutofloveandcompassion,shewillinfluenceherSontopardonme.”“Lookdownuponusthen,” letusexclaiminthewordsofSaintEuthymius,“lookdown

uponus,OcompassionateMother,forweareyourslavesandwehaveplacedallourtrustinyou.”

Example

InthefourthpartofTheTreasuryoftheRosarywereadastoryaboutagentlemanwhowasgreatlydevotedtotheBlessedVirgin.Hebuiltaspecialoratoryinherhonorinhishomeandhewenttheretoprayfrequently,notonlyduringthedaybutevenatnight.Hiswife,averydevoutwoman, could not help noticing that frequently, in the dead of night, her husbandrosefrombed,lefttheroom,andstayedawayforaconsiderabletime.Shenaturallybecame

jealousandsuspectedthatsomethingwaswrong.Inordertosettlethematteronceandforall,sheonedayaskedherhusbandifhelovedanotherwoman.“Yes,”hereplied,“Ihappentobeinlovewiththemostbeautifulwomanintheworld.I’vegivenmyhearttoherandI’dratherdie thanstop lovingher. Ifyouknewher,youwould tellmeto loveherevenmorethanIdo.”Ofcourse,hewasreferringtotheBlessedMother.Butthepoorwife,notknowingthis,becamemoreandmoreuneasyandkeptquestioningwhether itwas tovisit this ladythatheroseeverynightandlefttheroom.Unawarehowgreatlydisturbedhiswifewas,themananswered,“Yes.”Misledbythisanswer,shefellintoafitofdespair.Thatevening,afterhehadlefttheroom,shetookaknife,cutherthroat,anddied.Themanfinishedhisdevotionsandreturnedtotheroomandfoundthecorpseofhiswife.

Herealizedimmediatelythatshehadkilledherselfinafitofjealousy.Helockedthedooroftheroom,wentbacktothechapel,andfellonhiskneesbeforethestatueofMary.“Mother,”he said in the midst of his sobs, “see what I have done. Youmust help me. Think of it!Because I came tohonor you, I findmywifedead and condemned tohell for all eternity.Mother,youcansetmattersstraight!Pleasedoso!”Nosoonerhadhefinishedthisprayerthanheheardoneofthemaidscallinghim.“Goto

yourroom,sir,”theservantwassaying;“yourwifeiscallingforyou.”Thegentlemancouldhardlybelievehisears.“Gobackandseeifshereallywantsme,”hesaidtothemaid.Whenshereturnedwiththesamemessage,themanwentuptotheroom,unlockedthedoorandfoundhiswifealive.Thepoorwomanwasgreatlydisturbedand,inthemidstoftears,beggedherhusband’spardon.“Forgivemeformysuspicions,”shesaid.“BecauseofyourprayerstotheBlessedMother,shehasrescuedmefromhell.”Weepingnowforjoy,bothofthemwentbacktothechapeltogivethankstoMary.Thefollowingday,thegentlemangaveabanquetforallhisrelativesandatthebanquetrequestedhiswifetotellthewholestory.Shedidsoandevenshowedthemthescaronherneckasproof.AllwhoheardherwereinflamedwithloveforthemercifulMotherofGod.23

Prayer

OMotherofholy love,our life,ourrefuge,andourhope!Youknowthatyourson,JesusChrist,wasnotcontenthimselfwithbeingourperpetualadvocatewiththeEternalFather.Healsowantedyoutoactasouradvocatetoobtaindivinemercyforus.Hehasdecreedthatyourprayersshouldaidvastly insecuringoursalvationandhehasmadethemsopowerful that theyobtainwhatevertheyask.ThatiswhyI,amiserablesinner,turntoyou,Ohopeofthemiserable.IhopethroughthemeritsofJesusChristandyourintercessiontobesaved.Ihavesuchconfidenceinyouthat,evenifmysalvationwereinmyownhands,Iwouldentrustittoyou,forIrelymoreonyourmercyandyour protection than on allmy good deeds.MyMother andmy hope, do not abandonme as Ideserve.Lookuponmymiseries;pityme;helpmeandsaveme.IadmitthatbymysinsIhaveoftenclosedthedoortothelightsandhelpyouhaveobtainedfromGodforme.Atthesametime,yourpity formiserable sinners and your power to help them surpass all the evil of my sins. Both inheaven and on earth it is known that thosewhom you protect willmost certainly be saved. Leteveryoneelseforgetme,OMotherofAlmightyGod,providedyourememberme.TellGodthatIamhisservantandthatyouaremyprotector,andIshallsurelybesaved.OMary,Itrustinyou.Inthis

trust I live, and in it I desire andhope todie, sayingalways: “Myonlyhope is Jesus, andafterJesus,theBlessedVirginMary!”

MaryIstheHopeofSinners

InthefirstchapterofGenesisweread:Godmadetwogreatlights;agreaterlighttoruletheday;anda lesser light to rule thenight (Gen1:16).CardinalHugosays that the sun isa figureofJesusChrist,whoselightilluminesthejustwholiveinthedayofdivinegrace;themoonisafigureofMarywhoenlightensthosewhodwellinthenightofsin.SinceMaryisthemoon,sopropitioustosinners,InnocentIIIaskswhatamanshoulddowhofindshimselfinthenightofsin,andanswers:“Lethimwhowandersdespairinglyinthisnightofsinlookatthemoon.Thatis,lethimpraytoMary.”Sincehehaslostthelightofthesunbylosingdivinegrace,lethim turn to the moon, let him pray to Mary that she obtain for him light to know hismiserablestateandthepower toescape fromit.SaintMethodiussays thatan innumerablemultitudeof sinnersareconstantlybeingconverted throughMary’sprayers: “By thepowerandprayersofMaryanalmostuncountablenumberofconversionstakesplace.”OneofthemostencouragingtitlesunderwhichtheChurchbidsushaverecoursetoMary

isthetitle“refugeofsinners.”InancientJudea,therewerecitiesofrefugetowhichcriminalsfledtoescapepunishmentfortheircrimes.Thereareveryfew,ifany,suchcitiestoday;butwestillhaveoneinMary,ofwhomitissaid:Gloriousthingsaresaidofyou,OcityofGod(Ps86:3).However,thereisthisdifference:notallcriminalswereshelteredbytheancientcitiesofrefuge,norwerethesecitiesforeverykindofcrime.But,underMary’smantle,allsinnersfindrefuge;itisenoughthatasinnerturntoherforprotection.SaintJohnDamasceneputsthesewordsonMary’slips:“Iamthecityofrefugeforallwhocometome.”Itisenoughsimplytotakerefugethere.Thosewhoalreadyhavethegoodfortunetohave

enteredthiscityneedsaynomoreinordertobesaved.Quicklyletusenterintothefencedcity,andletusbesilentthere(Jer8:14).SaintAlberttheGreatexplainsthatthiswalledcityistheBlessedVirgin,whoisfortifiedwithgraceandglory.TheCommentarysays:“Andletusbesilentthere,becausewedarenotimploretheLordwhomweoffended.Letherprayandpleadforus.”Becausewedonot darebeg the Lord’s pardon, it is enough to enter this city andremain silent, because thenMary will speak for us and pray for us. That is why a piousauthor,BenedictFernandez,exhortsallsinnerstotakeshelterunderMary’smantlewhenhesays:“Flee,OAdamandEve—andyou,theirchildren—fleetoMary’sbosom.Sheisthecityof refuge, theonlyhopeof sinners.”24YearsbeforeSaintAugustinehadalready styledher“theonlyhopeofsinners.”25

SaintEphremsaystoMary:“Youaretheonlyadvocateofsinnersandthehelpless.”Andhe greets herwith thesewords: “Hail, refuge of sinners; hail, haven towhich sinners cansafelyflyforrefuge.”AcertainauthorthinksthatthisiswhatDavidmeantwhenhesaid:Forhehashiddenmeinhistabernacle(Ps26:5).WhatothertabernaclecanthisbebutMary?SoSaintGermanussays,inreferencetoher:“OtabernaclemadebyGod,whichGodalonehasentered,toworkinyouhissacredmysteriesforthesalvationofallmen!”Yes,aGod-madetabernaclewhereGodaloneenteredtoeffectthemysteriesofman’sredemption.AndSaintBasilsaysthatGodgaveusMaryasa“publichospital,”whereallthesickwhoarepoorand

withoutanyhelpmaybereceived. Iask: inhospitalsestablishedfor thepoor,whobut thesickestandthepooresthavethegreatestrighttobeaccepted?Thegreatestsinners,therefore,beingshortonmeritsandmostoppressedbyailmentsof

thesoul,cansaytoMary:“OLady,youaretherefugeofthepoorandthesick.Donotsendmeaway;sinceIamsickerandpoorerthantherest,Ihaveagreaterclaimtoyourpity.”LetussaythenwithSaintThomasofVillanova:“Wedonotknowofanyrefugebutyou.Youaretheonlyoneinwhomwetrust.Youaretheonlyonetowhomwelookforaid.”OMary,wepoorsinnerscannotfindanyotherrefugebutyou.You,towhomweallhaveturned,areouronlyhopeandweconfideoursalvationtoyou.YouareouronlyadvocatewithJesusChrist.IntherevelationsofSaintBridget,Maryiscalled“thestarprecedingthesun.”Sheisso

named,becausewhenwenoticedevotiontoMaryappearinginasoul,wemayrecognizeitasasuresignthatGodwillsoonenrichthissoulwithhisgrace.Inordertoinspiresinnerswithdevotion toMary, Saint Bonaventure pictures a stormy sea intowhich sinners have fallenfrom the ship of divine grace, and where they are buffeted to and fro by remorse ofconscienceandbyafearofdivinejustice.Theyarewithoutlightandwithoutaguide;theyareabouttolosethebreathofhopeandareonthepointofdespair.Withthesethoughtsinmind,thesaintrecommendsMarytosinners,Marywhoiscommonlycalled“starofthesea.”Raisinghisvoice,hesaystothem:“Looktoher,yousinnerswhoarelost,andshewillleadyoutoport.”Poorsinners,youwhoarelost,donotdespair;raiseyoureyestothisbeautifulstarandregainthebreathofhope,becauseshewillbringyououtofthestormandleadyoutotheportofsalvation.SaintBernardsaysthesame:“Ifyoudonotwanttobeoverwhelmedbythewaves,lookat

thisstarandcallonMary.”AndthedevoutBlosiussays,sheistheonlyshelterforthosewhohaveoffendedGod.Sheistherefugeofallthetemptedandafflicted.Sheisallkindnessandsweetnessnotonly to the justbutalso to thedespairingandtosinners.Wheneversheseesthatunfortunatecreatureswithalltheirheartseekherhelp,sheaidsthematonce,welcomesthem, and obtains pardon from her son. She cannot despise anybody, no matter howunworthyheis,anddoesnotdenyherprotectiontoanyone.Sheconsoleseverybody.Merelytohaveinvokedhermeansthatimmediatelyshehelpstheonewhohascalleduponher.Andinhergentlewaysheknowshowtoattract toherdevotion those sinnerswhoaremostatenmitywithGodandmostdeeplyplunged in sin: “Often throughherkindness shesweetlydrawstoherdevotionsinnerswhoareleastattachedtoGod.Sheinfluencesthempowerfullyandpreparesthemforthereceptionofgrace,andfinallymakesthemfitforthekingdomofheaven.” That is how God made her, so that nobody need fear to approach her. It isimpossibleforanyonetoperishwhohasbeendiligentlyandhumblydevotedtoMary.She is called in sacred Scripture a plane tree:As a plane tree… was I exalted (Ecclus

24:19).Astheplanetreeoffersrelieftotravelersrestingunderitsshadetoescapethesun’sheat,soMary,onseeingtheangerofdivinejusticeraisedagainstsinners,invitesthemtorestin the shadeofherprotection.SaintBonaventure remindsus that theprophet IsaiahmadethiscomplainttoGod:Beholdyouareangry,andwehavesinned…thereisnone…thatrisesupandtakesholdofyou(Isa64:5,7).TherewasnoonethentoappeaseGodbecauseMaryhadnotyetbeenborn. “BeforeMary,” says the saint, “therewasnobodywhodaredstayGod’shand. But now, whenever God is angry with a sinner, and Mary takes him under her

protection,sherestrainsherson’shandandwithholdshimfrompunishing.Infact,continuesSaintBonaventure, there isnobody so capableasMaryofputtingadetaininghandon theswordofdivinejustice,lestitfalltopunishthesinner.Followingthesamelineofthought,RichardofSaintLawrencesaysthatbeforeMarycame

intotheworld,Godcomplainedthattherewasnotanybodytokeephimfrompunishingthesinner;butonceMarywasbornsheappeasedhimandstayedthehandofhisjustice.SaintBasilencourages sinnerswith thesewords:“Donot losehope,Osinner,but inall

thingsfollowandinvokeMary,whomGoddesiredtobeouraidinallthings.”Youwillfindhereverreadytohelpyou,becauseitisGod’swillthatshehelpeverybodyinallnecessities.ThisMotherofMercysogreatlydesirestohelpthemostabandonedsinnersthatshegoesoutin searchof them.And if theyhave recourse toher, shehas nodifficulty inmaking themacceptabletoGod.BecausethePatriarchIsaacwaseager toeatadishofgame,hepromisedtoblessEsau.

ButRebeccawantedherotherson,Jacob,toreceivetheblessing;soshetoldJacobtobringinapairofgoatswhichshewouldseasonaccordingtoIsaac’staste:Goyourwaytotheflock,bringmetwokidsofthebest,thatImaymakeofthemmeatforyourfather,suchashegladlyeats(Gen27:9).SaintAntoninussaysRebeccaisafigureofMarysayingtotheangels:“Bringmesinners”—prefiguredbythekids—“becausebyobtainingforthemsorrowandamendment,IshallseasontheminsuchamannerthattheybecomedearandacceptabletomyLord.”TheAbbotFrancone,followingthesameidea,saysthatMaryknowshowtoseasonthesegoatsinamannerthattheynotonlyequalbutevensurpasstheflavorofvenison.TheBlessedVirginherselfrevealedtoSaintBridgetthatthereisnosinneronearthsofar

removedfromGodthathewillnotreturntohimandrecoverhisgrace,ifhehasrecoursetoMaryandbegsherassistance.Oneday,thesameSaintBridgetheardJesussaytohismother:“Youwouldobtainmercy

evenforLuciferifhehumblyaskedforit.”Thatproudspirit,however,wouldneverhumblehimselfsomuchastobegforMary’sprotection.Nevertheless,wereitpossibleforLucifertohumiliate himself enough to askMary for her protection, she would have the power andmercytoobtainhispardonandsalvationfromGod.Whatwillnevercometruewithregardtothedevil,willcometrueinthecaseofeverysinnerwhoseekstheprotectionofthisMotherofMercy.ThearkofNoahwasafigureofMary,becauseeveryspeciesofanimalfoundrefugethere.

Similarly,allsinnerswhohavebecomebrutesbytheirvicesandsinsofsensualityfindrefugeunder Mary’s protection—with this difference, however, that the ark received them asanimals and kept themas animals. Thewolf remained awolf, the tiger a tiger. But underMary’sprotectionthewolfbecomesalamb,andthetigeradove.OnedaySaintGertrudesawMary with her cloak spread wide open and under it many different wild beasts, such asleopards,lions,tigers,andbears.ShenoticedthattheBlessedVirginnotonlydidnotchasethemaway,butwithherownkindhandwelcomedandcaressedthem.ThesaintunderstoodthatthesewildanimalsrepresentedsinnerswhohaverecoursetoMaryandarewelcomedbyherkindnessandlove.ThereforeSaintBernardhadgoodreasontosaytoMary:“Lady,youdonotturnyourback

onanysinner,nomatterhowdespicable,aslongasheapproachesyou.Ifhebegsyourhelp,

youdonotrefusetoextendahandtorescuehimfromthedepthsofdespair.”MayGodbeeverblessedandthanked,OlovingMother,forhavingmadeyousokindandgentletowardssinners! Doomed indeed is the man who does not love you, who does not hope in you.WhoeverdoesnotturntoMarywillbelost.But,ontheotherhand,whohaseverbeenlostwhohasturnedtoMaryforhelp?There is a scriptural story that tells howBoaz allowedRuth to gather the ears of corn

whichat theharvest fell from the reapers’hands:Shewent thereforeand gleaned the ears ofcorn after the reapers (Ruth 2:3). Saint Bonaventure’s comment on this passage is this: “AsRuthfoundfavorintheeyesofBoaz,soMaryfoundfavorintheLord’seyesandwasallowedtoglean theearsofcorn, that is, the souls leftby the reapers,andbring themtopardon.”Thesereapersofsoulsarethemissionaries,preachers,andconfessorswhodailyacquiresoulsfor God by their labors. But there are certain rebellious and hardened souls who are leftbehindbythereapers.OnlyMaryhastheprivilegeofsavingthesebyherintercession.ThereisnodoubtthatthesoulsthatwillnotletthemselvesbegarneredbyMaryareinasadway.Hellisoftheirownchoosing.Ontheotherhand,howfortunatethesoulsthatletthemselvesbegatheredupbyMary.ThedevoutBlosiussaysthereisnosinneronearthsodepraved,soabandoned,andsofilledwithmiseryastoberejectedanddespisedbyMary.Marycanandwillreconcilehimtoherbelovedson,ifonlyhebegsforherhelp.Withexcellentreasonthen,Osweetestqueen,SaintJohnDamascenecallsyouthe“hope

of thedespairing.”Andwithequal right,SaintLawrenceGiustinianicallsyou the“hopeofevildoers,”andSaintAugustinethe“onlyhopeofsinners.”SaintEphremlikestocallyouthe“safe port of the shipwrecked.” He even goes so far as to call you the “protectress of thedamned.”26Finally,SaintBernardisrightwhenhetellseventhedespairingnottodespair:“Lethimwhoiswithouthope,hopeinyou.”SaintAntoninustellsofasinnerwhowasunderGod’sdispleasureandwhosawhimselfin

avisionstandingbeforethejudgmentseatofJesusChrist.ThedevilwasaccusinghimandMarywasdefendinghim. In theprosecution, thedevil presented the entire list of sins thedefendant had committed. When these were put on the scales of divine justice, theyoutweighedallthesinner’sgoodworks.ButwhatdidMarydo?Shegentlyplacedherhandonthesideofthegoodworksandthebalancewentdowninfavorofherclient.Inthisway,shegavehimtounderstandthatshewouldobtainhispardonifhewouldbutamendhislife.Afterthevision,thesinnerwasconvertedandledadevoutlife.

Example

Blessed JohnHerolt, theDominican scholarwhoout of humility calledhimselfmerely the“Disciple,” tells the story of a married man who lived at enmity with God. His wife wasunabletogethimawayfromsin,butshebeggedhimat least topracticesomedevotiontoMary,eventhoughhecontinuedtoliveinsin.ShesuggestedthateverytimehepassedbeforeapictureorstatueofMaryhewouldgreetherwithaHailMary.Themanbegantopracticethisdevotion.Onenight, ashewasonhisway to commit sin,he sawa lightandnoticed that itwas

burningbeforeastatueofMaryholdingtheInfantJesusinherarms.HesaidhisusualAve

andthen,tohisamazement,hesawtheInfantcoveredwithwoundsthatoozedfreshblood.Frightenedbythis,thesinnerbegantorealizethatitwashisownsinsthathadwoundedhisRedeemer.HebrokeintotearsbutnoticedthattheInfantturnedhisbackonhim.Hebecamealarmed.HeturnedhisglancetoMaryandsaidtoher:“OMotherofMercy,yoursonrejectsme.WherecanIfindamorecompassionateandpowerfuladvocatethanyou?Omyqueen,helpmeandprayforme!”Maryansweredhimandsaid:“YousinnerscallmetheMotherofMercy,butatthesametimeyouinsistuponmakingmeamotherofsorrowsbyrenewingmyafflictionsandthesufferingsofmyson.”Nevertheless, she now turned to her son and begged him to pardon the sinner. Jesus

continuedtoshowhimself,asitwere,reluctanttoforgive.TheBlessedVirginthenplacedtheInfantinthealtarnicheandkneltdownbeforehim.“Myson,”shesaid,“Iwillnotleavehereuntil youpardon this sinner.”ThenJesus said tohismother: “Mother, I cannot refuseyouanything.Doyoureallywanthimpardoned?Ifyoudo,fortheloveofyouIwillpardonhim.Makehimcomeandkissmywounds.”The sinner approachedandkissed the Infant’s feet.At once thosewoundswerehealed.

Finally,Jesusembracedhimasa sign thathehad forgivenhim.Thesinner, fromthenon,changed his life completely and dedicated himself to a life of virtue, characterized by aspeciallovefortheBlessedVirgin,whohadobtainedsogreatagraceforhim.

Prayer

Omost pureVirginMary, I venerate yourmost holy heart, the repose anddelight ofGod.Yourheartisfilledwithhumility,purity,andloveforGod.I,unhappysinner,cometoyouwithaheartfulloffilthandwounds.OMotherofMercy,donotdespisemeforthis,butbecompassionateandhelpme.Donot look foranyvirtueormeritonmypart. Iam lostanddeservenothingbuthell.LookonlyattheconfidenceIhaveinyouandmywilltodobetter.LookatallthatJesushasdoneandsufferedforme,and,onlythen,ifyouhavethehearttodoso,abandonme.Iofferyouallthesufferingsofhis life: thecoldhebore in thestable, the journeyhemade intoEgypt, thebloodheshed,hispoverty,histoilinthesweatofhisbrow,thesadnessanddeathheenduredforloveofmeinyourverypresence.ForloveofJesus,saveme!NowthatIturntoyouandaskforhelp,Iamnotafraidthatyouwillrejectme.IfIwereafraid,

Iwouldbeinsultingyourmercywhichseeksoutthoseinmiserytohelpthem.OLady,donotrefusethatmercyforwhichJesusdidnotrefusehisblood.UnlessyourecommendmetoGod,thesemeritswillnotbeappliedtome.Ihopeforsalvationthroughyou.Idonotaskforriches,orhonors,oranyotherworldlygoods.IamlookingonlyforGod’sgrace,

loveofyourson,thefulfillmentofhiswill,andParadise,theretolovehimeternally.Isitpossiblethat you will not hear me? No, you have already heard me. You have already prayed for me,alreadyobtainedthegracesIwant,alreadyreceivedmeunderyourprotection.OmyMother, do not leaveme!Continue, continue to pray forme, until you seeme safe in

heaven,blessingyouandthankingyouforever.

4TOYOUDOWECRY,POORBAMSHEDCHILDRENOFEVE

MaryIsPrompttoHelpThoseWhoInvokeHer

WearepoorunfortunatechildrenofEve.AsguiltybeforeGodasshe,andcondemnedtothesamepenalty,wearedoomed towander in thisvalleyof tearsasexiles,weepingoverourmanyafflictionsofbodyandsoul.Buthappyishewhocanturninthemidstofthesesorrowstothecomforteroftheworld,tothegreatMotherofGod,andwhocandevoutlyandhumblypraytoher:Blessed is theman thathearsme,and thatwatchesdailyatmygates (Prov8:34).Blessed, saysMary, is hewho listens tomy counsels andwhowatches at the gates ofmymercyandinvokesmyintercessionandaid.Holy Church indicates quite clearly how attentively and confidently we are to have

recourseconstantlytothislovingprotectress.Asamatteroffact,shecommandsustohaveaspecialdevotiontoMary.Duringtheyear,acertainnumberoffeastsaretobecelebratedinherhonor.Onedayaweekistobespeciallydedicatedtoher.InthedailyOffice,allpriestsandreligiousaretoinvokeherinthenameofallChristendom,andthreetimesadayallthefaithfularetogreetheratthesoundoftheAngelusbell.A deeper insight into themind of the Church is gotten from the fact that in all public

calamitiestheChurchwantsustoturntoMarythroughnovenas,specialprayers,processions,andvisitstohershrines.ThisisthewayMarywantsit.Shewantsusconstantlytoseekandinvokeherhelp.Notthatsheisbeggingforit,becauseallthehomagewecanshowherfallsfarshortofwhatshedeserves.ButasSaintBonaventuresays,shewantsusto increaseourconfidenceandinthatwayreceivegreaterconsolationandhelp.Saint Bonaventure also says that Ruth is a figure ofMary because the very nameRuth

means seeing and hastening.WhenMary sees ourmiseries, she hastens to help uswith hermercy.Novarinusaddsthat,becauseofhergreatdesiretodousgood,Marydoesnotdelay.SheisnotagreedyguardianofhergracesbuttheMotherofMercy,andsoshecannothelpdistributingthetreasureofhergracesassoonasshecan.Oh,howpromptthisgoodmother is tohelpthosewhoinvokeher:Yourbreastsare like

twinfawns(Cant4:5).InexplainingthispassageRichardofSaintLawrencesaysthat,justasfawnsareknownforthespeedwithwhichtheyrun,soalsoarethebreastsofMaryquicktogive themilk ofmercy to anywho ask for it. Richard assures us thatMary dispenses hermercytoeveryonewhoasksforit,eventhoughhisprayerbeonlyasimpleHailMary.NovarinusclaimsthattheBlessedVirginnotonlyruns,butactuallyfliestohelpwhoever

callsonher.AndheassuresusthatwheneverMarydispensesmercysheimitatesGod.JustasOurLordimmediatelyfliestotherescueofthosewhoaskhishelp,mindfulofhispromise,Askandyoushallreceive(Jn16:24),sotoo,wheneverMaryisinvokedsheactuallyhurriestohelptheonewhoprays.“Goduseswingsandimmediatelyfliestohelphisservants;andtheBlessedVirginalsodonswingstoflytoouraid.”

From this, we can readily understand how Mary is the woman mentioned in theApocalypse,ofwhomit is said:And thereweregiven to thewoman the twowingsof thegreateagle, that she might fly into the wilderness (Apoc 12:14). Father Ribera, S.J., explains thispassagebysayingthatthetwowingsarethelovewherewithMaryiseverflyingtowardGod.“Shehasthewingsofaneagle,becauseshefliesoutofloveforGod.”ButBlessedAmadeushasanother explanation,onemore inaccordwithourownopinion, and says that the twowingsindicatethespeedwithwhichMaryalwaysfliestotheaidofherchildren,aspeedthatsurpasseseventhatoftheSeraphim:“Atamostrapidspeed,surpassingeventheSeraphim,Mary,asamother,flieseverywheretoaidherown.”InLuke’sGospel,wereadthatwhenMarywenttovisitElizabethandshowerthatentire

familywithgrace,shedidnottarrybutmadethewholejourneyrapidly:NowinthosedaysMaryaroseandwentwithhasteintothehillcountry…(Lk1:39).NothingissaidintheGospelaboutheralsoreturningwithhaste.From the fifth chapter of the Canticle of Canticles, we get the impression that Mary’s

hands are used to the lathe. Richard of Saint Lawrence explains that the use of the lathemakes difficult work easy and also enables the artisan to work swiftly. He explains thepassage inCanticles (5:14) thus: “As theartofworkinga lathe is thequickestof all, so isMaryquickerthanallthesaintsindoinggood.”Maryhasthegreatestdesiretoconsoleeverybody.Nosoonerissheinvoked,saysBlosius,

thansheimmediatelyhearstheprayersandgraciouslyhelpsthepetitioner.ThatiswhySaintBonaventurerightlycallsher“thesalvationofallwhocallonher.”Hemeanstosaythatinorder to be saved it is enough merely to call on Mary. According to Richard of SaintLawrence,Maryisalwaysfoundreadytohelpeveryonewhoprays.AndBernardinedeBustistellsussheismoreeagertodousfavorsthanwearetoreceivethem.“Maryismoreanxioustodousgoodthanwearetoreceiveherbenefits.”Thefact thatwehavecommittedmanysinsshouldnot lessenourconfidencethatMary

willhearuswhenweflytoher.MaryistheMotherofMercyandthereisnoplaceformercywhere there is nomisery to be relieved. Just as a goodmother does not hesitate to applyremedies to the ulcerous wounds of her son, even though the treatment is annoying andnauseating,sotooMarycannotabandonuswhenwehaverecoursetoher,eventhoughthewoundsofoursinsbenauseatingandrevolting.ThisthoughtisthesentimentofRichardofSaintLawrencewhosays:“Forthisgoodmotherdoesnotdespisesinnersanymorethananygoodmotherwoulddespiseherchildwhoisafflictedwithahorribledisease,forthisremindsherwhyshebecametheMotherofMercy.Wherethereisnomisery,thereisnodemandformercy.”ThisistheverypointthatMarywishedtobringhometoSaintGertrudewhenMaryopenedhercloaktoreceiveallwhoturnedtoher.Atthesametime,thesaintwastoldthatalltheangelsofheavenconstantlyprotectMary’sclientsfromtheassaultsofhell.The Blessed Virgin’s compassion and love are so great that she does not wait for our

prayersbeforehelpingus.TheBookofWisdomexpressesthisbeautifully:Shehastenstomakeherselfknowninanticipationofmen’sdesires(6:13).SaintAnselmappliesthesewordstoMaryandsayssheforestallsthosewhodesireherprotection.27BythiswearetounderstandthatsheimploresmanyfavorsforusfromGodbeforeweevenpraytoher!Preciselyforthisreason,saysRichardofSaintVictor,isMarycalledbeautifulasthemoon

(Cant6:9),becauseinflyingtotheaidofthosewhocallonher,Maryisasswiftasthemoonin its course. Swifter, in fact, because she is so concernedaboutourwelfare that sheevenanticipatesourprayers.And,addsRichard,itisnotpossibleforthisbenignqueentobeholdthewantofanysoulwithoutimmediatelyassistingit.Mary, even when living in this world, showed at the marriage feast of Cana the

extraordinarycompassionshewouldexerciseforuslaterinheaven—thatcompassionwhichwouldmakehercometoouraidevenbeforeweaskher.InthesecondchapterofSaintJohn,wereadthatMarynoticedthedistressandembarrassmentof thebrideandgroombecausethesupplyofwinewasrunninglow.Withoutbeingasked,andlisteningonlytothedictatesofhercompassionateheart(whichcannevernoticethedistressofotherswithoutfeelingforthem),MaryprevaileduponJesustorelievethesituation.Shemerelymentionedtohim:Theyhave no wine (Jn 2:3). To spare the couple embarrassment, but evenmore to content thetenderheartofhismother,Jesusorderedthewaterpots tobe filled.Thenhemiraculouslytransformedthewaterintowine.Arguingfromthisfact,Novarinusremarks:“IfMarycomestotherescuesoquickly,withoutbeingasked,whatmorewillshedoifsheisasked?”IfanyonestilldoubtsthatMarywillhastentohishelpwhenasked,lethimfeelrebuked

bythewordsofInnocentIIIwhosays:“Whohasevercalleduponherfromthedarknightofsin, and was not relieved?” Blessed Eutychian asks the same question: “Who has everfaithfullyimploredyourall-powerfulaidandwasabandonedbyyou?”Suchathinghasneverhappened and never will happen. “I would be perfectly satisfied,” says Saint Bernard, “ifanyonewhoevercalledonyouandwasnothelpedbyyouwouldneverevenspeakaboutyouandpraiseyourmercy.”Butsuchacasehasneveroccurred.“Sooner,” says the devout Blosius, “would heaven and earth be destroyed than Mary

wouldfailtohelpanyonewhoaskedforhelp,providedhedidsowithagoodintentionandwithconfidenceinher.”SaintAnselm,toincreaseourconfidence,saysthis:“WhenwehaverecoursetoMary,notonlymaywebesureofherprotection,butoftenwewillbeheardbyMarymorespeedilythanifwehadrecoursetoJesus,ourSavior.”ThereasonhegivesisthatitistheofficeofJesusasjudgetopunish,butitisMary’srole,asmother,tobemerciful.Hesaysthis,notbecauseMary’spowertosaveusismorepowerfulthanherson’s,forweknowthat Jesus is our only Savior, the only onewho throughhismerits has brought about oursalvation.ButwhenwerememberthatJesusisourjudge,andthatitishisprovinceasjudgetopunishungratefulsinners,wemaybecomeapprehensiveandlacktheconfidenceweneedto be heard. Surely our confidence is greater when we go to Mary, whose only office asMotherofMercyistohelpusanddefendusasouradvocate.Tosubstantiatethis,wehavethebeautifulwordsofNicephorus:“ManythingsareaskedofGodandnotobtained.ManythingsareaskedofMaryandobtained—notbecausesheismorepowerful,butbecauseGodhasarrangedthistohonorher.”SaintBridget heardOur Lordmake amost sweet and consoling promise. In the fiftieth

chapterofthefirstbookofherRevelationswereadhowthesaintonedayheardJesussaytohismother: “There is no prayer of yours thatwill not be heard.My dearMother, ask forwhateveryouwish. Iwill refuseyounothing.AndIalsopromisetohear theprayersofallwho for loveofyouaskme forgrace,even though theybe sinners,provided theywant toamend.”SaintGertrudeheardourDivineRedeemermake the samepromise tohismother,

namely,thatthroughhisomnipotencehehadgrantedMarythepowertoreconcileallsinnerswhocalledonherforhelpinwhateverwayitshouldsuitMarytohelpthem.Let everyone, then, with the fullest and completest confidence, make this well-known

prayerofSaintBernardhisown:“Remember,OmostgraciousVirginMary,thatneverwasitknownthatanyonewhofledtoyourprotectionwasleftunaided.”28Therefore,forgiveme,OMary,ifIsaythatIwillnotbethefirstunfortunatecreaturewhohaseverhadrecoursetoyouandwasnotabandoned.

Example

Saint Francis de Sales experienced the power of this prayer very forcibly. He was aboutseventeenandstudyinginParis.Henotonlyappliedhimselfdiligentlytohisstudies,butwasalsoverydevout,andGodallowedhimtoexperiencemanyspiritualdelights.Butinordertotryhimandtostrengthenhislove,GodallowedSatantotempthimandtopersuadehimthatallhedidforloveofGodwasofnoavailsincehehadalreadybeendamned.Darknessanddryness of soul accompanied the temptation, and his bitterness of soul became almostunbearable.Helosthisappetite,wasunabletosleep,andbecamesosickanddespondentthatpeoplelookedonhimwithpity.Aslongasthisstormlasted,thesaintcouldconceiveonlybitterthoughtsandutteronly

wordsofdespondency.Wereadinhislifethathesaidtohimself:“AmInowtobewithoutthegraceofGodwhoformerlywassosweetandamiabletome?Shall Ineveragainenjoyany divine consolation? O Virgin Mother of God, most beautiful of all the daughters ofJerusalem,amInevertoseeyouinparadise?IfIamnevertoseeyouinheaven,atleastdonotletmeblasphemeandcurseyouinhell.”One whole month the temptation lasted. Finally, the Lord was pleased to relieve him

throughMary’sintercession.(PreviouslythesainthadconsecratedhisvirginitytoMaryandhadoftensaidthatinherheplacedallhishope.)Oneevening,ashewasreturninghome,heentered a church in which he found a plaque with Saint Bernard’s famous prayer to ourBlessedLady:“Remember,OmostgraciousVirginMary,thatneverwasitknownthatanyonewho fled to your protection was left unaided.” He knelt before the altar of Mary,affectionately recited the prayer, renewed his vow of virginity, and promised to recite therosarydaily.Thenheadded thisprayerofhis own: “OmyQueen,bemy intercessorwithyour son,whom Idarenotapproach.MyMother, if I am tobe lost in thenextworldandunabletoloveyourson,whoisallworthyofmylove,atleastsecureformethegracetolovehimasmuchaspossibleinthisworld.ThisisthegraceIaskofyouandhopeforfromyou.”Finishinghisprayer,heresignedhimselfcompletelytoGod’swillandabandonedhimself

to the divine mercy. Instantly, he was freed from the temptation. Mary regained for himinteriorpeaceaswellasphysicalrestoration,andfortherestofhislifeFranciscontinuedtobemostdevotedtoherandtowritemanybooksandpreachmanysermonsinherhonor.

Prayer

OMotherofGod,Oqueenofangels,Ohopeofmankind,hearhimwhonowcallsonyouandhasrecourse toyou.Beholdmeatyourfeet, Iwhoamamiserableslaveofhell. Idedicatemyself toyourserviceforever.IoffertoserveyouasmuchasIcanforallmylife.IseequiteclearlythatyouarenothonoredbytheserviceofaslaveasvileasIam,whohavesooftenoffendedyouandyourson.Butifyouacceptmeasyourservant,unworthyasIam,andbyyourintercessionchangemeandmakemeworthy, thenyourmercywillgiveyousuchhonoras I,amiserablewretch,cannotgive. Acceptme then, OmyMother, and do not rejectme. The EternalWord came down fromheaventoseekthe lostsheep,andbecameyourson inorder tosavethem.YoucertainlywillnotdespisealostsheepwhohasrecoursetoyouinordertofindJesus.Thepriceofmysalvationhasalreadybeenpaid.MySaviorhasshedhisblood,whichissufficienttosaveaninfinitenumberofworlds.Theonlythingyettobedoneistoapplythisbloodtome.This,OBlessedMother,isyourtask.SaintBonaventuretellsmeitisyourdutytosavewhomeveryouwish.“Hewhomyoudesiretosavewillbesaved.”Therefore,Omyqueen,helpme,saveme!TodayIsurrendermysoultoyou.SeetoitthatIamsaved.WithSaintBonaventure,Iendmyprayerbysaying:“Osalvationofthosewhoinvokeyou,saveme!”

Mary’sPowerIsGreatinTimeofTemptation

NotonlyisMarythequeenofheavenandofallthesaints,butsheisalsothequeenofhellandofallevilspirits.Thereasonisthatshehasgloriouslyroutedthembyhervirtues.Attheverybeginningoftheworld,whenGodannouncedthatawomanwouldcomeintotheworldtoconquerthedevil,henotifiedtheinfernalserpenthowourqueenwouldconquerhimandruleoverhim:Iwillputenmitiesbetweenyouandthewoman…sheshallcrushyourhead(Gen3:15).Whoelseisthiswoman,thisenemyofSatan,butMarywho,byhergentlehumilityand

holylife,completelyroutedandconqueredhim?AccordingtoSaintCyprian,“theMotheroftheLordJesusChristwaspromisedinthatwoman.”Andthatiswhy,reflectsthesaint,GoddidnotsayIputenmitiesbutratherIwillputenmities,lestheseemtobereferringtoEve.GodsaidIwillputenmitiesbetweenyouandthewomantoshowthatSatan’sopponentwasnottobeEve,whowas still living, but anotherwoman descending fromher,who, as Saint VincentFerrerobserves,“wouldbringourfirstparentsfargreaterblessingsthattheyhadlostbysin.”Marythenisthisgreatandvaliantwomanwhohasconqueredthedevilandhascrushed

his head by bringing down his pride, as God himself foretold: She shall crush your head.BecausetheSeptuagintversionhasHeshallcrushyourhead,somedoubtwhetherthewordsrefertoMaryortoJesus.ButourVulgateedition,theonlyoneapprovedbytheCouncilofTrent,hasShe insteadofHe.Andthatthis iscorrect istheopinionofSaintAmbrose,SaintJerome, SaintAugustine, Saint JohnChrysostom,andmanyothers.Be that as itmay, it isnevertheless certain that either the Son through his Mother, or the Mother, by the Son’spower,hasovercomeLucifer.AndthispromptsSaintBernardtoremarkthatthisproudspirit,inspiteofhimself,hasbeenbeatendownandtrampledunderfootbythemostBlessedVirgin.Likeaslaveconqueredinwar,heisforcedalwaystoobeytheordersofhisqueen.Saint Bruno says that Eve was the cause of death, because she allowed herself to be

overcomeby the serpent,butMary restored life tousbyconquering thedevil. “InEveare

darknessanddeath;inMary,lifeandlight.Evewasconqueredbythedevil.Maryconqueredandboundthedevil.”Yes,Maryboundhiminsuchawaythathecannotstirhimselftodotheleastinjurytoanyofherclients.What a beautiful explanation Richard of Saint Lawrence gives of thesewords from the

BookofProverbs:Theheartofherhusbandtrustsinher,andheshallhavenoneedofspoils(Prov31:11).Hesays:“Theheartofherhusband,thatis,theheartofChrist,trustsinherandhewillhavenoneedofspoils,becauseshe,asitwere,enricheshimwithspoilstakenfromthedevil.”CorneliusàLapidesays:“GodhasentrustedtheheartofJesustothehandsofMarythatshemaywinfortheSacredHearttheloveofman.”Inthatwayhewillnotneedspoils;thatis,hewillbeabundantlysuppliedwithsouls;forsheenricheshimwiththosewhomshehassnatchedfromhellandsavedfromthedevilbyherpowerfulaid.Weknowthatthepalmisasymbolofvictory.Thereforeourqueenisplacedona lofty

throneinviewofallthemightyonesoftheworld,likeapalmthatsymbolizescertainvictoryfor all who put themselves under her patronage. I was exalted like a palm tree in Cades…(Ecclus24:18).That is, “fordefense,”addsSaintAlbert theGreat.Mary thereforeseems toaddressus,saying:“Mychildren,whentheenemyattacksyou,turntome,lookuponmeandtakecourage;becausewhenyoulooktometodefendyou,youaresureofvictory.”Recourse toMary, then, is the surestway of overcoming all the attacks of hell. In the

wordsofSaintBernardineofSiena,Maryisalsoqueenoverhellandthedevils.Sheistheonewhoovercomesandsubduesthem.Andforthisreasonsheiscalledanenemythatisterribletothepowersofhell.Terribleasanarmysetinarray(Cant6:3).Maryknowshowtodeployher forces, that is, hermercy and her prayers, to the confusion of the enemy and for thebenefitofthosewhocallonherfordefenseintemptation.InthewordsoftheHolySpirit,Marysays:AsthevineIhavebroughtforthapleasantodor

(Ecclus24:23).“Wearetold,”saysSaintBernardonthispassage,“thatallvenomousreptilesstayawayfromfloweringvines.”Similarly,thedemonsofhellstayawayfromthosehappysoulswhobreatheforththefragranceofdevotiontoMary.Inthesamechapter,wereadthatMarywasexaltedlikeacedarinLibanus(Ecclus24:17).ThisisnotonlybecauseMarywasfreefromsin,asthecedarisfreefromcorruption,butalso,asCardinalHugoremarksonthesamepassage, because Mary by her holiness disperses the demons, just as the cedar, by itsfragrance,repelsreptiles.In Judea, victories were won by means of the Ark. This is how Moses conquered his

enemies,aswelearnfromtheBookofNumbers.Whenever thearksetout,Moseswouldsay,“Arise,OLord,thatyourenemiesmaybescattered,andthosewhohateyoumayfleebeforeyou”(Num10:35).JerichoandthePhilistineswereconqueredinthesameway,forthearkofGodwastherethatdaywiththechildrenofIsrael(1Kings14:18).WeknowthatthearkisafigureofMary.AsCorneliusàLapideputsit:“Thearkcontainingthemanna,namelyChrist,istheBlessedVirginwhogivesvictoryovermenanddevils.”AndSaintBernardineofSienasaysthat when Mary, the ark of the New Testament, was raised on high and made queen ofheaven,thepowerofhelloverhumankindwasweakenedanddissipated.Oh,howthedemonsofhelltrembleatthethoughtofMaryandquakeatthementionof

hername,saysSaintBonaventure.ThesaintcomparestheseenemiestothoseofwhomJobspeaks:Inthedarkhebreaksintohouses.Bydaytheyshutthemselvesin;noneofthemknowthe

light (Job24:16). It is in thedark that thievesgo to robahouse.Andwhendaybegins todawntheyhurryawayasifanimageofdeathhadappearedtothem.“Preciselythus,”saysSaintBonaventure,“dothedevilsenterasoulwhenitisdarkenedbyignorance.Andifthedawn suddenly comes, namely the grace andmercy ofMary, they flee as everybody fleesfromdeath.”BlessedisthemanwhoinvokesthenameofMaryinhisbattleswiththedemonsofhell!In proof of this, there is the revelationmade to Saint Bridgetwhichdiscloses thatGod

madeMarysopowerfulagainstthedevilsthat,whenevertheyattacksomeonewhohascalleduponMary forhelp, theyare immediately terrifiedand leaveoffmolesting that soul.Theyprefer to flee and to take a double dose of their torments, rather than see themselvessubjectedtoMary’spower.Cornelius à Lapide reflects on thewordswithwhich the divine bridegroom praises his

spouse,callingheralily:Asalilyamongthorns,soismybelovedamongwomen(Cant2:2).Hesays: “As experience teaches, calling upon the Blessed Virgin is a singular remedy in alltemptations,especiallyagainstlust,justasthelilyisaremedyagainstsnakesandpoisons.”SaintJohnDamasceneusedtosay:“Ishallbesaved,OMotherofGod,ifIkeepalivemy

hope in you. I will fight and overcome my enemies with no other weapon than yourprotectionandyourinvincibleaid.”Andeveryonewhohasthegoodfortunetobedevotedtothisgreatqueencansaythesamething.OMotherofGod, if Iputmyhopeinyou, Ishallcertainlynotbeconquered.Defendedbyyou, I shall routmyenemies. I shalloppose themwiththeshieldofyourall-powerfulprotection.AndIshallconquerthem.ThemonkJames,one of the Greek Doctors, speaking to Our Lord aboutMary, says: “You have given us inMary,OLord,aweaponthattheforcesoftheenemycannotovercomeandasignofvictorythatcannotbetakenawayfromus.”In the Old Testament we read that God guided his people from Egypt to the land of

promise by day in a pillar of a cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire (Exod 13:21). Thisstupendouspillar,attimesasacloud,attimesasfire,saysRichardofSaintLawrence,wasatypeofMaryasshefulfillsthedoubleofficesheconstantlyexercisesforourgood.Asacloud,sheprotectsusfromtheheatofdivinejustice.Asfire,sheprotectsusfromthedemons.SaintBonaventureadds thataswaxmelts in thepresenceof a flame, sodo thedevils lose theirpoweragainstsoulswhoofteninvokeMary’sname—particularlyiftheytrytoimitateher.ThedevilstrembleatthemerementionofMary’sname.SaintBernarddeclaresthatatthe

name of Mary every knee bows, and the devils not only fear but actually tremble at thementionofthatname.ThomasàKempisagrees.Hesaysthatasmenoftenfalltothegroundwhenaboltoflightningstrikesnearthem,sodothedevilsquakewithfearwhentheyhearMary’s name. Countless are the victories that the clients of Mary have won by merelypronouncinghername.That ishowSaintAnthonyofPaduadispelledtemptation—alsotheBlessedHenrySusoandmanyothersdevotedtothisgreatqueen.WereadinthehistoryofthemissionsinJapanthattherewasacertainChristiantowhom

manydevilsappearedintheformofferociousanimals.Buthespoketothemboldlyandsaid,“Personally,Ihavenoweaponsthatyouareafraidof.IfGodpermitsit,youcandowhateveryouwantwithme. But,meanwhile, I am going to defendmyself with themost powerfulnamesofJesusandMary.”Hehadhardlypronouncedthesenameswhentheearthopenedup

andtheevilspirits,howlinghorribly,castthemselvesheadlongintoit.SaintAnselmaffirmsthathepersonallyknewandhadseenandheardofmanywhohad

invokedthenameofMaryintemptationandwereimmediatelydelivered.SaintBonaventureexclaims:“Gloriousandadmirableisyourname,OMary!Thosewhoholdtothisnamehavenofearatthehourofdeath,forwhenthedemonshearthenameofMarytheyimmediatelyletthatsoulalone.”Headds,“NoenemyonearthfearsapowerfulhostilearmyasmuchasthedemonsofhellfearthenameandprotectionofMary.”SaintGermanussays:“Atthemereinvocationofyourname,yousecureyourservantsagainstalltheattacksofhell.”What a great thing if, during temptation, all Christians thought of confidently invoking

Mary’sname!Theywouldcertainlyneverfall.AsBlessedAlansays:“AttheverysoundofthewordsHailMary, Satan flees andhell trembles.” To Saint Bridget,Our Lady revealed thatevenfromthemostabandonedsinners,fromthosefarthestfromGod,fromthosemostunderSatan’spower,theenemywillfleeassoonashehearsMary’snamepronounced,andwhenthesinnerhasatruedesiretomendhisways.ButatthesametimeOurLadyadded:“Ifthesinnerisnotcontriteandwillnotamend,thedevilwillimmediatelyreturnandpossesshim.”

Example

In Reichersperg in Bavaria there was a Canon Regular by the name of Arnold, who wasgreatly devoted to theBlessedVirgin.Whenhewas at thepoint of death, he received thesacraments,calledhisbrethreninreligion,andbeggedthemnottoabandonhiminhislasthour.Hardlyhadhesaidthiswhenhebegantotrembleallover.Hiseyesbecamedistortedand hewas coveredwith a cold sweat. Trembling, he said to them: “Don’t you see thosedevilswhowanttodragmeintohell?”Thenwithaloudcry:“Brothers,askMarytohelpme!Iamsureshewillhelpmewinthisstruggle.”ThereligiousrecitedtheLitanyoftheBlessedVirgin.Atthewords“HolyMary,prayfor

him,” thedyingmansaid: “RepeatMary’sname! Iamalreadybeing judged!”Afterabriefpause,headded:“It’struethatIdidit.ButIdidpenanceforit.”Then,turningtotheBlessedVirgin,heprayed:“OMary,Ishallbefreedifyouhelpme.”Thedevilsbeganafreshattack,buthedefendedhimselfwiththeSignoftheCrossandby

invokingMary.All night long this struggle continued.Whenmorning dawned,Arnold hadbecomeentirelycalm.Joyfullyheexclaimed:“Mary,myrefuge,hasobtainedpardonforme!”TurningtothevisionofMarywhoaskedhimtofollowher,hesaid:“Iamcoming,myLady,Iamcoming!”He tried to rise,buthisbodywas tooweak toobeyhimandheexpired sweetly in the

attempt. And his soul, we devoutly hope, followed the Blessed Virgin to the heavenlykingdom.

Prayer

Beholdatyourfeet,OMary,myhope,apoorsinnerwhohasbeensomanytimes,byhisownfault,aslaveofhell.IknowthatbyneglectingtohaverecoursetoyouIallowedmyselftobeovercomeby

the devil. If I had always remembered you and invoked you, Iwould never have fallen.OmostlovingMother,Itrustthat,withyourhelp,IhavealreadyescapedtheclutchesofthedevilandthatGodhaspardonedme.ButItrembleforthefuture,lestIagainbecomeenchained.Iknowthatmyenemies have not given up the hope of returning and conquering me again. My queen and myrefuge,helpme!Takemeunderyourprotection.Donotletmebecomeenslavedagain.I know that youwill helpme every time I call onyouand thatultimatelyyouwillmakeme

victorious.Butthere isonethoughtthatfrightensme:that inthehouroftemptationIshallforgetyouandfailtocallonyou.AndthatiswhytodayIseekandbegthegraceofeverrememberingtocallonyou,especiallyintimesoftemptation.Makemeinvokeyouoftenwiththesewords:“Mary,helpme!Mary,helpme!”Finally,whenthedayofmylastcombatdawns,whenIamabouttodie,then,OMary,helpme

morethanever.Makemecalluponyoufrequently,sothatImaydiewithyourmostsweetname,andthatofyourSonJesus,onmylips,andthatImaycometoblessandpraiseyouandneverleaveyouforalleternityinheaven.Amen.

5TOYOUDOWESENDUPOURSIGHS,MOURNING,ANDWEEPINGINTHISVALLEYOF

TEARS

Mary’sIntercessionIsNecessaryforOurSalvation

Thatitisnotonlylawful,butalsouseful,toinvokeandpraytothesaints,andespeciallytothequeenofsaints,sothattheymayobtaindivinegraceforus,isanarticleoffaith.Thishasbeen defined byGeneral Councils against hereticswho condemned it as injurious to JesusChrist, who is our onlymediator. But if Jeremiah, after his death, prays for Jerusalem (2Macc15:14);iftheancientsoftheApocalypsepresenttheprayersofthesaintstoGod(Apoc5:8); ifSaintPeterpromises to rememberhisdisciplesafterhisdeath (2Pet1:15); ifSaintStephenpraysforhispersecutors(Acts7:59)andSaintPaulpraysforhiscompanions(Acts27:24); if, infact, thesaintscanprayforus,whycanwenot implorethemtodoso?SaintPaulrecommendshimselftotheprayersofhisdisciples:Brethren,prayforus(1Thess5:25).SaintJamesexhortsustoprayforoneanother:…Prayforoneanother,thatyoumaybesaved(Jas5:16).Thenwecandothesame.NoonedeniesthatJesusChrististheonlymediatorofjustice,thatthroughhismeritshe

obtainedourreconciliationwithGod.But,ontheotherhand,itissinfultoassertthatGodisnot pleased to grant graces through the intercession of his saints, especially of Mary, hismother,whomJesus somuchdesired to behonored and loved.Who canpretend that thehonoramother receivesdoesnot redound to thehonorofher son?Thegloryof children istheirparentage(Prov17:6).ThereforeSaintBernardsaysthatweshouldnotimaginethatweobscuretheprestigeofa

sonbythepraisewelavishonhismother.Themorewehonoramother,thegreateristherenownofherson.AndSaintIldephonsusaddsquitelogically:“Themorehonorthatisgiventothequeen,themoreisthekingexaltedandhonored.”Therecanbenodoubtthat,bythemeritsofJesus,Marywasmadethemediatrixofoursalvation.True,sheisnotamediatrixofjustice, but of grace and intercession.As SaintBonaventureputs it: “FaithlessEvewas themediatrixofperdition; themost faithfulMary is themediatrixofoursalvation.”AndSaintLawrenceGiustinianiasks:“Howcanshebeotherwisethanfullofgrace—shewhohasbeenmadethe laddertoparadise, thegateofheaven,andthemosttruemediatrixbetweenGodandman?”SaintAnselmmakestheverypertinentremarkthatwhenwepraytoMaryforgraces,itis

not because we lack confidence in God’s mercy, but rather because we mistrust our ownunworthiness.We commend ourselves toMary so that herworthinessmay supply for ourinsufficiency.Only thosewho lack faith candoubt that recourse toMary’s intercession is a holy and

profitablething.Tospeakplainly,thepointwewishtoprovehereisthatMary’sintercessionisnecessaryforsalvation.Notabsolutelynecessary,butmorallynecessary.Moreover,wesay

thatthisnecessityarisesfromtheverywillofGod,whowillsthatallthegraceshedispensesshouldpassthroughMary’shands.ThisisSaintBernard’sopinion,whichtodaycancertainlybecalledthecommonopinionoftheologiansandscholars.TheauthorofTheReignofMary,theCarmeliteFatherEmmanuelofJesusMary,saysthat

this is so.Andhe is followedbyVega,Mendoza, Paciucchelli, Segneri, Poire, Crasset, andinnumerable other scholars. EvenFatherNoëlAlexandreholds this, andhe is usually veryconservativeinhisopinions.Thesearehisownwords:“Godwillsthatwehopeforallgracesfromhim, and thatwe obtain them through themost powerful intercession of theBlessedVirgin,when,asisfitting,weinvokeher.”Inproofofhiscontention,FatherNoëlquotesthecelebratedpassageofSaintBernard: “Such ishiswill, thathewantsus tohaveeverythingthroughMary.”FatherContensonagreeswiththiswhenheexplainsthewordsofOurLordonthe cross toSaint John: “Behold thymother!” It is almost as if hehad said: “Noone shallshare inmy blood, except throughmymother’s intercession.Mywounds are fountains ofgrace; but theirwaterswill not be brought to anyone except throughMary, their channel.You,John,mydisciple,shallbelovedbymeinproportionasyouloveher.”Thisproposition,thatallthegraceswereceivefromtheLordcometousthroughMary,

doesnotpleaseacertainmodernauthor.Althoughhespeakswithgreat learningandpietyaboutotheraspectsoftrueandfalsedevotion,nevertheless,indiscussingdevotiontoMary,heseemstogrudgeherthatglorywhichwasgivenherwithoutscruplebySaintGermanus,Saint Anselm, Saint John Damascene, Saint Antoninus, Saint Bernardine of Siena, theVenerable Abbot of Celles, and so many other learned men who found no difficulty inmaintaining, by force of the reasons just mentioned, that Mary’s intercession is not onlyusefulbutnecessary.Themodernauthorclaimsthatthisopinionismerelyafigureofspeech,anexaggerationthat fell fromthe lipsof thesaints in theheatof their fervor.Actually,heclaims, the sentence is to be understood merely as meaning that through Mary we havereceived Jesus Christ, by whosemerits we receive all graces. He says that, except in thisrestrictedsense,wewouldbeinerrortobelievethatGodcannotgrantgraceswithoutMary’sintercession, for Saint Paul tells us thatwe recognize but oneGod and only onemediatorbetweenGodandmen,namely,ChristJesus(1Tim2:5).Somuchforhisargument.Butwithhisleave,andgoingonhisownadmissioninhisbooks,mediationofjusticeby

wayofmeritisonething,andmediationofgracebywayofprayerisanother.Andagain,itisonethingtosayGodcannotandanothertosayhewillnotgrantanygraceswithoutMary’sintercession.WeadmitfreelythatGodisthesourceofeverygoodandtheabsolutemasterofallgraces.Also, thatMary isonlyacreature,whoreceiveswhatever sheobtainsasapurefavorfromGod.Butwhocandenythat it ismostreasonableandpropertoassertthatGodwants every grace destined for redeemed souls to pass through Mary’s hands and bedispensedbyher,sinceshe,morethanallothers,lovedandhonoredhimduringhislifeandhadbeenchosenbyhimtobethemotherofhissonandourcommonRedeemer?WemostreadilyadmitthatJesusChrististheonlymediatorofjustice,accordingtothedistinctionjustmade, because throughhismerits he obtained grace and salvation for us. Butwe say thatMaryisthemediatrixofgrace.Whateversheobtains,ofcourse,isgottenthroughthemeritsofChrist,andthatiswhysheasksandpraysinhisname.Nevertheless,everygraceweseekisobtainedthroughherprayerandintercession.

Thereiscertainlynothingcontrarytofaithinthis.Actually,itisquiteinaccordwiththemindofHolyChurch.Shehasapprovedmanyprayersinwhichwearetaughtcontinuallytohave recourse toMary—many prayers in whichMary is called the health of the sick, therefugeofsinners, thehelpofChristians,our lifeandourhope. In theDivineOffice for thefeastsofMary,theChurchappliestoherthewordsofEcclesiasticus,givingustounderstandthat inMarywe shall all findhope: Inme is all hopeof lifeandof virtue (Ecclus24:25). InMarywefindeverygrace:Inmeisallgraceofthewayandofthetruth.InMarywefindlifeandeternalsalvation:Hethatshallfindme,shallfindlife,andshallhavesalvationfromtheLord(Prov8:35).InstillanotherplaceinScriptureweread:Theythatworkbymeshallnotsin.Theythatexplainmeshallhavelifeeverlasting(Ecclus24:30–31).AllthispointsouthowmuchweneedMary’sintercession.This,then,isthepointofwhichIamconvincedbysomanytheologiansandFathersofthe

Church.Itisdefinitelyincorrectinspeakingofthemtosay,asthismodernauthordoes,that,inexaltingMary,theyspokeexaggeratinglyandthatthesewordsdroppedfromtheirlipsinanexcessoffervor.Itillbecomesustosaythatthesaintsexaggerated,spokeinhyperboles,andoversteppedthelimitsoftruth.ThesaintswereanimatedbytheHolySpirit,whoisTruthitself,anditwasthroughhimtheyspoke.IfImaybepermittedtomakeashortdigressionandtoexpressmyownsentiment,itis

this:WhenanopiniontendsinanywaytohonortheMostBlessedVirgin,whenithassomefoundation, when it is not contrary to faith or the canons of the Church or to truth, therefusal to hold that opinion or to oppose it, because its opposite might possibly be true,wouldshowlittledevotiontotheMotherofGod.IdonotwanttobenumberedamongthosewhohavesolittledevotiontoMary.NordoIwantmyreaderstobelongtosuchagroup.IprefertobeoneofthosewhofullyandfirmlybelieveeverythingthatcanbebelievedwithouterroraboutMary’sgreatness.TheAbbotRupert, listingthevariouswaysofgivinghonortoMary, places this most prominently: “To believe firmly everything that redounds to herhonor.”29 If therewerenothingelse to takeawayour fearofexcess inhonoringMary, thewordsofSaintAugustineshouldsuffice.HemaintainsthatwhateverwesayinpraiseofMaryisslightincomparisontowhatshedeservesbyreasonofherdignityasMotherofGod.AndHolyChurchhasussayintheMassoftheBlessedVirgin:“Youarefortunateindeed,OholyVirginMary,andmostworthyofallpraise.”Butletusreturntothepointandseewhatthesaintssayaboutthesubject.SaintBernard

says that God filledMarywith all graces so that throughMary, as through a channel, allpeoplemayreceivewhatevertheyneed.Heremarkssignificantly:“BeforeMary’sbirththerewasnosuchflowofgracesintotheworldforeverybodybecausethismuch-desiredaqueductdidnotyetexist.”PreciselyforthiswasMarygiventotheworld,headds,that,throughher,graceswoulddescendfromGoduponallmen.JustasHolofernesorderedtheaqueductstobedestroyedsothathecouldcapturethecity

of Bethulia, so also does the devil do his utmost tomakemen lose their devotion to theMotherofGod. If thischannelofgrace isclosedto them,thedevilwillhavenotrouble inwinningthem.Andso,SaintBernardcontinues:“SeewithwhattenderdevotionGodwantsusto honor Mary. He placed the fullness of every grace in her. So much so that everyexpectation of salvation comes to us through her.” Saint Antoninus says the same thing:

“EverygracethathaseverbeengiventomanhascometohimthroughMary.”Maryhasbeencomparedtothemoon.Thereason,saysSaintBonaventure,isthatjustas

themoonisakindofintermediarybetweenthesunandtheearthandreflectsupontheearthwhat it receives from the sun, so alsodoesMary act as an intermediarybetweenGodandourselves. She pours out upon theworld the heavenly graces she receives from the sun ofjustice.OneofMary’stitlesis“gateofheaven.”Aseveryrescriptofgraceorpardonorderedbya

kingpassesthroughthepalacegates,so,accordingtoSaintBernard,doeseverygracefromheaven pass throughMary’s hands. In another place, Saint Bernard says that nobody canenterheavenunlesshepassesthroughMaryasagate.An ancient author, in a sermon on the Assumption published with the works of Saint

Jerome,saysthatthefullnessofgracewasinChristJesusastheHead.FromthisHeadflowupon themembers all the life-giving graces they need to attain eternal salvation. But thesame fullness of grace is in Mary, as in the neck through which these vital graces arechanneledtothemembers.ThesameopinionisconfirmedbySaintBernardineofSienawhosays: “Life-giving grace is poured into the Mystical Body of Christ the Head through theBlessedVirgin.”SaintBonaventuretriestogiveusthereasonforthiswhenhearguesthat,sinceGodchose

todwellinMary’swomb,Maryacquired,sotospeak,ajurisdictionoverallgraces.AndwhenJesusissuedforthfromhervirginalwomb,streamsofdivinegraceissuedforthfromherasfromaheavenlyocean.SaintBernardineofSienasaysthesame,butinclearerterms,whenheassertsthatfromthemomenttheVirginMotherconceivedtheDivineWordinherwomb,she acquired, as itwere, a special claimover the giftswe receive from theHoly Spirit, somuchsothatnoonehaseverreceivedanygraceexceptthroughthehandsofMary.Anotherauthor,commentingonthepassagefromJeremiahinwhichtheprophetsaysthat

awomanshallcompassaman(Jer31:22),givesthisexplanationofthetext:Asnolinecanbedrawn from the center of a circlewithout passing through the circumference, so no graceproceedsfromJesus,whois thecenterofeverygoodthing,withoutpassingthroughMary,whocompassedhimwhenshereceivedhimintoherwomb.From this truth, Saint Bernardine concludes that all gifts, all virtues, all graces are

dispensedbyMary’shandstowhomevershewishes,whenevershewishes,andinwhateverwayshewishes.RichardofSaintLawrencealsosaysthatwhatevergoodGodwishestogivetocreatureshegivesthroughthehandsofMary.ThatiswhythevenerableAbbotofCellesexhorts everyone to have recourse to this treasury of graces, as he calls her. “Go to theVirgin,”hesays,“becausethroughhertheworldshallgetpossessionofeveryblessing.”Itmustbeevidenttoallnowthat,whenthesaintsandauthorstellusinsuchtermsthat

allgracescometousthroughMary,theydonotsimplymean,astheabovementionedauthormaintains,thatthroughMarywehavereceivedJesusChrist,thesourceofeverygrace.Theyveryclearlyassureus thatafterGodgaveusJesusChrist,hewilled that fromthen till theworld’sendallthegracestobebestowedonmenthroughthemeritsofJesusChristwouldbedispensedthroughMary’shandsandthroughMary’sintercession.FatherSuarezconcludesfromallthisthatitistheuniversalmindoftheChurchtodaythat

Mary’s intercessionisnotonlyusefulforus,butnecessary.Notabsolutelynecessary,aswehavealreadysaid,becauseonlythemediationofChristisabsolutelynecessary.Butmorallynecessary, because the Church feels,with Saint Bernard, that God has determined that nograce be given except throughMary’s hands. Evenbefore SaintBernard, Saint IldephonsussaidthesamethinginaddressingMary:“OMary,theLordhasdecreedthatallthefavorshehasdeterminedtobestowonmanshallbeentrustedtoyourhands.Hehasentrustedtoyouall thetreasuresandrichesofgrace.”AndSaintPeterDamianremarksthatGodwouldnotbecomeman without the consent of Mary for two reasons: first, that all of us might feelourselveshighlyobligatedtoMary;secondly,thatwemightallunderstandthatoursalvationislefttothecareandjudgmentofthisBlessedVirgin.InIsaiahweread:AndthereshallcomefortharodoutoftherootofJesse,andaflowershall

riseupoutofthisroot;andthespiritoftheLordshallrestuponhim(Isa11:1–2).Bythesewords,Isaiahprophesiesthatavirgin,Mary,wouldbebornfromtheoffspringofJesseandfromherwould rise a flower, the IncarnateWord. Meditating on this prophecy, Saint Bonaventureuttersthesebeautifulwords:“WhoeverwishestoobtainthegraceoftheHolySpiritshouldseek the floweron thestem.For through thestemwecome to the flowerand through theflower to the Spirit.” In otherwords, let everyone seek Jesus throughMary.Having foundJesusthroughMary,wewillcometotheSpiritofGodthroughJesus.In the tenthchapterof the sameworkheadds: “And ifyouwish topossess the flower,

benddownbyyourprayersthestemwhichbearsthisflower.”Thatisthewayyouwillgetpossessionoftheblossom.InhissermonontheEpiphany,theSeraphicDoctorcommentsonthewordsofSaintMatthew:TheyfoundthechildwithMary,hismother(2:11),andindicatesthat ifwewish to findJesus,wemustgo toMary. “Christ isnever foundexceptwithandthroughMary.”30Whoever does not try to find JesuswithMary seeks in vain. That,mostlikely,iswhySaintIldephonsussaid:“IwanttobetheslaveofJesus.Butsincenoonecanever serve the son without serving the mother, for this reason, I make myself a slave ofMary.”

Example

BothVincentofBeauvaisandCaesariustellthefollowingstory.Acertainnobleyouth,asaresult of his vices, had been reduced to extreme poverty, so much so that he had to gobegging.Confusedandashamed,theladlefthishometownandtookoffforadistantcity.Onthe way he met one of his father’s former servants. Observing the young man’s pitiablecondition,hepromisedtoleadhimtoawealthybenefactorwhowouldgivehimallthehelpheneeded.The servanthappened tobe a sorcerer.He took theyouth to a lake in themiddleof a

forestandbegantospeaktosomeinvisibleperson.Whentheladinquiredtowhomhewasspeaking, theservantreplied:“Iamspeakingtothedevil.”Theboywasfrightenedbut theservant continued his colloquy with the demon. “This young man,” he said, “has losteverythingandwouldliketoberestoredtohisformerposition.”Thedevilanswered:“Ifheisreadytoobeyme,Ishallmakehimevenricherthanbefore.Butfirst,hemustdenyGod.”The youthwas horrified. But the servant continued to argue and cajole and finally the

poorladagreedanddeniedhisCreator.Thedevil,however,wasnotsatisfied.“YoumustalsodenyMary,”hesaid,“becauseMaryisourgreatestenemy.SeehowmanysoulsshesnatchesfromourhandsandleadsbacktoGod.”“Absolutelynot,”answeredtheyoungman.“MaryIwillneverdeny.Sheismymother,mylife,andmyhope.Iwouldratherspendtherestofmylifeasabeggar.”Withthesewordshelefttheplace.As he continued on his way, he passed a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.

Tormentedandtroubled,hewentinandkneltdownbeforeastatueofMary.HebeggedMarytointercedeforhim.Suddenly,Mary appeared andbegan topray for him.At first her divine Son said: “But

Mother,thisingratehasdeniedme.”Marycontinuedtopray,andfinallyJesussaid:“Mother,Ihavenever refusedyouanything.Let theboybepardoned, since that iswhatyouaskofme.”Themanwhohadcomeintopossessionofthelad’sfortunehappenedtobeawitnessof

thisentire scene.TouchedbyMary’smercy, themanofferedhimhisdaughter inmarriageandmade him his heir. In thiswayMary became the cause of his spiritual aswell as hismaterialrehabilitation.

Prayer

Omysoul,seewhatasurepledgeofsalvationandeternallifeOurLordhasgivenyoubyinspiringyou with confidence in his holy mother. By your falls in the past, you have often merited hisdispleasureandmadeyourselfworthyofhell.Therefore,bethankfulbothtoGodandtoMarywhohasbecomeyourprotectress.Yes,myMother,Ithankyouforeverythingyouhavedoneforme.IknowIamworthyofhell.

Fromhowmanydangersyouhavefreedme!HowmanylightsandgracesyouobtainedfromGodforme!AndwhathonorhaveIgivenyouinreturn?It isyourgoodnessalonewhichhasbroughtmethisfar.Evenif Iweretoshedmybloodand

losemy life foryou, Iwouldbepayingbuta littleofwhat Ioweyouforsavingmefrometernaldeath.Youhaveenabledmetorecoverdivinegrace.EverythingthatIamandhaveIowetoyou.MymostsweetMother,pooringratethatIam,Icannotdoanythingforyouexcepttocontinue

to love and praise you. Do not turn down the affection of a soul that is burstingwith gratitudebecauseofyourgoodness.Andifmyheartisnotabletoloveyouasmuchasyoudeservebecauseitisimpureandfilledwithearthlyaffections,cleanseandchangethatheart.UnitemetoyourdivineSonandbindmetohiminsuchawaythatImayneverbeabletoseparatemyselffromhim.YouaskmetoloveGod,anditisyouwhomustobtainformethegracetolovehim.Letmelovehimaloneandalways.Amen.

MaryIntercedesforAllSinners

SaintBernardsays thatasamanandwomancooperated inourruin, soalsowas itproperthat another man and woman, Jesus and his Mother Mary, cooperate in our redemption.“Thereisnodoubt,”saysthesaint,“thatJesusChristalonewasmorethanabletoredeemus.

But itwas indeed fitting that both sexes shouldwork together in repairing the ruinwhichbothsexeshascaused.”HenceSaintAlberttheGreatbeautifullycallsMarythe“cooperatrixof the redemption.”TheBlessedVirginherself revealed toSaintBridget that,asAdamandEvehadsoldthewholeworldforoneapple,soMary, togetherwithherson,ransomedtheworldwithoneheart.AndSaintAnselmaffirmsthatGodwaswellabletocreatetheworldoutofnothing,but,whentheworldwaslostthroughsin,hedidnotwishtorescueitwithoutMary’scooperation:“Hewhocouldmakeallthingsoutofnothing,didnotwishtorepairtheshatteredworldwithoutMary.”Father Suarez explains that the BlessedMother cooperated in our redemption in three

ways: first, by having merited with a merit of congruity or fitness the Incarnation of theWord;second,byhavingprayedforuscontinuallywhileshelivedonearth;third,byhavingvoluntarilyofferedherson’slifetoGodforoursalvation.Forthisreason,Godjustlydecreedthat,sinceMarycooperatedwithsomuchloveinthesalvationofmanandatthesametimegavesomuchglorytoGod,allmenaretoobtaintheirsalvationthroughMary’sintercession.Mary is called the cooperatrix of our justification becauseGod has committed into her

hands all the graces intended for us. Therefore, Saint Bernard affirms that all men, past,present,andfuture,mustlookuponMaryas“themeansandnegotiatoroftheirsalvation.”JesusChrist says that no one can find himunless the Eternal Father first drawhimby

meansofdivinegrace:Noonecancome tomeunless theFatherwhosentmedrawhim… (Jn6:44).AccordingtoRichardofSaintLawrence,Jesussaysofhismother:“Noonecomestome unlessmymother draws him by her prayers.” Jesuswas the fruit ofMary’swomb, asSaintElizabethtoldher:Blessedareyouamongwomenandblessedisthefruitofyourwomb(Lk1:42).Whoeverwantsthefruitmustgotothetree.WhoeverwantsJesusmustgotoMary.WhoeverfindsMarywillcertainlyfindJesus.WhenSaintElizabethsawtheBlessedVirgincomingtovisither,shewasatalosshowto

thankher.Sosheexclaimedinallhumility:AndhowhaveIdeservedthatthemotherofmyLordshouldcometome? (Lk1:43).WhydidElizabethwordit thatway?Surelysheknewthat itwasnotMaryalonecomingtovisither.SurelysheknewthatJesushadalsocomeintoherhome.WhydidshethendeemherselfunworthyofwelcomingMary,insteadofconsideringherselfunworthyofhavingMary’ssoncometovisither?ItwasbecauseElizabethknewverywellthatwhenMarycomes,sheinvariablybringsJesus.Thatiswhyshefeltconfidentthatitwasenoughtothankthemotherwithoutalsonamingtheson.She is like the merchant’s ship, she brings her bread from afar (Prov 31:14).Mary is this

happy ship that brought from heaven Jesus Christ, the living bread that came down fromheaventogiveuseternallife.Iamthelivingbreadthathascomedownfromheaven.Ifanyoneeatofthisbreadheshallliveforever…(Jn6:51–52).RichardofSaintLawrencesaysthatinthesea of thisworld everyone shall perishwho is not taken aboard this ship. That is, allwillperishwhoarenotprotectedbyMary.Therefore,headds,whenweseethewavesofthesearising high, we must cry out to Mary: “O Lady, save us, we perish!” Whenever we findourselves indanger fromthetemptationsorpassionsof life,wemustruntoMaryandcry:“Comequickly,OLady,andhelpus!Saveusifyoudonotwantustobelost!”Takenoticehow theauthor says: “Mary, saveus,weperish!”Hedoesnotmention the

objectionofthatcertainauthor,alreadymentioned,whoforbidsustoaskMarytosaveus.

That author forbids this because, as he says, it is proper to God alone to save us. Now,suppose aman is condemned todeath.Canhenotbeg forhis life througha friendof theking,whocanput inagoodwordforhim?WhycannotweaskOurLadytoput inagoodwordforusandobtainforusthefavorofeternallifefromGod?SaintJohnDamascenedidnotscrupletosaytoMary:“Opureandimmaculatequeen,savemefrometernaldamnation!”HolyChurchapprovesofcallingher“healthofthesick.”Shallwethenscrupletoaskhertosave us when a certain author (Paciucchelli) says: “Only through her is the entrance tosalvation open.” Long before this author, Saint Germanus addressed Mary with the samewords:“Nooneissaved,exceptthroughyou.”ButletusseenowwhatelsethesaintssayaboutthenecessityofMary’sintercession.The

gloriousSaintCajetanusedtosaythatwemayseekandseekforgraces,butweshallneverfindthemwithoutthe intercessionofMary.SaintAntoninusconfirmsthisbeautifullywhenhesays:“WhoeverexpectstoobtaingraceswithoutMaryisattemptingtoflywithoutwings.”KingPharaohsaidtoJoseph:ThelandofEgyptisatyourdisposal(Gen47:6),andthensenttohimeveryonethatcameforhelp,saying:GotoJoseph(Gen41:55).So,too,whenweaskGodforgraces,hesays:“GotoMary,”because,asSaintBernardsays,Goddeterminedhewouldgrantnograces except through thehandsofMary.That iswhyRichardofSaintLawrencesays:“OursalvationisinMary’shands.AndwecanbettersaytoMarythandidtheEgyptianstoJoseph:‘Youhavekeptusalive.’”BlessedRaymondJordanosaysexactlythesamething,andCassianspeaksinevenstrongerterms.Hedeclaresabsolutelythateverybody’ssalvationconsistsinbeingfavoredandprotectedbyMary.WhoeverisprotectedbyMarywillbesaved;whoeverisnotprotectedbyherwillbelost.SaintBernardineofSienasaystoOurLady:“Youarethedispensatrixofallgraces;oursalvationisinyourhands.”ThereforeRichardof Saint Lawrencewas right in saying that as a stone fallswhen the

earththatholdsit isremoved,soalsodoesasoulwithoutMary’saidfall, first intosinandthenintohell.SaintBonaventuresaysthatGodwillnotsaveuswithoutMary’sintercession:“Justastheinfantcannotlivewithoutthenursethatcaresforit,soalsocannoonebesavedwithoutMary’said.”Thereforeheexhortsus tohungerand thirst afterdevotion toher, topreserveitwithcareandnevertoabandonituntilwehavereceivedhermaternalblessinginheaven.“Andwhowould ever knowGod,” exclaimsSaintGermanus, “if itwerenot for you,O

mostholyMary?Whowouldbesaved?Whowouldbefreefromsin?Whowouldreceiveanygraceatall,ifitwerenotforyou,OMotherofGod,whoaresofullofgrace?”Listentohisbeautifulwords:“Nobody,OmostholyVirgin, learnstoknowGodexceptthroughyou.Noonewill ever be saved but through you,OMother ofGod.No onewill ever be free fromdangersexceptthroughyou.NoonewilleverreceiveanygiftfromGodexceptthroughyou,Ofullofgrace!”Elsewhere,too,SaintGermanussaystoOurLady:“Nobodywouldeverbefreefromthestingsofthefleshandfromsinunlessyoumadeitpossible.”SaintBernardtellsusthat,aswehavenoaccesstotheEternalFatherbutthroughJesus,

soalsowehavenoaccess toJesusbut throughMary.This is thereasonhegiveswhyGoddeterminedthatweshouldbesavedbyMary’sintercession:“ThroughyouwehaveaccesstotheSon,Oblessedfinderofgrace,Obeareroflife,thatbyyouwemayreceivehimwhowasgiventousthroughyou.”ThereforehecallsMarytheMotherofGraceandofoursalvation.

“Whatwillbecomeofus,”asksSaintGermanus,“whathopeofsalvationwillremaintous,OMary,ifyou,whoarethelifeofChristians,abandonus?”Themodernauthoralreadyquotedusesthisabsurdargument:Ifallgracescomethrough

Mary,donottheothersaintsthenhavetoapproachMarytoobtaingraceswhenweinvoketheirintercession?Hesaysnooneeverdreamedofsuchathingandcertainlynoonewouldbelieve it.As tobelieving it, I reply that there isnodifficultyatall.SinceGodestablishedMaryasthequeenofallsaints,andsinceGodwantsallgracestobedispensedbyherhands,wherewouldbetheimproprietyinsayingthat,tohonorMary,Godwantstheothersaintstoturntoherforthegracestheywishtoobtainfortheirclients?Andasforsayingthatnoonewould ever dream of such a thing, I rejoin that I find Saint Bernard, Saint Anselm, SaintBonaventure, together with Father Suarez and many others expressly teaching this. SaintBernardsays:“HewhopraystotheothersaintswouldprayinvainifMarydidnothelp.”31ItisinthissensealsothatacertainauthorexplainsthesewordsofDavid:…Therichamongthepeopleseekyourfavor(Ps44:13).TherichamongGod’speoplearethesaints,andwhentheywish to obtain a favor for a client, they turn toMary and she obtains it for them. FatherSuarezsayswisely:“Amongthesaintswedonotusuallyaskonetointercedewiththeother,becauseallareofequalrank.ButwedoaskthemtointercedewithMary,becausesheistheirsovereignandtheirqueen.”ThisisexactlywhatSaintBenedictpromisedtoSaintFrancesofRome,aswe read inFatherMarchese’sbook.The saintonedayappeared toSaintFrancesandpromisedtoprotectherandtobeheradvocatewiththeBlessedVirgin.I can quote Saint Anselm in support of the same opinion. “What all the saints can do

unitedwithyou,”hesays,“youcandoalonewithoutthem.”“Whyisthis?”heasks.“Whydoyoualonehavesuchtremendouspower?BecauseyouaretheMotherofourRedeemer,youare the spouseofGod,youare thequeenofheavenandearth. Ifyoudonot speak forus,noneofthesaintswillprayforusorhelpus.Butifyouprayforus,thenallthesaintswilldothesame.”FatherSegnerisaysthesamethinginhisbookTheDevoutClientofMary.Togetherwith

the Church he applies these words of HolyWrit toMary: The vault of heaven I compassedalone…(Ecclus24:8).Hesaysthatasthemovementofthefirstspherecausesalltheresttomove,so,whenMaryismovedtoprayforasoul,shecausesthewholecourtofheaventojoininherprayers.Infact,saysSaintBonaventure,whenevertheBlessedVirgingoestoGodtointercedeforus,she,asqueen,actuallycommandsalltheangelsandsaintstojoinherinherprayers.AndsonowwefinallyunderstandwhyHolyChurchcommandsustogreetMarywiththe

grand title of “our hope.” Martin Luther could not endure the thought that the CatholicChurchinsistsuponcallingMaryourhope,eventhoughsheisonlyacreature.HesaidthatonlyGod,andourmediatorJesusChrist,areourhope.HeaddedthatGodcurseseveryonewhoplaceshishopeincreaturesandquotesashisauthoritytheprophetJeremiah,whosaid:Cursedbethemanthattrustsinman(Jer17:5).HolyChurch,however,teachesustoinvokeMaryonalloccasionsandnottohesitateto

callher“ourhope.”WhoeverplaceshishopeincreaturesindependentlyofGodwillcertainlymeetwithGod’s displeasure.God is theonly source anddispenser of everygood, andanycreaturewithoutGodhasnothingandcangivenothing.Butyet,ifGodsoarrangedmatters—

andwe have proved that he did—that all graces should pass throughMary, as through achannel of mercy, then we not only can, but indeedmust, affirm that Mary is our hope,becausethroughherwereceivedivinegrace.ThatiswhySaintBernardcalledMarythewholefoundationofhishope.AndSaintJohn

Damascenesaid: “OLady, Ihaveplacedallmyhope inyou.Withmyeyes fixedonyou, Iexpect eternal salvation.” In his eighthOpusculum, Saint Thomas claims that Mary is thewholehopeofhissalvation.AndSaintEphremprotests:“Ifyouwantustobesaved,OMary,protectus,becausewehavenootherhopeofsalvationbutthroughyou.”Let us conclude with Saint Bernard, who says: “With all our heart let us honorMary,

becausethisisthewillofhimwhowantsustohaveeverythingthroughMary.”Heexhortsustorecommendourselvestoherwiththehopeofobtaininganythingwedesire:“Letusseekgrace,andletusseekitthroughMary.”SaintBernardsaysthatevenifyoudonotdeservethegraceyouaskfor,Mary,whowillaskforitforyou,isdeservingofit.Andbythesametoken,headds,whateveryouoffertoGodbywayofgoodworksorprayers,besuretoofferthroughMaryifyouwanttheLordtoacceptit.

Example

Very well known is the story of Theophilus, Patriarch of Constantinople, as written byEutychian,aneyewitnesstotheevent.AccordingtoFatherCrasset,thisstoryisconfirmedbySaintPeterDamian,SaintBernard,SaintBonaventure,SaintAntoninus,andothers.TheophiluswasarchdeaconofachurchinAdana,acityofCilicia.Hewasheld insuch

highesteemthatthepeoplewantedhimfortheirbishop,butoutofhumilityherefusedtheoffice.Latersomemaliciouspeopleaccusedhimofacrime,andasaresulthewasrelievedofhis charge.Hewas sobitterat this, that,blindedbypassion,he soughtaJewishmagicianwhoputhimintouchwiththedevil.ThedevilsaidthatifTheophiluswantedhelp,hewouldhavetorenounceJesusandhisMotherMary,puthisrenunciationinwriting,signitwithhisownhand,and then turn thedocumentover to thedevil.Theophiluswroteandsigned thedreadfuldocument.On the following day, the bishop, realizing the wrong done to Theophilus, begged his

pardonandrestoredhimtohisformerposition.Tornbyremorsefortheenormoussinhehadcommitted, Theophilus almost fell into despair. He went to one of the churches and casthimselfatthefeetofMary’simage,where,minglingtearswithhisprayers,hesaidtoher:“OMotherofGod,IdonotwanttodespairaslongasIhaveyouwhoaresomercifulandcanhelpme.”ForfortydayshecontinuedweepingandprayingtotheBlessedVirgin.OnenightMaryappearedtohimandsaid:“Theophilus,whathaveyoudone?Youhave

renouncedmyfriendshipandthatofmyson—andtowhom?Tomyenemyandyours.”“OLady,”repliedTheophilus,“youmustpardonmeandobtainpardonformefromyourson.”Marysawhisgreatconfidenceandsaidtohim:“Havecourage!IshallpraytoGodforyou.”Encouragedbythis,Theophilusincreasedhistears,penances,andprayers,andstayedbeforethatimage.Afteratime,Maryappearedtohimagainandwithacheerfulcountenancesaidtohim:

“Theophilus,IhavepresentedyourtearsandprayerstoGod.Hehasacceptedthemandhaspardonedyou.Fromnowon,begratefulandloyal.”“But,myLady,”answeredTheophilus,“thatisnotenoughtocomfortmecompletely;thedevilstillhasthatmiserabledocumentonwhich I renounced you and your son; you are able to restore it to me.” One morning,Theophilusawoketofindthedocumentlyingonhisbreast.Thenextday,whenthebishopandagreatthrongofpeoplewereinchurch,Theophilus

threwhimselfatthebishop’sfeet.Hetoldthebishopallthathadhappenedandturnedthediabolicaldocumentover tohim.Thebishop immediatelyhad itburned in thepresenceofthethrongofpeople.ThepeoplepraisedGod’sgoodness,andpraisedthemercywhichMaryhadexercisedtowardthissinner.ThenTheophilusreturnedtoOurLady’schurch,whereafterthreedayshediedaconsolingdeath,thankingJesusandhisholyMother.

Prayer

OQueen,OMother ofMercy,whowith somuch liberality, because you are our queen, and somuchlovebecauseyouareourmother,givesgracestoeveryonewhoasksforthem,Icometoyoutoday.IampoorinmeritsandsomuchindebttoGod’sjustice.Butyou,OMary,holdthekeytodivinemercy.Donotoverlookmypitifulcondition.Donotleavemeinsuchdirestraits.Youaresogenerouswitheverybody.Youusuallygivemorethanisaskedfor.Beasgeneroustowardsme.Protectme,OMary;thatisallIaskofyou.Ifyouprotectme,Ishallfearnothing.Notfromthe

devils,becauseyouaremorepowerfulthanallhelltogether.Notfrommysins,becauseonewordtoGod fromyou canobtain forme complete pardon.Norwill I fearGod’s anger, becausea singleprayerfromyouwillappeasehimatonce.Ifyouprotectme,Ihopeforeverythingbecauseyoucanobtaineverything.OMotherofMercy, Iknowyouglory inhelping themostunfortunateand thatyouwillhelp

themaslongastheyarenotobstinate.Iamindeedasinner,butanobstinateone.Iwanttochangemyway of life. You can helpme.Helpme and saveme. Today I placemyself entirely in yourhands.TellmewhatIhavetodotopleaseGod.Iwanttodoit.Ihopetodoitwithyourhelp,OMary,myMother,mylight,myconsolation,myrefuge,myhope.Amen.

6MOSTGRACIOUSADVOCATE

MaryIsanAdvocateWhoIsAbletoSaveEverybody

Sogreatistheauthoritywhichamotherhasoverherson,thateventhoughheisamonarchandhasabsolutepowerovereverybodyinthekingdom,stillshecanneverbecomeherson’ssubject.ItistruethatJesuswhoisnowinheavenandsitsattherighthandoftheFatherhas,as

SaintThomasexplains it, evenasman, supremepoweroverall creatures, evenoverMary,becauseofthehypostaticunionwiththePersonoftheDivineWord.Atthesametime,itwillalwaysbetruethattherewasatime,whilehewaslivingonthisearth,whenhewaspleasedtohumblehimselfandbesubjecttoMary,aswearetoldbySaintLuke:Andhewassubjecttothem (Lk2:51).We cango even further, according to SaintAmbrose, and say that, havingdeignedtomakeMaryhismother,JesusChristobligatedhimselftoobeyher,sincehewasherson.Forthisreason,saysRichardofSaintLawrence,whilewemaysayoftheothersaintsthattheyare“withGod,”ofMaryalonecanitbesaidthatsinceshewasnotonlyfavoredtobesubjecttothewillofGod,butthatGodhimselfwassubjecttoherwill,theLordcouldwellbesaidtobe“withMary”:TheLordiswithyou(Lk1:28).Andwhereasitcanbesaidofallothervirgins,thesameauthorremarks,thattheyfollowtheLambwhereverhegoes(Apoc14:4),oftheBlessedVirginalonecanitbesaidthattheLambfollowedher,havingbecomesubjecttoher.Maryisnowinheaven.Althoughshecannownolongercommandherson,nevertheless

herprayersarealwaystheprayersofamother,and,assuch,aresopowerfulthattheycanobtainwhateversheasks.“Mary,”saysSaintBonaventure,“hasthisgreatprivilegecomparedwithothersaints,thatsheismostpowerfulinobtainingwhateversherequestsfromherson.”Why is this? Precisely for the reason which we have just mentioned and which we willexaminelateron,atgreaterlength,becauseherprayersarethoseofamother.Therefore,asSaintPeterDamianremarks,theBlessedVirgincandowhatevershepleases

bothinheavenandonearth.Shecancauseeventhosewhoareindespairtohope;andsoheaddressesthefollowingwordstoher:“Allpowerisgiventoyouinheavenandonearth,andnothingis impossibletoyoubecauseyoucanraisethosewhoareindespairtothehopeofsalvation.”Andthenheadds:“WhenthemothergoestoseekafavorforusfromJesusChrist[whom the saint calls the golden altar ofmercy, atwhich sinners obtain pardon] her sonregardsherprayerssohighlyandissoeagertosatisfyher,thatwhenshepraysitseemsasifshewerecommandingratherthanpraying,andasifshewerealadyratherthanaservant.”MaryhonoredJesussomuchduringherlifethatJesusisnowpleasedtohonorhisbelovedmother in this way, by granting at once whatever she asks or desires. This is beautifullyconfirmed by Saint Germanus, who addresses the Blessed Virgin and says: “You are theMother of God and are all-powerful to save sinners; with God you need no otherrecommendation,foryouarethemotheroftruelife.”

“AtthecommandofMary,everybodyobeys,evenGod.”SaintBernardineofSienaisnotafraidtoutterthissentence,meaningthereby,ofcourse,thatGodgrantstheprayersofMaryas if theywere commands. And so Saint Anselm addresses her, saying: “Our Lord,O holyMary,hasexaltedyoutosuchanextentthatbyhisfavorallthingsthatarepossibletohimshould be possible to you!” “For your protection is omnipotent, OMary,” says Cosmas ofJerusalem.Yes,Maryisomnipotent,remarksRichardofSaintLawrence,forbyeverylawthequeen enjoys the same privileges as the king.And since the power of a son and that of amotherarethesame,amotherismadeomnipotentbyanomnipotentson.“Andthus,”saysSaintAntoninus,“GodhasplacedthewholeChurchnotonlyunderthepatronage,butalsounderthedominionofMary.”Sincethemother,then,shouldhavethesamepowerastheson,Jesus,whoisomnipotent,

has also made Mary omnipotent; though, of course, it is always true that, while Jesus isomnipotentbynature,Maryisomnipotentonlybygrace.Butthatsheissoappearsfromthefactthat,whateverthemotherasksfor,thesonneverdeniesher.ThiswasrevealedtoSaintBridget.OnedaysheheardJesustalkingtoMaryandsaying:“Askmeforwhateveryouwish,forwhateveryoudesirewillnotbedeniedyou.”As ifhehadsaid:“MyMother,youknowhowmuchIloveyou,soyoumayaskmeforanythingyouwish.Itisnotpossibleformetorefuseyou.”Andhegave thisbeautiful reason:“Becauseyouneverdeniedmeanythingonearth,Iwillnotdenyyouanythinginheaven.”Mary,then,iscalledomnipotentinthesenseinwhichsuchatermcanbeappliedtoacreaturewhoisincapableofadivineattribute;thatis,sheisomnipotentbecausesheobtainsbyherprayerswhatevershewishes.Itisverymuchtothepoint,therefore,forSaintBernardtoaddressMarythus:“Youwill

it, andall thingsaredone.”32And for SaintAnselm to say: “Whatever youwill,OBlessedVirgin,cannotbutbedone.”Ifyoushouldchoosetoraiseoneofthemostabandonedsinnerstothehighestpinnacleofholiness,youwouldbeabletodothis.SaintAlberttheGreathasMarysay:“Imustbeaskedtowillit;butonceIdowillit,itmustnecessarilybedone.”SaintPeterDamian,reflectingonthisgreatpowerofMaryandbegginghertohavepity

onus,saysthistoher:“Mayyournaturemoveyou,mayyourpowermoveyou.Forthemorepowerfulyouare, thegreateryourmercyshouldbe.”OMary,ourbelovedadvocate, sinceyouhavesuchacompassionateheartthatyoucannotevenseethewretchedwithoutbeingmovedtopity,andsince,atthesametime,youhavesuchgreatpowerwithGodthatyoucansaveallwhomyouprotect,donot refuse to takeup the causeofus forlorn creatureswhoplace all our hope in you. If our prayers cannotmove you, at least let your own graciousheartmoveyou.ForGodhasenrichedyouwithsuchgreatpowerthat,thericheryouareinpowertohelpus,themorewillingyouwillbetohelpus.SaintBernardreassuresusonthispoint.HesaysthatMaryisequallyrichinpowerandinmercy.Preciselybecausesheissopowerful,forthatveryreasonisshesomercifulandcompassionate.FromthetimeMarycameintotheworld,heronlythought,afterseekingthegloryofGod,

wastohelptheunfortunate.Weknowthateventhensheenjoyedtheprivilegeofobtainingwhatever she asked.We know this fromwhat happened at themarriage feast of Cana inGalilee.Whenthewinefailed,Marywastouchedwithpityattheembarrassmentofthebrideandgroom.Sheaskedher son to relieve thembyperformingamiracle.Shesimplysaid tohim:Theyhavenowine(Jn2:3).Jesusreplied:Woman,whatisthattoyouandtome?Myhour

isnotyetcome(Jn2:3).NotethatOurLordseemedtorefusehismotherthefavorsheasked,sayingineffect:“Whatisittoyouandtomeifthewinehasfailed?Thisisnotthetimeformetoperformamiracle;thetimewillcomewhenIwillbegintopreachandwhenmiracleswill be required to confirmmydoctrines.”Nevertheless,Mary, as if the favor had alreadybeen granted, ordered the waiters to fill the jars with water, so that the guests wouldimmediatelybesatisfied.Andthisispreciselywhathappened.Jesus,inordertocontenthismother,changedthewaterintothebestwine.Whydidhedoit?Ifthetimeforworkingmiracleswastobethatofhispubliclife,how

couldheperformthismiracle,contrarytothedivinedecrees?AccordingtoSaintAugustine,therewasnothingcontrarytothedivinedecreesinthis.33Although,generallyspeaking,thetimeformiracleshadnotyetarrived,fromalleternityGodhaddeterminedbyanotherdecreethatnothingMaryaskedforshouldeverberefusedher.AndthereforeMary,whowaswellawareofthisprivilege,toldthemtofillthejarswithwaterasifherrequesthadalreadybeengranted,althoughhersonseemedtohaverefusedher.ThisisthewaySaintJohnChrysostomunderstoodthepassage.ExplainingthesewordsofOurLord:Woman,whatisittoyouandme?hesays,that“thoughJesusansweredinthisway,nevertheless,inordertohonorhismother,heobeyedher.”ThisisconfirmedbySaintThomas,whosaysthatbythewords:Myhourisnotyetcome,Jesusintendedtoshowthatiftherequesthadcomefromanyotherperson,hewould not have compliedwith it; but because it was addressed to him by hismother, hecould not refuse it.34 Saint Cyril and Saint Jerome both say the same thing, according toBarrada.And sodoes Jansenius inhis commentaryon thispassage: “Tohonorhismother,OurLordanticipatedthetimeforworkingmiracles.”Inshort,itisquitecertainthatnocreaturecanobtainsomanyfavorsforusasthisgentle

advocate,whoissohighlyhonoredbyGod,notonlyashisbelovedhandmaid,butalsoashistruemother.AsWilliamofParissays:“Nocreaturecanobtainsomanyimportantfavorsforusasyouobtainforpoorsinners;itisevident,therefore,thatGodhonorsyounotonlyasaservant,butalsoashisveryownmother.”Maryhasonlytospeak,andhersoncomplieswithherwishes.OurLordconversingwiththespouseoftheCanticleofCanticles—thisis,Mary—says:O

garden-dweller,myfriendsarelisteningforyourvoice,letmehearit!(Cant8:13).Thefriendsarethesaints,who,whentheydesiretohavesomefavorfortheirservants,waitfortheirqueentoaskandobtainit forthem.For,aswesaidintheprecedingchapter,nograceisgrantedexceptattheprayerofMary.HowdoesMary obtain these favors? She has only to speak—my friends are listening for

yourvoice—andher son immediatelygrantsherprayer.Listen towhatAbbotWilliamsays,commenting on the above text. Jesus addresses Mary as follows: “You who dwell in theheavenly gardens, intercedewith confidence forwhomever youwish; for it is not possiblethatIshouldsofarforgetthatIamyoursonastodenyyouanything,OmyMother.Yourvoicehasonlytobeheard,fortobeheardbyyoursonistobeobeyed.”AbbotGodfreyadds:“Although Mary obtains favors by asking, she nevertheless asks with a certain maternalauthority,andthereforewehaveeveryreasontofeelconfidentthatsheobtainswhatevershedesiresandasksforus.”Valerius Maximus relates that when Coriolanus was besieging Rome, the pleas of his

friends and all the citizens could notmake him stop. But as soon as hismother, Veturia,appearedonthescene,hecouldrefusenolonger;heimmediatelyraisedthesiege.Now,theprayersofMaryarefarmorepowerfulwithJesusthanthoseofVeturiawerewithCoriolanus,justastheloveandgratitudeofthissonforhisdearmotheraremuchgreaterthantheloveandgratitudeofCoriolanus.FatherJustinofMiechowicesaysthat“asinglesighofthemostBlessedVirgincandomorethanalltheprayersofthesaintstogether.”Thedeviladmittedasmuch to Saint Dominic. According to Father Paciucchelli, the saint forced the evil one tospeakfromthemouthofapossessedpersonandhewasobligedtoadmitthat“asinglesighfromMarywasworthmoreinGod’ssightthanallthecombinedprayersofthesaints.”Saint Antoninus maintains that since the prayers of the Blessed Virgin are those of a

mother,theynecessarilyhave,toacertainextent,thenatureofacommand.Itisimpossible,in otherwords, that she should not obtainwhat she asks for. Saint Germanus encouragessinnerswhoappealtoherandthusaddressesher:“SinceyouhavetheauthorityofaMotherofGod,OMary,youcanobtainpardonfortheworstsinners.BecausetheLordacknowledgesyouinallthingsashistrueandspotlessmother,hecannotdootherwisethangrantwhatyouask.” This explains why Saint Bridget heard the saints in heaven addressing the BlessedVirgin:“OmostblessedQueen,whatistherethatyoucannotdo?Youhaveonlytowillitanditisdone.”Thereisafamoussayingwhichcorrespondstothisthought:“WhatGodcandobyhis power, you candoby your prayers,OBlessedVirgin.” SaintAugustine says: “Is it notconsistentwith the kindness of the Lord towish to honor hismother, especiallywhen hecameonearthnottobreakthelawbuttofulfilit,andoneofthecommandmentsofthelawisthatwehonorourparents?”SaintGeorge,ArchbishopofNicomedia,saysJesusChristgrantsallthathismotherasks,

asifheweresatisfyinganobligationhehadplaceduponhimselfwhensheconsentedtogivehimhis humannature: “The Son, as if paying a debt, grants all your petitions.”With thisthoughtinmind,theholymartyrSaintMethodiusexclaims:“Rejoice,OMary,foryouhaveasyourdebtorthatsonwhogivestoeveryoneandreceivesfromnoone.Weareallindebtedto God for all that we possess, for everything is his gift; but God has been pleased to beindebtedtoyoubytakingfleshfromyouandbecomingman.”ThistruthenabledSaintAugustinetosay:“SinceMarywasfoundworthytogivefleshto

theDivineWord and thus supply theprice of our redemption, thatwemight bedeliveredfrom eternal death, she is obviously more powerful than all others in helping us to gaineternallife.”SaintTheophilus,BishopofAlexandria,acontemporaryofSaintJerome,wrote:“Theprayersofhismotherareapleasuretotheson,becausehedesirestograntallthatisgrantedonheraccount.Inthisway,herepaysherforthefavorshedidhimingivinghimhisbody.” Saint JohnDamascene addresses theBlessedVirgin and says: “BeingMother of theMostHigh,OMary,youcan saveeverybodybyyourprayers.Yourprayershave increasedvaluebecausetheyaretheprayersofamother.”LetusconcludewithSaintBonaventure,who,bearinginmindthegreatbenefitconferred

onusbyOurLordingivingusMaryforouradvocate,says:“OtrulyadmirablegoodnessofGod,whichhasbeenpleasedtograntyou,OsovereignMother,tousmiserablesinnersasouradvocate,sothat,byyourpowerfulintercession,youmayobtainallthatyoupleaseforus!”“OwonderfulmercyofGod,” continues the same saint, “wherebyhehasgivenushisown

mother and the patroness of grace to be our advocate, so that we may not be undulyfrightenedbythesentencethatmightbepronounceduponus!”

Example

FatherRazzi,oftheCamaldoleseOrder,tellsastoryaboutayoungmanwho,afterthedeathofhis father,was sentbyhismother to thecourtofaprince.Beforehe left,however, themothermadehimpromisetoremainfaithfultotheBlessedVirgin.EverydayhewastoreciteaHailMaryandaddattheendthewords:“BlessedVirgin,helpmeatthehourofmydeath.”Theyoungman reached the court,but in timebecame sodissolute that theprincewas

obligedtosendhimaway.Indespairastohowtoearnaliving,hejoinedabandofrobberswhomade a practice of assassinating people on the highways. All this time, however, heneverceasedtorecommendhimselftotheMadonna,ashismotherhadtoldhimto.Finally,hewascapturedbythepoliceandcondemnedtodeath.While he was in prison awaiting execution on the following day, he thought of his

disgrace,thegriefthatitwascausinghismother,andthedeaththatwasinstoreforhim,andhebegan toweepand feel sorry forhimself.Seeinghimsodepressedandmelancholy, thedevilappearedtohimintheformofahandsomeyoungmanandtoldhimthathewouldfreehimfromdeathandimprisonment,ifhewoulddowhatheindicated.Thecondemnedwretchagreedtodoanything.Thentheyoungmanrevealedthathewas

in reality the devil,who had come to help him. First of all, hewished him to deny JesusChristandhissacredsacraments.Thepoormanagreed.ThenhetoldhimthathemustdenytheBlessedVirginandrenounceherprotection.But thisheswore thathewouldneverdo.Turning toMary,he repeated theprayerwhich ismotherhad taughthim:“BlessedVirgin,helpmeatthehourofmydeath.”Assoonashehadutteredthesewords,thedevilvanished.But theunfortunate youth remaineddowncast because of his great crime in denying JesusChrist.HeappealedagaintotheBlessedVirginandobtained,withherhelp,truesorrowforallofhissinsandwasabletomakeagoodconfession.On hisway to the place of execution, he passed by a statue ofMary and instinctively

offereduphisusualprayer:“BlessedVirgin,helpmeatthehourofmydeath.”Whereuponthestatue,inthefullsightofall,boweditsheadandacknowledgedhisgreeting.Withthat,heexpressedthedesiretokissthefeetofthestatue.Atfirsttheguardswouldnotallowit,buttheyfinallygaveinwhenthepeoplebegantoraiseaclamor.Astheyouthwasbendingdowntokiss thefeet,Maryreacheddownandtookhimbythehand,holdinghimsotightthatitwasnotpossibletopryhimloose.Onseeingthismiracle,everybodybegantoshout,“Mercy!Mercy!”Andmercywasgrantedhim.Hereturnedtohishomeandledamodellife,alwaysverydevotedtotheBlessedVirgin,becauseshehadfreedhimfrombothtemporalandeternaldeath.

Prayer

OgreatMotherofGod,IaddressyouwiththewordsofSaintBernard:“Speak,OLady,foryour

Sonhears,andwhateveryouaskyouwillobtain.”Speak,speak, then,OMary,ouradvocate, infavorofusmiserablecreatures.Rememberthatitwasalsoforourgoodthatyoureceivedsuchgreatpowerand suchgreatdignity.AGodwaspleased tobecomeyourdebtorby takinghishumanityfromyou,sothatyoumightbeable,atyourwill,todispensetherichesofdivinemercytosinners.Weareyourservants,devotedinaspecialwaytoyou.AndItrustthatIamoneofthesetoo.

Wearethrilledtoliveunderyourprotection.Sinceyouarekindtoeverybody,eventothosewhodonotknoworhonoryou,andeventothosewhooutrageandblasphemeyou,howmuchmoreshouldwenothopefromyourkindness,wewhohonor,love,andtrustinyou?We are great sinners, butGod has enriched youwithmercy and power far greater than our

iniquities.Youarebothableandwilling tosaveus;andthemoreunworthyweare, themoreweshallhopeinyouinordertoreachheavenourselvesandtoglorifyyouthere.OMotherofMercy,wepresenttoyouoursoulsoncecleansedandwashedinthebloodofJesus

Christ,butnowdefiledbysin.Wepresentthemtoyou,foryoutopurify.Obtainforustruesorrow;obtainforustheloveofGod,perseverance,heaven.Weaskforverymuch,butthereisnothingyoucannotobtain.IsthereanythingthatistoomuchforthelovewhichGodhasforyou?Youhaveonlytoopenyourlipsandaskyourson.Hewilldenyyounothing.Pray,then,OMary,prayforus!Youshallcertainlybeheardandweshallcertainlyreachheaven.

MaryPleadstheCauseofEventheGreatestSinners

There are so many reasons for loving our most loving queen, that if Mary were praisedthroughouttheworld—ifineverysermonpreachersspokeonlyofher—ifallmenlaiddowntheirlivesforMary—stilleverythingwouldbeverylittleincomparisonwiththehonorandgratitudeweoweherforthetenderloveshehasformen,evenforthemostmiserablesinnerswhohappentohavetheslightestsparkofdevotionforher.Blessed Raymond Jordano who, because of his humility, called himself the Unlearned,

used to say thatMary cannot help loving thosewho love her. And she cannot help doingfavorsforthosewhoserveher.Iftheyaresinners,sheusesallherpowertogetforgivenessforthemfromherblessedson.Andheaddsthatherkindnessandmercyaresogreat,thatnoone,nomatterhowfargoneinsinhemaybe,oughttobeafraidtocasthimselfatherfeet,forsheneverrejectsanyonewhoappealstoher.“Mary,asourmostlovingadvocate,herselfofferstheprayersofherservantstoGod,especiallythosewhoplacethemselvesinherhands.ForastheSonintercedeswiththeFatherforus,sosheintercedeswiththeSonanddoesnotcease to plead with both for the great affair of our salvation and for the graces that werequest.”Itiswithgoodreason,then,thatDenistheCarthusiancallstheBlessedVirgintheunique refugeof the lost, thehopeof themostabandoned,and theadvocateofall sinnerswhoappealtoher.Butsupposeasinnerhasnodoubtsaboutherpower,butdoeswonderabouthermercy,

becausehe fears shewillbereluctant tohelpanyonewithsinsasgreatashis.That sinnershouldtakecouragefromthewordsofSaintBonaventure:“Thegreat,thespecialprivilegeofMary is thatshe isall-powerfulwithherson.”But,headds,whatwouldbethepurposeofsuchgreatpowerifshedidnotbotheraboutus?“Letushavenomisgivings,”heconcludes,“butbequitecertainandalwaysthankOurLordandhisBlessedMotherforthefactthat,just

asherpowerwithGodexceedsthatofalltheothersaints,sotothesameextentsheisalsoourmostlovingadvocateandtheonewhoisthemostsolicitousforourwelfare.”“Who,OMotherofMercy,”exclaimsSaintGermanus,“afterJesus,isastenderlysolicitous

forourwelfareasyouare?Whodefendsus in the temptations towhichweare subjectasmuchasyoudo?Whoprotectsandfightsforsinnersasyoudo?Thatiswhyyourpatronage,OMary,ismorepowerfulandlovingthanwecaneverunderstand.”Blessed Raymond Jordano says that the other saints can domore for their own clients

than for others. Mary, however, as queen of the world, is everybody’s advocate and isinterestedinthesalvationofeveryone.Marytakescareofall,evensinners.Asamatteroffact,shegloriesinbeingcalledtheir

specialadvocate,assheherselfdeclaredtotheVenerableSisterMaryVillaniwhenshesaid:“NexttothetitleofMotherofGod,Iammosthappywiththatofadvocateofsinners.”Blessed Amadeus says that our Lady constantly stands before the Divine Majesty,

intercedingforusbyherpowerfulprayers.Andsincesheiswellacquaintedwithourmiseriesandwantsinheaven,shecannothelpbuthavemercyonus;andso,withthetenderaffectionofamother,sheisalwaystryingtohelpandsaveus.ThatiswhyRichardofSaintLawrenceencourageseveryone,nomatterhowbadtheymaybe,toappealtothissweetadvocatewithconfidence,andtofeelsurethattheywillalwaysfindherreadytohelpthem.AstheAbbotGodfreysays,“Maryisalwaysreadytoprayforall.”How effectively and lovingly this good advocate, according to Saint Bernard, takes an

interest in our salvation! Considering the affection and zeal with which Mary alwaysintercedeswiththeDivineMajestyforus,inorderthatOurLordmaypardonoursins,helpuswith his grace, free us from dangers, and relieve us in our wants, Saint Bonaventure,addressingtheBlessedVirgin,usesthesewordsofanancientauthor:“Weknowthatwehave,asitwere,butonepersonsolicitousforusinheaven,andthatpersonisyou.”Thatistosay:OMary,itistruethatallthesaintswishforoursalvationandprayforus,butthelove,thetendernesswhich you show us in heaven, by obtaining somanymercies for us fromGodthroughyourprayers,compelustoadmitthatwehavebutoneadvocateinheaven,namelyyou,andthatyoualonearetrulylovingandsolicitousforourwelfare.Whocaneverunderstand thesolicitudewithwhichMarystandsbeforeGodandpleads

for us? Saint Germanus says that she is never weary of defending us. This is a beautifulthought,meaningthatMaryhassomuchpityforourmiseriesandsomuchloveforus,thatsheisalwaysprayingforusandneverrelaxeshereffortsonourbehalf.Byherprayersshedefendsusfromevilandsecuresforussufficientgracetobesaved.“Thereisneveranyendtoherdefense.”Wepoorsinnerswouldbeinabadway,indeed,ifwedidnothavethisgreatadvocate,

whoissopowerfulandcompassionate,andatthesametime“soprudentandwise,thatthejudge,herson,”accordingtoRichardofSaintLawrence,“cannotcondemntheguiltywhenshedefendsthem.”AndthereforeSaintJohnGeometragreetsherbysaying:“Hail,Ocourtthat puts an end to litigation!” Every single case defended by this most wise advocate isalwayswon.Forthisreason,MaryiscalledbySaintBonaventurethe“wiseAbigail.”Abigailwasthe

womanwereadaboutintheSecondBookofKings,whoknewhowtoappeaseKingDavid,whenhewasindignantwithNabal,byherbeautifulentreaties.Infact,Davidwasinspiredtoblessherforhavingpreventedhim,byhergraciousmanner,fromtakingvengeanceonNabalwith his own hands. This is exactlywhatMary does in heaven, on behalf of innumerablesinners.Byhertenderandaffectionateprayers,sheknowshowtoappeasethedivinejustice,so thatGodhimselfblessesher for itand,as itwere, thanksher forhavingpreventedhimfromabandoningthemandpunishingthemastheydeserve.That is why, says Saint Bernard, the Eternal Father, wishing to show all the mercy

possible,besidesgivingusJesusChrist,ourprincipaladvocatewithhim,alsogaveusMaryasouradvocatewithJesusChrist. “There isnodoubt,”hesays,“thatJesusChrist is theonlymediatorofjusticebetweenmenandGod.Byvirtueofhisownmeritsandpromises,hecanand will obtain for us pardon and divine favors. But because men recognize in him themajestyofGod,sinceheisGod,andbecausetheyfearhisdivinemajesty,itwasnecessarytoassignusanotheradvocatetowhomwecanappealwithlessfearandmoreconfidence.ThisadvocateisMary.WecannotfindanyonemorepowerfulwiththeDivineMajestythansheis,normoremercifultowardsus.”Ifanyone,therefore,feelstheslightestfearinapproachingthismostsweetadvocate,who

has nothing about her that is severe or terrible, but on the contrary is all courtesy andkindness, such fear would be an actual insult to the tender compassion ofMary, as SaintBernardgoesontosay:“Read,andreadagain,asoftenasyouplease,allthatissaidofherintheGospels,andifyoucanfindasingleinstanceofseverityinherstory,thenyoumayfeartoapproachher.Butyouwillneverfindanyplacewherethisismentioned.Thereforegotoherwithajoyfulheart,andshewillsaveyoubyherintercession.”Howbeautiful the exclamationwhichWilliam of Paris puts into themouth of a sinner

whoappealstoMary:“OmostgloriousMotherofGod,fullofconfidenceIappealtoyouinthemiserablestatetowhichIamreducedbecauseofmysins!Ifyourejectme,Iremindyouthatyouare,asitwere,boundtohelpme,sincethewholeChurchcallsonyouandproclaimsyouas theMotherofMercy.”Hethengoeson:“You,OMother,aretheonetowhomGodalwayslistens,becauseyouaresodeartohim.Yourgreatcompassionneverfailedanyone.Youhaveneverlookeddownonanysinnerwhorecommendedhimselftoyou,nomatterhowgreathissinswere.DoesthewholeChurcherrincallingyoutheadvocateandtherefugeofsinners? Never let my sins, O great Mother, keep you from fulfilling your great office ofcharity,bywhichyouareatthesametimeouradvocateandourmediatrixofpeacebetweenmenandGod.Afteryourson,youareouronlyhopeandthecertainrefugeofthemiserable.All your grace and glory, even your dignity asMother of God, you owe, in one sense, tosinners,foritwasontheirbehalfthattheDivineWordmadeyouhismother.”FarbeitfromthisBlessedMother,whobroughtthesourceoftendercompassionintothe

world,tothinkthatshecouldeverdenymercytoanysinnerwhoappealstoher.Sinceyouroffice,OMary,istobethepeacemakerbetweenGodandmen,letyourtendermercy,then,whichfarexceedsallmysins,moveyoutohelpme.Becomforted, therefore,youwhoareafraid, Iwill saywithSaintThomasofVillanova.

Breathefreelyandhavecourage,Owretchedsinners.Thisgreatmother,whoisthemotherofyourGod and judge, is also the advocate for thewhole human race.Moreover, she is the

properpersonforthisoffice,becauseshecandowithGodwhatevershewills.Sheisall-wise,forsheunderstandsallthewaystoappeasehim.Andhersolicitudeisreallyuniversal,inthesensethatshewelcomeseverybodyandrefusestodefendnoone.

Example

Howmerciful Mary can be toward sinners is well illustrated in the case of a nun namedBeatrice,whobelonged to themonastery of Fontevrault. This story is told byCaesarius ofHeisterbach.Theunfortunategirlwasovercomebyherpassionforayoungmanandresolvedtoflee

fromtheconventwithhishelp.SoonedayshewentuptoastatueofMaryandlaidtherethekeysoftheconvent,sinceshewastheportress,andthenslippedaway.Whenshereachedastrangecountry,shelivedasaharlotandfollowedthisprofessionfor

fifteenmiserableyears.Finally,onedayshehappenedtomeet thegardenerof theconventwhereshehadlived,andthinkingthatshewasnotrecognized,askedhimifheknewSisterBeatrice. “I know her very well,” he replied; “She is a holy nun and is now mistress ofnovices.”On hearing this shewas dumbfounded, not understanding how this could be. Inordertofindoutthetruth,shedisguisedherselfandwenttotheconvent.ThereshecalledforSister Beatrice and was astounded to find before her the Blessed Virgin, who had theappearanceofthestatueatwhosefeetshehadlaidthekeysandherhabitwhenleavingtheconvent.AndthisiswhattheBlessedMothersaidtoher:“Beatrice,tosaveyoufromshameIhave assumed your form, and during these past fifteen years,while you have been absentfrom the convent and fromGod, I have taken your place and donewhat you should havedone.Returnanddopenance,formysonisstillwaitingforyou;andseethatbyagoodlifeyoumaintainthegoodnamethatIhavewonforyou.”Aftersayingthis,shedisappeared.Beatrice, of course, returned to the convent, put on her habit oncemore, and offering

thanks to theBlessedMother forhermercy, livedaholy life thereafter.At the timeofherdeath,sherevealedthewholestoryforthegreatergloryoftheMotherofGod.

Prayer

OgreatMotherofmyLord,IunderstandverywellthatmyingratitudetowardGodandyouforsomanyyearshasmerited thatyoushouldquite justlyabandonmeandno longercare forme.Anungratefulsoulisnolongerworthyoffavors.ButIhaveaveryhighopinionofyourgoodness,OMary.Ibelievethatitismuchgreaterthanmyingratitude.Continue,then,Orefugeofsinners,tohelp,andneverceasehelping,adesolatesinnerwhotrustsinyou.OMotherofMercy,extendyourhandtoapoorfallensoulwhoasksyouforpity.OMary,eitherdefendmeyourself,ortellmetowhomImayappealwhocandefendmebetter

thanyou.WherecanIfindanadvocatewithGodmoremercifulandmorepowerfulthanyou,hisownmother?WhenyoubecamethemotheroftheSavior,youbecameatthesametimetheproperinstrumenttosavesinnersandweregivenmeformysalvation.OMary,saveonewhoappealstoyou.Ihavenotdeservedyourlove,butitisyourdesiretosavesinnersthatcausesmetohopethat

youloveme.Andifyouloveme,howcanIbelost?OmybelovedMother,ifIamsavedbyyourhelp,asIhope,Ishallneverbeungratefulagain.I

shallmakeupformypastingratitudeandforthelovethatyouhaveshownme,bymyeverlastingpraises and all the love that my soul is capable of. I shall forever sing yourmercies happily inheaven,whereyoureignandshallalwaysreign;andIshalleternallykissthoselovinghandswhichhavesooftendeliveredmefromhellwhich,timeaftertime,Ihavedeservedbymysins.OMary,Omyliberator,Omyhope,myqueen,myadvocate,mymother,I loveyou.Idesire

yourgloryandIshallloveyouforever.Amen,Amen.Thisismyhope.

MaryIsthePeacemakerBetweenSinnersandGod

God’sgraceis,ofcourse,thegreatestandmostdesirabletreasureofeveryhumansoul.TheHolySpiritcallsitaninfinitetreasure.Bymeansofdivinegraceweareraisedtothehonorofbeing the friendsofGod.Theseare thewordsof theBookofWisdom:For tomenshe isanunfailing treasure; thosewhogain this treasurewin the friendshipofGod (Wis7:14).ThereforeJesus,ourredeemerandGod,didnothesitatetosaytothosewhoareingrace:Youaremyfriends(Jn15:14).Owretchedsinthatdissolvesthatfriendship!Butyour iniquities,saystheprophet Isaiah,have divided between you and your God (Isa 59:2). Andwhen hatred comesbetweenthesoulandGod,thesoulischangedfromafriendtoanenemyofGod,astheBookofWisdomputsit:EquallyodioustoGodaretheevildoerandtheevildeed(Wis14:9).Whatmustthesinnerdo,then,whohasthemisfortunetobecomeGod’senemy?Hemust

findamediatorwhowillseekpardonforhimandwillenablehimtoregainGod’sfriendship.“Becomforted,OunfortunatesoulwhohaslostGod,”saysSaintBernard.“YourLordhimselfhasprovidedyouwithamediator,hissonJesus,whocanobtainforyoueverythingyoubegfor.”Butwhy,OGod,exclaimsthesaint,shouldthismercifulsaviorwhogavehislifetosave

us ever be thought severe? Why should men believe him terrible, who is all love? Odistrustful sinners,why are you afraid? If your fear arises from having offendedGod, youshould remember that Jesushas fastenedall your sinson the crosswithhisown laceratedhands,andhavingsatisfieddivinejusticeforthembyhisdeath,hasalreadyremovedthemfromyour souls.AsSaintBernardhas sobeautifullyexpressed it: “They imagine thathe isrigorous,whoisallcompassion;terrible,whoisalllove.Whydoyoufear,Oyeoflittlefaith?Withhisownhandshehasfastenedyoursinstothecross.”Butifbyanychance,addsthesaint,youareafraidtoappealtoJesusbecausethemajesty

ofGodinhimoverawesyou,andyoudesireanotheradvocatewiththisdivinemediator,gotoMary,forshewillintercedeforyouwithherson,whowillsurelyhearher.AndthenhewillintercedewithhisFather,whocandenynothingtohisSon.SaintBernardconcludesbysaying:“TheBlessedMother,Omysons,istheladderofsinners,bywhichtheyre-ascendtotheheightofdivinegrace;sheismygreatestconfidence,sheisthewholebasisformyhope.”TheHolySpiritintheCanticleofCanticlescausestheBlessedVirgintoutterthefollowing

words:Iamawall;andmybreastsareasatower,sinceIambecomeinhispresenceasonefindingpeace(Cant8:10).Thatistosay,Iamthedefenderofthosewhoappealtome,andmymercy

toward them is likea towerof refuge.That iswhy IhavebeenappointedbymyLord thepeacemakerbetweensinnersandGod.Mary,saysCardinalHugocommentingonthistext,isthegreatpeacemakerwhoreconcilesenemies,bringssalvationtothosewhoarelost,pardonto sinners, and mercy to those who are in despair. Hence she was called by the DivineBridegroom:Beautiful…asthecurtainsofSolomon(Cant1:4).BehindthecurtainsofDavid’stent, only questions of warwere discussed, but in the tents of Solomon only questions ofpeace.ThustheHolySpiritgivesustounderstandthatthisMotherofMercynevertreatsofwarandvengeanceagainstsinners,butonlyofpeaceandpardon.Mary was prefigured by the dove which returned to Noah and the ark with an olive-

branchinitsbeak,asasignofthepeacewhichGodgrantedtomen.Withthisideainmind,SaintBonaventureaddressestheBlessedVirgin:“YouarethefaithfuldoveofNoah.YouwereatruemediatrixbetweenGodandtheworldlostinaspiritualflood.BypresentingyourselfbeforeGod, youhave obtainedpeace and salvation for a lostworld.”Mary, then,was theheavenlydovewhichbroughttoalostworldtheolivebranch,thesignofmercy,sincesheinthe first place gave us Jesus Christ, who is the source ofmercy, and then, by hismerits,obtained all graces for us. And since byMary, says Saint Epiphanius, heavenly peacewasgiven to theworldonceand forall, so it isbyher that sinnersare still reconciled toGod.SaintAlbertpictureshersaying:“IamthedoveofNoahwhichbroughttheolive-branchofuniversalpeacetotheChurch.”AnotherfigureoftheBlessedVirginwastherainbowseenbySaintJohn,whichencircled

the throne of God: And there was a rainbow round about the throne (Apoc 4:3). CardinalVitalismexplains the image thisway:“Therainbowround the throne isMary,whosoftensthejudgmentandsentenceofGodagainstsinners.”HemeansthatshealwaysstandsbeforeGod’s tribunal andmitigates the penalties which sinners have to pay. Saint Bernardine ofSiena says that Godwas speaking of this rainbowwhen he promisedNoah that hewouldplaceitinthecloudsasasignofpeace,sothatwhenhelookedatithemightberemindedofthecovenantofeternalpeacehehadwithman.Iwillsetmybowintheclouds,anditshallbeatoken of the covenant betweenme and the earth… Iwill look upon it and recall the perpetualcovenant(Gen9:13).Accordingtothesaint,Maryisthisbowofeternalpeace;forwhenGodsees it he remembers thepeacehepromised to the earth; and then, byMary’s prayers, heforgivesthecrimesofsinnersandconfirmshispeacewiththem.Forthesamereason,MaryisalsocomparedwiththemoonintheCanticleofCanticles:As

beautiful as themoon (Cant 6:10). As Saint Bonaventure says, just as themoon is situatedbetweenheaven and earth, soMary continually places herself betweenGod and sinners inordertoappeasetheLordandtogivesinnersthelighttoreturntohim.Mary’s chiefoffice, onbeingplaced in thisworld,was to raiseup souls thathad fallen

fromdivinegraceandtoreconcilethemwithGod.Feedyourgoats(Cant1:7)wasOurLord’scommandwhenhecreatedher. It iswellknownthatsinnersarerepresentedbygoats,andthatattheLastJudgmentthejust,underthefigureofsheep,willbeontherighthand,whilethegoatswillbeontheleft.Thesegoats,saysAbbotWilliam,areentrustedtoyou,OgreatMother, that you may change them into sheep. And those who, because of the judgmentpassedonthem,deservetobeonthe left,willbyyour intercessionbeplacedontheright.Therefore, Our Lord reveals to Saint Catherine of Siena that he had created his beloved

Daughtertobeakindofalluringbaittocatchmen,andespeciallysinners,andsodrawthemto God. But on this subject we must not pass over the beautiful thought of William theEnglishmanontheabovetextoftheCanticles.Hesays:“GodrecommendedherowngoatstoMary, for theBlessedVirgindoesnotsaveall sinners,butonly thosewhoserveandhonorher.”Thisiscertainlytrue,forthosewholiveinsinandneitherhonorherwithanyparticularactofdevotionnorrecommendthemselvestohertobefreedfromtheirsins,arecertainlynotMary’sgoats.AndattheLastJudgmenttheywillbedriventotheleftalongwiththedamned,totheireternalpunishment.Therewasacertainnobleman,whodespairedofsalvationbecauseofhismanysins.He

wasencouragedbyamonktoappealtotheBlessedVirgin.Withthisintentioninmind,hevisitedamuchveneratedstatueinaparticularchurch.Whenheenteredthechurchandsawthestatue,hefeltthatMarywasinvitinghimtothrowhimselfatherfeetandtoconfideinher.Hekneltdownandkissedherfeet,andashedidsosheextendedherhandforhimtokiss.OnMary’shandhesawwrittenthefollowingwords:“Iwilldeliveryoufromthosewhooppressyou.”Asthoughshehadsaid:“Myson,donotdespair,forIwilldeliveryoufromthesinsandsorrowsthatweighsoheavilyonyou.”Thesinnerreadtheseconsolingwordsandwasimmediatelyfilledwithsuchgreatsorrowforhissinsandsuchanardent loveforGodandhistenderMotherthatheexpiredimmediatelyatthefeetofMary.HowmanyobstinatesinnersthismagnetofheartsdrawseverydaytoGod!Amagnetis

whatMary calledherself onedaywhen speaking to SaintBridget: “As themagnet attractsiron,soIattracthearts.”Yes,eventhemosthardenedhearts,inordertoreconcilethemwithGod.Andwemustnotsupposethatsuchprodigiesarerare;theyareeverydayoccurrences.Imyself could relatemany examples of this kind that have occurred in ourmissions,whencertain sinnerswithhearts harder than ironhave remainedobdurate throughall theothersermons,butwhentheyheardtheoneonthemerciesofMarywereimmediatelyfilledwithsorrowandreturnedtoGod.SaintGregorysaysthattheunicornissofierceananimalthatnohuntercancaptureit.

Onlywhenithearsavirgincryingwillitapproach,andthenwithoutresistanceallowitselftobeboundbyher.Howmanysinnersthereare,muchmoresavagethanthewildbeasts,whoflee from God, yet at the voice of the Virgin Mary approach and allow themselves to besweetlyboundtoGodbyher!SaintJohnChrysostomusedtosaythatanotherreasonwhytheBlessedVirginwasmade

theMotherofGodwas that shemight alsoobtain salvation for themanywho,becauseoftheirevillives,couldnotbesavedaccordingtothenormalcourseofdivinejustice,butmightbesavedwiththehelpofhersweetmercyandpowerfulintercession.SaintAnselmconfirmsthiswhenhesaysthat“MarywasraisedtothedignityofMotherofGodprimarilyforsinnersratherthanforthe just,becauseJesusChristdeclaresthathecametocallnotthe just,butsinners.”Forthisreason,HolyChurchsings:“Youdonotabhorsinners,becausewereitnotforthemyouwouldneverhavebeenworthyofsuchason.”Forthesamereason,WilliamofParisinvokesher,saying:“OMary,youareobligedtohelpsinners,becauseofallthegifts,graces,andhighhonorswhicharecomprisedinthedignityofMotherofGodwhichyouhavereceived.Youoweeverything,sotosay,tosinners;itisbecauseofthemthatyouweremadeworthytohaveGodforasason.”“Therefore,”concludesSaintAnselm,“ifMarywasmade

Mother of God because of sinners, how can I, nomatter how greatmy sinsmay be, everdespairofforgiveness?”HolyChurchtellsusintheorationoftheMassfortheVigiloftheAssumptionthat“the

BlessedMotherwastakenfromthisworldsothatshemightconfidentlyintercedewithGodfor the forgiveness of our sins.” Hence Saint Justin callsMary an arbitrator. “The EternalWord uses Mary as an arbitrator.” An arbitrator is a person to whom contending partiesentrusttheircasefordecision.Thesaintmeanstosaythat,justasJesusisthemediatorwiththeEternalFather,soMaryisourmediatorwithJesus.Saint Andrew of Crete callsMary a pledge or security for our reconciliationwithGod.

That is,God goes about seeking for reconciliationwith sinners by pardoning them; and inorderthatthesemaynotbeinanydoubtregardingtheirforgiveness,hehasgiventhemMaryas a pledge or guarantee of forgiveness. The saint salutes herwith this greeting: “Hail, OreconciliationbetweenGodandmen!”SaintBonaventureencouragesa sinnerby saying tohim:“IfyouareafraidthatGodinhisangerwilltakerevengeonyoubecauseofyoursins,whatcanyoudo?Go,appealtoMary,whoisthehopeofsinners.Andifyouareafraidthatshemayrefusetolistentoyourcase,beassuredthatshecannotdothis,forGodhimselfhasimposedonherthedutyofhelpingthehopeless.”TheAbbotAdamalsosays:“Doesanysinnerneedtobeafraidofbeinglostforwhomthe

MotheroftheJudgeiswillingtoactasmotherandadvocate?”Andheadds:“You,OMary,whoaretheMotherofMercy,willyourefusetointercedewithyourSonwhoistheJudge,onbehalfofanothersonwhoisasinner?Willyourefusetointerveneonbehalfofaredeemedsoulwiththeredeemerwhodiedonacrosstosavesinners?”No,certainlynot.Youwillnotrejecthim,butyouwillpraywiththeutmostaffectionforallwhoappeal toyou,knowingwellthat“theLordwhohasmadeyoursonamediatorofpeacebetweenGodandmanhasalsomadeyoumediatrixbetweentheJudgeandtheculprit.”Therefore,Osinner,saysSaintBernard,neverdespair.ThankGod,whohasnotonlygiven

his Sonas anadvocate for you,but, to encourageyou tohavegreater confidencehas alsoprovidedyouwithamediatrixwhoisabletoobtainbyherprayerswhatevershewishes.Gothen,appealtoMary,andyouwillbesaved.

Example

The story is toldof a younggirl, anativeof Florence,whowasnamedBenedetti butwhomightbetterhavebeencalledbysomeothername,soscandalouswasthelifeshewasliving.IthappenedthatSaintDominicwaspreachingasermon in thatcityandshedecided togoandhearhimoutofmerecuriosity.ButtheLordmovedherheartwhensheheardwhathehadtosay,andfullofsorrowforhersinsshewenttothesainttoconfessthem.Heheardherconfession, absolved her, and imposed as a penance the recitation of the rosary. But theunfortunategirlwasstillundertheinfluenceofherbadhabitsandreturnedtoherevilways.Thesaintknewthisandsoughtherout,persuadinghertogotoconfessionagain.Inordertostrengthenherinhergoodintentions,Godonedaypermittedhertoseehellandshowedhersomeofthepeoplewhoweredamnedtherebecauseofwhatshewasdoing.Then,openingabook, he read her the dreadful account of her sins. Benedetti was overcome, and full of

confidenceappealedtoMarytohelpher.ShewasgiventounderstandthatourBlessedLadywas already imploring fromGod a certain interval duringwhich shemight repent and dopenance.Whenthevisionwasover,thegirlresolvedtoleadabetterlife;butshekeptseeingbefore

hereyesthatterriblelistofsins.Oneday,shedeterminedtoaskforhelpfromhercomforter.“Mother,”shesaid,“itistruethatbecauseofmysinsIoughttobeinthebottomofhell,butsincebyyourintercessionyouhavedeliveredmefromthere,obtainingaperiodofpenanceforme,OgraciousMother,Ibegyouforoneothergrace.Iwishnevertostopweepingformysins.Pleasecausethemtobeerasedfromthatbook.”Hearingthisprayer,theBlessedVirginappearedtoherandsaidthat,inordertoobtainwhatsheaskedfor,itwouldbenecessaryforherfromthatdayforthalwaystobearhersinsinmindandGod’smercywithregardtothem.Moreover,shemustrememberthePassionsufferedbyherSonforloveofher;andagainshemustbear inmindhowmanyhadbeendamned for far lessercrimes thanhers.Mary thenrevealedtoherthatasmallboyonlyeightyearsoldwasbeingcondemnedtohellthatverydayforonlyonesin.WhenBenedettihadfaithfullyobeyedtheBlessedVirgin,Maryonedaycausedher to see Jesus,who showedher thebookand said: “See, all your sinshavebeenerased;thebookisnowwhite.Seethatyounowwriteitinactsofloveandvirtue.”ThatiswhatBenedettidid,livingagoodlifeanddyingaholydeath.

Prayer

OsweetVirginMary, sinceyouroffice,asWilliamofParis says, is tobemediatrixbetweenGodandsinners,IwilladdressyouinthewordsofSaintThomasofVillanova:“Fulfillyourofficeonmybehalf,Otenderadvocate;performyourtask.”Donotsaythatmycaseistoodifficulttobewon,for I know, and everybody tells me, that every case, no matter how desperate it may be, ifundertakenbyyou,willneverbelost.Willminebelost?No,Ihavenofearofthis.TheonlythingImightbeafraidofisthat,onseeingthenumberofmysins,youmightbedisinclinedtodefendme.But,inviewofyourimmensemercyandthegreatdesireofyourever-lovinghearttohelpeventhemostabandonedsinners,Idonotfeareventhis.Whoeverwaslostwhoappealedtoyou?ThatiswhyIinvokeyourhelp,Omygreatadvocate,myrefuge,myhope,myMotherMary.ToyourhandsIentrustthecauseofmyeternalsalvation.ToyouIcommitmysoul.Itwaslost,

butitisyourtasktosaveit.IwillalwaysthankOurLordforhavinggivenmethisgreatconfidenceinyou,which,inspiteofmyunworthiness,Ifeelisanassuranceofsalvation.Thereisbutonefearthatafflictsme,Obelovedqueen,andthatisthatImayoneday,through

myownnegligence,loseconfidenceinyou.ThereforeIimploreyou,OMary,bytheloveyouhaveforJesus,preserveand increase inmemoreandmore this sweet confidence inyour intercession,which gives me the certain hope of recovering the divine friendship which I have so recklesslydespisedandlostuntilnow.Andhavingrecoveredit,Ihope,withyourhelp,tobeabletopreserveit.Andpreservingitbythesamemeans,IhopefinallytobeabletothankyouforitinheavenandtheretosingGod’smerciesandyoursforalleternity.Amen.Thisismyhope;mayitbeso;itwillbeso.

7TURNTHEN,YOUREYESOFMERCYTOWARD

MaryIsAllEyestoPityandHelpUs

SaintEpiphaniuscallstheBlessedMother“many-eyed,”becausesheiseveronthewatchtohelp all poor creatures in thisworld.Once a possessedperson,while being exorcised,wasaskedbytheexorcistwhatMarydoes.Thedevilinhimreplied:“Shedescendsandascends.”BythathemeantthatOurLadyisconstantlycomingdownfromheaventobringgracestomen and going up again to obtain divine favor for our prayers. Saint Andrew of Avellinofittingly calls the Blessed Virgin the “heavenly messenger,” for she is constantly carryingmessagesofmercyandobtaininggracesforeverybody,forthegoodandforsinners.Godhashiseyesonthegood,accordingtoDavid:TheeyesoftheLordareonthejust(Ps33:16).But,accordingtoRichardofSaintLawrence,theeyesofMaryareonthegoodandonsinners.Hereyesaretheeyesofamother;andamothernotonlykeepsaneyeonherchildtoseethatitdoesnotfalldown,butwhenitdoesfall,shepicksitupagain.Jesus himself revealed as much to Saint Bridget, when he one day permitted her to

overhearhimspeakingtohismotherlikethis:“MyMother,askmeforwhateveryouwish.”Infact,thisiswhatJesusisconstantlysayingtoMaryinheaven,delightedasheistogranthisbelovedmotherwhateversheasks.ButwhatdoesMaryask?SaintBridgetoverheardherreply:“Iaskformercyforsinners.”Thisisasifshehadsaid:“MySon,youhavemademetheMotherofMercy,therefugeofsinners,theadvocateofthemiserable,andnowyoutellmetoaskforwhateverIdesire.WhatcanIdesireexceptmercyforthem?Iaskformercyforthosewhoneedit.”“Andso,”saysSaintBonaventurewithdeepfeeling,“youaresofullofmercy,OMary,so

anxioustohelpthemiserable,thatyouseemtohavenootherdesire,nootherconcern.”Andsincenobodyismoremiserablethansinners,theVenerableBededeclaresthatMaryisalwaysprayingtoherSonforthem.SaintJeromeassertsthatevenwhileMarywaslivinginthisworld,herheartwassofilled

with tenderness and pity formen, that no one ever suffered somuch distress for his owntroublesasMarydidforthetroublesofothers.Thiscompassionwhichshefelt forthose inafflictionwaswellshownatthemarriagefeastofCana,whichwementionedintheprecedingchapters.Whenthewinefailed,accordingtoSaintBernardineofSiena,withoutbeingasked,Mary acted to save the situation. Moved to pity by the embarrassment of the bride andbridegroom, she intervened with her Son and obtained the miraculous conversion of thewaterintowine.But perhaps now that Mary has been raised to the high dignity of queen of heaven,

remarksSaintPeterDamian,sheisinclinedtoforgetus.Letsuchathoughtbefarfromourminds,hesays,foritwouldhardlybeconsistentwiththegreatpitywhichreignsintheheartofMarytoforgetthegreatmiserywhichisours.Theproverb“Highstationmakesonealoof”

doesnot apply toMary.Withworldlings it is different.Once theyhaveachieveda certainamountofprominence,manybecomeproudand forget their friendsofotherdays.ButnotMary.Sheishappytouseherhighpositiontohelpusallthemore.SaintBonaventureappliestotheBlessedVirginthewordswhichBoazaddressedtoRuth:

May the Lord bless you, my daughter! You have been even more loyal now than before (Ruth3:10).Hethengivesthereasonforthis,sayingthat,ifthemercyofMarytowardthedown-fallenwasgreatwhileshewaslivinginthisworld,itismuchgreaternowthatsheisreigninginheaven,wheresheismoreawareoftheirmiseries.Andsoheaddsthat“asthesplendorofthe sun surpasses that of the moon, so does the compassion of Mary, now that she is inheaven, surpass the compassion that shehad for uswhen in theworld.” In conclusion, heasks:“Whoistherelivingintheworldwhodoesnotenjoythelightofthesun?AndonwhomdoesthemercyofMarynotshine?”Thatiswhy,intheCanticleofCanticles,sheiscalledbrightasthesun(Cant6:9).Nooneis

excluded from thewarmth of the sun, says Saint Bonaventure, repeating thewords of thePsalmist(Ps18:7).SaintAgnesrevealedthesamethingtoSaintBridgetwhenshetoldher:“Ourqueen,nowthat she isunited toherSon inheaven, isnotgoing to forgether innategoodness.Thatiswhysheshowsmercytoeverybody,eventotheworstsinners.Andwemaysaythat,justaseverythingonearthandintheskyisilluminedandwarmedbythesun,sothereisnotapersonintheworldwhowillnotshareinthelightandwarmthofthedivinemercythroughthetenderloveofMary—ifonlyheasksforthatmercy.”Agreat sinner in the kingdomofValencia once resolved to becomeaMohammedan to

escapefromthearmofjustice.Onhiswaytotheplaceofembarkationhehappenedtopassbyachurch inwhich theJesuitFatherJeromeLopezwaspreachingon themercyofGod.Movedbythesermon,hewenttoconfessiontothesameFatherwhoaskedhimwhetherhepracticedanyspecialdevotionwhichmightberesponsibleforthisgreatgrace.Hereplied:“IsimplypraytoMaryeverydaynottoabandonme.”ThisJesuitpriestmetonedayinahospitalasinnerwhohadnotgonetoconfessionfor

fifty-fiveyearsbuthadonlypracticed this littledevotion:wheneverhepassedapictureofMaryhegreetedherandaskedthatshewouldnotlethimdieinmortalsin.Hethentoldhowonedaywhilefightingwithanenemyhisswordbroke.TurningtoMary,hecriedout:“NowIshallbekilledandeternallydamned.OMotherofsinners,saveme!”Hehadscarcelysaidthiswhen he found himself, in somemysterious way, transported to a safe place. Hemade ageneralconfessionanddiedfullofconfidence.SaintBernardwritesthatMaryhasmadeherselfalltoallandopenshermercifulheartto

all,thatallmayreceiveofitsfullness:theslave,hisfreedom;thesick,health;theafflicted,comfort;thesinner,pardon;andGod,glory.Shedoesthis,saysSaintBernard,sothattheremaybenoonewhodoesnotshareinherwarmth.Cananyoneintheworld,exclaimsSaintBonaventure,refusetolovethismostlovingqueen?Sheismorebeautifulthanthesunandsweeter than honey. She is a treasure of goodness, amiable to all and courteous to all. “Isaluteyou,therefore,”continuestheenrapturedsaint,“OmyLadyandMother—no,evenmyheartandmysoul!Forgiveme,OMary,ifIsaythatIloveyou.EvenifIamnotworthytoloveyou,youatleastarefullyworthyofbeinglovedbyme.”ItwasrevealedtoSaintGertrudethatwhenanyonecallsonOurLadywiththesewords:

“Turn,then,Omostgraciousadvocate,youreyesofmercytowardsus,”Marycannotresist.Sheisforcedtolistenandtograntthedemandofanyonewhoaddressesherinthisway.“OgreatLady,”saysSaintBernard,“yourmeasurelessmercyfillsthewholeearth.”And

thatiswhy,accordingtoSaintBonaventure,thislovingmotherhassuchagreatdesiretodogood to all. She is not only offended by those who do her actual harm but she is evenoffendedatthosewhodonotaskherforfavorsandgraces.SothatSaintHildebertaddressesher,saying:“Youteachus,OMary,tohopeforfargreatergracesthanwedeserve,becauseyouneverceasetodispensegracesfarbeyondwhatwedeserve.”The prophet Isaiah foretold that, along with the great work of the redemption of the

humanrace,athroneofdivinemercywastobepreparedforuspoorcreatures:Andathroneshall be prepared in mercy (Isa 16:5). What is this throne? Saint Bonaventure supplies theanswer:“Maryisthisthrone,atwhichall—justandsinners—findtheconsolationsofmercy.”He thenadds: “For justaswehaveamostmercifulLord, sowealsohaveamostmercifulLady.OurLordisbountifulinmercytoallwhocalluponhim,andOurLadyisbountifulinmercytoallwhocalluponher.”AsOurLordisfullofmercy,soalsoisOurLady;andasthesondoesnotknowhowtorefusemercytothosewhocalluponhim,neitherdoeshismother.Therefore,theAbbotGuerricaddressesMarythus,inthenameofJesusChrist:“MyMother,Iwill establish the seat ofmygovernment in you; throughyou Iwill pronounce judgments,hearprayers,andgrantthegracesaskedofme.Youhavegivenmemyhumannature,andIwillgiveyoumydivinenature,thatis,omnipotence,bywhichyouwillbeabletohelpsaveallwhomyouplease.”One day, when Saint Gertrude was addressing toMary the words, “Turn your eyes of

mercytowardus,”shesawtheBlessedVirginpointingtotheeyesofherSonwhomsheheldinherarms,andthensaying:“Thesearemyeyes—themostmercifuleyesIcanturntowardallwhoaskmeforhelp.”AsinnerwasonceweepingbeforeanimageofMary,imploringhertoobtainpardonfor

himfromGod,whenhenoticedthattheBlessedVirginturnedtowardthechildthatsheheldinherarmsandsaid:“Myson,shallthosetearsbelost?”AndheunderstoodthatJesusChristhadalreadyforgivenhim.How is it possible then that anyone can perish who commends himself to this good

mother,sinceherson,asGod,haspromisedtoshowtoallherclientsasmuchmercyassheasksfor?OurLordallowedSaintGertrudetohearhimmakethispromisetohismother:“Inmyomnipotence,OMother,Ihavegrantedyouthereconciliationofallsinnerswhodevoutlycalluponthehelpofyourmercy.”Inviewofthisassurance,theAbbotAdamofPerseigne,bearinginmindthegreatpower

ofMarywithGod,andhergreat compassion forus, says, fullof confidence: “OMotherofMercy,yourtendercompassion isasgreatasyourpower,andyouareascompassionate inforgiving as you are powerful in obtaining whatever you wish.” “And when did it everhappen,”heasks,“thatyou,whoaretheMotherofMercy,didnotshowmercy?Whenwasitthatyou,whoaretheMotherofOmnipotence,couldnotprovidehelp?Yes,withthesameeasewithwhichyoubeholdourmisfortunes,youobtainforuswhateveryouwill.”“Takeyourfill,Ogreatqueen,”saystheAbbotGuerric,“ofthegloryofyourson,andout

of compassion, though not for any merit of ours, graciously send us, your servants and

childrenherebelow,thecrumbsthatfallfromyourtable.”Ifthesightofoursinsshouldeverdiscourageus,letusspeaktotheMotherofMercyin

thesewordsofWilliamofParis:“OMary,donotholdmysinsagainstme.Bearinmindyourmercy rather thanmy offenses. Let it never be said that my sins outbalance your mercy,which is far more powerful to obtain pardon for me than my sins are to obtaincondemnation.”

Example

In theAnnalsof theCapuchinFathers, it is toldhowtherewasa famous lawyer inVenicewhohadmadehimselfrichbyfraudandmalpractice,andwaslivingalifeofevil.TherewasapparentlynothinggoodabouthimexceptthathewasaccustomedtoreciteacertainprayertotheBlessedVirgineveryday.AnditwasthissmalldevotionwhichenabledhimtoescapefrometernaldeaththroughthemercyofMary.Thisishowitcameabout.IthappenedthatthislawyerstruckupafriendshipwithFraMatteodaBasso.Heinvited

thepriest repeatedly tovisithimandonedayFraMatteoacceptedan invitation todinner.Whenhearrivedat the lawyer’shome,themansaidtohim:“Now,Father, Iwanttoshowyousomethingwhichyouhaveneverseenbefore.Ihavehereawonderfulmonkeywhoactsas my valet, washes the glasses, sets the table, and opens the door.” “It seems to me,”observedthepriest,“thatweare involvedherewithsomethingmore thanameremonkey.Havehimcomehere.”Theycalledthemonkey,calledhimagainandagainand lookedforhimeverywherebutheseemedtohavedisappeared.Finally,theyfoundhimhidingunderabed in a remote corner of the house. The monkey would not come out. “Well,” said thereligious, “we shall have to go to him.” So together with the lawyer hewent to the spotwhere themonkeywashidingandsaid: “Hellishbeast, come forth; I commandyouby thepowerofGodtorevealwhoyouare.”ThecreaturehadtoadmithewasthedevilandthathewasonlywaitinguntilthedaywhenthesinnershouldfailtoutterhisprayertotheMotherofGod,becausethefirsttimethathedidso,hehadpermissionfromGodtostranglehimandcarryhimofftohell.Whenthepoorlawyerheardthis,hefelluponhiskneesandbeggedthepriest forhelp.

The priest reassured him and commanded the devil to leave the housewithout doing anyharm.“ButIgiveyoupermission,”hesaid,“asproofthatyouhavereallydeparted,tomakeahole in thewall of the house.”No sooner hadhe said this thanwith a great crash a holesuddenlyappearedinthewall,which,eventhoughitwasclosedupseveraltimeswithmortarandstones,remainedopenbythewillofGodforalongtime;until,finally,ontheadviceoftheservantofGod,theownerplacedinitablockofmarblewiththeimageofanangelonit.The lawyerwas converted, and gave every reason to believe that from that time forth hewouldfollowanewwayoflife.

Prayer

O greatest and most sublime of all creatures, most holy virgin, I salute you from this earth, amiserableandungratefulrebelagainstmyGod,whodeservespunishmentratherthanfavors,justice

ratherthanmercy.OMary,IdonotsaythisbecauseIdoubtyourmercy.Iknowthatthegreateryouare, themoreyougloryinbeingkind.Iknowyourejoicethatyouaresoprivileged,becauseyouarethusenabledtohelpuspoorabandonedcreatures.Iknowthatthegreaterthepovertyofthosewhohaverecoursetoyou,themoreyouexertyourselftoprotectandsavethem.OmyMother,itwasyouwhoonedayweptoveryoursonwhodiedforme.Offeryourtearsto

God,Ibeseechyou,andbymeansoftheseobtainformetruesorrowformysins.Sinnerswerethenagreatsourceofafflictiontoyou,yetIhavealsoafflictedyouwithmycrimes.Obtainforme,OMary, thatat least fromthisdayforthImaystopafflictingyouandyoursonbymyingratitude.WhatgoodwouldyoursorrowbetomeifIcontinuedtobeungratefultoyou?Whatwouldbethepoint of showingmemercy, if I were again unfaithful and lostmy soul?No,my queen, do notpermitit.Youhavemadeupforallmyshortcomings.YouobtainfromGodwhateveryouwish.Yougranttheprayersofall.Iaskofyoutwograces;Iexpectthemfromyouandwillnotbesatisfiedwith less.ObtainformethatImaybefaithful toGodinnotoffendinghimanymore,andthatImaylovehimduringtheremainderofmylifeasmuchasIhaveoffendedhim.

8ANDAFTERTHIS,OUREXILE,SHOWUNTOUSTHEBLESSEDFRUITOFYOURWOMB,

JESUS

MarySavesHerServantsFromHell

ItisimpossibleforaservantofMarytobelost,ifhefaithfullyhonorsherandrecommendshimselftoher.Thisstatementmayappeartosome,atfirstsight,tobeexaggerated;butIbeganyonetowhomthismightseemtobethecasetowithholdjudgment,andtoreadfirstwhatIhavetosayonthissubjectinthefollowingpages.WhenwesaythatitisnotpossibleforaservantofMarytobelost,wearenotspeaking,

ofcourse,ofthosewhotakeadvantageoftheirdevotiontosinallthemorefreely.Thosewhodisapproveof sayingsomuchaboutMary’smercy towardsinners,on thegrounds that thisonly causes them to sin all themore, do sowithout cause, for such presumptuous sinnersdeservepunishment, notmercy, for their rash confidence.Weare referring rather to thoseclientsofMarywho,withasinceredesiretomendtheirways,arefaithful inhonoringandrecommendingthemselvestoher.Itismorallyimpossible,Isay,forsuchpersonstobelost.And I find thatFatherCrassethasalso said the same thing inhisbookondevotion to theBlessed Virgin. So also Vega before him, in his Marian Theology, Mendoza, and othertheologians.Andwecanseethattheywerenotspeakingatrandomwhenweexaminewhatothersaintsandlearnedmenhavesaidonthesubject.Letnoonebesurprisedtofindthatmany of these quotations are similar in content. I give them all in order to show howunanimousthevariouswritershavebeenonthesubject.SaintAnselmsaysthat,justasitisimpossibleforonetobesavedwhoisnotdevotedto

Mary and is therefore not protected by her, so it is impossible for one who recommendshimselftoherandisconsequentlylovedbyhertobelost.SaintAntoninusrepeatsthesameideainalmostidenticalwords:“JustasitisimpossibleforthosefromwhomMaryturnshereyesofmercytobesaved,soalsoitisimpossibleforthosetowardwhomsheturnshereyesand for whom she prays not be justified and glorified.” Consequently, the saint adds, theservantsofMaryarenecessarilysaved.Noteparticularlythefirstpartoftheopinionsofthesesaints,andletthosetremblewho

donottakeseriouslytheirdevotiontoMaryorwhogiveitupoutofcarelessness.Theysaythatit is impossibleforthosetobesavedwhoarenotprotectedbyMary.Othershavesaidthesamething,suchasSaintAlbert,whoproclaims:“Allthosewhoarenotyourservants,OMary,willperish.”AndSaintBonaventure:“AnyonewhoneglectsMarywilldieinhissins.”In another place, he says: “Whoever does not call upon you in this life will not get toheaven.”AndincommentingonthePsalmNinety-Nine,SaintBonaventureevengoessofarastosaythatthosefromwhomMaryturnsherfacenotonlywillnotbesaved,butwillhavenohopeofsalvation.Beforehim,SaintIgnatiustheMartyrsaidthatitwasimpossibleforanysinnertobesavedwithoutthehelpandfavoroftheBlessedVirgin,becausethosewhomGod

doesnotsaveoutofjusticehesavesinhisinfinitemercythroughtheintercessionofMary.SomedoubtwhetherthispassageisactuallyfromSaintIgnatius.Inanycase,FatherCrassetsaysthesameideawasexpressedbySaintJohnChrysostom.ItisalsorepeatedbytheAbbotofCelles.AnditiswiththismeaningthatHolyChurchappliestoMarythewordsofProverbs:All thathateme lovedeath (Prov8:36).That is,allwhodonot loveme, loveeternaldeath,because, as Richard of Saint Lawrence says, commenting on the words: She is like themerchant’sship(Prov31:14),allthosewhoarenotonthisshipshallbedrownedintheseaofthisworld.EventhehereticOecolampadiusregardedalackofdevotiontotheMotherofGodasure signof reprobation, forhesaid:“Let itneverbesaidofme that I rejectMary, for Iregarditasacertainsignofareprobatemindwhenoneisnotdevotedtoher.”On the other hand, Mary says:He that hearkens to me shall not be confounded (Ecclus

24:30).Thatis,hewhohasrecoursetomeandlistenstowhatIsay,shallnotperish.ThatiswhySaintBonaventuresays:“Hewhorendershomagetoyou,shallbefarfromperdition.”AndSaintHilarysaysthatthiswillbethecaseevenwithonewhohasgreatlyoffendedGodinthepast:“Nomatterhowgreatasinnerhemayhavebeen,ifhehasbecomedevotedtoMaryheshallneverbelost.”ItisforthisreasonthatthedevildoeshisutmosttomakesinnerslosedevotiontoMary

after theyhave lost thegraceofGod.WhenSarahsawIsaacplayingwithIsmael,whowasteachinghimevilways,shetoldAbrahamtobanishIsmaelandhismotherAgar:Castoutthisslave girl andher son (Gen 21:10). Shewas not satisfied to have the son driven out of thehousebutalsowantedthemothersentaway,becauseshethoughtthatotherwisehewouldkeepcomingbacktothehouseifhesawhismotherthere.Inthesameway,thedevilisnotcontenttoseeasouldriveoutJesusChristunlesshismother isalsobanished:Castout thisslave girl and her son. Otherwise he fears that the mother will bring back her son by herintercession.“Andhisfearsarewellgrounded,”saysthelearnedFatherPaciucchelli;“forhewhoisfaithfulinservingGod’smotherwillsoongetbacktoGodhimself.”SaintEphremisright incallingdevotiontoMarythe“charterof liberty,”oursafeguard

againsthell.HealsocallsMarythe“protectorofthedamned.”And,rightly,foritiscertain,according toSaintBernard, thatMary lacksneither thepowernor thewill to saveus. Shedoesnotlackthepower,SaintAntoninusasserts,becauseitisimpossibleforherprayersnottobeheard.SaintBernardsaysthatherrequestscanneverbeinvain,andthatsheobtainswhatevershewills.Sheisnotlackinginthewilltosaveus,becausesheisourmotheranddesires to save usmore thanwe do ourselves. So if this be true, how can anyonewho isdevoted toMary ever perish?Hemay be a sinner, but if he perseveres in his intention tomendhiswaysandrecommendshimselftothisgoodmother,shewillmakeitherbusinesstobegforhimlight to leavehiswickedways,sorrowforhissins,perseverance invirtue,andfinally a good death.Whatmother, able to free her son from death bymerely asking thejudgeonhisbehalf,wouldnotdoso?AndcanweimaginethatMary,themostlovingmotherherfaithfulservantscouldeverhave,wouldnotsaveherchildrenfrometernaldeathwhenshecansoeasilydoso?Devoutreader,letusthanktheLordwhenweseethathehasgivenusaffectionforand

confidenceintheQueenofHeaven,because,asSaintJohnDamascenesays,hedoesnotgivethisgraceexcepttothosewhomhewishestosave.Thesearethebeautifulwordsofthesaint

withwhichherekindleshisownandourhope:“OMotherofGod,ifIplacemyconfidenceinyouIshallbesaved. If IamunderyourprotectionIhavenothingto fear,becausethefactthatIamyourservantmeansthatIpossesstheinvincibleweaponsofsalvation,whichGodgivesonlytothosewhomhewishestosave.”ErasmussalutestheBlessedVirginwiththesewords: “Hail, O terror of hell and hope of Christians! Confidence in you is a pledge ofsalvation.”HowenragedthedevilmustbewhenheseesasoulperseveringindevotiontoOurLady!

We read in the lifeofFatherAlfonsoAlvarez,whowasdeeplydevoted toMary, thatoncewhenhewasatprayerandverymuchtroubledbytheimpuretemptationsofthedevil,Satansaidtohim:“GiveupdevotiontoMaryandIshallgiveuptemptingyou.”Blosius tells us thatGod revealed to SaintCatherineof Siena that out of regard forhis

only-begottenSonwhosemothershewas,nosinnerwhodevoutlyrecommendedhimselftoMarywould everbecome thepreyofhell. Even theprophetDavidbegged tobedeliveredfromhell, for the sakeof the lovehebore for thehonorofMary: Ihave loved,OLord, thebeautyofyourhouse.…Takenotawaymysoul,OGod,withthewicked(Ps15:8–9).Hesaysofyourhouse,becauseMarywasthathousewhichGod,inbecomingman,builtforhimselfhereonearthashisdwellingandrestingplace,asitiswritteninProverbs:Wisdomhasbuiltherselfahouse(Prov9:1).SaintIgnatiustheMartyrsaidthatnoonewilleverperishwhohasbeendiligently devoted to the Virgin Mother of God. And Saint Bonaventure confirms this bysaying:“OMary, thosewholoveyouenjoypeace in this lifeandtheirsoulswillneverseeeternal death.” The devout Blosius assures us that it has never happened and never willhappenthatahumbleanddevotedservantofMarywillbeeternallydamned.“Howmanywouldremaineternallydamnedorobstinateinsin,”asksThomasàKempis,

“unless the Virgin Mary interceded with her son?” It is the opinion of many theologians,especially of Saint Thomas, that sometimesMary induces God to suspend the sentence ofcertainsoulswhodieinmortalsinandenablesthemtoreturntolifeinordertodopenance.Seriousauthorsciteinstanceswhenthishasoccurred.Amongothers,Flodoard,wholived

in the ninth century. He tells us in his Annals of a certain deacon Adelman who waspronounceddead—yet,whenhewasabouttobeburied,hereturnedtolifeandsaidthathehad seen theplace inhell towhichhehadbeen condemned. Itwasby theprayers of theBlessedVirginthathehadbeensentbacktotheworldtodopenance.SuriushasasimilarcaseofaRomancitizenwhohaddiedimpenitent,andforwhomMary

obtainedpermissiontocomebacktolifeandbeforgiven.Moreover,Pelbartsaysthatinhistime,whentheemperorSigismundwascrossingtheAlpswithhisarmy,avoicewasheardcoming from a skeleton asking for a confessor and declaring that theMother of God, forwhomhehadhadagreatdevotionwhenasoldier,hadobtainedpermissionforhimtoliveoninthosebonesuntilhehadbeenabletoconfesshissins.Themanmadehisconfessionandthendied.Theseandotherexamplesofthistype,however,mustnotencouragerashpersonstolive

insininthehopethatMarywilleventuallysavethemfromhell,eveniftheydieinsin.JustasitwouldbemadnessforanyonetothrowhimselfintoawellinthehopethatMarywouldsavehimfromdeath,simplybecauseshehadoncesavedapersoninsimilarcircumstances,sotooitwouldbeevengreatermadnesstoriskdyinginsin,onthepresumptionthatshewould

save him from hell. Nevertheless, these examples serve to revive our confidencewhenwerealize that ourBlessed Ladyhas been able to preserve fromhell byher intercession eventhosewhohavediedinsin,andthatshecandoevenmoreinkeepingthosefromfallingintohellwhoturntoherinthislifewithapurposeofamendmentandserveherfaithfully.LetusthereforesaywithSaintGermanus:“Ifyouabandonus,OMotherofGod,whatwill

becomeofussinnerswhowanttoamendandturntoyouwhoarethelifeofChristians?”Letus listen toSaintAnselm,whosays thatnoone forwhomMaryhasonceprayedwilleverexperienceeternalpunishment.Hesays:“Thoseforwhomyouhaveprayedbutoncewillnotbedamned.”35Thereforeprayforusandweshallbesavedfromhell.WhenIcomebeforethedivine tribunal, who will be able to say to me that I shall not find the judge favorablydisposedaslongasIhaveyou,OMotherofMercy,todefendme?AsRichardofSaintVictorsays:“If Iapproach the judgmentandhave theMotherofMercyonmyside,whowill saythattheJudgewillnotbefavorabletome?”BlessedHenrySusousedtomaintainthatheplacedhissoulinMary’shandsandthat,if

theJudgewantedtocondemnhim,hewantedthesentencetobehandeddownbyMary.Hemeantbythisthat,ifsentenceofcondemnationwerepassedonhim,hewasconfidentthatitwould not be carried out if the execution had to pass through the merciful hands of theBlessedVirgin. I sayandhopethesameformyself,Omostblessedqueen. I saywithSaintBonaventure:“Inyou,OMary,IhavehopedandIshallnotbeconfoundedforever.”Ihaveplacedallmyhopesinyou,OBlessedMother;thereforeIconfidentlyhopenevertobelost,buttobesaved,andsotopraiseandloveyouforeverinheaven.

Example

In the year 1604, in a city in Flanders, there lived two young students who, instead ofdevotingthemselvestotheirstudies,gavethemselvesovertoalifeofdrinkanddebauchery.Onenight,whentheyhadbothbeentogetherinthehouseofanevilwoman,oneofthem,named Richard, remained but a short time and thenwent on home,while his companionstayedbehind.WhenhehadgothomeandhadbeguntoprepareforbedherememberedthathehadnotsaidthefewHailMaryswhichhewasaccustomedtosayeveryday.Feelingverydrowsy,hewasinclinedtoskipthem,butheforcedhimselftorecitethemanyway,sleepyashewas.Hesaidtheprayerswithoutanyparticulardevotion.Thenhefellasleep.Butwhilehewas still in the first stages of sleep, he heard a violent knocking on the door. The doorremainedclosed,butthefigureofayoungmanpassedthroughit,uglyanddeformed.“Whoare you?” Richard said. His companion replied: “Don’t you recognizeme?” “Yes, but howyou’vechanged!Youlooklikeadevil.”“IknowIdo,”exclaimedthepoorfellow,“forIamdamned!” “How did that happen?” “As I was leaving the evil house a devil came up andstrangledme.Mybodyliesinthemiddleofthestreet,butmysoulisinhell.Andthesamefatewasinstoreforyou,butbecauseofthosefewHailMarystheBlessedVirginsavedyou.Ifyou are not a fool, you will profit by this warning which the Mother of God sends youthroughme!”Aftersayingthis,heopenedhiscloaksothatRichardcouldseetheflamesandtheserpentsthatweretormentinghim.Thenhevanished.RichardthrewhimselfonthefloorandwithmanytearsthankedMaryforhavingsavedhim.Whilehewasthinkingabouthow

he intended to change his life, he heard the bell in the Franciscanmonastery ringing formatinsandsaidtohimself:“Godiscallingmetodopenance!”Atonce,eventhoughitwasveryearlyinthemorning,hewenttothemonasteryandbeggedtheFatherstoreceivehim.Knowinghisevilreputation,theywereofcoursereluctanttodoso.So,withtearsinhiseyes,he told themall thathadhappened.Twoof theFatherswentout into the streetand theretheyfoundthecorpseofRichard’scompanion,strangledandblackascoal.OnlythenwouldtheyacceptRichardintotheircommunity.Fromthatdayon,heledanexemplarylife.Inthecourseoftime,hewenttoIndiatopreachthefaith,andfromtheretoJapan,wherehefinallyhadthegoodfortuneandgracetodieamartyrforJesusChristbybeingburnedalive.36

Prayer

OMary,mydearestMother,inwhataterribleabyssofevilwouldIbenow,ifIhadnotbeensavedsooftenbyyourmercifulhands!HowmanyyearsIwouldhavespentinhellbynow,hadnotyourpowerfulprayers freedme!Mygrievoussinssentmethere;divine justicehadalreadycondemnedme,andthedevilswereanxioustocarryoutthesentence.But,eventhoughIdidnotcallyou,OMother,youcametomyrescueandsavedme.Ocauseofmysalvation,howcanIeverrepayyouforsomuchgraceandsomuchlove?Youconqueredmyhardheart,youdrewmetoloveyouandplaceconfidenceinyou.IntowhataterribleabyssIwouldhavefallen,hadnotyourmercifulheartsooftenrescuedmefromthedangersintowhichIwasabouttoplungeheadlong!Omyhopeandmylife,OMotherdearertomethanlife itself,continue,Ibegyou,continuetopreservemefromhellandfromthesinsintowhichIstillmayfall!Letmeneverexperiencethemiseryofcursingyouinhell.ObelovedMary,Iloveyou!Howcan

yourgoodnessbeartoseeoneofyourservantswholovesyoudamnedforalleternity?ObtainformethegraceneveragaintobeunfaithfultoyouandtomyGod,whohasbestowedsomanygracesonmeoutofloveforyou.OMary,whatdoyousaytome?ShallIbecondemned?IshallcertainlybecondemnedifIleaveyou.Butwhocouldeverdaretoleaveyou?CanIeverforgettheloveyouhaveshownme?AfterGod,youaretheloveofmysoul.Idarenotliveanylongerwithoutlovingyou. Iwant tomakeyouhappy. I loveyou,and Ihope that Iwillalways loveyou,nowand ineternity,Omostbeautiful,mostholy,mostgentle,mostlovingMotherinalltheworld.Amen.

MaryHelpsHerServantsinPurgatory

TheservantsofMaryare fortunate indeed: theyenjoyherhelpnotonlyhereonearth,butalsoinpurgatory,wheretheyareassistedandconsoledbyherprotection.Infact,becausethesouls there need help so desperately, since in their torments they cannot help themselves,Marymakesitherbusinesstorelievethemallthemore.SaintBernardineofSienasaysthatoverthesoulsdetainedinthatprison—allspousesofJesusChrist—Maryexercisesacertaindominionandplenitudeofpower,notonly to relieve them,buteven todeliver themfromtheirsufferings.Considerfirst thereliefthatshegives. InapplyingtoherthepassageofEcclesiasticus: I

havewalked in thewavesof the sea (Ecclus24:8),SaintBernardineadds thatMarycomfortsher servantsbyvisitingandhelping them in their torments,because theyareherchildren.

Thepainsofpurgatoryarecalledwaves, according tohim,because theyare transitoryanddifferfromthepainsofhellwhichneverend.Andtheyarecalledofthesea,becausetheyareverybitter.WhenMary’s servantsareafflictedby thesepains, sheoftencomes tovisitandcomfortthem.Thisiswhyitisimportant,accordingtoNovarinus,toservethisgraciouslady:becauseshesimplycannotforgetherservantsas longastheyaresufferinginthoseflames.ThoughMaryhelpsallthepoorsoulssufferinginpurgatory,sheobtainsmoreindulgenceandreliefforthosewhohavebeendevotedtoher.OurBlessedLady said toSaintBridget in a revelation: “I am themotherof all souls in

purgatory; for, as long as they remain there, all the sufferings that theyhavedeserved fortheirsinsare,everyhour,insomeway,relievedbymyprayers.”Themercifulmotherevendeigns,attimes,toenterthisholyprisontovisitandcomforthersufferingchildren. Ihavepenetratedintothebottomofthedeep(Ecclus24:8).InthesewordsofEcclesiasticus,shesaysequivalently:“Ihavepenetrated into thedepthsofpurgatory, tohelp thoseholysouls.”AsSaintVincentFerrer says:“Ohowgood isMary to thesouls inpurgatory,because throughhertheyobtaincomfortandrelief.”Whatotherconsolationcan theyhave in their sufferingexceptMaryand the relief that

theyreceivefromtheMotherofMercy?SaintBridgetonedayheardJesussaytohismother:“Youaremymother, theMotherofMercy,and theconsolationof the souls inpurgatory.”The Blessed Virgin herself told the saint that as a poor bedridden man left to himself isrefreshed by some comforting word spoken to him, so the poor souls in purgatory areconsoledbymerelyhearinghername.ThemerementionofMary’sname,anameofhopeandsalvation,whichisfrequentlyinvokedbyherchildrenintheirprison,isagreatsourceofcomforttothem.NovarinussaysthatwhenMaryhearstheminvokinghername,sheoffersherprayerstoGod,andinstantlythesufferingsoulsfindtheirpainsrelieved.Mary not only consoles and relieves her servants in purgatory, but she also frees them

from that prison by her prayers. According to Gerson, on the day of her Assumption intoheaven,purgatorywasentirelyemptied.AndthisisconfirmedbyNovarinus,whosaysthatmany seriousauthorsmaintain thatwhenMarywasgoing toheaven, sheaskedasa favorfromhersonpermissiontotakealongwithherallthesoulstheninpurgatory.Fromthattimeon, says Gerson, Mary had the privilege of delivering her servants from the pains ofpurgatory.SaintBernardineofSienaassertspositivelythattheBlessedVirginhasthepowerof delivering souls frompurgatory, especially those of her servants, byher prayers andbyapplyingherownmeritstothem.Novarinusisofthesameopinionandsaysthatnotonlyarethe pains of those souls lessened by themerits ofMary, but the time of their suffering isshortenedbyherintercession.Shehasonlytoask,anditisdone.SaintPeterDamianmentions a certainwomannamedMarozia,whoappearedafterher

death to her godmother and told her that on the feast of the Assumption she had beendelivered by Mary from purgatory, together with a number of souls greater than thepopulationofRome.DenistheCarthusianrelatessomethingsimilarwithregardtothefeastsof Christmas and Easter, saying that on those days Mary comes down to purgatoryaccompaniedbylegionsofangelsandfreesmanysoulsfromtheirtorments.NovarinusalsogivesustounderstandthatthishappensoneverysolemnfeastofOurLady.ThepromisemadebyMarytoPopeJohnXXII iswellknown.Sheappearedtohimand

orderedhimtoinformallthosewhoworetheCarmelitescapularthatontheSaturdayaftertheir death shewould deliver them frompurgatory.According to FatherCrasset, the Popepublished this in a bull, whichwas later confirmed by Alexander V, Clement VII, Pius V,GregoryXIII,andPaulV.Thelatter,in1612,declaredinhisbull,that“Christianpeoplemaypiously believe that the Blessed Virgin will help them after death by her continualintercession,hermerits,andspecialprotection;andthatonSaturdays,thedayconsecratedbytheChurchtoher,shewillgivespecialhelptothesoulsofthebrethrenoftheConfraternityofOurBlessedLadyofMountCarmelwhohavedepartedthislifeinastateofgrace,providedthattheyhavewornthescapular,observedthechastityoftheirstate,andrecitedherOffice;or,iftheycouldnotreciteit,iftheyhaveobservedthefastsoftheChurchandabstainedfrommeatonallWednesdaysexceptChristmasDay.”InthesolemnOfficeofOurBlessedLadyofMount Carmel, we read that it is piously believed that the Blessed Virgin comforts thebrethrenofthisConfraternityinpurgatorywithmaternallove,andthatbyherintercessionshesoondeliversthemandconductsthemtotheirheavenlyhome.Whyshouldwenothopeforthesamegracesandfavors,ifwearedevotedchildrenofthis

goodmother?Andifweserveherwithveryspecial love,whyshouldwenotalsohopeforthe grace to enter heaven immediately after death,without even going to purgatory? ThisreallytookplaceinthecaseofBlessedGodfrey,towhomMarysentthefollowingmessagebyBrotherAbondo: “TellBrotherGodfrey toadvance invirtue, forhewill thenbelong tomeandtomyson.Andwhenhissoulleaveshisbody,Iwillnotallowittoenterpurgatory,butIwilltakeitpersonallyandofferittomyson.”Ifwewishtorelievethesufferingsofthepoorsoulsinpurgatorybyourprayers,letusdo

sobyimploringtheaidoftheBlessedVirgin,andespeciallybyofferingtherosaryforthem,forthatgivesthemgreatrelief,asweshallseeinthefollowingexample.

Example

Father Eusebius Nieremberg relates that in the town of Aragon there lived a young ladynamed Alexandra. She belonged to the nobility and, being very beautiful, was loved verymuchbytwoyoungmen.Oneday,outofjealousyoverAlexandra,thetwoyouthsquarreledand killed each other in a duel. Their parents were very much angered by this and,consideringthatthepooryounggirlwasthecauseofsomuchharm,theykilledhertoo.Theycutoffherheadandthrewherintoawell.Afewdayslater,whenSaintDominichappenedtobe passing by the spot, he was inspired by the Lord to go to the well and call down:“Alexandra,comeup!”Withthat,theheadofthedeadgirlappeared,settledontheedgeofthewell,andbeggedSaintDominictohearherconfession.Inthepresenceofagreatcrowdthathadbythengatheredtowatchthisincredibleoccurrence,thesaintheardherconfessionand gave herHoly Communion. Then he commanded her to revealwhy she had receivedsuch a grace.Alexandra replied that the day her headwas cut off, she happened to be inmortal sin, but that, because of her devotion to the rosarywhich she has just recited, theBlessedVirginpreservedherlife.Fortwodays,herheadremainedaliveontheedgeofthewell, then her soul went to purgatory. Two weeks later, Alexandra’s soul, beautiful andbrilliantasastar,appearedtoSaintDominic.Shetoldthesaintthatoneofthechiefmeans

bywhichthesoulsinpurgatoryarerelievedistherecitationoftherosary.Shesaidthatassoonasthesesoulsreachheaven,theyprayforwhoeverhasappliedthispowerfulprayertothem.Aftershehadsaid that,SaintDominicsawthis fortunatesoul jubilantlywingingherwaytothekingdomoftheblessed.37

Prayer

Oqueenofheavenandearth,OMotherof theLordof theworld,OMary,creaturemostgrand,mostexalted,andmostloving,itistruethatmanyhereonearthdonotknoworloveyou.Butthereare millions of angels, millions of saints in heaven, who do love you and constantly sing yourpraises.Evenhereonearth,howmanysoulstherearewhoburnwithloveforyouandgothroughlifeenamoredofyourgoodness!OmostlovingMother,wouldthatIcouldalsoloveyou!Oh,thatIcould always remember to serve you, to praise you, to honor you, and make you loved byeverybody!YouhaveattractedtheloveofGod,whom,byyourbeauty,youhave,sotospeak,tornfromthebosomofhisEternalFatheranddrawntoearth,tobecomemanandtobeyourson.WhycanI,poorwormoftheearth,notloveyoutoo?SweetestMother,I,too,wanttoloveyouandloveyou very much. I want to do all in my power to make you loved by others. And so, OMary,graciouslygrantthatImayloveyou,andhelpmetodoso.IknowthatGodlookswithabenevolenteyeonallwholoveyou.Besideshisownglory,God

desiresnothingmore thanyourglory, toseeyouhonoredand lovedbyall.Fromyou,OMary, Ihope for every grace. You must obtain for me the forgiveness of all my sins and the gift ofperseverance;youmustassistmeinthehourofmydeath;youmustrescuemefrompurgatory;andfinallyyoumustleadmetoheaven.Yourloversexpectallthisfromyouandarenotdisappointed.Ialso,who loveyouwithsomuchaffection,who loveyouaboveallotherbeingsafterGod, Ialsoexpectthesame.

MaryLeadsHerServantstoHeaven

WhatabeautifulsignofpredestinationitistobeaservantofMary!HolyChurchappliestoherthesewordsofEcclesiasticus,whicharesuchacomforttoherservants:InalltheseIsoughtrest,andIshallabideintheinheritanceoftheLord(Ecclus24:11).Commentingonthispassage,CardinalHugosays:“BlessedisheinwhosehometheBlessedVirginfindsherrest.”Becauseshelovesus,Maryendeavorstomakedevotiontoherreignintheheartsofall.Manypeopleeitherneverengage in thisdevotionatall,or fail topersevere in it if theydo.Blessedaretheywhobothwelcomeitandpersevereinit!IshallabideintheinheritanceoftheLord.Thatistosay,addsthelearnedPaciucchelli,IshallabideinthosewhoaretheinheritanceoftheLord.DevotiontotheBlessedVirginisfoundinallwhoaretheLord’sinheritance,thatis,allwhowillpraisehimeternallyinheaven.In the passage from Ecclesiasticus above, Mary continues by saying:He that made me,

restedinmytabernacle,andhesaidtome:LetyourdwellingbeinJacob,andyourinheritanceinIsrael,andtakerootinmyelect(Ecclus24:12–13).Thatistosay:MyCreatorhasdeignedtorestinmybosomandwantsmetodwellintheheartsofallhiselect(whoareprefiguredbyJacobandwhoaremyinheritance)andhehasdecreedthatdevotiontomeandconfidencein

meshalltakerootinallthosewhoarepredestined.Howmanysaintswouldnotbeinheaventoday,hadMarynotbroughtthemtherebyher

powerful intercession! “I have causedunfailing light to rise in the heavens,” saysCardinalHugo,applyingtotheBlessedVirginthewordsinthesamechapterofEcclesiasticus,“Ihavemade as many eternal lights to shine in heaven as there are servants of mine.” And theCardinal adds: “Because of her intercession, there are many saints in heaven today whowouldnotbetherebutforher.”SaintBonaventuresaysthatthegateofheavenwillbeopentoreceiveallwhotrustinthe

protectionoftheBlessedVirgin.Andwiththesamethoughtinmind,SaintEphremassertedthatdevotion toMaryunlocks theentrance toparadise.Addressingher, thedevoutBlosiussays:“Thekeysandthetreasuresoftheheavenlykingdomareentrustedtoyou.”Hencewemustconstantlypraytoher in thewordsofSaintAmbrose:“Openheaventous,OBlessedVirgin, for you have the keys!”OMary, open the gates of paradise to us, for you are thekeeperofthekeys;infact,youaretheveryentrancetoparadise,forHolyChurchcallsyouthe“gateofheaven.”ThatiswhythegreatMotherofGodisalsocalledthe“starofthesea,”Ave,Marisstella.

SaintThomas,theAngelicDoctorsaysthatChristiansareguidedontheirwaytoheavenbyMary,justassailorsareguidedtoportbyastar.Similarly,SaintPeterDamiancalledher the“ladderofheaven.”According tohim,God

camedownfromheavenbymeansofherinorderthat,throughher,menmightmerittorisefromearthtoheaven.Youwerefilledwithgrace,saysSaintAnastasius,sothatyouwouldbeourroad tosalvationandthewaytoourheavenlyhome.With this inmind,SaintBernardcallsherthe“vehicletoheaven,”andSaintJohnGeometragreetsherwiththewords:“Hail,resplendentchariot!”meaningthatsheisthemeansbywhichherservantsaretransportedtoheaven.Blessedaretheywhoknowyou,OMotherofGod,saysSaintBonaventure,becauseto know you is the path of immortal life, and tomake known your virtues is the road toeternalsalvation.TheFranciscanChroniclestellhowBrotherLeooncesawaredladderatthetopofwhich

Jesuswas standing, and awhite ladder onwhichMary stood. He saw how some tried tomounttheredladder,butfelltothegroundafterclimbingafewrungs.Againandagaintheytried,buteachtimetheyfelldown.Thentheywereurgedtomountthewhite ladder.Thistheydidwithoutdifficulty,becausetheBlessedVirginstretchedoutahelpinghandandledthemsafelytoparadise.38

Denis the Carthusian asks: “Who will be saved, who will reign in heaven?” andimmediatelyanswers:“Thoseforwhomthisqueenofmercyoffersherprayers.”Maryassertsthisherselfwhenshesays:Bymekingsreign(Prov8:15).Bymyintercession,soulswillreignfirst on earth by conquering their passions, then eternally in heaven where, as SaintAugustine puts it, everybody is king. In short, says Richard of Saint Lawrence, Mary ismistress of paradise: there she commands as she wishes and brings in whomsoever shepleases.SoheappliesthesewordsofEcclesiasticustoher:MypowerwasinJerusalem(Ecclus24:15), and adds: “That is, by commandingwhat I wish and bringing inwhom I please.”BecauseMaryismothertotheLordofheaven,theAbbotRupertisrightinsayingthatsheisalsotheFirstLadyofheaven:“Byright,shepossessesthewholekingdomofherson.”

Saint Antoninus tells us that by her powerful prayers and aid the Blessed Mother hasalready obtained heaven for us, providedwe do not put obstacles in the way. The AbbotGuerricsaysthatwhoeverservesMaryandbenefitsfromherintercessionisassureofheavenas if he were already there. Saint John Damascene assures us that to serve Mary and tobelong to her court is the greatest honorwe can have, and to live under her rule is evenbetterthantoreign.“ThehighesthonorconsistsinservingMaryandbelongingtoherfamily,fortoservehermeanstoreign,andtobegovernedbyherismorethantohavethepowerofkings.”On the other hand, says the same saint, thosewho do not serveMarywill not besaved;because,deprivedofthisgreatmother’said,theyareabandonedandlackthehelpofherSonandthewholeheavenlycourt.May the infinitegoodnessofourGodbe foreverpraised, saysSaintBernard, forhaving

givenusMaryasouradvocateinheaven,thatshe,atthesametimethemotherofourJudgeandamotherofmercy,maybeable,byher intercession, tobring toa safeconclusion thegreataffairofoureternalsalvation.ThemonkJames,aDoctoroftheGreekChurch,saysthatGoddestinedMarytobeabridgeofsalvation,sothatwemaysafelypassoverthestormyseaofthisworldandreachthehappyhavenofparadise.SaintBonaventureexclaims:“Hear,Onations;allyouwhodesireGod’skingdom,serveandhonortheBlessedVirginandyoushallcertainlyhaveeternallife.”Eventhosewhohavedeservedhellshouldnotdespairofreachingheaven,providedthey

faithfullyservethisqueen.Howmanysinners,saysSaintGermanus,havestriventofindGodthroughyou,OMary,andhavebeensaved!RichardofSaintLawrencerecallsthatSaintJohnpicturedMaryascrownedwithstars:Andonherheadacrownoftwelvestars(Apoc12:1);butthattheSacredCanticles,ontheotherhand,depictherascrownedwithwildbeasts, lions,andleopards:ComefromLibanus,myspouse,comefromLibanus,come;youshallbecrowned…fromthedensofthelions,fromthemountainsoftheleopards(Cant4:8).Howcanthisbe?Hereplies that thewild beasts are sinnerswho, by the intercession ofMary, become stars ofheaven,whichbringmoresplendortothebrowofthisqueenofmercythanallthematerialstarsofthesky.WereadinthelifeoftheservantofGod,SisterSeraphinaofCapri,thatonceduringthe

novena of the Assumption she asked Our Blessed Lady for the conversion of a thousandsinners. Afterwards she feared that she had asked too much, but Mary appeared to her,reproachedher,andsaid:“Whyfear?DoyouthinkIamnotpowerfulenoughtoobtainfrommyson theconversionofa thousandsinners?Look—Ihavealreadyobtained this favor foryou.”With that,Mary ledher in spirit toheavenand showedher the innumerable sinnerswhohaddeservedhell,butwhothroughherintercessionhadbeensavedandwerealreadyenjoyingeternalhappiness.Itisquitetruethatnoonecanbecertaininthislifeofhiseternalsalvation:Manknows

notwhetherhebeworthyofloveorhatred;butallthingsarekeptuncertainforthetimetocome(Eccles 9:1–2). Lord, asked David, who shall be saved? Lord, who shall dwell in yourtabernacle? (Ps 14:1). Saint Bonaventure replies: “Let us sinners follow in the footsteps ofMaryandcastourselvesatherblessed feet.Letusholdon toherandnot letgo,untilwedeserve tobeblessedbyher.”Thismeans:O sinners, letus follow inMary’s footstepsandthrowourselvesatherblessedfeet;andletusnotleaveheruntilsheblessesus,becauseher

blessingassuresusofparadise.“Itisenough,OMary,”saysSaintAnselm,“thatyoudesiretosaveus,forthenwemustbesaved.”AndSaintAntoninusassuresusthatsoulsprotectedbyMaryarecertainlysaved.Behold,henceforthallgenerationsshallcallmeblessed(Lk1:48).SaintIldephonsusmaintains

thattheBlessedVirginhadeveryreasontopredictthatallgenerationswouldcallherblessedbecauseallthesaintsachieveeternalhappinessthroughMary.“You,OgreatMother,arethebeginning, the middle, and the end of our happiness,” says Saint Methodius. She is the“beginning”becausesheobtainsthepardonofoursins;the“middle”ormeans,becausesheobtainsourperseveranceindivinegrace;andthe“end”orgoal,becauseshefinallyobtainsparadiseforus.“Throughyou,”saysSaintBernard,“heavenhasbeenopened,hellemptied,and paradise regained.” In short, eternal life has been bestowed on so many miserablecreatureswhohaddeservedeternaldeath.Butwhatoughttoencourageusmorethananythingelsetobeconfidentofsalvationisthe

beautifulpromisewhichMaryherselfmadetothosewhohonorher,andespeciallytothosewhoendeavor,bywordandexample,tomakeherknownandhonoredbyothers:Theythatwork byme, shall not sin. They that explainme, shall have life everlasting (Ecclus 24:30–31).FortunatethenareallthosewhoacquirefavorwithMary,saysSaintBonaventure.Theyshallberecognizedasfortunatebytheircompanions.AndfortunateallthosewhoweartheliveryofaservantofMary,fortheyshallberegisteredintheBookofLife.Whatgoodisitthentobeworriedabouttheopinionsofscholarsastowhetherpredestinationtogloryprecedesorfollowstheprevisionofmerits—whetherwearewrittenintheBookofLifeornot?IfwearetrueservantsofMaryandobtainherprotection,weshallcertainlybeinscribedintheBookofLife;for,asSaintJohnDamascenesays:“Godonlygrantsdevotiontowardhisholymothertothosewhomhewantstosave.”Thisis inlinewithwhattheLordhimselfrevealedtoSaintJohn:Hethatovercomes…IwillwriteuponhimthenameofmyGod,andthenameofthecityofmyGod(Apoc3:12).HethenwhoistoconquerandbesavedwillbearwrittenonhisheartthenameofthecityofGod.Butwho,ifnotMary,isthiscityofGod,asksSaintGregoryinhis commentary on thesewords ofDavid:Glorious things are said of you,O city ofGod (Ps86:3).WemaywellsayherewithSaintPaul:Havingthisseal,theLordknowswhoarehis(2Tim

2:19).Whoeverbearsthisseal,thesealofdevotiontoMary,isrecognizedbyGodashisown.Therefore Saint Bernard wrote that “devotion to the Mother of God is the surest sign ofobtainingeternalsalvation.”SpeakingoftheHailMary,BlessedAlansaysthatwhoeverfrequentlyhonorstheBlessed

Virgin with this angelic greeting has a very good guarantee of predestination. And withregardtothedailyrecitationoftherosary,hesays:“Ifyoupersevereinrecitingtherosary,thiswillbeamostprobablesignofyoureternalsalvation.”InhisbookontheloveofMary,FatherNierembergsaysthatnotonlyaretheservantsofGod’smotherprivilegedandfavoredhereonearth,butthattheywillbeevenmoredistinctlyhonoredinheaven.Healsosaysthatinheaventheywillwearaspeciallyrichvesturewhichwillenablethemtoberecognizedasservantsoftheheavenlyqueenandasmembersofhercourt,asthebookofProverbsputsit:Allherdomesticsareclothedwithdoublegarments(Prov31:21).SaintMaryMagdalen of Pazzi had a vision inwhich she saw all ofMary’s servants on

boardashipwhichwaspilotedbyMaryherselfandwhichbroughtthemsafelytoport.Thesaint understood this vision tomean that all those who live underMary’s protection willescapefromtheshipwreckofsinanddamnation,becausetheyaresafelyguidedbyhertotheportofparadise.Letusthereforeenterthisblessedshipandthusbesureofthekingdomoftheblessed.ForinherchantHolyChurchsays:“OholyMotherofGod,allthosewhowillbepartakersofeternalhappinessdwellinyou,livingunderyourprotection.”

Example

CaesariusofHeisterbachtellsthestoryofacertainCistercianmonkwhowasgreatlydevotedtotheBlessedVirginandwhoconsequentlydesiredverymuchtoseeher.Forthisfavor,heprayedconstantly.Onenighthewentintothegardenandlookedupatthesky.Whilehewasprayingandhopingtoseehisqueen,allofasuddenhebeheldabeautifulmaidensurroundedbylightcomingdownfromheaven.Themaidensaidtohim:“Thomas,wouldyouliketohearmysong?”“Certainly,”hereplied.Thenshesangsosweetlythatthedevoutreligiousthoughthewasinparadise.Whenthesongended,shedisappeared,leavinghimwithagreatdesiretoknow who she was. Then suddenly another maiden stood before him. She too was verybeautifulandhadhimlistentohersong.Atthispoint,hecouldnotrefrainanylongerfromaskingwhoshewas,andsheanswered:“TheoneyousawalittlewhileagowasCatherine.Iam Agnes. Both of us are martyrs of Jesus Christ and we have been sent by the BlessedMothertoconsoleyou.ThankMary,andpreparetoreceiveanevengreatergrace.”Withthatshe, too, disappeared. But the religious now had even higher hopes of finally seeing hisqueen.Norwashedisappointed, for ina littlewhilehesawagreat light.Hefelthisheartthrilling with a new joy. Suddenly, in the midst of the light, he saw theMother of God,surroundedbyangels.Shewas indescribablymorebeautiful than theother twosaintswhohad appeared to him. Addressing him, she said: “My dear servant and son, I have beenpleasedwithyourdevotiontomeandIhaveheardyourprayers.YouwantedtoseemeandsohereIam.NowIwantyoutohearmysongtoo.”TheBlessedVirginthenbegantosing.Shesangwithsomuchsweetnessthatthedevoutreligiouslosthissensesandfelldownontheground.Thebellformatinsrangandallthemonksgatheredforprayer.WhentheydidnotseeThomas,theywentlookingforhiminhiscellandelsewhere.Finallytheywentintothegardenandfoundhimlyingthereasifdead.Thesuperiororderedhimtotellthemwhathadhappened.Inresponsetothecallofobedience,hereturnedtohissensesandtoldallthefavorsOurLadyhadgrantedhim.

Prayer

Oqueenofheaven,motherofholylove,sinceyouarethemostlovingofcreatures,themostbelovedbyGodandhisgreatestlover,pleaseallowadisconsolatesinnerlivinginthisworld,whohasbeenfreedfromhellbyyourhelpandhasbeensobenefitedbyyouwithoutanymeritonhispart,toloveyoutoo.Thissinnerhasfalleninlovewithyourgoodnessandhasplacedallhishopesinyou.Iloveyou,OMary,andIwouldliketoloveyoumorethanallthesaintsdidwhoweresodevotedtoyou.Ifpossible,Iwouldliketomakeallmenwhodonotknowhowworthyyouareofbeingloved

knowthis,sothattheymayloveandhonoryou.Iwouldalsobehappytodieforloveofyou,indefense of your virginity, your dignity asMother ofGod, and your ImmaculateConception, if itshouldeverbenecessaryformetodietoprotectthesegreatprerogatives.OmostbelovedMother,acceptmylove,anddonotpermitthataservantwholovesyoushould

ever have to become the enemy of the Godwho has loved you somuch. True, it was oncemymisfortunetobesuchanenemy,whenIoffendedmyLord.Butatthattime,OMary,IneitherlovedyounordidIseektobelovedbyyou.Now,however,Idesirenothing,apartfromGod’sgrace,buttoloveyouandtobelovedbyyou,OmostkindandgraciousMother.Donotrefusetoloveeventhemostmiserablesinnerswholoveyou.Letyourloveconquereveryone!Mostlovablequeen,Idesiretoloveyouinheaven.There,atyourfeet,Ishallunderstandbetter

howworthyyouareof loveandhowmuchyouhavedonetosaveme;andthenIshall loveyouwithevengreaterlove.Ishallloveyoueternally,withoutfearofeverceasingtoloveyou.OMary,withyourhelp,Iamcertainofbeingsaved.PraytoJesusforme.Nothingelseisneeded.Youhavetosaveme,youaremyhope. Iwill thereforealwayssing:OMary,myhope, it isyouwhomustsaveme.

9OCLEMENT!OLOVING!

TheClemencyandCompassionofMary

Speaking of Mary’s great compassion for sinners, Saint Bernard says that she is the landpromised by God, the land overflowing with milk and honey. And Saint Leo asserts thatMary’smercy is sogreat, that shedeserves tobecallednotonlymercifulbutmercy itself.ConsideringthatMarywasmadeMotherofGodforthesakeofsinnersandthattheofficeofdispensing hismercieswas committed to her; and considering her great interest in all thedistressed,aninterestthatmakeshersorichinmercythatsheseemstodesirenothingbuttohelptheneedy,SaintBonaventuresaidthatwhenhelookedatMary,heseemednolongertobebeholdingthedivinejustice,butonlythedivinemercy,ofwhichMaryisfull.Thesearehis ferventwords: “OMary,when Ibeholdyou, Idiscernonlydivinemercy, foryouweremadeMotherofGodforthesakeofthewretchedandthereforetheofficeofexercisingmercywasentrustedtoyou.Youlookoutfortheunfortunatewherevertheymaybe;youarearmedwithmercy;youronlywishistoshowit.”Inbrief,Mary’scompassionissogreatthat,accordingtoAbbotGuerric,herheartcannot

stopevenforamomentfrompouringoutitsfruitsofmercyonus.Whatelse,exclaimsSaintBernard,canflowfromthefontofmercybutmercy?ThatiswhyMaryiscalledanolivetree:Asafairolivetree intheplains(Ecclus24:19).Justasnothingbutoil,thesymbolofmercy,comesfromtheolivetree,sonothingbutgraceandmercyflowfromthehandsofMary.Andso,theVenerableLouisdePontesaysthatMarymayproperlybecalledthe“motherofoil,”becausesheistheMotherofMercy.Whenwegotothisgoodmother,therefore,fortheoilofmercy,weneednotbeafraidthatshewillrefuseit,asthewisevirginsintheGospeldidtothe foolish ones: lest there may not be enough for us and for you (Mt 25:9). Certainly not,becauseshehasasuperabundantsupplyofthisoilofmercy.SaintBonaventuresays:“Maryisfulloftheoilofmercy.”TheChurchcallshernotmerelyaprudentvirgin,butamostprudentone,sothat,asHughofSaintVictorsays,wemayunderstandthatMaryissofullofgraceandmercythat,withoutlackinganyherself,shecansupplyusall.“Youarefullofgrace,OBlessedVirgin,andindeedsofullthatthewholeworldmaydrawonthisoverabundanceofoil.Foriftheprudentvirginsprovidedthemselveswithanextravesselofoilfortheirlamps,you,OmostprudentVirgin,providedyourselfwithanoverflowingandinexhaustiblevesselfromwhichtopourouttheoilofmercyandtolightthelampofeveryone’ssoul.”Butwhy,Iask,isthisbeautifulolivetreesaidtostandinthemidstoftheplains:Asafair

olivetreeintheplains(Ecclus24:19),andnotratherinthecenterofagardensurroundedbywallsandhedges?ThesameHughofSaintVictortellsuswhy—“sothatallmaylookuponherandtakerefugeinher”;thatallmayeasilyseeherandhaverecoursetoher,toobtaintheremedyforalltheirills.ThisbeautifulthoughtissupportedbySaintAntoninus,whosaysthatjust as anyone can go and gather fruit from an olive tree that stands in an open field, so

everybody,boththe justandsinners,canhaverecoursetoMarytoobtainmercyfromher.The same saint then adds: “How many sentences of condemnation for sin this most holyvirgin has revoked in hermercy!” That is, by her prayers.Andwhat surer refuge can onehave,asksthedevoutThomasàKempis,thanthecompassionateheartofMary?“Therethepoor find a home, the infirm a remedy, the afflicted relief, the doubtful counsel, and theabandonedhelp.”Wewouldindeedbedistressed,ifwedidnothavethisMotherofMercyalwaysattentive

andsolicitoustorelieveusinourneeds!Wherethereisnowoman,hemournsthatisinwant,saystheHolySpirit(Ecclus36:27).Thiswoman,accordingtoSaintJohnDamascene,isnoneotherthantheBlessedVirginMary;forwheneversheisabsent,thesickmangroans.Surelythismustbeso,sinceGodwishesthatallgracesshallbedispensedthroughMary’sprayers.Where theyare lacking, therecanbenohopeofmercy,asOurLordgaveSaintBridget tounderstand,whenhesaid:“UnlessMary’sprayersintervene,therecanbenohopeofmercy.”DowefearperhapsthatMarydoesnotseeourmiseriesordoesnotfeelpityforthem?No,sheseesandpitiesthemfarmorethanwedoourselves.AsSaintAntoninussays:“Thereisnooneamongthesaintswhocaneverfeelcompassionforusinourmiserieslikethiswoman,themostBlessedVirginMary.”Sothat,whereversheseesmisery,shecannothelpbuthastentoourassistancewithhergreatmercy.RichardofSaintVictorrepeats thesamething,andMendozaconfirmsitbysaying:“Whereveryoufindmisery,OBlessedVirgin,youpouroutyourmercies.”OurgoodMotherherselfproteststhatshewillneverceasetofulfillthisofficeofmercy:AnduntotheworldtocomeIshallnotceasetobe,andintheholydwellingplaceIhaveministered before him (Ecclus 24:14). According to the commentary of Cardinal Hugo, OurLadyisreallysaying:“Iwillneverceaserelievingthemiseriesofmenandprayingforsinnersuntil the end of theworld,” in order that theymay be delivered from eternalmisery andsaved.Suetonius relates that theEmperorTituswas so eager to do favors to thosewho asked

him,thatwheneverhemissedtheopportunityofgrantingsomebodyafavor,hebecamesadandusedtosay:“Ihavelostaday,forIhavespentitwithoutbenefitinganyone.”ItappearsverylikelythatTitusutteredthesewordsmorefromvanityoradesireforesteemthanoutofa love of charity. But if it should ever happen that our queen,Mary, were to pass a daywithout granting any grace, she toowould have to saywhat Titus did, but in her case itwouldbefromagenuinedesiretoserveusandbecausesheisfilledwithcharity.Sheissoeagertohelpus,saysBernardineofBustis,thatsheismoreeagertograntusgracesthanwearetoreceivethem.And,therefore,hesaysthatwheneverwegotoher,wealwaysfindherhandsfilledwithmercyandgenerosity.Rebeccawas a figure ofMary.WhenAbraham’s servant beggedRebecca for a drink of

water, she replied that shewould give him enoughwater not only for himself but for hiscamels (Gen24:19).With this inmind,SaintBernarddevoutly turns toMaryand says: “OMary,youarefarmoregenerousandcompassionatethanRebecca;foryouarenotsatisfiedwithdistributingthetreasuresofyourimmensemercyonlytotheservantsofAbraham,whoareafigureofthefaithfulservantsofGod.Youalsogivethemtosinners,whoaretypifiedbythecamels.”AsRebeccagavemorethanshewasaskedfor,sotooMarygivesmorethanwerequest.ThegenerosityofMary,saysRichardofSaintLawrence,resemblesthatofherson:Healwaysgivesmore than is sought.Andthat iswhySaintPaulsays:He is rich towardall

whocalluponhim(Rom10:12).ThisiswhatadevoutauthorsaystotheBlessedVirgin:“OMary,pray forme, foryouwill ask for thegraces Ineedwithgreaterdevotion than I canmyself;andyouwillobtainfarmoregracesformefromGodthanIdareseekmyself.”WhentheSamaritans refused to receiveJesusChristandhisdoctrines,SaintJamesand

Saint John asked himwhether they should command fire to come down fromheaven andconsumethem?OurLordreplied:Youdonotknowofwhatmannerofspirityouare(Lk9:55).Hemeant:Iamofatenderandcompassionatenatureandcamefromheaventosave,nottochastisesinners,butyouwishtoseethemlost.Whatdoyoumean:fire,punishment?Letushearnomoreaboutpunishing,forthatisnotmynature.ThesameinOurLady’scase.Herspiritisthesameasthatofherson;sheisallinclinedto

mercy.AsshesaidtoSaintBridget,sheiscalledtheMotherofMercy,anditwasbyGod’sownmercythatshewasmadesomercifulandkind.ThatiswhySaintJohnsawherclothedwiththesun:Andagreatsignappeared inheaven:awomanclothedwith thesun(Apoc12:1).ThispassageinspiredSaintBernardtoturntoherandsay:“You,OMary,haveclothedthesun,thatis,theEternalWord,withhumanflesh.Buthehasclothedyouwithhispowerandmercy.”Ourqueenissomercifulandkind,continuedSaintBernard,thatwhenasinner,regardless

ofhiscondition,recommendshimselftoher,shedoesnotquestionhismerits,orwhetherheisworthyorunworthytoreceiveherattention;shehearsandhelpseverybody.Maryiscalledfairasthemoon(Cant6:9),accordingtoSaintHildebert,because,justasthemoonshinesonand assists even the lowliest of earthly creatures, soMary enlightens and assists even themost unworthy sinners.39 And though themoon, says another writer, receives all its lightfromthesun,yetitcompletesitstaskmorequicklythanthesun:“Whatthesunaccomplishesinayear,themoondoesinamonth.”Forthisreason,SaintAnselmsays:“AttimeswearesavedmorequicklybyinvokingMary’snamethanbyinvokingthenameofJesus.”Onthissubject,Hugh of Saint Victor exhorts us, saying that “though our sinsmay cause us to beafraidofapproachingAlmightyGod,becauseitishisinfinitemajestythatwehaveoffended,wemustneverbeafraidofgoingtoMary,forinherweshallfindnothingtoterrifyus.Sheistruly holy, immaculate, the queen of theworld andMother ofGod; but she is also of ourflesh,and,likeus,achildofAdam.”40

Finally, says Saint Bernard, everything that pertains to Mary is filled with mercy andgrace.Why?Because,asmotherofmercy,shehasbecomeallthingstoallmen.Because,byherabundantcharity,shehasmadeherselfadebtortothedevoutandtosinnersandopensher compassionate heart to all, that all may receive from her fullness. Just as the devil,according to Saint Peter goes about seeking someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8), so, according toBernardinedeBustis,Marygoesaboutseekingtoimpartlifeandtosavewhomshecan.Furthermore, we must keep in mind that Mary’s protection is greater and far more

powerful thanwecan imagine.SaintGermanussays this.Anotherwriter, theauthorof thePomerium, asks how it is possible that the Lord,who under theOld Lawwas so severe inpunishing, is now so merciful toward those who are guilty of even greater sins. And heanswers by saying that “it is all for the love ofMary, and on account of hermerits.” Theworld would have been destroyed long ago, exclaims Saint Fulgentius, if Mary had notsustained itbyherprayers!But, saysArnoldofChartres,nowthatwehavetheSonasour

mediatorwiththeEternalFather,andtheMotherasamediatorwiththeSon,wehavefullaccesstoGodandcangotohimwithentireconfidenceandhopeforeverygoodthing.“HowcantheFatherrefusetoheartheSonwhentheSonshowshimthewoundshesufferedforthesakeof sinners?Andhowcan the Son refuse tohearhisMotherwhen she showshimherbosom and the breasts that nursed him?” Saint Peter Chrysologus says forcefully that “agentlemaiden lodgedaGod inherwombandnowasks, as its price, peace for theworld,salvationforthosewhoarelost,andlifeforthedead.”HowmanywoulddeservetobecondemnedbythejusticeoftheSon,exclaimstheAbbot

of Celles, who are saved by the mercy of the Mother! For she is God’s treasure and thetreasurer of all graces. Our salvation lies in her hands and depends on her. Let us, then,always turn to this compassionatemother and confidently hope for salvation through herprayers. For, according to the comforting assurance of Bernardine de Bustis, she is oursalvation,ourlife,ourhope,ourcounsel,ourrefuge,andourhelp.SaintAntoninussaysthatMaryistrulythethroneofgracetowhichtheapostleSaintPaulexhortsustoturn,inordertoobtaindivinemercyandallthehelpweneedforsalvation.Letusthereforedrawnearwithconfidencetothethroneofgrace:thatwemayobtainmercy,andfindgracetohelpintimeofneed(Heb4:16).Tothethroneofgrace,thatis,toMary,saysSaintAntoninus.AndSaintCatherineofSienadoesnothesitatetocallMary“thedispenserofdivinemercy.”Let us conclude with the beautiful and tender exclamation of Saint Bernard on those

words:“Oclement,Oloving,OsweetVirginMary!”Hesaysthat“sheisclementandmercifultothoseinneed,lovingtothosewhopraytoher,andsweettothosewholoveher;clementwiththepenitent,lovingtothosewhomakeprogress,sweettotheperfect.Sheisclementindelivering us from punishment, loving in bestowing graces, and sweet in giving herself tothosewhoseekher.”

Example

FatherCarloBoviotellsthestoryofamarriedmanwholivedintheprovinceofPuydeDômeinFrance.Thismanhadhadsinfulassociationswithanotherwomanwhilehiswifewasstillliving.ThewifecouldnotendurethisandconstantlybeggedGodtopunishhim.OnedayshevisitedtheBlessedVirgin’saltarinacertainchurchandprayedthatjusticebevisitedonthewomanwithwhomherhusbandwasinlove.TheotherladywasalsoaccustomedtovisitthataltarandsayaHailMaryeveryday.Onenight,Maryappearedtothewifeinadreamandthewomanatoncebeganherold

refrain:“Justice,MotherofGod, justice!”ButtheMadonnaanswered:“Justice?Doyouaskmeforjustice?Go,lookforsomeoneelsetogiveyoujustice;Iwillnotgrantwhatyouask.For thatwomansaysaHailMary inmyhonoreveryday,andwheneveranyonedoes this,regardlessofwhoitis,Isimplycannotallowthatpersontosufferandbepunishedforsin.”On the following morning, the wife went to hear Mass in the same church of the

Madonna. As she was leaving the church, she encountered her husband’s friend. She nosoonersawherthanshebegantoinsultthewoman,sayingthatshewasawitch,thatbyherwitchcraftshehadcastaspellevenontheBlessedVirgin.“Besilent!”thepeoplesaid.“Whatdoyoumeanbysuchanaccusation?”Andshesaid,“WhyshouldIbesilent?WhatIsayis

true.Lastnight theMadonnaappeared tomeandwhen Iaskedher for justice, sherepliedthat shecouldnotobtain this formebecause thiswomansaidaprayer tohereveryday.”ThenthepeopleaskedtheotherwomanwhatprayeritwasthatshedailysaidtotheBlessedVirgin,andsherepliedthatitwastheHailMary.WhenthewomanlearnedthattheBlessedVirginwassomercifultohersimplybecauseofsuchasmalldevotion,shethrewherselfatthefeetoftheMadonna’sstatueand,inthepresenceofallthepeople,beggedpardonforthescandalshehadcausedandmadeavowofperpetualchastity.Thiswasnotall.Shedonnedthehabitofanun,preparedasmallroomforherselfnearthechurch,lockedherselfinit,andlivedthereincontinuouspenanceuntilshedied.

Prayer

OMotherofMercy,sinceyouaresomercifulandsoeagertohelpusshort-sightedcreaturesandgrantourprayers, I, themostmiserableofall,appeal toyourmercy todayandbegyou tograntwhatIask.Letothersaskwhattheyplease:healthofbody,earthlypossessionsandadvantages.ButI ask you, O Mary, for the things that you desire me to ask for, the things that are most inaccordancewithyourwillandmostpleasingtoyourholyheart.Youweresohumble:obtainformehumilityandloveofcontempt.Youweresopatientamidthe

trialsofthislife:obtainformepatienceinadversity.YouweresofullofloveforGod:Obtainforme the gift of a pure and holy love. Youwere all charity toward your neighbor:Obtain formecharity towardall,particularly toward thosewhoare inanywaymyenemies.Youwereentirelyunitedtothedivinewill:ObtainformecompleteconformitytothewillofGodinwhateverwayhemaybepleasedtodisposeofme.Finally,youarethemostholyofallcreatures:OMary,makemeasaint.You are not lacking in love forme:You can do everything, and you have thewill to obtain

everythingforme.Theonlyobstacletoreceivingyourgracesiseithermyneglectinturningtoyou,ormylackofconfidenceinyourprayers.Butthisrecoursetoyouandthisconfidenceinyouarewhatyoumustobtainforme.ThesetwogreatestofgracesIaskofyou,Idesireofyou,andIhopefromyou,withcompleteconfidence,OMary,myMother,myhope,mylove,mylife,myrefuge,myhelp,andmyconsolation.Amen.

10OSWEETVIRGINMARY!

Mary’sNameIsSweetinLifeandinDeath

ThegreatnameofMarydidnotcometoherfromherparents.Anditwasnotgiventoherbythemindorwillofman,asisthecasewithothernamesthatareimposedinthisworld.Hernamecamefromheavenandwasgivenherbyadivinecommand.This isdeclaredtohavebeenthecasebySaintJerome,SaintEpiphanius,SaintAntoninus,andothers.“ThenameofMarycamefromthetreasurehouseofGod,”accordingtoRichardofSaintLawrence.“Yourexaltedandadmirablename,OMary,camefromthetreasurehouseofGod,becauseallthePersonsintheBlessedTrinitybestowedonyouanamethatissuperiortoeveryothernameexceptthatofyourson.”Andtheyennobleditwithsuchmajestyandpowerthatwheneveritwas heard, all who were in heaven, on earth, or in hell, would bend their knees andreverenceit.AmongthemanyprivilegeswhichtheLordgavetothenameofMary,letusseenowhowsweetGodmadethatnamefortheservantsofthismostholymother,bothinlifeandindeath.First,asregardsthecourseofourlife,theholyanchoriteHonoriususedtosaythat“this

nameofMaryisfullofeverykindofsweetnessanddivineflavor.”41SaintAnthonyofPaduafoundinMary’snamethesamesweetnesswhichSaintBernardfoundinthatofJesus.“NameofJesus!”exclaimedtheone.“NameofMary!”repliedtheother.“Joyintheheart,honeyinthemouth,andmusicintheears”ofthosewhoaredevotedtoher.WereadinthelifeoftheBlessedFatherJuvenalAncina,BishopofSaluzzo,thatwheneverhepronouncedthenameofMarytherecametohismouthsucharemarkablesensationofsweetnessthatheusedtolickhislips.WealsoreadthatacertainladyatColognetoldBishopMarsiliusthatwhenevershepronouncedthenameofMary,sheexperiencedatasteinhermouthsweeterthanhoney.Thebishop followed the edifying practice suggested by the lady and experienced the samesweetness.Wegather from the sacredCanticles thatwhenOurLadywasassumed intoheaven the

angelsaskedhernamethreetimes.Who is thiscomingup thedesert, likeacolumnof smoke?(Cant3:6).Again:Whoisthis thatcomesforthlikethedawn?(Cant6:10).Andagain:Whoisthiscomingupfromthedesert,leaninguponherlover?(Cant8:5).“Why,”asksRichardofSaintLawrence,“dotheangelsasksooftenforthisqueen’sname?”Hisanswer:“BecausethenameofMaryissosweeteventotheangels,theydesiretohearitoverandoveragain.”I am not speaking here of an actual sensation of sweetness, for this is not granted to

everyone.What Imean is the salutary sweetness of consolation, love, joy, confidence, andreassurance, which the name of Mary usually inspires in those who pronounce it withdevotion.Speakingonthissubject,theAbbotFranconesaysthatthereisnoothernameafterthatof

theson, inheavenoronearth,whichgives themindsof the faithful somuchgrace,hope,

andsweetnessasthatofMary,becauseitissorichineverygoodthing.HegoesontoexplainthatMary’snamehasaboutitsomethingsoadmirable,sosweet,andsoexquisite,thatwhenitreverberatesinlovinghearts,itbreathesintothemanodorofholysweetness.Headds,inconclusion,thatthisnameissowonderfulthateventhoughitbeheardathousandtimesbythe lovers ofMary, they alwayshear it again as if itwere entirelynew to them, and theyalwaysexperiencethesamesweetnesseachtimethatitispronounced.Speakingaboutthissweetness,BlessedHenrySusousedtosaythat,whenhementioned

thenameofMary,hefeltsofullofconfidenceandwasinflamedwithsuchloveandjoy,thatbetweenthejoyandthetearswithwhichheutteredthisexquisitename,hethoughthisheartwouldleaprightoutofhismouth.Heassertedthatthissweetnamewaslikeahoneycombmeltingintherecessesofhissoul.Thiscausedhimtoexclaim:“Omostsweetname!OMary,whatmustyouyourselfbe,whenthemerementionofyournamecausessuchloveandsuchjoy!”TurningtotheBlessedMother,SaintBernard, inflamedwith loveforher,saystenderly:

“OgreatMary,soamiableanddeservingofallpraise,yournameissosweetandlovable,thatnoonecanpronounceitwithoutbeinginflamedwithloveofyouandGod.Yourloversneedonlytothinkofyoursweetnameandtheyaremovedtogreaterlove.”“Andifrichesaffordcomfort to the poor because they relieve them of their miseries, how much more,” saysRichardofSaintLawrence,“doesyourname,OMary,comfortus.Itcomfortsusmuchmorethanthewealthofthisworld.Itrelievesthepovertyofoursouls.”Inshort,OMotherofGod,“yournameisfilledwithdivinegracesandblessings,”asSaint

Methodius says. So much so, that your name cannot be pronounced, according to SaintBonaventure,withoutbringingsomegracetotheonewhosaysitdevoutly.BlessedRaymondJordanosaysthat“nomatterhowhardenedandskepticalaheartmaybe,thepowerofyourname,ifitisonlypronounced,Omostgraciousvirgin,isenoughtocausesuchahearttobemiraculouslysoftened.Youaretheonewholeadssinnerstothehopeofpardonandgrace.”According to Saint Ambrose, “your sweet name, O Mary, is a fragrant ointment that

breathes forth the odor of divine grace.” He then goes on to pray: “May this ointment ofsalvationpenetrate to the innermostrecessesofoursouls.”Hemeans:OMary, letusoftenremembertomentionyournamewithloveandconfidence,becausedoingthisisasignthatwealreadypossessdivinegrace,orthatwewillsoonrecoverit.Truly,theremembranceofyournamecomfortstheafflicted,OMary.Itrecallsthosewho

have erred to the path of salvation, and encourages sinners not to abandon themselves todespair, as Ludolph of Saxony says. Father Pelbartmaintains that, just as Jesus Christ hascured theevilsof theworldbyhis fivewounds, “soMary,byhermostholyname,Maria,whichiscomposedoffiveletters,dailybringspardontosinners.”ThatiswhythesacredCanticleslikenMary’snametooil:Yournameisasoilpouredout

(Cant 1:2). Commenting on this passage, Blessed Alan says that the glory of her name iscomparedtooilpouredout,becauseoilhealsthesick,givesoffasweetodor,andnourishesfire.Inthesameway,thenameofMaryhealsthesick,gladdensthesoul,andinflameswithdivinelove.Therefore,RichardofSaintLawrenceencouragessinnerstohaverecoursetothisgreatname,because italone isenough tocure themofall their ills.He says: “There isnodisease, howevermalignant, that does not immediately yield to the power of the name of

Mary.”Ontheotherhand,ThomasàKempisassertsthatthedevilsfearthequeenofheavento

suchanextentthat,whentheymerelyhearhernamepronounced,theyfleefromthepersonwhopronouncesit,asfromaburningfire.TheBlessedVirginrevealedtoSaintBridgetthatthere is no sinner on earth, however far fromGod’s grace, fromwhom the devil will notimmediately flee, if he invokes Mary’s name with a determination to repent. The BlessedVirginconfirmedthisonanotheroccasionbysayingthat“allthedevilsrespectandfearmynamesomuchthat,assoonastheyhearit,theyimmediatelyloosentheirgrasponthesoultheyholdcaptive.”OurBlessedLadyalso toldSaintBridget that,as the rebelangels flee fromsinnerswho

invokethenameofMary,sothegoodangelsdrawneartopioussoulswhopronouncethisname.Saint Germanus maintains that as breathing is a sign of life, so also is the frequent

pronunciationofthenameofMaryasignthatthelifeofdivinegraceisthere,orthatitwillsoonbepresent;forthispowerfulnameiscapableofobtaininghelpandlifeforthepersonwho invokes it with devotion. “As breathing is a sign of life in the body, so the frequentrepetitionofyourmostholynamebyyour servants,OMary, isnotonlya signof lifeandstrength,butitalsoprocuresandassuresthesebenefits.”“Inshort,”addsRichardofSaintLawrence,“thisadmirablenameislikeafortifiedtower.

Ifthesinnertakesrefugeinit,hewillbedeliveredfromdeath;foritdefendsandsaveseventhemostabandonedsouls.”Butitisatowerofstrengthwhichnotonlydeliverssinnersfrompunishment,butalsodefendsthegoodfromtheassaultsofhell.ThesameRichardmaintainsthat,“afterthenameofJesus,thereisnootherinwhichmenfindsuchpowerfulassistanceand salvation as in the great name of Mary.” Moreover, it is well known and is a dailyexperienceoftheservantsofMary,thatherpowerfulnameaffordsthestrengthnecessarytoresistthetemptationsoftheflesh.ThesameauthorinhiscommentaryonthewordsofSaintLuke:Andthevirgin’snamewasMary(Lk1:27),saysthattheEvangelistmentionsthesetwonames together,Mary and virgin, to signify that the name of themost pure virgin shouldalways be coupledwith the virtue of chastity. And Saint Peter Chrysologus says that “thenameofMaryisasymbolofchastity.”HemeansthatifanyoneisindoubtwhetherhehassinnedbyconsentingtothoughtsagainstthisvirtueandremembersthathehasinvokedthenameofMary,hehasacertainproofthathedidnotsinagainstchastity.Let us therefore always profit by the splendid advice of Saint Bernard, who says: “In

dangers, inperplexities, inworries, thinkofMary, callonMary.Lethernamenever leaveyourlips,letherloveneverleaveyourheart.”Wheneverweareindangerofforfeitingdivinegrace letus thinkofMaryand invokehername, togetherwith thatofJesus; for these twonamesalwaysgotogether.Letusneverpermitthesetwomostsweetandpowerfulnamestodepart either from our hearts or our lips, because these two great nameswill give us thestrengthtoresistandtoconqueralltemptations.VeryconsolingarethegraceswhichJesusChristpromisedtothosewhoaredevotedtohis

mother’sname,ashegaveSaintBridgettounderstandwhenheallowedhertooverhearhimconversing with Mary. He revealed to the saint that whoever invoked Mary’s name withconfidenceandafirmintentiontorepentwouldreceivethreespecialgraces,namely,perfect

sorrowforhissins,reparationforthemalongwiththecouragetopersevere,and,finally,thegloryofparadise.AndthenourDivineSavioradded:“Foryourwords,OMother,aresosweetanddeartome,thatIcannotdenyyouwhateveryouask.”Finally, SaintEphrem says thatMary’s name is the “key to the gates of heaven” in the

handsofthosewhodevoutlyinvokeit.AndsoitisnotwithoutreasonthatSaintBonaventureaddressesMaryinthesewords:“Osalvationofallwhoinvokeyou!”Bythathemeans,thattoobtain eternal salvation and to invoke her are one and the same. And Richard of SaintLawrence declares that “the devout invocation of her sweet and holy name leads to theacquisitionofsuperabundantgracesinthislife,andaveryhighdegreeofgloryinthenext.”“Ifthen,Obrethren,”concludesThomasàKempis,“youdesireconsolationineverytrial,turntoMary,invokehername,honorher,andrecommendyourselvestoher.RejoicewithMary,weepwithMary,walkwithMary,andseekJesuswithMary.Finally,yearnto liveanddiewithJesusandMary.Bydoingthis,youwillalwaysmakeprogressonthepathoftheLord,forMarywillalwaysbegladtoprayforyouandhersonwillcertainlyhearhismother.”AndsoweseethatthemostholynameofMaryisverysweet indeedtoherservants in

thislife,becauseoftheverygreatgracesthatsheobtainsforthem.Butsweeterstillwillitbetothemintheirlasthour,becauseofthetranquilandholydeathshewillsecureforthem.FatherSertoriusCaputo,S.J.,exhortedallwhoassistthedyingtopronouncethenameof

Maryfrequently.Hesaidthatthishopefulandlife-givingname,whenrepeatedatthehourofdeath,issufficienttoputthedevilstoflightandtocomfortthedyinginalltheirsufferings.LikewiseSaintCamillusdeLelliswarmlyrecommendedtohisreligiousthattheyurgethe

dyingtoinvokethenamesofJesusandMaryfrequently.Hepersonallyfollowedthispracticeinhiscareofthesick,andwhenhehimselfcametodiehecalleduponthesacrednamesofJesusandMarywithsuchtenderness,aswereadinhisbiography,thatheinspiredallthosestandingaboutwithgreatlove.Finally,fixinghiseyesonanimageofJesusandMary,andextendinghisarmsintheformofacross,heexpiredwithalookofheavenlycontentmentonhisface.HislastwordsinthislifewereaninvocationofthesweetnamesofJesusandMary.TheshortprayerinvokingthesacrednamesofJesusandMary,saysThomasàKempis,is

easytoremember,sweettomeditateon,andatthesametimepowerfultoprotectthosewhouseitagainstalltheenemiesoftheirsalvation.Happyishe,saysSaintBonaventure,wholovesyoursweetname,OMotherofGod!Your

nameissogloriousandadmirable,thatnoonewhoremembersitatthepointofdeathneedhaveanyfearoftheassaultsofhell.Oh,thateveryonemighthavethegoodfortunetodieasdidFatherFulgentiusofAscoli,a

Capuchin,whoexpiredsinging:“OMary,OMary,mostbeautifulofcreatures,Iwanttodieandjoinyou!”OrasdidSaintAlbericoftheCistercianOrder,whodied“intheveryactofpronouncingthemostsweetnameofMary.”42

Letusthen,devoutreader,begGodtoseetoitthatatthehourofdeaththenameofMarymaybethe lastwordonour lips.ThiswaswhatSaintGermanusprayedfor:“Maythe lastmovementofmytonguebetopronouncethenameoftheMotherofGod.”43Sweetandsafeisthedeathaccompaniedandprotectedbythispowerfulname!Godgrantsthisgraceonlytothosewhomheisabouttosave.

OmysweetLadyandMother,Iloveyouverymuch,andbecauseIloveyou,Ialsoloveyourholyname.Iintendandhope,withyourhelp,alwaystopronounceitinthislifeandatdeath. In the tenderwordsofSaintBonaventure:“Iaskyou,OMary, for thegloryofyourname,tocomeandgreetmysoulwhenitisleavingthisworld,andtotakeitinyourarms.Donotfail,OMary,tocomethenandcomfortmebyyourpresence.Mayyoubemyladderandmywaytoheaven.Obtainformethegraceofforgivenessandeternalrepose.OMary,myadvocate, it is your task todefendyour servants and to takeup their causebefore thetribunalofJesusChrist.”

Example

Father Rho in his Saturdays and Father Lireo in his Trisagion of Mary relate that in theprovinceofGelder, around theyear1465, therewasayounggirlnamedMary,whomheruncleonedayorderedtogotothemarketinNimwegenandtostayovernightwithherauntinthatcity.Thegirlobeyedheruncleandwenttoheraunt’stospendthenight,butshewasreceivedsounkindlythatsheatoncedecidedtoreturnhome.Nightfell,andbecauseshewassoirritatedbywhathadhappenedshecalledonthedevilinaloudvoice.Atoncethedevilappeared,butintheguiseofayoungmanwhopromisedtohelpher,providedshefulfilledcertain conditions.Theunhappygirl replied: “I shall doanything.” “Theonly thing Iwantyoutodo,”answeredthedevil,“istostopmakingtheSignoftheCrossfromnowon,andtochangeyourname.”Butshesaid:“AsfortheSignoftheCross,Iagreenottomakeitagain;butmyname,thenameofMary,istoodeartomeformetochangeit.”“ThenIwon’thelpyou,” protested the devil. Finally, after much discussion, they agreed that she wouldhenceforthbecalledbythefirstletterofhername,namely,“M.”Afterthiswassettled,theytraveledtogethertoAntwerp.Therethegirlspentsixyearswithherevilcompanionandlivedsuchawickedlifethateverybodywasscandalized.Oneday,shetoldthedevilthatshewantedtovisithernativetownonceagain.Thedevil

triedtoputheroff,butfinallyhewasforcedtoagree.AstheywereenteringNimwegen,theycameuponaplaybeinggivenwhichdepictedthelifeoftheBlessedVirgin.Assoonasshesaw this, poor “M,” because of the little devotion to the Mother of God which she stillretained,begantoweep.“Whatarewedoinghere?”saidhercompanion.“Doyouwant tocreateascene?”Withthatheseizedherbythehandandattemptedtodragheraway,butsheresisted.Whenthedevilrealizedthathewasonthepointoflosingher,hegrewangry,liftedherupintheair,anddroppedheronthemiddleofthestage.Thepoorgirlthenrelatedherwholestory.Shewenttoconfesshersinstotheparishpriest.Thepriestsenthertothebishopof Cologne,who in turn sent her to the pope. Finally, the pope heard her confession andimposedthepenanceofwearingthreeironrings,onearoundherneckandoneoneacharm.Thegirlobeyed,andwhenshe reachedMaastricht sheenteredaconventofpenitentnuns,wheresheremainedforfourteenyears,doingpenanceallthewhile.Onemorning,asshewasgettingoutofbed,shenoticedthattheringshadbrokenoftheirownaccord.Twoyearslater,shediedintheodorofsanctity.Accordingtoherwish,shewasburiedwiththesethreerings,whichhadtransformedherfromaslaveofhellintothejoyousslaveofherliberator,Mary.

Prayer

OgreatMotherofGodandmyMotherMary,itistruethatIamunworthytocalluponyourname.Butyou,wholovemeanddesiremysalvation,mustgrantmethegracealwaystocalluponyourmostholyandpowerfulname,eventhoughmytongueisimpure,becauseyournameisthehelpofthelivingandthesalvationofthedying.OMarymostpure,Marymostsweet,grantthathenceforthyournamemaybetheverybreathof

mylife.OMary,donothesitatetohelpmewheneverIcalluponyou,forinallthetemptationsthatassailmeandinallmyneeds,Iwillneverceasecallinguponyou,repeatingagainandagain,Mary,Mary.IhopethatIshalldothisduringlifeandatthehourofdeath,sothatImayafterwardspraiseyourbelovednameforeverandeverinheaven:“Oclement,Oloving,OsweetVirginMary.”Most lovableMary,whatcomfort,what sweetness,whatconfidence,what tenderness I feel in

everypartofmysoulwhenImerelymentionyournameorthinkofyou!IthankmyLordandGod,who,formysake,hasgivenyousosweet,sopowerful,solovelyaname.But,OMary,Iamnotsatisfiedwithmerelypronouncingyourname;Iwishtopronounceitwith

greater love.Maymy love for you induceme to call uponyouat everyhour, so that I toomayexclaimwithSaintAnselm:“OnameofMary,youaremylove.”OmydearMotherMary,OmybelovedJesus,mayyourmostsweetnamesliveforeverinmy

heartandintheheartsofallhumankind.Maymymindforgetallothernamesinordertorememberandinvokeonlyyourblessednamesforever.Jesus,myRedeemer,andMary,myMother,whenthemomentofdeathcomesandIamabout

to leave this world, as I breathe forth my soul, grant, through your merits, that I may thenpronounceasmylastwords,repeatingthemoverandoveragain:“OJesusandMary,Iloveyou;JesusandMary,Igiveyoumyheartandmysoul.”

PARTII

PRAYERSTOOURLADY

1FERVENTPRAYERSOFSOMESAINTSTOTHEMOTHEROFGOD

I have added these prayers here, not only that theymay be used, but that theymay alsoindicatewhatahighregardthesaintshadforthepowerandmercyofMary,andthegreatconfidencetheyplacedinherpatronage.

PrayerofSaintEphrem

Oimmaculateandall-pureVirginMary,MotherofGod,QueenoftheUniverse,ourowngoodLady,yousurpassallthesaints;youaretheonlyhopeofthePatriarchs,thejoyofthesaints.ThroughyouwehavebeenreconciledwithourGod.Youare theonlyadvocateofsinners,the safe port of the shipwrecked. You are the consolation of the world, the ransom ofcaptives,thejoyofthesick,thecomfortoftheafflicted,therefugeandsalvationofthewholeworld.OgreatPrincess,MotherofGod,coveruswithyourwingsofmercyandhavepityonus.

Nootherhopeisgivenusbutyou,OmostpureVirgin.Wehavegivenourselvestoyou,andhaveconsecratedourselvestoyourservice.Weareyourservants.Donot,then,permitLucifertodragusintohell.O ImmaculateVirgin,weareunderyourprotection, and thereforewehave recourse to

you. We beseech you to prevent your beloved Son from being angry at our sins andabandoningustothepowerofthedevil.Oyouwhoarefullofgrace,enlightenmyunderstanding, loosenmytonguethat itmay

singyourpraises,andespeciallytheAngelicSalutation,whichissoworthyofyou. Isaluteyou,Opeaceand joy,Osalvationandconsolationof theworld. I saluteyou,Ogreatestofmiracles, O paradise of delights, O safe haven for those in danger, fountain of graces,mediatrixbetweenGodandmen.

PrayerofSaintBernard1

Weraiseoureyes toyou,Oqueenof theworld.Wemustappearbeforeour judgeaftersomanysins.Whowillappeasehim?Noonecandoitbetterthatyoucan,OholyMother,whohave loved him somuch, andwhomhe loves so tenderly.OMother ofMercy, open yourhearttooursighsandprayers.Weflytoyourprotection;appeasethewrathofyourson,andrestoreustohisgrace.Youdonotdespiseanysinner,nomatterhowmiserablehemaybe.Youdonotrejecthim,ifhehopesinyou,andinrepentancebegsyourintercession.Byyourmercifulhand,youdeliverhimfromdespair.Yougivehimreasontohope,youcomforthim,andyoudonotleavehimuntilyouhavereconciledhimwithhisjudge.YouarethatchosenwomaninwhomourSaviorfoundrepose,andinwhomhedeposited

all his treasure without measure. Therefore, the whole world, O holy Mary, honors yourchastewombasthetempleofGod,inwhichthesalvationoftheworldbegan.Inyou,Godandmanwere reconciled.You,OgreatMotherofGod,are theenclosedgarden,whichnosinner ever entered to gather its flowers. You are the beautiful garden in which God hasplantedalltheflowersthatadorntheChurch,amongwhicharethevioletofyourhumility,thelilyofyourpurity,theroseofyourcharity.Towhomcanwecompareyou,OMotherofgraceandbeauty?YouaretheparadiseofGod;fromyouthereissuedforththefountainoflivingwaterthatdrenchesthewholeearth.Howmanyblessingsyouhavebestowedontheworldbymeritingtobesuchasalutarychannel!Itisofyouwespeakwhenweask:Whoisthisthatcomesforthlikethedawn,asbeautifulas

the moon, as resplendent as the sun? (Cant 6:10). You came into the world, O Mary, as aresplendentdawn,preceding,withthelightofyoursanctity,theSunofJustice.Thedayonwhichyoucameintotheworldcanindeedbecalledthedayofsalvation,adayofgrace.Youareasbeautifulasthemoon.Amongalltheplanets,themoonistheonethatismostlikethesun;soamongallcreaturesyouaretheonenearesttoGod.Themoonilluminatesthenightwiththelightitreceivesfromthesun,andyouenlightenourdarknesswiththesplendorofyourvirtues.Butyouaremorebeautifulthanthemoon,forinyouthereisneitherspotnorshadow.Youareasresplendentasthesun;ImeanastheSunthatcreatedthesun.Hewaschosenamongallmen,andyouwerechosenamongallwomen.Osweet,Ogreat,OlovingMary,noonecanpronounceyournamewithoutbeinginflamedwithloveforyou.Thosewholoveyoucannotthinkofyouwithoutfeelingthemselvescompelledtoloveyouevenmore.OholyMother,helpusinourweakness.WhoismoreworthytospeaktoourLordJesus

thanyou,whoaresonear tohimandenjoyhis sweetconversation?Speak, then, speak,OMary;foryoursonlistenstoyou,andyouwillobtainallthatyouaskfromhim.

PrayerofSaintGermanus

OmydearMother,youaretheonlyconsolationIreceivefromGod.Youarethecelestialdewthatgivesmerefreshmentinmytrials.Youarethelightofmysoulwhenitissurroundedbydarkness.Youaremyguideon journeys,mystrength inweakness,mytreasure inpoverty,themedicineformywounds,myconsolationinsorrow.Youaremyrefugeinmiseriesandthehopeofmysalvation.Hearmyprayers,havemercyonme,asisfittingfortheMotherofGodwholovesmensomuch.Oyouwhoareourdefenseandjoy,grantmeallthatIask.Makemeworthytoenjoywith

youthegreathappinessthatyouenjoyinheaven.Yes,OMary,myrefuge,mylife,myhelp,mydefense,mystrength,myhope,grantthatImayonedaybewithyouinheaven.Iknowthat,sinceyouaretheMotherofGod,youcanobtaineverythingforme,ifyouwish.OMary,youareall-powerfulandcansavesinners,andyoudonotneedanyrecommendationtodoso,foryouarethemotheroftruelife.

PrayerofBlessedRaymondJordano,AbbotofCelles

Drawmeafteryou,OVirginMary,thatImayrunaftertheodorofyourperfumes.Drawme,

forIamheldbackbytheweightofmysinsandbythemaliceofmyenemies.AsnoonegoestoyoursonunlesstheheavenlyFatherdrawshim,soIpresumetosay,inacertainmanner,thatnoonegoestohimunlessyoudrawhimbyyourholyprayers.Itisyouwhoteachtruewisdom,youwhoobtaingraceforsinners,foryouaretheiradvocate.Itisyouwhopromiseglorytothosewhohonoryou,foryouarethetreasurerofgraces.You,OmostsweetVirgin,havefoundgracewithGod,foryouwerepreservedfromthe

stainoforiginalsin,werefilledwiththeHolySpirit,anddidconceivetheSonofGod.You,OmosthumbleVirgin,receivedallthesegracesnotonlyforyourself,butalsoforus,thatyoumighthelpusinallourneeds.Andthisisindeedwhatyoudo.Youhelpthegood,preservingthem in grace; and you prepare thewicked to receive divinemercy. You assist the dying,protectingthemagainstthesnaresofthedevil;andyouhelpthemalsoafterdeath,receivingtheirsoulsandconductingthemtothekingdomoftheblessed.

PrayerofSaintMethodius

Your name, O Mother of God, is filled with all graces and divine blessings. You havecontainedhimwhocannotbecontained,andnourishedhimwhonourishesallcreatures.Hewhofillsheavenandearth,andistheLordofall,waspleasedtobeinneedofyou,foritwasyouwhoclothedhimwiththatfleshwhichhedidnothavebefore.Rejoicethen,OMotherandhandmaidofGod!Rejoice,becauseyouhavemadehimadebtorwhogivesbeingtoallcreatures.We are all God’s debtors, but he is a debtor to you. That iswhy, Omost HolyMotherofGod,youhavegreatergoodnessandgreatercharitythanalltheothersaints,andhavefreeraccesstoGodthananyofthem,foryouarehismother.Rememberus,webeseechyou,inourmiseries,whocelebrateyourgloriesandknowhowgreatyourgoodnessis.

PrayerofSaintJohnDamascene

Isaluteyou,OMary;youarethehopeofChristians.Receivethesupplicationofasinnerwholovesyoudearly,whohonorsyouineverypossibleway,andplacesinyouhisentirehopeofsalvation. From you I have my life. Restore me to the favor of your son. You are myguaranteeofsalvation.Ibegyou,therefore,delivermefromtheburdenofmysins,dispelthedarknessofmymind,banishearthlyaffectionsfrommyheart,repressthetemptationsofmyenemies,andsodirectmylife,that,byyourhelpandunderyourguidance,Imayattaintheeternalhappinessofheaven.

PrayerofSaintAndrewofCrete

HailMary,fullofgrace,theLordiswithyou.Isaluteyou,Ocauseofourjoy,throughwhomthesentenceofourcondemnationhasbeenrevokedandchangedintooneofblessings.Hail,templeofGod’sglory,sacredhomeofheaven’sKing!YouareGod’sreconciliationwithmen.Hail,motherofourjoyandgladness!Youareindeedblessed,becauseyoualoneofallwomenhavebeenfoundworthytobetheMotherofyourCreator.Allgenerationscallyoublessed.

OMary, if Iputmytrust inyou, Ishallbesaved. If Iamunderyourprotection, Ihavenothing to fear; because being your servantmeans the possession of salvation,whichGodgrantsonlytothosewhomhewillstosave.OMotherofMercy, appeaseyourbeloved son.Whileyouwereonearth, youoccupied

only a small part of it, butnow that youhavebeen raisedabove thehighestheavens, thewholeworldconsidersyouasthecommonintercessorofallnations.We implore you, therefore,OholyVirgin, grant us the help of your prayerswithGod;

prayerswhicharedearerandmoreprecioustousthanallthetreasuresoftheearth;prayerswhichrenderGodpropitioustousinoursins,andobtainforusagreatabundanceofgraces,grace to receivepardon for our sins andgrace topractice virtue; prayerswhich checkourenemies,confoundtheirdesigns,andtriumphovertheirefforts.

PrayerofSaintIldephonsus

Icometoyou,OMotherofGod,andimploreyoutoobtainformetheforgivenessofmysins.CleansemefromthosefaultswhichIhavecommittedallmylife.IbeseechyoutograntmethegracetounitemyselfinaffectiontoyourSonandtoyourself:toyourSonastomyGod,andtoyouastheMotherofmyGod.

PrayerofSaintAthanasius2

Hearourprayers,OmostholyVirgin,andbemindfulofus.Dispensetousthegiftsofyourrichesandtheabundanceofgraceswithwhichyouarefilled.TheArchangelingreetingyoucalled you full of grace.All nations call youblessed. Thewhole hierarchy of heaven singsyourpraises.Andwewhobelong to theearthlyhierarchyalsoaddressyou:Hail,O fullofgrace,theLordiswithyou.Prayforus,OholyMotherofGod,ourLadyandourQueen.

PrayerofSaintAnselm3

Webeseechyou,OmostholyMary,bythefavorGodgrantedyouinraisingyousohighastomake all things possible to you with him, so act that the plenitude of grace which youmeritedmaymakeussharersinyourglory.Strive,OmercifulMother,toobtainforusthatforwhichGodwaspleasedtobecomemaninyourchastewomb.Lendusawillingear.Ifyoudeigntopraytoyoursonforthis,hewillimmediatelygrantit.Itisenoughifyouwilloursalvation,forthenwearesuretoobtainit.Whocanrestrainyourgreatmercy?Ifyou,whoareourmotherandtheMotherofMercy,donotpityus,whatwillbecomeofuswhenyoursoncomestojudgeus?Help us then, O most compassionate Mother, and do not take into consideration the

numberofour sins.Rememberalways thatourCreator tookhuman flesh fromyou,not tocondemnsinners,buttosavethem.IfyouhadbecometheMotherofGodonlyforyourownadvantage,wemightsaythatitwasoflittleconcerntoyouwhetherweweresavedornot.ButGodclothedhimselfwithyourfleshforyoursalvationandforthatofallmen.Whatgood

wouldyourgreatpowerandglorybetous,ifyoudidnotmakeussharersinyourhappiness?Help us, then, and protect us. You know how much we are in need of your help. Werecommendourselves to you.Donot let us lose our souls, butmakeus eternally love andserveyourbelovedson,JesusChrist.

PrayerofSaintPeterDamian4

OholyVirgin,MotherofGod,helpthosewhoimploreyourassistance.Turntowardus.Haveyouperhapsforgottenmen,becauseyouhavebeenraisedtoapositionsoclosetoGod?No,certainly you knowwell inwhat danger you left us. You know themiserable condition ofyourservants.No,itwouldnotbefitsuchgreatmercyasyourstoforgetsuchgreatmiseryasours. Turn toward us, then, with your power, for he who is powerful has made youomnipotentinheavenandonearth.Foryou,nothingisimpossible.Youcanraiseeventhosewhoareindespairtoahopeofsalvation.Themorepowerfulyouare,thegreatershouldbeyourmercy.Turnalsotousinyourlove.Iknow,OMary,thatyouareallkindnessandthatyoulove

uswithalovethatnootherlovecansurpass.Howoftenyouappeasethewrathofourdivinejudge,whenheisonthepointofpunishingus!AllthetreasuresofthemercyofGodareinyour hands. You will never cease to benefit us, I know, for you are only seeking anopportunity to save all sinners and to shower your mercies upon them. Your glory isincreased, when through you, penitents are forgiven and thus reach heaven. Turn thentowardus,thatwemayalsobeabletogoandseeyouinheaven;forthegreatestglorythatwe can have, after seeing God, will be to see you, to love you, and to be under yourprotection.Bepleased,then,tograntourprayer;foryourbelovedSonwishestohonoryoubyrefusingnothingthatyouask.

PrayerofSaintWilliam,BishopofParis5

OMotherofGod,Iappealtoyou,andIbegyounottorejectme,forallthefaithfulcallyoutheMotherofMercy.Youare theonewhoseprayersarealwaysheardbecauseyouare sodeartoGod.Youhaveneverrefusedtoshowmercytoanyone.Yourkindnessandaffabilityhaveneverturnedawayanysinnerwhorecommendedhimselftoyou,nomatterhowgreathiscrimeswere.IstheChurchwrongormisledwhenitcallsyoutheadvocateandrefugeofsinners?Maymysinsneverberesponsibleforpreventingyoufromfulfillingyourgreatofficeof mercy. You are the advocate andmediatrix of peace, the only hope and refuge of themiserable.NeverletitbesaidthattheMotherofGod,whoforthebenefitofthewholeworldgavebirthtothefountainofmercy,shouldeverrefusemercytoanysinnerwhoturnstoher.Youroffice is thatofapeacemakerbetweenGodandmen.Let, then, thegreatnessofyourcompassion,whichisfargreaterthananysins,cometomyassistance.

PrayeroftheVenerableLouisBlosius

Hail,most benignMother ofMercy! Hail, our comforter, the desire of our hearts!Who istherethatdoesnotloveyou?Youareourlightindoubts,ourcomfortinsorrows,ourreliefindistress, our refuge indangers and temptations.You, after youronly-begotten son, areourcertain salvation. Blessed are they who love you, O Lady! Listen, I beseech you, withcompassiontotheprayersofyourservant,aforlornsinner.Dispelthedarknessofmyvicesbytheraysofyourholiness,sothatImaybepleasingtoyoualways.

PrayerofSaintEphrem

OImmaculateandthoroughlypureVirginMary,MotherofGod,queenoftheworld,hopeofthedespairing:youarethe joyof thesaints, thepeacemakerbetweensinnersandGod, theadvocate of the abandoned, the haven of the shipwrecked. You are the consolation of theworld,theransomofcaptives,thecomforteroftheafflicted,thesalvationoftheuniverse.Ogreatqueenweflytoyourprotection.Wehavenotrustinanyonebutyou,Omostfaithfulvirgin!AfterGod,youareouronlyhope.Wecallourselvesyourservants;donotallowSatanto drag us to hell. Hail,most wonderfulmediatrix between God andmen,Mother of OurSavior,towhombegloryandhonorwiththeFatherandtheHolySpirit.Amen.

PrayerofSaintThomasAquinas

Omostblessedandmost sweetVirginMary, so fullofmercy: toyour love Icommendmysoulandmybody,mythoughts,mydeeds,mylife,andmydeath.OmyMother,helpmeandstrengthenmeagainst theattacksof thedevil.Beg formea trueandperfect loveso that Imaylovewithmywholeheartyourdevotedson,mySaviorJesusChrist.Andafterhim,mayIloveyouaboveeveryoneelse.Omyqueenandmymother,byyourmostpowerfulprayers,see to it that this love remains in my heart until my death, after which I expect you toconductmetothekingdomoftheblessed.

InyouIhaveplacedthewholehopeofmyheart(SaintJohnDamascene).Itisnotpossibleforyou,OLady,toabandonanyonewhohopesinyou(SaintBernard).Youdesirenothingbutour salvation,and trulywecouldnotbe savedwithoutyou(Saint

Anselm).Hail, daughterofGod theFather!Hail,MotherofGod theSon!Hail, spouseof theHoly

Spirit!Hail,templeoftheTrinity!(SimonGarcia).

TheRosaryofOurLady’sSorrows

Inclineuntomyaid,OGod!OLord,makehastetohelpme!GlorytotheFather,andtotheSonandtotheHolySpirit.Amen.

Mother,shareyourgriefwithme;LetmebearyoucompanyMourningJesus’death.

FirstSorrow:Igrievewithyou,Oafflictedmother,becauseofthefirstswordofsorrowthatpiercedyoursoulwhenSimeonintheTempletoldyouof theoutragesmenwouldcommitagainstyourbelovedJesus.Youalreadyknewof theseoutrages fromsacredScripture.Youknewhewas to die before your very eyes on adisgraceful cross, drainedof all his blood,abandoned by everybody, and you, unable to help or defend him. By that bitter memorywhichforsomanyyearstormentedyourheart,obtainforme,myqueen,thegracetokeepyour son’s Passion and your sorrows impressed uponmy heart during my life and at mydeath.Recite the Our Father once, the Hail Mary seven times, and the verse “Mother, Share Your

Grief”aftereachSorrow.

SecondSorrow:Igrievewithyou,Oafflictedmother,becauseofthesecondswordofsorrowthatpiercedyoursoulwhen,shortlyafteryourson’sbirth,yousawhislifethreatenedbytheverymenhehadcometosave.Inthedeadofnight,youhadtofleesecretlywithhimintoEgypt.Adelicatemaiden,youenduredmanyhardshipsincompanywithyourexiledchildonthatjourney,solongandsofatiguing,throughroughanddesertcountry.WhileyoulivedinEgyptyouwereastrangerandunknown.Youlivedforyearsinpovertyandcontempt.Asaresultofthesehardships,myLady,begformethegracetobearwithpatiencethetrialsoflifeuntil death, so that in the nextworld Imay escape the punishments of hellwhich I havedeserved.Recite the Our Father once, the Hail Mary seven times, and the verse “Mother, Share Your

Grief”once.

ThirdSorrow: I grievewithyou,Oafflictedmother, becauseof the third swordof sorrowthatpiercedyoursoulinthelossofyourdearsonasheremainedthreedaysinJerusalem.Younolongerhadhimatyoursideandyoudidnotknowthereasonforhisabsence.Thosenights, O my queen, must have been sleepless ones for you as you sighed for your losttreasure.Bythesighsofthosethreedays,foryousolongandsobitter,IbegofyoutoobtainformethegracenevertolosemyGod,thegracetoclingtohimalways,sothatImayleavethisworldunitedtohim.Recite the Our Father once, the Hail Mary seven times, and the verse “Mother, Share Your

Grief”once.

FourthSorrow:Igrievewithyou,Oafflictedmother,becauseofthefourthswordofsorrowthatpiercedyoursoulwhenyousawyoursoncondemnedtodeath,boundwithcordsandchains,coveredwithbloodandwounds,crownedwithawreathofthorns.Yousawhimfallundertheweightof theheavycrosshecarriedonhiswoundedshoulders.Yousawhimgolikeaninnocentlambtotheslaughtertodieforloveofus.Youreyesmethis,andyourlooksbecameassomanyarrowstowoundthoseheartswhichlovedeachothersotenderly.Bythisgreatsorrow,IbegyoutoobtainformethegracetoliveinallthingsresignedtoGod’sholywillandtocarrymycrosscheerfullywithJesusaslongasIlive.Recite the Our Father once, the Hail Mary seven times, and the verse “Mother, Share Your

Grief”once.

FifthSorrow:Igrievewithyou,Oafflictedmother,becauseofthefifthswordofsorrowthatpiercedyour soul onMountCalvary.You sawyour loving son Jesus slowlydying amid somanytormentsandinsultsonthehardbedofthecross.Youwereunabletoprovidehimwitheventheleastofthecomfortsgrantedtocriminalsatthehouroftheirdeath.Bytheagonyyouenduredwithyourdyingson,andbythesorrowyoufeltashesaidfarewellonthecrossandleftallofus,inthepersonofSaintJohn,toyouaschildren,andbytheconstancywithwhichyouwatchedhimbowhisheadandexpire,Ibegyou,mostlovingmother,toobtainformefrommycrucifiedSaviorthegracetoliveanddiecrucifiedtoallearthlythings.MayIspendmylifeforGodaloneandthusattainonedaytoParadisetoenjoyhimfacetoface.Recite the Our Father once, the Hail Mary seven times, and the verse “Mother, Share Your

Grief”once.

SixthSorrow:Igrievewithyou,Oafflictedmother,becauseofthesixthswordofsorrowthatpiercedyoursoulwhenyousawthesweetheartofyoursontransfixedbya lance.Hewasalreadydead;andhehaddiedforthoseungratefulindividualswhowerenotsatisfied,evenafterhisdeath,withthetormentstheyhadshowereduponhim.Bythiscruelsorrow,obtainformethegrace todwellalways in theheartofJesus,piercedandopened forme. In thatheart,whichistheabodeofall love,allsoulswholoveGodrepose.MayIdwellthereandneverthinkoforloveanythingbutGodalone.MostBlessedVirgin,youcanobtainthisgraceforme.Ihopeyouwill.Recite the Our Father once, the Hail Mary seven times, and the verse “Mother, Share Your

Grief”once.

Seventh Sorrow: I grieve with you, O afflicted mother, because of the seventh sword ofsorrowthatpiercedyoursoulwhenyouheldinyourarmsyoursonalreadydead.HewasnolongersofairandbeautifulashewaswhenyouheldhiminthestableofBethlehem.Heisnowcoveredwithblood,lividandfullofwoundsthroughwhichevenhisbonescanbeseen.At that time you said: “My son, my son, what has love brought you to?” And when youcarriedhimtothetomb,youwantedtogoalongandplacehimtherewithyourownhands.Inbiddinghimfarewell,youleftyourlovingheartburiedwithyourson.Bythismartyrdomofyourbeautifulsoul,Omotheroffairlove,obtainformeforgivenessofthemanyoffensesIhave committed against my God. I repent of them with my whole heart. Protect me intemptation.Helpme at themoment ofmydeath, so that Imay savemy soul through themerits of Jesus and your merits, so that one day, after this miserable exile, I may go toParadisetosingthepraisesofJesusandyourpraisesforever.Amen.Recite the Our Father once, the Hail Mary seven times, and the verse “Mother, Share Your

Grief”once.Prayforus,OmostsorrowfulVirgin;thatwemaybemadeworthyofthepromisesofChrist.

LetUsPray

OGod,inwhosePassion,accordingtotheprophecyofSimeon,aswordofsorrowdidpierce

the most sweet soul of the glorious virgin and Mother Mary; grant that we, whocommemorateandreverencehersorrows,mayexperiencetheblessedeffectofyourPassion,wholivesandreignsworldwithoutend.Amen.

LittleRosaryofMaryImmaculate

Inclineuntomyaid,OGod.…Afterthis,anOurFatherisrecitedinhonorofGodtheFatherinthanksgivingforallthe

gracesconferredonMary.ThisisfollowedbyfourHailMarys.ThesameisrepeatedinhonorofGodtheSon,andagaininhonorofGodtheHolyGhost.AftereachHailMaryareaddedthewords:MaytheImmaculateConceptionofMarybeeverpraised!TherosaryconcludeswiththecollectofthefeastoftheImmaculateConception.

DedicationofOneselftoMary

MostholyVirgin,MotherofGod,I(Name)ammostunworthytobeyourservant.Yet,movedbyyourwonderfulmercyandbymystrongdesiretoserveyou,Ichooseyou,inthepresenceofmyGuardianAngelandthewholecourtofheaven, tobemyspecialadvocate,myLadyandmyMother.Ifirmlyresolvetoloveyouandtoserveyoufortherestofmylife,andtodoallIcantogetotherstoloveandserveyoualso.Ibegyou,OMotherofGodandmyownmostmercifulandlovingmother,bythebloodyourSonshedforme,toreceivemeasyourservant and child forever. Be with me in all my thoughts, words, and actions, in everymomentofmylife.SeetoitthateverybreathIdraw,everystepItake,willbedirectedtothegreater glory of God. As a result of your powerful intercession, may I never more offendJesus. May I glorify and love him throughout my life. And may I love you, most lovingmother,sothatImayloveyouandbehappywithyouforalleternityinheaven.Amen.Mary,mymother,Irecommendmysoultoyou,particularlyatthehourofmydeath.

DedicationofaFamilytoMary

MostBlessedVirgin,ImmaculateQueenandmyMotherMary,refugeandconsolationofallmiserablecreatures:prostratebeforeyourthrone,withmyentirefamily,IchooseyouformyLady,myMother,andmyadvocatewithGod.Idedicatemyself,withallwhoarenearanddear to me, forever to your service. I beg you, O Mother of God, to receive us as yourchildren.Takeusunderyourprotection.Protectusinlife,butespeciallyatthehourofourdeath.OMotherofMercy,Iappointyouthemistressandrulerofmywholehousehold,myfamily, my interests, my affairs. Do not refuse this charge. Dispose of everything as youplease. Blessme andmy loved ones and never allow us to offend your son. Defend us intemptations, deliver us from dangers, provide for our necessities, counsel us in doubts,comfortusinaffliction,assistusininfirmityandespeciallyinthepangsofdeath.Neverletthedevilgloryinenslavinganyoneofusnowconsecratedtoyou.Grantthatwemayallgotoheaventothankyou,andtogetherwithyou,topraiseandloveJesus,ourRedeemer,foralleternity.Amen.

EjaculatoryPrayerstoOurBlessedLady

MotherofGod,rememberme(SaintFrancisXavier).OVirginandMother,seetoitthatImayalwaysrememberyou(SaintPhilipNeri).VirginMary,MotherofGod,praytoJesusforme(SaintPhilipNeri).OLady,grantthatJesusmaynevercastmeaside(SaintEphrem).OMary,maymyheartnevercease lovingyouandmytongueneverceasepraisingyou

(SaintBonaventure).OLady,bytheloveyouhaveforJesus,helpmetolovehim(SaintBridget).OMary,deigntomakemeyourservant(SaintJeanneofFrance).OMary,Igivemyselfentirelytoyou.Acceptmeandpreserveme(SaintMaryMagdalende

Pazzi).Mary,donotabandonmebeforemydeath(FatherSpinelli,S.J.).HailMary,myMother(Fr.FrancisBrancaccio,S.J.).HolyMary,myadvocate,prayforme(Fr.SertorioCaputo).If I loveMary, I am sureofperseveranceand salvation, forMarywill obtain fromGod

whateverIwant(SaintJohnBerchmans).

PrayeroftheVenerableLouisBlosius

HailMary,hopeofthedespairing,helpofthedestitute!Yoursonhonorsyousomuchthatwhateveryouask,hegivestoyou.Whateveryouwish,isdoneatonce.Toyouareentrustedthetreasuresofthekingdomofheaven.Grant,OLady,thatduringallthestormsofthislifeImayrememberyou.ToyouIcommendmysoulandmybody.Omysweetprotectress,directandprotectmeineverymoment,ateveryhourofmylife.Amen.

PrayerofSaintAlphonsusRodriguez,S.J.

JesusandMary,my twosweet loves, foryou Iwill suffer; foryou Iwilldie; Iamentirelyyoursandinnothingmyown.

PrayerofSaintBernard

Wecry toyou,OQueenofmercy!Come tous, so thatwemayseeyoudispensing favors,providingremedies,givingstrength.Showusmercyandweshallbesaved.OsovereignLady,saintofsaints,ourrefugeandourstrength,ornamentoftheworld,gloryofheaven,receivethosewholoveyou.Hearus.Yoursonhonorsyouanddeniesyounothing.Hasten,OLady,andinyourmercyhelpyoursinfulservantwhocallsonyou;snatchhim

fromthehandsoftheenemy.

AFavoritePrayertoOurLady

IthankYou,OEternalFather,forthepowerYougavetoMary,YourDaughter.ReciteoneOurFather,oneHailMary,andoneGloryBe.IthankYou,OEternalSon,forthewisdomYougavetoMary,YourMother.ReciteoneOur

Father,oneHailMary,andoneGloryBe.IthankYou,OEternalHolySpirit,fortheloveYougavetoMary,Yourspouse.Reciteone

OurFather,oneHailMary,andoneGloryBe.LiveJesus,ourLove,andMary,ourHope!

2PRAYERTOBESAIDTOTHEBLESSEDVIRGINAFTERADAILYVISIT6

Most holy ImmaculateVirgin,myMotherMary, I turn to you,who are theMother ofmyLord,thequeenoftheworld,theadvocate,thehopeandtherefugeofsinners,I,whoamthemost miserable of all sinners. I venerate you, O great queen, and I thank you for theinnumerablegraceswhichyouhavebestoweduponmeuntilnow.Inparticular,Ithankyouforthegraceofbeingdeliveredfromhell,whichIhavesooftendeserved.I loveyou,dearMary,andbecauseoftheloveIhaveforyou,IpromisetoserveyoualwaysandtodoallthatIcantomakeothersloveyoualso.Iplaceinyouallmyhopesforsalvation.Acceptmeasyour servant, and shelter me under your mantle, O Mother of Mercy. Since you are sopowerful with God, deliver me from all temptations, or rather give me the strength totriumphoverthemuntildeath.IimploreyoutogivemeatrueloveforJesusChrist.ThroughyouIhopetodieaholydeath.MydearMother,bytheloveyouhaveforAlmightyGod,Ibegyoutohelpmeatalltimes,butespeciallyatthelastmomentofmylife.Donotforsakemeuntil you shall seeme safe inheaven,where I canbless youand singyourmercies for alleternity.Amen.Thisismyhope;somayitbe.

PARTIII

SERMONSONTHEPRINCIPALFEASTSOFMARY

1SERMON1:

MARY’SIMMACULATECONCEPTIONDecember8

ItwasfittingthateachofthethreeDivinePersonsshouldpreserveMaryfromoriginalsin.

TheruinwhichsinbroughttoAdamandtothewholehumanracewas incalculable.WhenAdamunfortunatelylostdivinegrace,helostatthesametimealltheothergiftswithwhichhe had been enriched from the beginning. He drew down upon himself and all hisdescendants the enmity ofGod and countless other evils. But from this generalmisfortuneGodwishedtoexempt theBlessedVirginwhomhehaddestinedtobe theMotherofJesusChrist,theSecondAdam,whowastorepairtheevildonebythefirst.LetusseenowhowappropriateitwasforallthreeDivinePersonstopreservetheBlessed

Virgin from original sin. It was fitting for the Father to preserve her because shewas hisdaughter;fortheSon,becauseshewashismother;fortheHolySpirit,becauseshewashisspouse.

FirstPoint

Inthefirstplace,itwasfittingfortheEternalFathertopreserveMaryfromthestainoforiginal sin because she was his daughter, in fact his first-born daughter, as she herselftestifies:IcameoutofthemouthofthemostHigh,thefirst-bornbeforeallcreatures(Ecclus24:5).ThistextisappliedtoMarybysacredinterpreters,bytheFathersoftheChurch,andbytheChurchherselfonthefeastofMary’sConception.WhethersheisGod’sfirstborninthesensethat shewas predestined in the divine decrees togetherwith the Son before all creatures,accordingtotheScotists;orwhether,sinhavingbeenforeseen,sheisthefirstbornofgraceasthepredestinedMotheroftheRedeemer,accordingtotheThomists;allagreeincallingherthefirstbornofGod.Thisbeingthecase, itwasproperthatMaryshouldneverbecometheslaveofLucifer,butshouldonlyandalwaysbepossessedbyherCreator,asindeedshewas,accordingtoherownwords:TheLordpossessedmeinthebeginningofhisways(Prov8:22).DenisofAlexandriarightlycallsher“theoneandonlydaughteroflife.”Sheistheoneandonlydaughteroflife,asdistinctfromallotherswhoarethedaughtersofdeathbecausetheyarebornofsin.ItwasalsoproperfortheEternalFathertocreateheringracebecausehedestinedherto

betherepairerofthelostworldandthemediatorofpeacebetweenhumanbeingsandGod.ThisisthewaytheholyFathersspeakofher,especiallySaintJohnDamascene,whosays:“OBlessedVirgin,youwereborntoministertothesalvationofthewholeworld.”SaintBernardsaysthatMarywasprefiguredbythearkofNoah.Ashumanitywassavedfromthefloodby

thisark,sowearesavedfromtheshipwreckofsinbyMary;butwiththisdifference:thatinthearkonly a fewwere saved,whereaswithMary thewholehuman race is rescued fromdeath. Saint Athanasius calls her “the new Eve, the mother of life.” She is the new Evebecause the first Eve was the mother of death, while Mary is the mother of life. SaintTheophanes,BishopofNicaea, says toher: “Hail, youwhohave takenaway the sorrowofEve.”SaintBasil1callsherthepeacemakerbetweenGodandmen:“Hail,arbiterbetweenGodandmen.”AndSaintEphremcallsherthepeacemakerforthewholeworld:“Hail,reconcilerofthewholeworld!”Nowitwouldcertainlynotbelogicaltoappointanenemyofanoffendedpartytobea

peacemakerwithhim; still less, onewhohadbeen involved as an accomplice in the samecrime.SaintGregorysaysthatnoonewhoisanenemyofajudgecanexpecttoappearbeforehimandappeasehim. Ifheattempts todoso,hewillonlymakethe judgeall theangrier.Therefore, since Mary was destined to be the peacemaker between God and men, it wasentirely logical that sheappearnotasa sinnerandanenemyofGod,butasa friend,andabsolutelysinless.ItwasfittingfromstillanotherstandpointthatGodshouldpreserveherfromoriginalsin,

becausehehaddestinedhertocrushtheheadoftheinfernalserpentwho,byseducingourfirstparents,broughtdeath toall.TheLordhimself foretold: Iwill put enmitiesbetweenyouand thewoman,and thyseedandherseed: sheshallcrush thyhead(Gen3:15).Now,ifMarywastobethatvaliantwomanbroughtintotheworldtoconquerLucifer,itwouldcertainlybeoutofplaceforLuciferfirsttoconquerherandmakeherhisslave.Rather,itwasfarmorereasonablethatsheshouldbefreefromeventheslightestsubjectiontotheenemy.Thedeviltried to infect the pure soul of Mary with his poison, just as he had infected the rest ofmankind.But,thanksbetoGod,hepreventedthisbyfillingMarywithsomuchgracethatsheremainedfreefromeverystainofsinandwasable,asaresult,tobeatdownandconquerSatan’s pride. As Saint Augustine rightly says (or whoever may be the author of thiscommentary onGenesis): “Since the devil is the source of original sin,Mary crushed him;becauseno sin ever entered the soul ofMary, therefore shewas free fromall stain.” SaintBonaventure puts it more precisely: “It was fitting that the Blessed Virgin Mary, throughwhomourshamewastobeblottedout,shouldconquerthedevil,sothatshemightneverbeunderhisswayevenforamoment.”But aboveall, itwas especially fitting that theEternalFather shouldkeephisdaughter

unspottedbyAdam’ssin,asSaintBernardineofSienaremarks,becausehechoseher tobethe Mother of his only-begotten Son: “You were set apart in the mind of God before allcreatures,becauseyouwere tobring forthGodhimself asman.”Therefore, if fornootherreasonthanforthehonorofhisSonwhowasGod,itwasreasonablethattheFathershouldcreateMaryfreefromeverystain.TheangelicSaintThomassaysthatallthingssetasideforGod should be holy and free from blemish: “Holiness should be a characteristic of thosethingsthataredestinedforGod.”SowhenDavidwasplanningthetempleofJerusalemonascaleofmagnificencebecomingtheDeity,hesaid:Ahouseisbeingpreparednotforman,butforGod (1 Par 29:1). With much more reason, then, should we believe that the supremeArchitect,whodestinedMary tobe theMotherofhisownSon,adornedher soulwith themostpreciousgifts,sothatshemightbecomeaworthydwelling-placeforhisSon.AndHolyChurchherself, intheorationaftertheSalveRegina,assuresusthatGodpreparedthebody

and soul of the Blessed Virgin to be a worthy dwelling-place for his only-begotten Son:“AlmightyandEternalGod,who,by thecooperationof theHolyGhost,preparedthebodyandsoulofthegloriousVirginandMotherMary,thatshemightbecomeaworthyabodeforYourSon.…”Weknowthatpeopleconsideritahighhonortobebornofnobleparents:Thegloryof

childrenistheirparentage(Prov17:6).Intheworld,theshameofbeingconsideredpoorandignorantisoflessconcernthanbeingoflowbirth.Whileapoormanmaybecomerichbyhisindustry,andanignorantmanlearnedbystudy,apersonoflowbirthfindsitverydifficulttoentertheranksofthenobility.Shouldsuchapersonsucceedindoingthis,theoldchargeofbeinglow-borncanalwaysbebroughtupagainsthim.CanwethensupposethatGod,whocould arrange to have his Son born of a noblemother by preserving her from sin, wouldpermithimtobebornof someone infectedbysin,andthusmake itpossible forLucifer toreproachhimforeverwiththeshameofhavingamotherwhohadoncebeenhisslaveandtheenemyofGod?No,theEternalFathercertainlydidnotpermitthis.Onthecontrary,hemadeeveryprovisionforthehonorofhisSonbypreservinghisMothereverimmaculate,sothatshewouldbeamothersuitableforsuchaSon.TheGreekChurchemphasizesthiswhenitsays:“ByasingularactofProvidence,GodkeptthemostBlessedVirginperfectlypurefromthe firstmomentofher existence, aswas fitting foronewhowasdestined tobe aworthyMotherofChrist.”Itisacommonaxiomamongtheologiansthatnogiftwaseverbestowedonanycreature

thatwasnotalsobestowedonMary.SaintBernardsaysinthisregard:“Itiscertainlycorrecttosupposethatwhatwasgiventomortals,ifonlytoafew,wasnotdeniedtosuchagreatVirgin.”AndSaintThomasofVillanovasaysthatnoprerogativehaseverbeengrantedtoanyofthesaintswhichdidnotshineforthevenmorebrightlyinMaryfromthefirstmomentofherexistence.Sinceitistruethat“thereisanimmensedifferencebetweentheMotherofGodand the servantsofGod,”according to thecelebrated sayingofSaintJohnDamascene,wemust certainly conclude, according to the teaching of Saint Thomas, that “God conferredprivilegesofgraceonhisMotherwhichwereineverywaygreaterthanthoseconferredonhisservants.”Admitting this, Saint Anselm, the great defender of Mary Immaculate, takes up the

question and asks: “Was thewisdomofGod powerless to form a pure dwelling, free fromevery stainofhumannature?Godwasable topreserve certainangels inheavenandkeepthempuredespitethedownfallofsomany.CouldhenotthenpreservetheMotherofhisSonand theQueenofAngels from thecommon fallofmen?”And Imayaddhere, that ifGodcouldgrantEvethegraceofcomingintotheworldimmaculate,couldhenotthengrantthesamefavortoMary?Indeed,hecould—andhedid.And itwasperfectlyproper fromeverypointofview,as

SaintAnselmsays,that“theVirginonwhomtheEternalFatherintendedtobestowhisonly-begottenSonshouldbeadornedwithsuchpurityaswouldnotonlyexceedthatofallmenand angels, but would be inconceivable in anyone except God himself.” Saint JohnDamasceneputsitevenmoreclearlywhenhesays:“OurLordpreservedthesoulaswellasthebodyoftheBlessedVirgininthatpuritywhichwasfittingforonewhowastoreceiveaGodinherwomb.Heisholy—hereposesonlyinholyplaces.”ThatiswhytheEternalFather

could well say to his beloved daughter: As a lily among thorns, so is my beloved amongwomen(Cant2:2).Mydaughter,amongallmyotherdaughtersyouareasalilyinthemidstof thorns; for theyhave all been stainedwith sin,while youwere always immaculate andalwaysmybeloved.

SecondPoint

Inthesecondplace,itwasfittingthatGodtheSonshouldpreserveMaryfromsin:shewashismother.Thechildrenofthisworldarenotpermittedtochoosethemothertheywouldliketohave.

Butifthisprivilegewereevergranted,wouldanyonewhocouldhaveaqueenwantaslave?Or if one could choose a person of means, would he select a pauper? And if he werepermitted to choose a friend ofGod,would he pick an enemy? Since the Son ofGodwasactuallyabletochoosethemotherhewanted,wemusttakeitforgrantedthathechoseonesuitable for a God. Saint Bernard says: “The Creator of men in becomingmanmust haveselectedforhimselfamotherwhoheknewwouldbeworthyofhim.”SinceitwaseminentlyproperforapureGodtohaveamotherfreefromeverysin,henaturallymadeherso.SaintBernardineofSiena,inapassageinwhichhespeaksofthedifferentdegreesofsanctification,declares: “The thirddegree is that acquiredbybecoming theMotherofGod. It consists inpreservation fromevery traceoforiginal sin.This iswhat tookplace in theBlessedVirgin.WecanbecertainthatGodcreatedherwithsuchperfectionofnatureandgraceaswouldbefittingforonewhowastobecomehismother.”Thewordsof theApostle to theHebrewshave abearinghere:For itwas fitting thatwe

should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners (Heb 7:26). Alearned author observes that, according to Saint Paul, it was fitting that our BlessedRedeemer should not only be set apart from sin, but also from sinners. He quotes theexplanationofSaintThomaswhosays:“Itwasnecessarythathewhocametotakeawaysinsshouldbesetapartfromsinners,withregardtoAdam’ssin.”ButhowcouldJesusChristbesaidtobesetapartfromsinnersifhehadamotherwhowasasinner?SaintAmbrosesaysthatChristchosethisvesselintowhichhewasabouttodescend,not

fromearth,butfromheaven;andheconsecrateditatempleofpurity.Thesaintisreferringto the text of Saint Paul: The firstmanwas of the earth, earthly; the secondman is fromheaven,heavenly (1Cor15:47).The saint calls ourBlessedLady “aheavenly vessel”—notbecauseMarywas not earthly by nature, as heretics have imagined, but because shewasheavenlybygrace.ShewasassuperiortotheangelsofheaveninsanctityandpurityaswasbecomingforaKingofglorywhowasdestinedtodwellinherwomb.SaintJohntheBaptistrevealed this to Saint Bridget: “It was not becoming that the King of glory should reposeanywherebutinthemostchosenandpurevessel,purerthanthatofallangelsandmen.”WemayalsoaddtothiswhattheEternalFatherhimselfsaidtoSaintBridget:“Marywasacleananduncleanvessel:cleaninthatshewasallfair;uncleaninthatshewasbornofsinners.Shewasconceived,however,withoutsin, thatmySonmightbebornofherwithoutsin.”Notetheselastwords:“Marywasconceivedwithoutsin,thatMySonmightbebornofherwithoutsin.”NotthatJesusChristcouldhavebeencapableofcontractingsin,butthathemightnot

be reproachedwith having amother infected by it,whowould consequently have been aslaveofthedevil.TheHolySpiritsaysthatthegloryofamanisfromthehonorofhisfather,andafather

without honor is the disgrace of the son (Ecclus 3:13). That iswhy, says Saint Augustine,JesuspreservedthebodyofMary fromcorruptionafterdeath. Itwouldhaveredoundedtohis dishonor if the virginal flesh with which he had clothed himself had rotted away.Corruption,headds,isamisfortuneofhumannature,andsinceJesuswasnotsubjecttoit,Maryalsowasexempted;forthefleshofJesusisthefleshofMary.Nowifitwouldhavebeena disgrace for Jesus Christ to have been born of a mother whose body was subject tocorruptionoftheflesh,howmuchgreateradisgracewouldithavebeenforhimtohavebeenbornofamotherwhosesoulwasinfectedwiththecorruptionofsin.NotonlyisittruethatthefleshofJesusisthesameasthatofMary,saysthesamesaint,but“thefleshofourSavior,evenafterhisResurrection,remainedthesameasthatwhichhehadtakenfromhismother.”AndAbbotArnoldofChartressays:“ThefleshofMaryandthefleshofChristareoneand

thesame;andthereforeIconsiderthegloryoftheSonasbeingnotsomuchcommonto,asone with, that of his mother.” Since this is so, then if we assume that Mary had beenconceivedinsin,eventhoughherSoncouldnothavecontracteditsstain,neverthelesstherewouldalwayshavebeenacertainblemishinhimforhavingunitedhimselfwithfleshonceinfectedwithsin,avesselofuncleannessandsubjecttoLucifer.Marywasnotonlythemother,buttheworthymotherofOurSavior.Sheiscalledsoby

allthelearnedFathers.Forexample,SaintBernardsays:“Youalonewerefoundworthytobechosen as the one inwhose virginalwomb theKingof kings shouldhavehis first abode.”SaintThomasofVillanovasays:“BeforesheconceivedshewasalreadyfittobetheMotherofGod.”HolyChurchherselfassertsthatMarymeritedtobethemotherofJesusChristwhenshesingsintheOfficeofOurLady:“TheBlessedVirgin,whomeritedtobearinherwombChristourLord.…”SaintThomasAquinas,commentingonthesewords,saysthatwhiletheBlessedVirgindid

notmerittheIncarnationoftheEternalWord,shemerited,bydivinegrace,suchadegreeofperfectionastobecomeworthytobetheMotherofGod.InawritingattributedtoSaintPeterDamianweread:“Herremarkablesanctity,theresultofgrace,meritedthatshealoneshouldbeconsideredworthyofbringingforthaGodintothisworld.”Now supposing that Mary was to be a worthy Mother of God, says Saint Thomas of

Villanova,withwhatexcellenceandwhatperfectionshouldshebeendowed?The Angelic Doctor says that when God chooses anyone for a particular dignity, he

prepares that person fittingly for it. And so, when God chose Mary for his mother, henaturallymade her worthy of this highest of all dignities. This he did by his grace: “TheBlessedVirginwasdivinelychosentobetheMotherofGod,andthereforewecannotdoubtthatGodhadmadeherworthyofthisbyhisgrace.Infact,theangelassuresusofthis:ForyouhavefoundgracewithGod.Behold,youshallconceiveinyourwomb(Lk1:30).”Fromthis,the saint argues that theBlessedVirginnever committed anyactual sin, not evena venialone.Otherwise,shewouldnothavebeenaworthymotherofJesusChrist;fortheignominyofthemotherwouldalsohavebeenthatoftheSon,inthathewouldhavehadasinnerforamother.

NowifMarywouldnothavebeenaworthyMotherofGodonaccountofasinglevenialsin,whichdoesnotdepriveasoulofdivinegrace,howmuchmoreunworthywouldshehavebeenhadshecontractedtheguiltoforiginalsin,whichwouldhavemadeheranenemyofGod and a slave of the devil? Reflection on this caused Saint Augustine to utter thosecelebratedwords:“InspeakingofMary,Idonotwishtomentionsin,becauseofthehonorofOurLordwhomshemerited tohaveasaSon,andonaccountofwhomshewasgiven thegracetoconquersinaltogether.Forweknowthatanabundanceofgracetoconquersininevery form was conferred upon her who merited to conceive and bear him in whom, ofcourse,therewasnosin.”Therefore,wemust consider it as certain that “the IncarnateWord chose for himself a

suitablemotherandoneofwhomheneednothavebeenashamed,”asSaintPeterDamiansays.SaintProclusalsosays:“Hedwelt inawombwhichhehadcreatedfreefromall thatmightbetohisdishonor.”ItwasnodisgraceforJesustohearhimselfcalledbytheJewsthe“SonofMary,”meaningthathewasthesonofapoorwoman:IsnothismothercalledMary?(Mt13:55).Hecameintothisworldtogiveusanexampleofhumilityandpatience.Ontheotherhand,itwouldundoubtedlyhavebeenadisgraceifhehadheardthedevilsay:“Wasnothismotherasinner?”or,“Washenotbornofasinfulwoman,ofamotherwhowasoncemyslave?”Itwouldhavebeensomewhatunbecoming,tobesure,ifJesushadbeenbornofawoman whose body was deformed, or crippled, or perhaps possessed by devils. But howmuchworsewouldithavebeenforhimtobebornofawomanwhosesoulhadoncebeendeformedbysin,asoulinthepossessionofLucifer!God,whoisWisdomitself,knewwellhowtoprepare forhimselfasuitabledwelling in

whichtoliveonearth:Wisdomhasbuiltherselfahouse.TheMostHighhassanctifiedhisowntabernacle.…Godwillhelp it in themorningearly (Prov9:1;Ps45:5–6).Davidsays thatOurLord sanctified his dwelling in the morning early; that is, he sanctified Mary from thebeginningofherlifeinordertomakeherworthyofhim.ItwasnotfittingthataholyGodshouldchooseforhimselfadwellingthatwasnotholy:Holinessbefitsyourhouse (Ps92:5).NowifGoddeclaresthathewillneverenteranevilsoulordwellinabodysubjecttosin—forwisdomwillnotenterintoamalicioussoul,nordwellinabodysubjecttosin(Wis1:4)—howcanweeverthinkthattheSonofGodchosetodwellinthesoulandbodyofMarywithouthavingfirstsanctifiedandpreserveditfromeverystainofsin?For,accordingtotheteachingofSaintThomas,theEternalWorddweltnotonlyinMary’ssoul,butalsoinherwomb.HolyChurch sings: “You,O Lord, have not disdained to dwell in theVirgin’swomb.” Yes, GodwouldhaveshrunkfrombecomingincarnateinthewombofanAgnes,aGertrude,aTeresa,because these virgins, even though holy, were nevertheless stainedwith original sin for atime at least. But he did not hesitate to becomeman in the womb ofMary, because thisbelovedVirginwasalwayspureandfreefromtheleastshadowofsin,andneverinthepowerofSatan.AndthereforeSaintAugustinemaintainsthat“theSonofGodcouldnothavebuilthimselfaworthierhomethanMary,whowasneverpossessedbytheenemy,nordespoiledofherprerogatives.”2

Ontheotherhand,SaintCyrilasks:“Whoeverheardofanarchitectwhobuilthimselfamagnificent templeand then surrendered the firstuseof it tohisworst enemy?” It isonlynatural,arguesSaintMethodius,thattheveryLordwhogaveusthecommandmenttohonorourparentsshouldhavenootherthoughtbuttodolikewise.Andsowhenhebecameman,

hegavehismothereverygraceandhonor:“Hewhosaid,Honoryourfatherandyourmother,thathemightobservehisowndecree,gaveallgraceandhonortohismother.”AndSaintAugustinesays:“WemustcertainlybelievethatJesusChristpreservedMary’s

bodyfromcorruptionafterdeath,forifhehadnotdonesohewouldnothaveobservedthelawwhich,whileorderingthatamotheristobehonored,alsoorderedthatnodisrespectisto be shown her.” How littlewould Jesus have guarded hismother’s honor if he had notpreservedherfromthesinofAdam!“ThatSonwouldcertainlybeactingsinfully,”saystheAugustinianFatherThomasofArgentina,“whowouldnotpreservehisMotherfromoriginalsinifhehadthepowertodoso…Butwhatwouldbeconsideredasinwithus,”continuesthe same author, “would certainly be unbecoming toGod’s Sonwho,when he could havemade his Mother immaculate, failed to do so.” No, adds Gerson, since you, the SupremePrince,chosetohaveamother,youcertainlyoweherhonor.Butitwouldappearthatyouwouldnotbehonoringherifyoupermittedherwhowastobethedwelling-placeofallpuritytobecontaminatedbyoriginalsin.Moreover,weknowthatJesuscameintotheworldtoredeemMarymorethanallother

creatures,accordingtoSaintBernardineofSiena.Nowtherearetwomodesofredemption,asSaint Augustine teaches: the one by raising up someonewho has fallen, and the other bypreventingthatpersonfromfalling.Thesecondisnodoubtthenoblermethod,forthentheinjury or stain which the soul always contracts when it falls is avoided. So says SaintAntoninus.Thisbeingthecase,weoughtcertainlytobelievethatMarywasredeemedinthemorehonorableway,thewaymorefittingfortheMotherofGod.SaintBonaventuresays:“Itis to be believed that the Holy Spirit, by a remarkable grace and by a new mode ofsanctification, saved and preserved Mary from original sin in the first moment of herconception—not in thesense thatoriginal sinhadbeen inher,but thatotherwise itwouldhavebeen.”ThesermonfromwhichthispassageistakenisprovedbyFrassentobereallytheworkoftheholyDoctor.Onthesamesubject,NicholasofCusabrilliantlyremarks:“ToothersJesuswasaliberator,buttoMaryhewasapre-liberator.”HemeansthatotherhumanbeingshadaRedeemerwhodeliveredthemfromsinwithwhichtheywerealreadydefiled,butthatMaryhadaRedeemerwho,becausehewasherSon,preservedherfromeverbeingdefiledbyit.Inconclusion,letmequoteHughofSaintVictorwhoremindsusthatweknowatreeby

itsfruits.“IftheLambwasalwaysimmaculate,”heargues,“sowastheMotheroftheLamb;forthetreeisknownbyitsfruit.”AndhesalutesMary,saying:“OworthyMotherofaworthySon,”meaningthatnooneexceptMarywasworthytobetheMotherofsuchaSon,andnooneexceptJesuswasworthyofsuchaMother.Andthenheaddsthesewords:“ObeautifulMotherofbeauty itself,Oexaltedof themostexaltedOne,OMotherofGod!”Letus thenspeaktothismostblessedMotherinthewordsofSaintIldephonsus:“Givesuck,OMary,toyourCreator.Givemilktohimwhomadeyou,andwhomadeyousuchthathecouldbeborntoyou.”

ThirdPoint

SincethenitwasfittingthattheFathershouldpreserveMaryfromsinbecauseshewashis

daughter,andtheSonbecauseshewashismother,soalsoitwasappropriatethattheHolySpiritshouldpreserveherfromsinbecauseshewashisspouse.SaintAugustinesaysthatMarywastheonlyonewhomeritedtobecalledtheMotherand

theSpouseofGod.SaintAnselmassertsthat“theDivineSpirit,theloveoftheFatherandtheSon,camecorporallyintoMaryandenrichedherwithgracesaboveallcreatures,reposedinherandmadeherhisSpouse,theQueenofheavenandearth.”Whenhesaysthathecameinto her corporally, he means that he came to form out of her immaculate body theimmaculate body of Jesus Christ, as theArchangel had already predicted to her:TheHolySpiritshallcomeuponyou(Lk1:35).Andthatiswhy,saysSaintThomas,MaryiscalledthetempleoftheLordandthesacredresting-placeoftheHolySpirit:becausebytheoperationoftheHolySpiritshebecametheMotheroftheIncarnateWord.Supposeanaccomplishedpainterwerecapableofmakinghisbridelookasbeautifulashe

couldportrayher,wouldhenotbendeveryeffort tomakeheras lovelyaspossible?ThenhowcanwesaythattheHolySpiritwouldnothavedonethesamethingwithMary?Wouldhenothavemadeherwhowastobehisspouseasbeautifulandunblemishedasitwasfittingthatsheshouldbe?Ofcourse.Heactedjustaswemightassumethatheshould.IntheSongofSolomonweread:Youarebeautiful,mybeloved,andthere isnoblemish inyou(Cant4:7).BothSaintIldephonsusandSaintThomasdeclarethatthesewordsrefertoMary,asCorneliusàLapideinformsus;andSaintBernardineofSienaandSaintLawrenceGiustinianiassertthatthey have actual reference to her Immaculate Conception. Blessed Raymond JordanoaddressesMaryandsays:“Youareallfair,OmostgloriousVirgin—notmerelypartiallybutwholly—andthereisnostainofmortal,venial,ororiginalsininyou.”TheHolySpirithadalreadysaidasmuchwhenhecalledhisSpouseanenclosedgarden

andasealedfountain:Youareanenclosedgarden,mysister,mybride,andenclosedgarden,afountain sealed (Cant 4:12). According to Saint Jerome, this enclosed garden and sealedfountainwereMary, intowhomnoguilecouldenter,againstwhomnowilesof theenemycouldprevail, andwhowasalwaysholy inmindandbody.SaintBernardmakes the sameapplicationtoMary:“Youareanenclosedgardenintowhichnosinnerhaseverenteredtopluckitsflowers.”WeknowherDivineSpouselovedMarymorethanhelovedallthesaintsandangelsput

together,asFatherSuarez,SaintLawrenceGiustiniani,andothersassert.AsDavidputitinthePsalms,helovedherfromtheverybeginningandmadehermoreholythanalltheothers:Hisfoundation(is)upontheholymountains;theLordlovesthegatesofSionmorethananydwellingofJacob.…Oneandallwereborninher;andhewhoestablishedheristheMostHighLord(Ps86:1,2,5).ThesewordssimplymeanthatMarywasholyfromthemomentofherconception.TheHolySpiritsaysthesamethingofMaryinotherpassages.InProverbsweread:Many

are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all (Prov 31:29). If Mary thenexcelledallothers in the richesofgrace, shemusthavebeenadornedwithoriginal justicelikeAdamandtheangels.InCanticleweread:Thereare…maidswithoutnumber.Onealoneismydove,myperfectone,mymother’schosen(Cant6:8,9).(IntheHebrew,thereadingis:myunsullied one,my immaculate one.) All just souls are daughters of divine grace. But amongthese,Marywasthedovewithoutthebitternessofsin,theperfectonewithoutblemishinher

origin,thechosenoneconceivedingrace.EvenbeforeshebecameMotherofGod,theangelfoundherfullofgraceandgreetedher

withthewords:Hail,fullofgrace!WithreferencetothesewordsSaintSophroniuswrites:“Totheothersaintsgracewasgivenpartially,buttotheBlessedVirgin,allgracewasgiven.”Somuch so that SaintThomasmaintains that “gracenot only rendered the soul but even thefleshofMaryholy,sothatshemightfittinglyclothetheEternalWordwithit.”NowallthisleadstotheconclusionthatMarywasenrichedandfilledwithdivinegracebytheHolySpiritfromthefirstmomentofherconception,asPeterofCellesobserves:“Thefullnessofgracewas in her; for from the very moment of her conception the whole grace of the divinityoverfloweduponherbytheoperationoftheHolySpirit.”This is the reasonwhy Saint PeterDamian says: “TheHoly Spirit snatched entirely for

himselfthisprivilegedonewhowaschosenbyGodandchosenbeforeallothers.”Thesaintusestheterm“snatch”toindicatethespeedwithwhichtheHolySpiritactedinmakingthisspousehisown,beforeLucifercouldtakepossessionofher.

Conclusion

InowwishtoconcludethisdiscourseduringwhichIhavespokenatsomewhatgreaterlengththanintheothers.ThisisbecauseourhumbleCongregationhastheBlessedVirginMaryforitsprincipalpatronessunder the titleofher ImmaculateConception. Iwish toconcludebystatinginasfewwordsaspossiblethereasonswhichmakemecertain—andwhich,itseemstome,shouldmakeeverybodycertain—thatMarywasfreefromoriginalsin,abeliefthatissoedifyingandgivessomuchglorytoOurBlessedMother.3

There are many scholars who are of the opinion that Mary was even exempt fromcontractingthedebtofsin;forexample,PietroGalatino,CardinalNicholasofCusa,DePonte,Salazar, Catharinus, Novarinus, Viva, De Lugo, Aegidius, Richelius, and others. And thisopinionseemsprobable.For if it is true that thewillofeverymanwas included in thatofAdamas theheadof thehuman race—anopinionwhich is basedon thedoctrineof SaintPaulthatallmenhavesinnedinAdam(seeRom5:12)—thenitisalsoprobablethatMarydidnotcontractthedebtofsin.SinceitisobviousthatGodsingledheroutfromthecommonrunofhumanbeingsbysomanygraces,weoughtpiouslytobelievethathedidnotincludeherwillinthatofAdam.This opinion is only probable, but I adhere to it as beingmore complimentary to Our

Lady.Ontheotherhand,IconsiderascertaintheopinionthatMarydidnotcontractthesinof Adam. As a matter of fact, others not only consider it as certain but even as beingproximately definable as an article of faith, such as Cardinal Everard, Duval, Raynauld,Lossada,Viva,andmanyothers.Forthisreason,Ipassoverinsilencetheprivaterevelationswhich confirm this belief, particularly those of Saint Bridget, which were approved byCardinalTorrecremataandbyfourSupremePontiffs,andwhicharefoundinvariouspartsofthesixthbookofherRevelations.ButundernocircumstancescanIomittheopinionsoftheFathersoftheChurchonthis

subjectwhichprovehowuniformtheywereinassigningthisprivilegetotheMotherofGod.

SaintAmbrosesays:“ReceivemenotfromSarahbutfromMary,thatitmaybefromanuncorruptedVirgin,aVirginfreebygracefromeverystainofsin.”Origen,speakingofMary,saysthat“shewasnotinfectedbythevenomousbreathofthe

serpent.”SaintEphrem,that“shewasimmaculateandfarremovedfromallstainofsin.”SaintAugustine,commentingontheangel’swordsHail,fullofgrace,says:“Bythesewords

theangelshowsthatMarywasentirely[noticetheword‘entirely’]excludedfromthewrathofthefirstjudgmentandthatshereceivedthegraceofeveryblessing.”SaintJerome:“Thecloudwasneverindarkness,butalwaysinlight.”ArnaldtheAbbot:“Justicedidnotsufferthisvesselofelectiontobeexposedtocommon

injuries.Sinceshewasfarexaltedaboveothercreatures,shepartookoftheirnaturebutnotoftheirsin.”SaintAmphilochius: “Hewho formed the firstvirginwithoutdeformityalso formed the

secondonewithoutspotorsin.”Saint Sophronius: “The BlessedVirgin is called immaculate because shewas corrupt in

nothing.”SaintIldephonsus:“Itisclearthatshewasexemptfromoriginalsin.”

SaintJohnDamascene:“Theserpentneverhadanyaccesstothisparadise.”SaintPeterDamian:“ThefleshwhichtheVirgintookfromAdamgavenoadmittanceto

thesinofAdam.”SaintBruno:“ThisisthatuncorruptedlandwhichGodblessed,andwhichwastherefore

freefromallcontagion.”SaintBonaventure: “OurBlessedLadywas fullofprevenientgrace inher sanctification;

thatis,ofgracepreservingherfromthecorruptionoforiginalsin.”Saint Bernardine of Siena: “It is unbelievable that the Son of Godwould be born of a

Virginandtakefleshfromher,ifshehadbeenintheslightestdegreetaintedbyoriginalsin.”SaintLawrenceGiustiniani: “Inherveryconception shewas filledwith theblessingsof

prevenientgrace.”Blessed Raymond Jordano, called the Idiot, commenting on thewords,Thou has found

grace,says:“Youhavefoundauniquegrace,OmostsweetVirgin,thatofpreservationfromoriginalsin.”Manyotherlearnedscholarssaythesamething.Finallytherearetwoargumentsthatproveconclusivelythetruthofthispiousbelief.The

firstoftheseistheuniversalconsensusofthefaithful.FatherGilesofthePresentationassuresus that all the religious orders follow this opinion. A contemporary authormentions that,while there are ninety-two Dominican authors who deny it, there are at the same time ahundred and thirty-six who favor it. We are particularly induced to hold that this is thegeneralsentimentofCatholicsfromthecelebratedbullofAlexanderVII.InSollicitudoomniumecclesiarum,published in1661, thePope says: “This specialdevotion toward theMotherof

Godwasagainincreasedandpropagatedbythefact thatsomanyuniversitiesadoptedthisopinionandnownearlyallCatholicshaveembracedit.”ActuallythisopinionisdefendedbytheuniversitiesoftheSorbonne,Alcalá,Salamanca,

Coimbra, Cologne, Mainz, Naples, and many others. All who take their degrees there areobliged to swear that theywill defend thedoctrineofMary’s ImmaculateConception.ThelearnedPetavius isparticularly impressedby thisargument from thecommonbeliefof thefaithful. And the learned doctor, Bishop Julius Torni, writes that we cannot help beingconvincedbythisargument.Ifitisthecommonconsentofthefaithfulthatmakesuscertainwith regard toMary’s sanctification in thewombandher assumption, body and soul, intoheaven,whythenshouldnotthesamegeneralconsensusofthefaithfulalsomakeuscertainwithregardtoherImmaculateConception?The second reason, even more convincing than the first, which makes us certain the

Blessed Virgin was exempt from the stain of original sin, is the fact that the Church hasorderedthefeastofherImmaculateConceptiontobecelebratedthroughouttheworld.Withregardtothispoint,InotefirstofallthattheChurchcelebratesthefirstmomentinwhichhersoul was created and infused into her body. This was declared by Alexander VII in theabovementioned bull. He says that the Church gives to Mary in her conception the samevenerationwhichisgiventoherbythosewhoholdthepiousbeliefthatshewasconceivedwithout original sin. And second, I regard it as certain that the Church cannot celebrateanything that is not true and holy.According to the teaching of Pope Saint Leo and PopeSaintEusebius:“Intheteachingof theApostolicSee, theCatholicreligionhasalwaysbeenpreserved fromerror.”All theologians, including SaintAugustine, SaintBernard, and SaintThomas,agreeonthispoint.AndSaintThomasusesthisveryargumenttoprovethatMarywas sanctified before her birth: “The Church celebrates theNativity of the BlessedVirgin.Nowafeastiscelebratedonlyforasaint.ThereforeitstandstoreasonthattheBlessedVirginwas sanctified in hermother’swomb.” But if it is certain thatMarywas sanctified in hermother’swombas theAngelicDoctormaintains—for it isonlyonthatsuppositionthat theChurchcancelebrateherbirth—whycanwenotconsideritasequallycertainthatMarywaspreservedfromoriginalsinfromthefirstmomentofherconception,knowingaswedothatthisisthemindoftheChurchincelebratingthefeast?Finally, in confirmation of this great privilege of Mary, we may cite the innumerable

gracesandgiftswhichtheLordwaspleasedtodistributethroughoutthekingdomofNaplesbymeansofthepicturesofherImmaculateConception.4Icouldtellthestoryofmanyfavorswhichpassed,sotospeak,throughthehandsoftheFathersofourownCongregation;butIwillcontentmyselfwithtwothataretrulyadmirable.

Examples

One day a woman came to one of our monasteries and told one of the Fathers that herhusbandhadnotbeentoconfessionformanyyears.Shesaidthatshewasatalosshowtobring him back to the sacraments. Every time shementioned confession, he beat her. ThepriesttoldhertogivehimalittlepictureoftheImmaculateConception.Thateveningwhensheagainaskedhimtogotoconfession,heturnedadeafearasusual.Soshegavehimthe

picture.Themanhadscarcelytakenthepictureinhishand,whenhesaidtoher:“Verywell,whendoyouwantmetogotoconfession?Iamwillingtogo.”Thegoodwomanweptforjoyonseeingthissuddenchangeofheart.Thenextmorningthemancametochurchtomakehisconfession,andwhenthepriest

askedhimhowlong ithadbeensincehis lastconfession,hereplied:“Twenty-eightyears.”“Andhowisit,”continuedthepriest,“thatyouweremovedtocomethismorning?”“Iwasvery stubborn, Father,” he said; “but last nightmywife gaveme a picture of the BlessedMother and I immediately feltmyheart change. Somuch so, as amatter of fact, that lastnighteveryminuteseemedlikeathousandyears.Icouldhardlywaitformorningtocomesothat I could see thepriest.”Hemadea ferventconfessionandchangedhiswayof lifeandremainedforalongtimeunderthedirectionofthesamekindconfessor.Inanotherplace,inthedioceseofSalerno,whereourFathersweregivingamission,there

wasamanwhohatedaneighborofhiswhohadoffendedhim.OneoftheFathersurgedhimtobereconciledbutheonlysaid:“Father,didyoueverseemeatanyofyoursermons?No,and this is the reason Idonotcome. Iknowthat Iamdamned,butnothingelsewill eversatisfyme.Imusthaverevenge.”Thepriestdidallhecouldtogethimtochange,butwhenhesawthathewaswastinghiswords,hesaid:“Here,takethispictureofOurLady.”Themanasked: “What good is that to me?” But no sooner had he taken it than he said to themissionary,asifhehadneverutteredthosewordsaboutrevenge:“Isanythingelsenecessarybesidesreconciliation?Iamready.”Soanappointmentwasmadeforhimtomeetwithhisenemythenextmorning.Butwhenmorningcame,hehadchangedhismindandwouldhavenothingtodowiththeplan.Thepriestofferedhimanotherpicture,butherefusedit.Finally,aftermuchpleadingonthepartofthepriest,hetookit.Assoonashelookedatthissecondpicture,hesaid:“Letushurry.Iwanttomakepeaceatonce.”Hebecamereconciledwithhisenemyandthenwenttoconfession.

Prayer

OImmaculateMary!Irejoicewithyouonseeingyouenrichedwithsuchgreatpurity.IthankGod,andresolvealwaystothankhimforhavingpreservedyoufromeverystainofsin.Ifirmlybelievethisdoctrineandamwillingtolaydownmylife—andevensweartodosoifthisbenecessary—indefenseofthisgreatanduniqueprivilege,theprivilegeofyourImmaculateConception.Iwouldliketoseethewholeworldknowandproclaimyouasthatbeautiful“Dawn”whichwas

always illumined with divine light; as that chosen “Ark” of salvation, free from the commonshipwreckof sin;as thatperfectand immaculate“Dove”whichyourDivineSpousedeclared thatyouare;that“enclosedGarden”whichwasthedelightofGod;that“sealedFountain”whosewaterswerenevertroubledbytheenemy;andfinally,asthat“whiteLily”whichyouareeventhoughyouwerebornamong the thornsof thesonsofAdam,allofwhomarebornwithsinandenemiesofGod.Youalonewereconceivedpureandspotless,andareinallthingsthebelovedofyourCreator.LetmepraiseyouasGodhimselfpraisedyou:Youarealtogetherbeautiful,mylove;thereisno

flaw inyou(Song4:7).OmostpureDove,all fair,allbeautiful,always the friendofGod:Howbeautifulyouare,mylove,howverybeautiful!(Song4:1).Omostsweet,mostlovable,immaculateMary,youwhoaresobeautifulintheeyesoftheLord,donotdisdaintocastyourcompassionate

eyesonthewoundsofmysoul,loathsomeastheyare.Beholdme,pityme,healme.Obeautifulmagnetof souls, drawmyheartalso!Youwho from the first instantof your life

appearedpureandbeautifulbeforeGod,pityme. Iwasnotonlyborn in sin,butafterbaptism Iagain soiledmy soulwith sin.Whatgracewill everbedeniedyoubyGodwhochoseyouashisdaughterandspouse,andthereforepreservedyoufromeverystain,andinhislovepreferredyoutoall other creatures? O immaculate Virgin, you must save me. I will say with Saint Philip Neri:“GrantthatImayalwaysrememberyou,anddoyouneverforgetme.”ThehappydaywhenIshallgo to behold your beauty in paradise to praise and love you evenmore than I now do seems athousand years away,OmyMother,myQueen,my beloved,my beautiful one,my sweet, pure,immaculateMary.Amen.

2SERMON2:

MARY’SBIRTHSeptember8

GodenrichedMarywithgreatgraceatherbirthandMaryalwayscooperatedfaithfullywiththisgrace.

Wecustomarilycelebratethebirthdaysofchildrenwithjoyandfestivity.Butinasenseweought to pity the youngsters and feel sorry for them. I refer, of course, to the fact thatchildrenarebornnotonlydeprivedofgraceandreason,butevenworse—infectedwithsinandchildrenofwrath,andthereforecondemnedtomiseryanddeath.However,itisrightandreasonabletocelebratethebirthoftheinfantMarywithjoyandfestivity.Marysawthelightofthisworldasababeinpointofage,butmatureinmeritandvirtue.Marywasbornasaint,agreatsaint.But toappreciatehowholyMaryreallywaswhen

shewasborn,wemustunderstandtwothings:first,howgreatwasthatfirstgracewithwhichGodenrichedher;andsecond,howfaithfullysheimmediatelycorrespondedwithit.

FirstPoint

Tobeginwiththefirstpoint, it iscertainthatMary’ssoulwasthemostbeautiful thatGodhadevercreated.Infact,aftertheIncarnationoftheEternalWord,thiswasthegreatestandmost worthy act that the omnipotent God ever accomplished in this world. Saint PeterDamian calls it “awork surpassed only by God himself.” It follows, therefore, that divinegracedidnotcomeintoMaryslowly,bydropsasitwereasinthecaseofothersaints,butlikerainuponthefleece(Ps71:6),asDavidpredicted.ThesoulofMarywasassoftasfleeceandabsorbedthewholeshowerofgracewithoutlosingasingledrop.SaintBasilsays:“TheBlessedVirginwasdrenchedwithallthegraceoftheHolySpirit.”Therefore,inthewordsofEcclesiasticus,Marysaid:Myabodeisinthefullassemblyofthesaints(Ecclus24:16).Thatistosay,asSaintBonaventureexplainsit:“Ihaveafullnessofthatwhichothersaintshaveonlyin part.” And Saint Vincent Ferrer, speaking especially of the sanctity ofMary before herbirth, says: “TheBlessedVirginwas sanctified inhermother’swombbeyondall saintsandangels.”Inhisbeautifulwork,TheGrandeurs of JesusandMary, the very learnedFather Francis

Pepe, S.J., proves that the gracewhichMary possessed surpassed the grace of every saintindividually and of all the saints and angels collectively. He claims that this opinion, sogloriousforourqueen,isthecommonopinionandisconsideredcertainbytheologianssuchasCartagena, Suarez, Spinelli, Recupito,Guerra, andmanyotherswhohave gone into thequestion, a subjectwhich the ancients did not investigate.Moreover, he relates thatMaryorderedFatherMartínGutiéreztothankFatherSuarezinhernameforhavingcourageously

defendedthisopinionasmostprobable;anopinionwhich,accordingtoFatherSegneriinhisClientofMary,waslatertaughtasthecommonopinionoftheUniversityofSalamanca.Nowifthisopinionisgeneralandcertain,thatotherisalsoveryprobable,namely,that

Mary received this grace which exceeds that of all men and angels together in the firstmoment of her Immaculate Conception. Father Suarez strongly defends this, as do FatherSpinelli,FatherRecupito,andBlesseddelaColombièreinhisTwenty-SeventhSermon.Inadditiontotheauthorityofthesetheologians,therearetwoveryconvincingarguments

insupportofthisopinion.The first is thatMarywas chosenbyGod tobe theMother of theDivineWord.Hence

BlessedDenistheCarthusiansaysthatsinceMarywaschosenforapositionsuperiortothatofallothercreatures(for,inacertainsense,thedignityofMotherofGod,asFatherSuarezasserts,belongstotheorderofthehypostaticunion),itisreasonabletosupposethatfromthevery beginning of her life Mary was endowed with gifts that must have incomparablysurpassedthosegrantedtoallothercreatures.Asamatteroffact,itcannotbedoubtedthatwhenthepersonoftheEternalWordwaspredestinedtobecomemanaccordingtothedivinedecrees,themotherfromwhomhewastotakehishumannaturewasalsodestinedforhim;andthismotherwasourinfantMary.SaintThomasteachesthattheLordgiveseveryonegraceproportionatetothedignityheis

called upon to fill. Saint Paul taught this before him when he said:Who has made us fitministersofthenewcovenant(2Cor3:6).BythishemeantthattheapostlesreceivedfromGodthegiftsproportionatetothegreatofficetowhichtheywerecalled.SaintBernardineofSienaadds:“ItisanaxiomintheologythatwheneverapersonischosenbyGodforanyposition,hereceivesnotonlythenecessaryqualities,butalsothespecialgraceswhichenablehimtofulfillthedutiesofthatstatewithproperdecorum.”Now sinceMarywas chosen to be theMother ofGod, itwas certainly fitting thatGod

shouldadornherfromtheveryfirstmomentofherexistencewithanimmensegrace,oneofan order superior to that of all other men and angels, since it had to correspond to theimmense and most high dignity to which God had raised her. All theologians reach thisconclusionwithSaintThomaswhosays:“TheBlessedVirginwaschosentobetheMotherofGod;thereforeitcannotbedoubtedthatGodfittedherforthispositionbyspecialgrace.”Hesaw to it that before becoming theMother of God,Mary was adorned with a sanctity soperfectthatitrenderedherfitforthisgreatdignity.TheAngelicDoctorsays:“IntheBlessedVirginMary therewasapreparatoryperfectionwhichrenderedher fit tobe theMotherofChrist,andthiswastheperfectionofholiness.”Beforemakingthislastremark,theholyDoctorhadsaidthatMarywascalledfullofgrace

notwithrespecttograceitself,forshedidnotpossessitinthehighestpossibledegree.EventhehabitualgraceofJesusChrist(accordingtothesameDoctor)wasnotofsuchakindthattheabsolutepowerofGodcouldnothavemadeitgreater.Itwas,however,agracesufficientfortheendforwhichhishumanitywasordainedbythedivineWisdom,thatis,foritsunionwiththePersonoftheEternalWord.AlthoughGodcouldmakesomethinggreaterandbetterthan thehabitual graceofChrist, as theAngelicDoctor teaches, neverthelesshe couldnotmake it fit for anythinggreater than thepersonalunionwith theonly-begottenSonof theFather—a union towhich thatmeasure of grace sufficiently corresponds, according to the

limitplacedbyDivineWisdom.SaintThomasgoesontosaythatGod’spowerissogreatthat,howevermuchitgives,it

canalwaysgivemore;andalthough thenatural capacityof creatures to receive is in itselflimited so that it can be entirely filled, nevertheless the creature’s capacity for beingsubjected to thedivinewill is unlimited, andGod can always give it further perfectionbyincreasingitscapacitytoreceive:“Asfarasitsnaturalcapacitygoes,itcanbefilled;butitcannotbefilledasfarasitspowerofreceivinggreatercapacityisconcerned.”Nowtoreturntoourargument,SaintThomassaysthattheBlessedVirginwasfilledwith

grace, not in the sense that all gracewas in her, but in this sense: that she had at everymomentasmuchgraceasshecouldbear.“TheBlessedVirgin isnot fullofgrace fromthestandpointofgrace itself, for shedidnothavegrace in thehighestdegreeofexcellence inwhichitcanbehad,nordidshehaveitinallitseffects.Butshewassaidtobefullofgracefromthestandpointofhercapacityforgrace,becauseshehadsufficientgraceforthestatetowhich she had been called by God, that is, to be the Mother of his only-begotten Son.”BenedictFernández says: “Themeasurebywhichwemayknow thegreatnessof thegracecommunicatedtoMaryisherdignityasMotherofGod.”RightlythereforedoesDavidsaythatthefoundationsofthiscityofGod,thatis,Mary,are

plantedabovethetopsofthemountains:Thefoundationsthereofareintheholymountains(Ps86:1).WearetounderstandbythisthatMary,intheverybeginningofherexistence,wastobemoreperfect thanall the saints together.And theProphet continues:TheLord loves thegatesofSionmore thananydwellingofJacob (Ps86:2).Andhealso tellsus thereasonwhyGod lovedher. Itwasbecausehewas tobecomeman inhervirginalwomb:Andaman isborninher(Ps86:5).AndsoitwasfittingthatGodshouldgivetheBlessedVirginattheverymomentwhenhecreatedheragracecorrespondingtothedignityofMotherofGod.IsaiahpointedoutthesamethingwhenhesaidthatamountainofthehouseoftheLord

(whichwastheBlessedVirgin)wastobepreparedonthetopofallothermountains;andthatall nations would run to this mountain to receive divine mercy. And in the last days themountainofthehouseoftheLordshallbepreparedonthetopofmountains,anditshallbeexaltedabove thehills,andallnationsshall flowunto it(Isa2:2).SaintGregory,commentingonthispassage, says:“It isamountainon topofmountains, for theperfectionofMary transcendsthat of all other saints.” And Saint JohnDamascene: “Amountain inwhichGodwaswellpleased to dwell.”Mary’s preeminence over all others is the reasonwhy shewas called acypress,butacypressofMountSion;acedar,butacedarofLibanus;anolivetree,butafairolivetree;beautiful,butbeautifulasthesun.SaintPeterDamiansays:“Thelightofthesunsogreatlysurpasses thatof thestars that in it theyareno longervisible. It sooverwhelmsthem that they are as if they never existed. So does the great Virgin Mother surpass inholinessthemeritsofthewholeheavenlycourt.”SaintBernardexpressesthisideaelegantlyandbeautifullywhenhesaysthatthesanctityofMarywassosublimethat“noothermotherwasfittingforGodthantheBlessedVirgin,norwasanyothersonthanGodfittingforMary.”The second argument bywhichwe prove thatMarywasmore holy than all the saints

togetherfromthefirstmomentofherexistenceisbasedonhergreatofficeasmediatrixofmen.Thisisanofficewhichsheheldfromthebeginningandwhichmadeitnecessaryforhertopossessagreatertreasureofgracethanallhumankindtogether.Itiswellknownthatthe

ChurchFathersandthetheologiansgiveMarythistitleofmediatrixbecause,byherpowerfulintercessionandhermerit “ofcongruity,” sheprocured thegreatbenefitof redemption fortheworld.Wesaymerit“ofcongruity”because,asthetheologianssay,JesusChristaloneisourmediatorbywayofjusticeand“condign”meritsinceheofferedhismeritstotheEternalFatherwhoacceptedthemforoursalvation.Mary,therefore,isamediatrixofgracebywayof simple intercession and merit “of congruity” since, as theologians maintain with SaintBonaventure,sheofferedhermeritstoGodforthesalvationofallmen.AndGod,asafavor,acceptedthemwiththemeritsofJesusChrist.Becauseofthis,ArnoldofChartressays:“Marybrought about our salvation together with Christ.” And Richard of Saint Victor says that“Mary desired, sought, and obtained salvation for all. In fact, she even brought about thesalvation of all.” Every blessing, every gift in the order of gracewhich each of the saintsreceivedfromGod,wasobtainedforthembyMary.AndholyChurchwishesustounderstandthiswhenshehonorsMarybyapplyingtoher

theseversesofEcclesiasticus:Inmeisallgraceofthewayandthetruth(Ecclus24:15).“Oftheway,”becauseallgracesaredispensedbyMarytothosestillontheroadtoheaven;“ofthetruth,”becausethelightoftruthisimpartedthroughher.Inmeisallhopeoflifeandofvirtue(Ecclus24:25).“Oflife,”becausethroughMarywehopetoobtainthelifeofgracehereonearthandgloryinheaven;“ofvirtue,”becausethroughMaryweobtainvirtue,especiallythetheologicalvirtues,whicharetheprincipalvirtuesofthesaints.Iamthemotheroffairlove,and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope (Ecclus 24:24). By her intercession Maryobtains for her servants the gifts of divine love, holy fear, heavenly light, and holyconfidence.Fromall thisSaintBernardconcludes that theChurch teaches thatMary is theuniversalmediatrixofoursalvation:“Soundthepraisesofthisfinderofgrace,themediatrixofsalvation,therestoreroftheworld!ThisiswhattheChurchsingstomeconcerningher,thisiswhatshehastaughtmetosingtoher.”Saint Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, asserts that the reason the Archangel Gabriel

calledher“fullofgrace”wasthatonlylimitedgraceisgiventoothers,whereasfullmeasurewasgiventoMary:“Shewastrulyfilledwithgrace;graceisgiventoothersaintspartially,but the whole plenitude of grace was poured into Mary.” Saint Basil declares that shereceived thisplenitude that shemightbeaworthymediatrixbetweenmenandGod: “Hailfullofgraceand,forthisreason,mediatrixbetweenGodandmenbyyourintercession.”“Ifthiswerenotso,”remarksSaintLawrenceGiustiniani,“if themostBlessedVirginwerenotfilledwithdivinegrace,howcould sheeverbe the ladder toparadise, theadvocateof theworld,andthetruemediatrixbetweenmenandGod?”Thus, the second argument now becomes clear and evident. If Mary, as the destined

MotherofourcommonRedeemer,receivedtheofficeofmediatrixofallmenandevenofthesaintsfromtheverybeginning,itwasalsonecessarythatfromtheverybeginningsheshouldhavegraceexceeding thatofall the saints forwhomshewas to intercede. If,bymeansofMary,allmenweretoendearthemselvestoGod,Marywasnecessarilymoreholyandmoredeartohimthanallmentogether.Otherwisehowcouldshehaveintercededforallothers?Inorder that an intercessor may obtain the ruler’s favor for all the citizens, it is absolutelynecessarythattherulerbemoredevotedtohimthantoalltheothercitizens.AndsoSaintAnselm concludes that Mary deserved to be made the worthy repairer of the lost worldbecause she was holier and purer than all creatures: “The pure holiness of her heart,

surpassing the purity and holiness of all other creatures, merited for her that she shouldbecometherepairerofthelostworld.”Someoneisboundtosay:“Marymaywellbethemediatrixofmen,buthowcanshealso

bethemediatrixofangels?”ManytheologiansmaintainthatJesusChristmeritedthegraceofperseverancefortheangelsalso.Inthatcase,Jesuswastheirmediator“bycondignmerit,”andMarymay be said to be theirmediatrix “by congruousmerit,” since she hastened thecoming of theRedeemer by her prayers. At least ifMarymerited to be theMother of theMessiah“bycongruousmerit,”shemeritedfortheangelsthatthethroneslostbythedevilsshouldbefilled.Andinthatwaysheatleastmeritedthisaccidentalgloryforthem.RichardofSaintVictorsays:“Everycreaturewasrestoredbyher;byher the lossof theangelswasrepairedandthehumanracewasreconciled.”Anticipatinghim,SaintAnselmhadsaid:“AllthingswererecalledtotheiroriginalstateandrestoredbytheBlessedVirgin.”Letusconcludebysayingthatthisheavenlychild,bybecomingtheworld’smediatrixand

by being destined to be the Redeemer’s Mother, received at the very beginning of herexistencegracegreaterthanthatofalltheothersaintstogether.Whatadelightfulsightthenmustthishappyinfant’sbeautifulsoulhavebeentoheaven

andearth,eventhoughshewasstillenclosedinthewombofhermother!IntheeyesofGodshewas themost lovable of creatures because shewas already permeatedwith grace andmerit,andcouldeventhensay:“WhenIwasalittleoneIpleasedtheMostHigh”(OfficeofBlessedVirginMary).ShewasalsothecreaturewholovedGodmorethananyotherwhohadthus far come into the world. In fact, if Mary had been born immediately after herimmaculateconception,shewouldhavecomeintotheworldricherinmeritsandmoreholythanallthesaintstogether.Howmuchgreaterthenmusthersanctityhavebeenatherbirthafterallthemeritssheacquiredduringtheninemonthsspentinhermother’swomb!Let us pass now to the consideration of the second point: Mary’s great faithfulness in

cooperatingwithGod’sgrace.

SecondPoint

Alearnedauthor,BlessedClaudedelaColombière,inhisThirty-FirstSermon,saysthatitisnotmerelyaprivateopinionbutthebeliefofthewholeworld,thatwhentheholychildMaryreceivedthegraceofsanctificationinthewombofSaintAnne,shereceivedtheperfectuseofherreasonatthesametime,andwasalsodivinelyenlightenedinadegreecorrespondingtothegracewithwhichshewasenriched.5Sowemaywellbelievethatfromthefirstmomentthatherbeautifulsoulwasunitedtohermostpurebody,shewasilluminedbythelightofdivinewisdom.Shebecameawareoftheeternaltruths,thebeautyofvirtue,and,aboveall,the infinite goodness of God. Shewas particularly aware of howmuch he deserved to belovedbyeverybody,especiallybyherself;onaccountoftheuniquegiftswithwhichhehadadornedanddistinguishedheraboveallothercreaturesbypreservingherfromthestainoforiginalsin,bybestowingonhersuchimmensegraces,andbydestininghertobetheMotheroftheEternalWordandQueenoftheuniverse.Fromthatverymoment,Mary,gratefultoGod,begantodoallinherpowertoutilizethe

hugecapitalofgracesthathadbeenbestoweduponher.Shemadeeveryefforttopleaseand

love the divine goodness. From that moment, she loved God with all her strength andcontinuedtolovehiminthiswayduringtheninemonthsthatprecededherbirth.Duringthistime she never ceased for amoment to unite herselfmore andmore closelywith God byfervent acts of love. Already free from original sin, she was also free from every worldlyattachment,everyinordinateemotion,everydistraction,everyoppositiononthepartofthesenses,everythingwhichcouldinanywayhinderherfromalwaysadvancingmoreandmorein divine love. Her senses concurred with her blessed spirit in tending toward God. Herbeautiful soul, free from every impediment, never lingered but always flew toward him,alwayslovedhim,andalwaysincreasedinloveforhim.Itwasforthisreasonthatshecalledherselfaplanetreeplantedbyflowingwaters:Asa

planetreebythewaters…wasIexalted(Ecclus24:19).ShewasthatnobleplantofGodwhichkeptgrowingnearthestreamofdivinegrace.Andforthesamereasonshealsocallsherselfavine:AsavineIhavebroughtforthapleasantodor(Ecclus24:23),notonlybecauseshewassohumbleintheeyesoftheworld,butalsobecauseshecontinuedtogrowlikeavinewhich,according to the common proverb, never stops growing. Other trees—the orange tree, themulberry,thepeartree—growtoadefiniteheight.Butvineskeepongrowing.Theygrowtotheheightofthetreetowhichtheyareattached.Similarly,OurLadycontinuedtogrowinperfection. Because she was always united to God, on whom alone she depended, SaintGregoryThaumaturgusgreetsherwiththewords:“Hail,Oevergrowingvine!”AnditwasofMarythattheHolySpiritspokewhenhesaid:Whoisthiscomingupfromthe

desert,leaninguponherlover?(Cant8:5).SaintAmbroseparaphrasesitlikethis:“Whoisthisthatcomesupliketheshootofavine,clingingtotheWordofGod?Whoisthis,accompaniedbytheDivineWord,thatgrowsasavineagainstagreattree?”Manylearnedtheologiansmaintainthatasoftenasasoulthatpossessesahabitofvirtue

corresponds to the actual grace which it receives from God, it produces an act equal inintensity to thehabit itpossesses; somuchso that itacquireseach timeanewanddoublemeritequaltothesumofallthemeritspreviouslyacquired.Thiskindofincrease,theysay,wasgrantedtotheangelsatthetimeoftheirprobation.Andifitwasgrantedtotheangels,whowilldenythatitwasgrantedtotheMotherofGod,especiallyduringthetimeofwhichIamnowspeakingwhenshewasinthewombofhermotherandwhenshewascertainlymorefaithfulthantheangelsincorrespondingtodivinegrace?Therefore,duringeverymomentofthatentireperiod,Marydoubledthesublimegracewhichshepossessedatthefirstmomentof her existence because she always correspondedwithherwhole strength andwith everyperfectionshepossessed.Thus,supposingthatshehadathousanddegreesofgraceatthefirstmoment,shehadtwothousandatthesecond,fourthousandatthethird,eightthousandatthefourth,sixteenthousandatthefifth,thirty-twothousandatthesixth.Wearestillonlyatthe sixthmoment, butmultiplying in thisway for awhole day, or for ninemonths,whattreasuresofgrace,merit,andsanctitymustMaryalreadyhaveacquiredbythetimeshewasborn!LetusthereforerejoicewiththeinfantMarywhowasbornsoholy,sodeartoGod,andso

fullofgrace.Letusbehappynotonlyonheraccount,butonourown,too,forshecameintotheworldfullofgrace,notmerelyforherglory,butalsoforourbenefit.InhisEighthOpusculum,SaintThomasnoteshowtheMostBlessedVirginwasfullofgrace

inthreeways.First,shewasfullofgraceinhersoul,sothatfromthefirstherbeautifulsoulbelongedentirelytoGod.Second,shewasfullofgrace inherbody,sothatshemeritedtoclothetheEternalWordwithhermostpureflesh.Third,shewasfullofgraceforthebenefitof humankind, so that all peoplemight share in that grace. The Angelic Doctor adds thatsome saints have so much grace that it is sufficient not only for them, but also for thesalvationofmanyothers, thoughnot forallmen.Only toJesusChristandtoMarywassomuchgracegiven that itwas sufficient to save all. This is howSaintThomaswords it: “Ifanyone were to have enough grace to save everybody, this would be the greatest gracepossible;andthisgracewasinChristandintheBlessedVirgin.”WhatSaintJohnsaysofJesus:Andofhisfullnesswehaveallreceived(Jn1:16),thesaints

applytoMaryalso.SaintThomasofVillanovacallsher:“Fullofgrace,ofwhosefullnessallhavereceived.”AndSaintAnselmsays:“ThereisnoonewhodoesnotpartakeofthegraceofMary.Did anyone ever exist towhomMarywas not kind and towhom she did not showsomemercy?”Nevertheless,wemustbearinmindthatfromJesuswereceivegraceasfromtheauthor

of grace, from Mary as from an intermediary; from Jesus as a Savior, from Mary as anadvocate;fromJesusasasource,fromMaryasachannel.HenceSaintBernardsaysthatGodestablishedMaryasthechannelofthemerciesthathe

wishestodispensetomen.Forthisreasonhefilledherwithsomuchgracethateveryonecanreceivehissharefromherfullness.ThenthesainturgesustoconsiderhowmuchGodwishesustoloveMarysincehehasplacedthewholetreasureofhisgiftsinher.Thisisthewayheexpressesit:“SeehowtenderlyGodwantsustoloveher!Hehasplacedthewholefullnessofhis gifts in her.Whateverwe have of hope, grace, or salvation, has come to us as havingoverflowedfromher.”How foolish the soul that obstructs this channel of grace by neglecting to recommend

itself toMary!WhenHoloferneswanted to take the city of Bethulia, he saw to it that theaqueducts were destroyed (Jud 7:6). And that is what the devil does when he wants tobecomemasterofa soul.Hecauses it togiveupdevotion to theBlessedVirgin.Once thischannel has been cut off, the soul easily loses supernatural light, the fear of God, andultimatelyeternalsalvation.InthefollowingexampleyouwillseehowgreatthecompassionofMary’sheartcanbe,

and what calamity that person brings on himself who closes this channel by abandoningdevotiontotheQueenofHeaven.

Example

Trithemius,SaintPeterCanisius,andothersrelatethatinMagdeburg,acityinSaxony,therewas a young man named Otto who as a youth was so simple-minded that he was thelaughingstockofhisfellowstudents.Onedaywhenhewasmorethanusuallydisturbedoverhisbackwardness,hekneltbeforeastatueof theBlessedVirginandprayedtoher.Ashorttime later,Maryappearedtohiminadreamandsaid:“Otto, Icometoreassureyou, for Ishallobtain fromGod such talents that theotherswillnotonly stop tauntingyoubutwillevenadmire you.Moreover, I promise that after thebishop’s death, youwill be chosen to

succeed him.” EverythingMary told him came true. Hemade progress in his studies andeventuallybecamebishopofthatcity.But Otto was so ungrateful to God and to Mary, his benefactress, that he gave up all

semblanceofdevotionandbecameascandaltoeverybody.Onenightwhilehewaslyinginabedofsin,heheardavoicesayingtohim:“Otto,stopthisatonce;youhavegambledenoughwithyoursoul’ssalvation.”Whenhefirstheardthesewordshebecameangry,thinkingthatsomeonewaswhispering tohim inorder to scoldandcorrecthim.Butwhenheheard thesamewords repeated the secondand thirdnight,hebegan tobeafraid that itwasavoicefromheaven.Nevertheless,hewentonwithhis sinfulwayof life.When the threemonthswhichGodhadgivenhimtoamendhadelapsed,thepunishmentcame.Andthisiswhatitwas.Onenight, a certaindevout canonnamedFrederickwaspraying in the churchof Saint

Maurice and begging the Lord to remove the scandal of this prelate from the diocese.Suddenly,thedoorwasopenedbyastrongblastofwind.Twoyoungmenenteredcarryingtorchesintheirhandsandtookuppositionsoneithersideofthehighaltar.Thesetwowerefollowedby twootherswho laidacarpetbefore thealtarandput twogoldenchairson it.Then came another youth in the uniform of a soldier, a sword in his hand. The soldierstoppedinthecenterofthechurchandshoutedaloud:“Oyousaintsofheaven,whoserelicsarehere in thischurch,comeandbepresentat thegreatactof justicewhich theSupremeJudge is about to perform.”At this,many saints appeared, alongwith the twelveApostleswhoweretobeassistantjudgesinthetrial.Finally,JesusChristenteredandsatdownononeofthetwochairs.Next,Maryenteredwitharetinueofholyvirginsandsatdownonthechairbesideherson.Eventually,thecourtwascalledtoorderandthecriminalbiddentoappear.Thecriminal,ofcourse,wasnoneotherthantheunfortunateOtto.In the name of the peoplewho had been scandalized, SaintMaurice demanded justice

becauseoftheevillifeofthebishop.Allcriedoutandsaid:“Lord,hedeservesdeath!”TheEternalJudgeanswered:“Lethimdie!”Mary’smercifulheartwasfilledwithgrief.Beforethedeathsentencewascarriedout,sheleftthechurchsothatshewouldnothavetowitnessthisterribleactofjustice.Onlythendidtheheavenlyministerofjustice,theonewiththeswordin his hand, approach Otto. With one stroke he lopped off his head. Then the visiondisappeared.Thechurchwasleftindarkness.Trembling,thecanonwenttolightalampatthelower

endofthechurch.Whenhecamebacktohisplace,hesawOtto’sbeheadedcorpseandthefloorof thechurchall stainedwithblood.Morningcameandthepeopleallbeganto flockintothechurch.Thecanontoldthemwhathehadseenandwhathadactuallyhappened.Thesameday, the unfortunateOtto, now condemned tohell, appeared to one of his chaplainswhowasunawareasyetofwhathad takenplace in thechurch.Otto’s corpsewas thrownintoa swamp.Theblood spotson the floor remained thereasaperpetual reminderof theevent, though theywere always covered by a carpet. Ever since that day, it has been thecustomtouncoverthemwheneveranewbishoptakespossessionofthesee,sothathemaybemovedby the sight toorderhis lifeproperlyandnotbeungrateful to theLordandhismostholymotherfortheirgraces.

Prayer

O holy and heavenly child, destined Mother of my Redeemer and great mediatrix of miserablesinners,havepityonme.Beholdatyourfeetanotherungratefulsoulwhoappealstoyouandasksformercy.ItistruethatbecauseofmyingratitudetoGodandtoyou,IdeservethatGodandyoushould abandonme; but I have heard, and I believe it to be so (knowing the greatness of yourmercy),thatyoudonotrefusetohelpanyonewhorecommendshimselftoyouwithconfidence.Therefore,OmostexaltedLady,sincethereisnoonebutGodaboveyou,andthegreatestsaints

in heavenare small comparedwith you,O saint of saints,OMary, abyss of charity and full ofgrace,helpme,asenselesssinner,whohaslostgracethroughhisownfault.IknowthatyouaresodeartoGodthathedeniesyounothing.Iknow,too,thatyouarehappy

toemployyourgreatness inhelpingsufferingsinners.Come, then,showmethegreat favorwhichyouenjoywithGod.ObtainformeagracesopowerfulthatImaybechangedfromasinnerintoasaint.Letmedetachmyselffromeveryearthlyaffection,sothatdivinelovemaybeenkindledinme.Dothis,OMary,foryoucandoit.DoitfortheloveofGod,whomadeyousogreat,sopowerful,andsomerciful.Thisismyhope.Amen.

3SERMON3:

MARY’SPRESENTATIONFebruary2

TheofferingthatMarymadeofherselftoGodwaspromptandunreserved.

There neverwas, and neverwill be, an offering on the part of a creature greater ormoreperfectthanthatwhichMarymadetoGodwhen,attheageofthree,shepresentedherselfintheTemple.Sheofferedhimnotaromaticalspices,norcalves,norgold,butherentireself,consecratingherselfasaperpetualvictiminhishonor.SheunderstoodwellthevoiceofGodcallinghertodevoteherselfentirelytohislovewhenhesaid:Arise,mybeloved,mybeautifulone, and come! (Cant 2:10). The Lordwilled that from that time on she should forget hercountry,herparents—everything—todevoteherselfexclusively to lovingandpleasinghim:Hear,Odaughter,andsee:turnyourear,forgetyourpeopleandyourfather’shouse(Ps44:11).Promptlysheobeyedthedivinecall.Let us therefore consider how pleasing this offering of Mary’s was. For a proper

appreciation of this truth, let us recall first, thatMary’s offeringwas prompt andwithoutdelay;second,thatitwasentireandwithoutreserve.

FirstPoint

Mary’sofferingwasprompt.Fromthe firstmoment that shewassanctified inhermother’swomb,whichwasattheinstantofherImmaculateConception,shereceivedtheperfectuseof reason so that she might begin to merit grace at once. This is the general opinion oftheologians,andthatofFatherSuarezinparticular.HequotesSaintThomasasteachingthatthemostperfectwayinwhichGodsanctifiesasoulisbyitsownmerit.Accordingly,wemustbelievethatitwasinthiswaythattheBlessedVirginwassanctified.And if this privilege was granted to the angels and to Adam, as the Angelic Doctor

maintains, all themore should we believe that it was granted toMary, because wemustcertainly assume that God, having condescended to make her his Mother, also conferredgreater gifts on her than on all other creatures. From her he took his human nature, andtherefore she must have received a greater fullness of grace than anybody else. “Being amother,”saysFatherSuarez,“shehasasortofspecialrighttoallthegiftsofherson.”Andasitwasproper that Jesus should receive the fullness of graces on account of thehypostaticunion,soonaccountofthedivinematernityitwasfittingthatJesus,bywayoffulfillinganaturaldebt,shouldconfergreatergracesonMarythanonalltheangelsandsaints.FromtheverybeginningofherlifeMaryknewGod,andsheknewhimsowellthat,asthe

angelsaidtoSaintBridget:“NotonguewilleverbeabletoexpresshowclearlytheBlessed

Virgin understood his greatness in that firstmoment of her existence.” Enlightened in thisway,sheimmediatelyofferedherselfentirelytoherLord,dedicatingherselfwithoutreservetohis loveandglory. “Immediately,” theangelwenton to say, “ourQueendetermined tosacrifice herwill to God and to give him all her love for the rest of her life. No one canunderstandhowsubmissive shewas to thedivinewill, andhowdetermined shewas todoeverythingthatpleasedHim.”Lateron—asvariousauthorsrelate—thisimmaculatechildrealizedthatherparents,Saint

JoachimandSaintAnne,hadpromisedunderoaththatifGodgrantedthemoffspring,theywouldconsecratethechildtohisserviceintheTemple.WeknowfromBaronius,Nicephorus,Cedrenus, and Suarez, as well as Josephus the Jewish historian, and also Saint JohnDamascene, Saint George of Nicomedia, Saint Anselm, and Saint Ambrose, that itwas theancientcustomoftheJewstoplacetheirdaughtersinspecialroomswithinthewallsoftheTemplesothattheywouldreceiveabettereducation.ThiscanalsobeseenfromtheBookofMachabees,whenHeliodorusbesiegedtheTempleinordertogetpossessionofthetreasurekeptthere,becausetheplacewasliketocomeintocontempt…thevirginsalsothatwereshutupcameforth…(2Mac3:18,19).Realizingthiswhenshehadscarcelyattainedtheageof threeyears,asSaintGermanus

andSaintEpiphaniusassert—anagewhenchildrenneedtheirparentsmost—MarydesiredtoofferandconsecrateherselfsolemnlytoGodbypresentingherselfintheTemple.Andso,ofherownaccord,shebeggedherparentstotakehertheresothattheycouldfulfilltheirvow.Andherholymother,accordingtoSaintGregoryofNyssa,“didnotdelayintakinghertotheTempleanddedicatinghertoGod.”HowgenerouslyJoachimandAnnesacrificedtoGodthemostprecioustreasuretheyhad

intheworld,theonethatwasdearesttotheirheart!TheysetoutfromNazarethandcarriedtheirlittledaughterintheirarmsbyturnsfor,assomeauthorsrelate,shewasnotyetabletomakesuchalongjourneyherself.IncoveringthedistancebetweenNazarethandJerusalem,someeightymiles, theywereaccompaniedbyafewrelatives,accordingtoSaintGeorgeofNicomedia,butchoirsofangelsalsoactedastheirretinueandservedthe immaculate littleVirgin, whowas about to consecrate herself to the DivineMajesty.How beautiful are yoursteps, O prince’s daughter! (Cant 7:1). Oh how beautiful—the angels must have sung—howpleasing to God are your steps on theway to offer yourself to him, O noble and beloveddaughterofourcommonLord!God himself, says Bernardine de Bustis, with the whole heavenly court, was greatly

pleasedandglorifiedthedaywhenhebeheldhisspousebeingledtotheTemple.Neverhadheseenaholiercreature,noronewhomhelovedsotenderly,cometoofferherselftohim.“Gothen,”saysSaintGermanus,ArchbishopofConstantinople,“go,OQueenoftheworld,OMother ofGod, go joyfully to the house ofGod and there await the coming of theDivineSpiritwhowillmakeyoutheMotheroftheDivineWord.”WhentheholyfamilyreachedtheTempleMaryturnedtoherparentsand,onherknees,

kissedtheirhandsandaskedfortheirblessing.Then,withoutturningback,sheascendedthefifteen steps of the Temple (according to Arias Montano, quoting Josephus) and, as SaintGermanustellsus,presentedherselftothepriestSaintZachary.Afterbiddingfarewelltotheworld and renouncing all the pleasures it promises to its devotees, she offered and

consecratedherselftoherCreator.Atthetimeoftheflood,aravensentoutbyNoahremainedbehindtofeedonthebodies

ofthedead.Butthedove,unabletofindarestingplace,quicklyreturnedtohimintheark(Gen8:9). Many whom God sends into this world unhappily remain there to feed on earthlydelights.ButnotsoMary,theheavenlydove.SheknewfullwellthatGodshouldbeouronlygood,ouronlyhope,ouronlylove.Sheknewthattheworldisfullofdangersandthatthesooner one leaves it, the sooner onewill be free from its snares. And so this is what shesoughttodoataverytenderage.SheshutherselfupinthesacredretirementoftheTemplewhereshecouldbetterhearGod’svoiceandhonorandlovehimmore.Thus, the Blessed Virgin made herself very dear and pleasing to her Lord from her

tenderestyears,asholyChurchsaysinhername:“Rejoicewithme,allyouwholoveGod;forwhenIwasalittleoneIpleasedtheMostHigh”(OfficeoftheBlessedVirginMary).Forthisreason,too,shewascomparedtothemoon;forasthemooncompletesitscoursewithgreaterspeedthantheotherplanets,soMaryattainedperfectionsoonerthanallthesaintsbygivingherselftoGodpromptlyandwithoutdelay,andmakingherselfallhiswithoutreserve.Nowletuspasstothesecondpoint,onwhichweshallhavemuchtosay.

SecondPoint

TheenlightenedchildwellknewthatGoddoesnotacceptadividedheart,butwishesittobecompletelyconsecratedtohislove.Hehadcommanded:YoushalllovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart (Deut6:5).Therefore, from the firstmomentofherexistence,Marybegan toloveGodwithallherstrengthandtogiveherselfentirelytohim.Butherholysouleagerlyawaitedthedaywhenshecouldconsecrateherselftohiminamoresolemnandpublicway.Picture then the fervor with which this loving young virgin, on finding herself actuallyenclosedintheholyplace,firstprostratedherselfandkissedthatgroundasthehouseofherLord, and then adored his infinitemajesty. She thanked him for the favor of having beenbrought to dwell for a time in his house, and offered her entire self to God.Without anyreservationwhatsoever,sheofferedhimallherpowersandhersenses,herwholemindandherwholeheart,herwholesoulandherwholebody.Itwas then, as someauthorsmaintain, that in order to pleaseGod she vowedhimher

virginity.AccordingtoAbbotRupert,Marywasthefirstoneevertomakesuchavow.Andtheofferingwhichshethenmadeofherselfwaswithoutanylimitastotime.BernardinedeBustis declares: “Mary offered and dedicated herself to the perpetual service of God.”Herintention at the time was to dedicate herself to the service of his Divine Majesty in theTemplefortherestofherlifeifthatshouldbethepleasureofGod,andnevertoleavethatsacredplace.Withwhataneffusionofloveshemusthaveexclaimed:Mybelovedtome,andItoHim!(Cant2:16).CardinalHugoparaphrasesthesewordsandhasMarysay:“Iwillliveallhis,anddieallhis.”MyLordandmyGod,Ihavecomeheretopleaseyoualone,andtogiveyouallthehonorthatitisinmypowertogive.HereIwillliveallyours,anddieallyours,ifthatisyourwill.Acceptthesacrificewhichyourpoorservantoffersyou,andhelpmetobefaithfultoyou.Nowpicture the holy lifeMary led in the Templewhere, like the dawn (Cant 6:9), she

rapidly grew in perfection. Picture the splendor of her virtues increasing fromday to day.This fairolive tree,asSaintJohnDamascene remindsus,planted in thehouseofGodandnurturedbytheHolySpirit,becamethedwellingplaceofallvirtues:“LedtotheTemple,andthenplanted in thehouseofGodandcultivatedby theSpirit, likea fruitfulolive tree shebecametheabodeofallvirtues.”Elsewherehesays:“ThecountenanceoftheBlessedVirginwas modest, her mind humble; her words proceeded from a tranquil soul, gracious andloving.”Andinanotherplaceheassertsthatsheturnedherthoughtsfarfromearthlythingsandpracticedallthevirtues.ShemadesuchrapidprogressinsoshortatimethatshemeritedtobecomeatempleworthyofGod.SaintAnselmalsospeaksofthelifeoftheBlessedVirginintheTempleandsays:“Mary

was docile, spoke little, was always composed, did not laugh, and her mind was neverdisturbed. Shepersevered inprayer, in reading the sacred Scriptures, in fasting, and in allvirtuousworks.”SaintJeromegoesintomoredetail.HesaysthatMaryregulatedherlifeduringthistime

asfollows:Inthemorningsheprayeduntilthethirdhour;fromthethirdhourtotheninthhourshebusiedherselfwithwork;andfromtheninthhoursheagainprayeduntilanangelbroughther food,ashewasaccustomed todo.Shewasalways the firstatvigils, themostexactinobservingthedivinelaw,themostprofoundlyhumble,andthemostperfectineveryvirtue.Nooneeversawherangry.EverythingsheutteredwassomildthatitwasobvioustoallthatGodwaswithher.In Saint Bonaventure’sLife of Christ we read that the BlessedMother revealed to Saint

Elizabeth of Hungary that when her father and mother left her in the Temple she wasdeterminedtohaveGodaloneforherFather,andheronlythoughtwaswhatshecoulddotopleasehimmost.Sheresolvedtoconsecratehervirginitytohim,topossessnothinginthisworld,andtosurrenderherentirewill tohim.TheBlessedVirginalso toldSaintElizabeththatof all the commandments shekept thisonemost constantlybeforeher eyes:YoushalllovetheLordyourGod(Deut6:5).SherevealedthatatmidnightshewasaccustomedtogotothealtaroftheTempleandpraytotheLordforthegracetoobserveallthecommandmentsandtobeabletolivetoseethebirthofthemotheroftheRedeemer.ShebeggedtheLordtopreservehereyestobeholdher,hertonguetopraiseher,herhandsandherfeettoserveher,andherkneestoadoreherDivineSoninherwomb.Hearingthis,SaintElizabethsaidtoher:“But,Lady,wereyounotfullofgraceandvirtue?”Maryreplied:“Iconsideredmyselfmostundeservingandunworthyofdivinegrace,andthatiswhyIcontinuallyprayedforgraceandvirtue.”Andfinally,thatwemayallrealizehowabsolutelynecessaryitisforustobegGodforthegracesthatweneed,sheadded:“DoyouimaginethatIhadgraceandvirtuewithoutanyeffortonmypart?Asamatteroffact,IobtainednogracefromGodwithoutgreateffort,continualprayer,ardentdesire,andmanytearsandmortifications.”But we must above all recall the revelation made to Saint Bridget with regard to the

virtuesandpracticesoftheBlessedVirginduringherchildhood:“FromherchildhoodMarywas filledwith theHoly Spirit, and as she progressed in age, she also advanced in grace.Fromherinfancy,shedeterminedtoloveGodwithherwholeheart,andnevertooffendhim.Shedespisedearthlygoods.Shegavetothepoorallthatshecould.Shewassotemperateatmeals that she took only the food necessary to sustain her body. Later on, when she

discoveredintheholyScripturesthatGodwastobebornofavirgintoredeemtheworld,hersoulbecamesoinflamedwithloveforGodthatshecouldnotdesireorthinkofanythingbutGod.Findingherpleasure inhimalone,sheevenavoidedconversationwithherparentssothattheymightnotdistractherfromthinkingaboutGod.Inshort,sheburnedwiththedesiretobealiveatthetimewhentheMessiahwouldappear,sothatshecouldbecometheservantofthatvirginchosentobehismother.”AllthisisdisclosedintheRevelationsofSaintBridget.Yes,outofloveforthisuniquechild,theRedeemerhastenedhisentranceintotheworld.

Eventhoughinherhumilitysheconsideredherselfunworthytobeeventheservantofthisexaltedmother,asamatteroffactshehadbeenchosentobethatBlessedMotherherself.Bytheattractionofhervirtuesandbyherpowerfulprayers,shedrewtheSonofGodintohervirginalwomb.ThatiswhytheSacredSpousecalledheraturtledove:Thevoiceoftheturtledoveisheardinourland(Cant2:12).Notonlybecause,liketheturtledove,shealwayslovedsolitude,livinginthisworldasinadesert;butalsobecause,astheturtledovesighsforhercompanion, Mary always sighed in the Temple when she thought of the lost world andbeggedGod for the redemption of humankind.Withmuch greater feeling and fervor thaneven the prophets, she repeated their sighs and longings for the coming of the Redeemer:Sendforth,OLord,theLamb,theruleroftheearth.Dropdowndew,youheavens,fromabove,andlet the rainclouds rain the just.O thatyouwould rend theheavens,andwouldcomedown(Isa16:1;45:8;64:1).Godwasdelightedtoseethisyoungvirginconstantlyrisinghigherandhighertowardthe

peakofperfection.Shewaslikeapillarofsmoke,richwiththesweetodorofallthevirtues,astheHolySpirithimselfclearlydescribesherinthesacredCanticles:Whoisshecomingupfromthedesert,likeacolumnofsmokeladenwithmyrrh,withfrankincense,andwiththeperfumeofeveryexoticdust?(Cant3:6).SaintSophroniussaysthisholychildwastrulytheLord’sgardenofdelight,forhefound

thereeverykindofflower,andthesweetfragranceofallthevirtues.SaintJohnChrysostomassertsthatGodchoseMaryforhismotherinthisworldbecausehefoundonearthnoothervirginmoreholyormoreperfectthanshewas,andnodwellingmoreworthythanhersacredwomb.SaintBernardsays:“TherewasnotamoreworthyplaceonearththanMary’svirginalwomb.”ThisagreeswithwhatSaintAntoninussays,namely,thatfortheBlessedVirgintobechosenanddestinedforthedignityofMotherofGod,shehadtobepossessedofaperfectionsogreatandcompleteastosurpasstheperfectionofallothercreatures:“ThehighestgraceofperfectionispreparationfortheconceptionoftheSonofGod.”Since theholychildMarypresentedandofferedherself toGod in theTemplepromptly

andunreservedly, letus toopresentourselves toMary thisdaywithoutdelayandwithoutreserve.LetusbeghertoofferustoGod.HewillnotrejectuswhenheseesuspresentedbythehandofherwhowasthelivingtempleoftheHolySpirit,thedelightofherLord,andthechosenMotherof theEternalWord.Letusplaceallourhopes in thisexaltedandgraciousLadywhorewardswithsomuchlovethehomageshereceivesfromherservants,aswelearnfromthefollowingexample.

Example

InthelifeofSisterDomenicaofParadise,writtenbytheDominicanFatherIgnatiusofNente,wereadthatshewasbornofpoorparents.FromherinfancyshewasdevotedtotheBlessedMother.InMary’shonorshefastedeverydayoftheweek.OnSaturdays,shegavethefoodwhichshehaddeprivedherselfoftothepoor.EverySaturdayshewentintothegardenofherhomeorintothenearbyfieldsandgatheredflowerstoplacebeforethestatueoftheBlessedVirginwiththechildinherarmswhichshekeptinthehouse.Mary repaid thehonor offeredher by this faithful little servantwithmany favors.One

day,attheageoften,Domenicawaslookingoutofthewindow.Shesawabeautifulwomanandasmallchildinthestreetholdingouttheirhandstobegforalms.Domenicawenttogetsomebread.Allofasudden,withoutthedoorbeingopened,shesawthemstandingbyhersideandnoticedthatthechildhadwoundsinhishands,hisfeet,andhisside.Sosheaskedthelady:“Whowoundedthislittlechild?”Themotheranswered:“Itwaslove.”Touchedbythebeautyandcharmofthelittleboy,Domenicaaskedhimwhetherthewoundshurthimatall.His only answerwas a smile. As the threewere standing near the statue of Jesus andMary, the lady said toDomenica: “Tellme, child,whydo youdecorate these statueswithflowers?”AndDomenicareplied:“BecauseoftheloveIhaveforJesusandMary.”“Andhowmuchisthat?”“Asmuchastheyhelpmetolovethem.”“Continuetolovethemthen,”addedthelady,“fortheywillrepayyouinheaven.”At this point, the young girl became aware of a beautiful fragrance issuing from the

wounds of the child. She asked the mother what kind of ointment she used to dress thewoundsandwhereitcouldbebought.Theladyanswered:“Itcanbeboughtwithfaithandgoodworks.”ThenDomenicaofferedherthebread;buttheladysaid:“Loveisthefoodofmyson:tellhimthatyouloveJesusandyouwillmakehimhappy.”Whenthechildheardtheword“love,”hebegantobeamwithjoyand,turningtoDomenica,askedherhowmuchshelovedJesus.Sherepliedthatshelovedhimverymuch,somuchinfactthatshethoughtofhimalways,dayandnight,andwishedfornothingbuttogivehimasmuchpleasureasshecould. “Verywell,”he replied, “keepon lovinghim, for lovewill teachyouwhat todo topleasehim.”Thesweetodorgivenoffbythechild’swoundskeptonincreasingandcausedDomenicatocryout:“OGod,thisfragrancewillmakemedieoflove!Iftheodorofthischildissosweet,whatmustthefragranceofheavenbe?”All of a sudden therewas a change. Themother appeared clothed as a queen, and the

childresplendentwiththebeautyofthesun.HetooktheflowersinfrontofthestatueandplacedthemonDomenica’shead.Atthatpoint,DomenicarecognizedJesusandMaryandfelltoherkneesbeforethem.Later,DomenicaenteredtheDominicanOrderanddiedintheodorofsanctityintheyear

1553.

Prayer

ObelovedMotherofGod,mostamiablechildMary!JustasyoupresentedyourselfintheTemple,andwithpromptitudeandwithoutreserveconsecratedyourselftothegloryandloveofGod,IwishIcouldofferyouthisdaythefirstyearsofmylife,todevotemyselfwithoutreservetoyourservice,mostholyandmostsweetMary!ButitistoolateforthisbecauseIhavelostsomanyyearsserving

theworldandmypersonalwhims.IseemtohaveforgottenGodandyoualtogether:“WoetothattimeinwhichIdidnotloveyou!”6Butitisbettertobeginlatethannever.Andso,Mary,Ioffermyselftoyoutoday,Idevotemyselftoyouentirelyduringthelongorshorttimethatstillremainstomeonearth.Inunionwithyou,IrenounceallcreatedthingsanddedicatemyselfentirelytotheloveofmyCreator.I consecratemymind to you,OQueen, and vow always to think of the love you deserve. I

consecratemy tongue to praise you, andmy heart to love you. Omost Holy Virgin, accept theofferingwhichI,amiserablesinner,nowpresenttoyou.Acceptit,Ibegyou,bytheconsolationthatyourheartfeltwhenyougaveyourselftoGodintheTemple.SinceIamalatecomertoyourservice,itisonlyreasonablethatIshouldredoublemyactsofhomageandloveinordertomakeupforlosttime.Helpmyweakness,OMotherofMercy,withyour powerful intercession.Obtain forme from

Jesusthestrengthandperseverancetoremainfaithfultoyouuntildeath,sothathavingservedyouinlife,Imaypraiseyouinparadiseforalleternity.Amen.

4SERMON4:

MARY’SANNUNCIATIONMarch25

Marycouldnothavehumbledherselfmore;Godcouldnothaveexaltedhermore.

Whoeverexaltshimselfshallbehumbled;andwhoeverhumbleshimselfshallbeexalted(Mt23:12). These are the Lord’s words and they cannot be untrue. Therefore, when Goddetermined to become man in order to redeem lost humankind and reveal his infinitegoodnesstotheworldinthisway,andwhenitwasnecessaryforhimtochooseamotheronearth,helookedforthewomanwhowastheholiestandmosthumbleofall.Andamongallthewomen in theworld, therewas only one onwhom his eyes rested, namely the sweetVirginMary.Shewasalreadyperfectineveryvirtue,butsheconsideredherselfassimpleandlowlyasadove.Thereareyoungmaidenswithoutnumber:oneismydove,myperfectone(Cant6:8).SoGodsaid:Thisoneshallbemymother.LetusnowseehowgreatMary’shumilitywas,andtowhatheightsGodexaltedher.MarycouldnothavehumbledherselfmorethanshedidintheIncarnationoftheWord.

Thiswillbethefirstpoint.GodcouldnothaveexaltedMarymorethanhedid.Thiswillbethesecondpoint.

FirstPoint

SpeakingofthishumbleVirgin’shumilityintheCanticles,theHolySpiritsays:Whilethekingwas at his repose,my spikenard sent forth the odor thereof (Cant 1:11). Commenting on thispassage,SaintAntoninussaysthatbecausethespikenardissosmallandlowlyaplant,itwasa figure ofMary’s humility.Her fragrance rose to heaven and, so to speak, awakened theDivineWordreposinginthebosomofhisFather,anddrewhimintohervirginalwomb.TheLord, attracted by the fragrance of this humble Virgin, chose her for hismotherwhen hewishedtocomeandsavetheworld.Nevertheless,inordertogivegreaterhonorandmerittohisfuturemother,Goddidnot

wishtobecomehersonwithoutpreviouslyobtainingherconsent.TheAbbotWilliamsays:“Hewouldnottakefleshfromherunlessshegaveherconsent.”7SowhilethishumbleVirginwasinherpoor littlecottage—aswasrevealedtoSaintElizabethofHungary—prayingandferventlybeseechingGodtosendtheRedeemer,behold,theArchangelGabrielcameasGod’sambassadorandbroughtherthetremendousmessage.Heenteredandgreetedherwiththesublimewords:Hail,fullofgrace;theLordiswithyou;blessedareyouamongwomen(Lk1:28).Hail, Virgin, full of grace, for you had always been richer in grace than all the other

saints. The Lord iswith you, because you are so humble. Blessed are you amongwomen,becauseallotherwomenhavefallenunderthecurseofsin.ButbecauseyouaretheMotheroftheBlessedOne,youhavebeenandalwayswillbeblessedandfreefromeverystain.ButwhatdoesMaryinherhumilityanswertothisgreetingsofullofpraise?Shemakesno

replyatall.Reflectingontheangel’swords,sheisdisturbedbythem:Whenshehadheardhimshewas troubledathisword,andkeptponderingwhatkindof greeting thismightbe(Lk1:29).Whywasshedisturbed?Wassheperhapsafraidofanillusion?Orwasshedisturbedatthesightofaman,for,accordingtosome,theangelappearedtoherintheformofaman.No,the text is clear: She was troubled at his word. “Not at his appearance, but at his words,”observes Eusebius of Emesa. It was precisely because she was so humble that she wasdisturbed,becausehispraisewassofaraboveherownopinionofherself.Themoretheangelpraisedher,themoreshehumbledherself.Inthisconnection,SaintBernardineremarksthatiftheangelhadsaidthatshewasthegreatestsinnerintheworld,Marywouldnothavebeensosurprised.Butwhensheheardsuchhighpraisefromhim,shebecamequitedisturbed.Shewasdisturbedbecause,beingthoroughlyhumble,shehatedflatteryanddesiredonlythatherCreator,thegiverofallgoodgifts,shouldbepraisedandblessed.MaryrevealedthistoSaintBridget: “I did notwish to hearmyself praised, but only to havemyCreator, the giver ofeverything,praised.”TheBlessedVirginwasalreadywellawarefromthesacredScripturesthatthetimeforthe

comingoftheMessiahasforetoldbytheprophetshadarrived;thattheweeksofDanielwerecompleted;thatthescepterofJudahhadalreadypassedintothehandsofastrangeking—Herod—aspredictedbyJacob;andthatavirginwas tobe themotherof theMessiah.AndnowshehearstheangelpraisingherintermsthatseemedappropriateonlyforthemotherofGod.Thethoughtperhapsoccurredtoher:couldIbethischosenmotherofGod?Butno,herhumilitywouldnothaveallowedsucha thought to linger inhermind.Theangel’spraisesonlycausedher tobeafraid. “Somuchafraid,” remarksSaintPeterChrysologus, “that shehadtobereassuredbyanangelinthesamewaythatChristwaspleasedtobecomfortedbyone.”SeeingMarycompletelybewilderedbyhisgreeting,Gabrielwasobligedtocomforther,saying:Donotbeafraid,Mary;foryouhavefoundgracewithGod(Lk1:30).Donotbeafraid,Mary,anddonotbesurprisedbymygreeting.Foralthoughyouaresmallandlowlyinyourowneyes,Godwhoexaltsthehumblehasgivenyouthegracethathumanbeingshavelost;hehaspreservedyoufromthestaincommontothechildrenofAdam.Fromthemomentofyourconception,hehashonoredyouwithagreatergracethanthatofallthesaints.Andheisnowexaltingyoutothedignityofbeinghismother.Behold,youshallconceiveinyourwomb,andshallbringforthaSon:andyoushallcallhisnameJesus(Lk1:31).Maryhesitates.Why? “The angelwaits forher reply,” observes SaintBernard, “andwe

too,OMary,waitforyourreply,forthatwordofmercyformiserablecreaturesonwhomthesentence of condemnation weighs so heavily. Behold, the price of our salvation is beingofferedtoyou.Weshallbefreedatonce ifyouwillonlyconsent.”OMotherofusall, thepriceof our salvation isnowbeingpresented toyou,namely that theDivineWord shouldbecomeman inyou.Themomentyouaccepthimforyourson,weshallbedelivered fromdeath.“ForwithasmuchdesireastheLorddesiredyourbeauty,henowdesiresyourconsentsothathemaysavetheworld”(SaintBernard).“Giveyouranswerquickly,OsacredVirgin!”saysSaintAugustine.“Howcanyoudelaygivinglifetotheworld?”

AndMaryatlastgivesheranswer.Shesaystotheangel:BeholdthehandmaidoftheLord;beitdonetomeaccordingtoyourword(Lk1:38).Whatmorebeautiful,morehumble,ormoreprudentanswercouldmenandangelstogetherhavedevisedinalltheirwisdomiftheyhadthoughtaboutthematterforamillionyears?Itwastheanswerthatmadeallheavenrejoiceandbrought an immense sea of graces andblessings into theworld! Scarcelyhad it fallenfromherlipswhentheonly-begottenSonofGodwasdrawnfromthebosomoftheEternalFathertobecomemaninhermostpurewomb!Yes,Maryhadnosoonerutteredthesewords:Behold thehandmaidof theLord;be itdone tomeaccording toyourword,when instantly theWordwasmadeflesh(Jn1:14).TheSonofGodbecamethesonofMary.“OpowerfulFiat!”exclaims Saint Thomas of Villanova; “O efficacious Fiat! O Fiat to be venerated above allotherFiats!ForwithaFiatGodcreatedlight,heaven,earth;butwithMary’sFiat,Godbecameman,likeus.”Butletusnotwanderfromthepoint.LetusseethegreathumilityofMaryinthisanswer.

Shewas fullyenlightenedas to thegreatnessof thedignityof themotherofGod.ShehadalreadybeenassuredbytheangelthatshewasthismotherchosenbytheLord.Nevertheless,inspiteof this,shedoesnotrise inherownestimation,shedoesnotstoptorejoice inherexaltation.Awareofherownnothingnessontheonehand,andoftheinfinitemajestyofGodwhochoseher tobehismotheron theother, sheacknowledgesherself tobeunworthyofsuchagreathonor;yetshehasnottheslightestwishtoopposehiswill.So,whensheisaskedforherconsent,whatdoesshedo?Whatdoesshesay?Whollyannihilatedwithinherself,andyet at the same time inflamed by the desire to unite herself still more closely to God,abandoningherselfcompletelytothedivinewill, shesays:Behold thehandmaidof theLord.Behold the slave of the Lord, obliged to do whatever the Lord commands. It is as if sheintendedtosay:SinceGodchoosesforhismotheronewhohasnothingofherown,andsinceallthatIhaveIhavereceivedfromhim,whocouldeverthinkthathehaschosenmebecauseof mymerits? Behold the handmaid of the Lord. How could a slave ever possibly merit tobecome themotherofherLord?Behold thehandmaidof theLord.May thegoodnessof theLordalonebepraised,andnothisslave,sinceitisduetohisgoodnessalonethathehascasthiseyesonacreatureaslowlyasIamwithaviewtomakinghersogreat.“Suchhumility!”exclaimstheAbbotGuerric.“Amountingtonothinginherowneyes,yet

greatinthesightoftheGodhead.Insufficientasfarassheherselfisconcerned,yetsufficientforhimwhomtheworldcannotcontain!”OgreathumilityofMary,whichmakesherlittletoherself, but great before God! Unworthy in her own eyes, but worthy in the eyes of thatimmenseLordwhomtheworldcannotcontain!But the exclamation of Saint Bernard in this regard in his fourth sermon on the

AssumptionofMary is evenmore beautiful.Admiringher humility, he says: “Andhow,OMary,couldyouuniteinyourheartsuchahumbleopinionofyourselfwithsuchgreatpurity,suchinnocence,andsuchafullnessofgraceasyoupossess?”“Andhow,OBlessedVirgin,”continuesthesaint,“didthishumility,thisgreathumility,evertakesuchdeeprootinyourheart,whenyousawyourselfsohonoredandexaltedbyGod?”WhenLucifersawhimselfendowedwithsuchgreatbeauty,hedesiredtoexalthisthrone

abovethestarsandmakehimselflikeGod:IwillexaltmythroneabovethestarsofGod…IwillbeliketheMostHigh(Isa14:13).Whatwouldthatproudspirithavesaidandwhatwouldhe

haveaspired to, ifhehad foundhimself adornedwith thegiftsofMary!ButMaryhadnoaspirations to glory. The higher she saw herself raised, the more she humbled herself. OMary,concludesSaintBernard,becauseofyourbeautifulhumilityyoumadeyourselfworthytohaveGod lookuponyouwith themostunusual love;worthy to captivateyourKingbyyourbeauty;worthy todrawby the sweet odorof yourhumility theEternal Son fromhisrepose,fromthebosomofGod,intoyourmostpurewomb.BernardinedeBustiswasrightinsaying:“Marymeritedmorebyherhumblereply,Behold

thehandmaidof theLord, thanallpurecreaturescouldmeritbyall theirgoodworks.”AndSaintBernardsaysthatwhilethisinnocentVirginmadeherselfdeartoGodbyhervirginity,itwasbyherhumilitythatshemadeherselfworthy—asfarasacreaturecanbeworthy—ofbecomingthemotherofherCreator.“Althoughshepleasedbyhervirginity,sheconceivedbyherhumility.”SaintJeromeconfirmsthis,sayingthat“Godchoseherforhismothermoreonaccountof

her humility than because of all her other sublime virtues.”Mary herself, in fact, assuredSaintBridgetofthiswhenshesaid:“HowwasitthatImeritedthegreatgraceofbecomingthe mother of my Lord except that I was aware of my nothingness and that I possessednothing,andsohumbledmyself?”Shehadalreadydeclaredthisinherhumblecanticle,theMagnificat,whenshesaid:Becausehehas regarded thehumilityofhishandmaid…He that ismightyhasdonegreatthingstome(Lk1:48,49).Withregardtothesewords,SaintLawrenceGiustinianiobservesthattheBlessedVirgin“didnotsaythathehadregardedhervirginity,or her innocence, but onlyher humility.” Saint Francis de Sales notes that, bymentioninghumility, theBlessedVirgindidnot intendtopraise thevirtueofherownhumility,but todeclare that God had looked with favor upon her nothingness—“for humility meansnothingness”—andthatbecauseofhispuregoodnesshehadbeenpleasedtoexaltherashedid.SaintAugustine’scommentisthatMary’shumilitywastheladderbywhichOurLordwas

pleased to come down from heaven to earth in order to become man. Saint AntoninusconfirmsthiswhenhesaysthatthehumilityofMarywashermostperfectvirtue,andtheonethat immediatelypreparedher tobecome themotherof theSavior. “TheultimategraceofperfectionispreparationfortheconceptionoftheSonofGod,apreparationbroughtaboutbyprofoundhumility.”This is themeaningof theprophecyof Isaiah:And there shall comefortharodoutoftherootofJesse,andaflowershallriseupoutofhisroot(Isa11:1).Saint Albert the Great, reflecting on these words, declares that the flower, the only-

begottenSonofGod,wastobebornnotfromthesummitandnotfromthetrunkofthetreeofJesse,butfromtheroottodenotethehumilityofhismother:“Bytherootisunderstoodhumilityofheart.”TheAbbotofCellesisevenmoreexplicitwhenhesays:“Noticethattheflowerrisesnotfromthesummitbutfromtheroot.”ItisforthisreasonthatGodsaidtohisbeloveddaughter:Turnawayyoureyesfromme,fortheyhavemademefleeaway(Cant6:4).SaintAugustineasks:“Wherehavetheymademefleefrom,unlessitisfromthebosomoftheEternalFatherintothewomboftheVirginMother?”8

Alongthesamelines,thelearnedscripturalcommentatorFernandezsaysthatthehumbleeyesofMarywhichshekeptalwaysfixedonthedivinegreatnesshadsuchapowerfuleffectonGodhimself that theydrewhim intoherwomb:“HerhumbleeyeskeptGodcaptive in

suchawaythattheBlessedVirgindrewtheWordhimselfofGodtheFatherintoherwombby a kind of sweet violence.” This explains, says the Abbot Franco, why the Holy SpiritpraisedhisSpousesogreatly forhavingtheeyesofadove:Howbeautifulareyou,my love!Howbeautifulareyou!Youreyesaredove’seyes(Cant4:1).ForMary,lookingatGodwiththeeyes of a simple and humble dove, so attracted him by her beauty that she made him aprisonerinherchastewombbybondsoflove.TheAbbotgoesontosay:“WhereinthewholeworldcouldsobeautifulavirginbefoundwhocouldcapturetheKingofheavenbyhereyes,andleadhimcaptivebyakindofholyviolence,boundbychainsoflove?”Toconcludethispoint,letusrepeatwhatwesaidatthebeginning:Marycouldnothave

humbledherselfmorethanshedidintheIncarnationoftheWord.LetusnowseehowGod,bymakingherhismother,couldnothaveexaltedhermorethanhedid.

SecondPoint

OnecannotunderstandthegreatnesstowhichMarywasexaltedwithoutfirstunderstandingthe sublimityandgreatnessofGod. It is sufficient, then, to say simply thatGodmade thisBlessedVirginhismothertounderstandthatGodcouldnothaveexaltedhermorethanhedid.ArnoldofChartreswasrightinassertingthat,bybecomingherson,“GodraisedMarytoa

heightaboveallthesaintsandangels.”AsSaintEphremputsit:“Hergloryisincomparablygreaterthanthatofalltheheavenlyspirits.”ThisisconfirmedbySaintAndrewofCretewhosays:“SheishigherthaneveryonebutGod.”SaintAnselmsays:“Nooneisequaltoyou,OMary, for all others are either above you or beneath you: God alone is above you, andeveryonethatisnotGodisinferiortoyou.”9Inshort,saysSaintBernardine:“ThegreatnessanddignityofthisBlessedVirginaresogreatthatGodalonedoes,andcan,understandit.”This consideration is sufficient to remove the perplexity, remarks Saint Thomas of

Villanova,whichanyonemayfeelwhenherealizesthatthefourEvangelistshavesomuchtosayinpraiseofJohntheBaptistandMaryMagdalen,buthavesoverylittletosayaboutthegiftsofMary:“Itwassufficienttosayofher:OfwhomwasbornJesus.”“WhatmorecouldwewishtheEvangeliststohavesaidaboutthegreatnessofMary?”continuesthesaint.“IsitnotenoughthattheydeclarethatshewastheMotherofGod?Inthesefewwordstheydescribedthe greatest and most precious of her gifts. It was not necessary for them to enter intodetails.”Andwhy?SaintAnselmreplies,“WhenwespeakofMaryastheMotherofGod,weaffirm that her greatness transcends everyone and everything that can be mentioned orthoughtof afterGod.”On the same subjectPeterofCellesadds: “AddressherasQueenofheaven,Mistressofangels,oranyothertitleofhonoryoumayplease,youcanneverhonorherasmuchasbycallinghertheMotherofGod.”The reason for this is obvious. As the Angelic Doctor teaches, the nearer a thing

approaches its maker or source, the greater the perfection it receives from that source.Therefore Mary, as the creature nearest to God, partakes of his grace, perfection, andgreatnessmorethanallothercreatures.“TheBlessedVirginMarywasasclosetoChristasitwaspossibletobe,foritwasfromherthathereceivedhishumannature.Andthereforeshemusthaveobtainedfromhimagreaterfullnessofgracethanallothercreaturesdid.”

Father Suarez deduces from this the reason why “the dignity of theMother of God isabove every other created dignity.” He says: “It belongs in a certain way to the order ofhypostaticunion;itpertainstoitintrinsically,andhasanecessaryconnectionwithit.”DenistheCarthusianmaintainsthat“withtheexceptionofthehypostaticunion,nounionismoreintimate than thatof themotherofGodwithher son.”According to the teachingof SaintThomas, this is thehighest typeofunionthatacreaturecanhavewithGod:“It isaquasi-supremeunionwith an infinite person.” SaintAlbert theGreat also asserts that “to be themotherofGodisthehighestdignityafterthatofbeingGod.”Andheadds:“MarycouldnothavebeenmorecloselyunitedtoGodthanshewaswithoutbecomingGod.”SaintBernardinesaysthatforMarytobecomethemotherofGod,itwasnecessaryforher

tobe raised toakindof equalitywith theDivinePersonsbyanalmost infiniteamountofgrace. And as children are, morally speaking, regarded as one with their parents so thatchildren and parents share the same prestige and privileges, it follows, says Saint PeterDamian,thatGodwhodwellsincreaturesindifferentwaysdweltinMaryinaveryspecialway.Hewasinfactinauniquewayidentifiedwithher,makinghimselfoneandthesamebeing with her. “The fourth manner in which God is in a creature,” he says, “is byidentification,and this is thewayhe is in theBlessedVirgin.”Thenheutters thosedaringwords: “Therefore let everycreaturebe silentand tremble,and scarcelydareglanceat theimmensityofthisgreatdignity.GoddwellsintheBlessedVirginandhasbecome,asfarashishumannatureisconcerned,onewithher.”ThatiswhySaintThomasassertsthatwhenMarybecamethemotherofGod,byvirtueof

her very close union with an infinite good she received a certain infinite dignity, whichFatherSuarezcalls“infiniteinitsownway.”ThedignityofbeingthemotherofGodisthegreatestdignitythatcanbegiventoanymerecreature.TheAngelicDoctorexplains it thisway.Firstofall,hesays:“ThehumanityofChristcouldhavereceivedevengreaterhabitualgracefromGod—sincegraceisacreatedgiftandthereforefiniteinitsessence.Allcreatureshave a determined measure of capacity; therefore, it is in God’s power to make anothercreaturewhosedeterminedcapacityisgreater.”However,inasmuchasChrist’shumanitywasdestinedforunionwithaDivinePerson,itcouldnothavereceivedanythinggreater.Hesumsupthisthoughtinanotherplacebysaying:“Thoughthedivinepowercouldcreatesomethinggreaterandbetter than thehabitualgraceofChrist,nevertheless, it couldnotdestine it toanythinggreaterthanpersonalunionwiththeonly-begottenSonoftheFather.”Bythesametoken,hegoeson,theBlessedVirgincouldnothavebeenraisedtoanydignitygreaterthanthatofmotherofGod.“TheBlessedVirgin,byreasonof the fact that she is themotherofGod, has a certain infinite dignity drawn from the infinite goodnesswhich is God. In thisrespect, then, she could not have beenmade greater.” Saint Thomas of Villanova says thesame thing: “There is something infinite inbeing themotherofhimwho is infinite.”SaintBernardinealsosaysthat“thestatetowhichGodexaltedMaryinmakingherthemotherofGodwas thehighest that couldbe conferredon a creature; he couldnot have exaltedhermore.”AndthisopinionisconfirmedbySaintAlberttheGreatwhosays:“InmakingMarythe mother of God, he conferred upon her the greatest gift of which a pure creature iscapable.”Hence the celebrated sayingof SaintBonaventure that “to be themother ofGod is the

greatest grace that can be conferred on a creature. It is so great, in fact, thatGod cannot

create a greater. He couldmake a greaterworld, a greater heaven, but he cannot exalt acreature more than by making her his mother.” But no one has so well expressed thegreatness of this dignity thanMary herselfwhen she said:He that ismighty has done greatthingsinme(Lk1:49).NowwhydidtheBlessedVirginnotmakeknownthewonderfulthingsthatGodhadconferredonher?SaintThomasofVillanovarepliesthatMarydidnotexplainwhattheywerebecausetheycouldnotbeexpressed:“Shedidnotexplainthem,becausetheywereunexplainable.”Forthisreason,SaintBernardwasrightindeclaringthatGodcreatedthewholeworldfor

theBlessedVirginwhowasdestined tobehismother.AndSaintBonaventurewasright insayingthatitsexistencedependsonherwill:“Theworld,OmostholyVirgin,whichyouwithGodformedfromthebeginning,continuestoexistatyourwill.”ThisthoughtissuggestedtothesaintbythewordsofProverbswhichtheChurchappliestoMary:Iwaswithhimformingallthings(Prov8:30).SaintBernardineofSienaaddsthatitwasbecauseofloveforMarythatGoddidnotdestroymanafterAdam’ssin.“HepreservedmanonaccountofhisuniquelovefortheBlessedVirgin.”HolyChurchwithreasonsingsofMary:Shehaschosenthebestpart.Shenotonlychosethe

bestthings,butthebestpartofthem.AsSaintAlberttheGreatsays:“TheBlessedVirginwasfullofgracebecauseGodendowedherinthehighestdegreewithallthegeneralandspecialgraceswhichothercreatureshave.”ThusMarywasachild,butofthestateofchildhoodshepossessedonlytheinnocenceand

nottheincapacity,forfromthefirstmomentofherexistenceshealwayshadtheperfectuseofreason.Shewasavirgin,butwithoutthereproachofsterility.Shewasamother,butatthesame time was gifted with the precious treasure of virginity. She was beautiful, mostbeautiful, as Richard of Saint Victor, Saint George of Nicomedia, and Saint Denis theAreopagiteassert—the latterofwhom, it isbelieved,wasonce fortunateenough tobeholdher beauty in a vision and declared that if faith had not taught him that shewas only acreature,hewouldhaveadoredherasGod.OurLordrevealedtoSaintBridgetthatthebeautyofMaryismorebeautifulthanthatof

allmenandangels.PermittingthesainttohearhimaddressingMary,hesaid:“Yourbeautyis greater than that of all the angels and all created things.” In other words, she wassuperlativelybeautiful.Butherbeautywasnotaharmfulbeauty. Itdidnotarouse impurethoughts,butonthecontraryinspiredpureones,asSaintAmbroseasserts:“Hergracewassogreat that it not onlypreservedher virginitybut conferred the admirable gift of purityonthosewhosawher.”SaintThomasconfirms thiswhenhesays:“SanctifyinggracenotonlyrepressedeveryunlawfulsuggestionintheBlessedVirginherself,butwasalsoefficaciousindoing the same for others; so that in spite of the greatness of her beauty she was nevercarnallydesiredbyothers.”That is why she was called myrrh, which prevents corruption, in the words of

EcclesiasticuswhichareappliedtoherbytheChurch:Iyieldedasweetodorlikethebestmyrrh(Ecclus 24:20). Her union with God was not interrupted by her daily activity. She waswrappedupinhimincontemplation,butnotsomuchastocausehertoneglecthermaterialduties or the charity due her neighbor. She was destined to die, but her death was notaccompaniedbytheusualsorrow,norwasitfollowedbytheusualcorruptionofthebody.

In conclusion, then,we repeat that theBlessedMother is infinitely inferior toGod,butimmensely superior to all other creatures. And just as it is impossible to find a sonmorewonderfulthanJesus,soitisimpossibletofindamothermorewonderfulthanMary.Thisreflectionshouldcauseusnotonlytorejoiceinhergreatness,butalsotoincreaseour

confidenceinhermostpowerfulintercession.FatherSuarezsays:“AsMotherofGod,shehasacertainpeculiarrighttothegiftsofherSon,”andcanprocurethemforthoseforwhomsheprays.SaintGermanusgoes furtherandsays thatGodcannothelpgrantingthepetitionsofthismother,becausehecannothelpacknowledgingherashistrueandimmaculatemother.ThisisthewaythesaintaddressestheBlessedVirgin:“ByvirtueofyourmaternalauthorityyouhavegreatpowerwithGodandyoucanobtainthegraceofreconciliationevenforthosewhohavesinnedverymuch.Itisimpossibleforyounottobeheardgraciously;forGodactstowardyouandrecognizesyouinallthingsashistrueandimmaculatemother.”Therefore,OMotherofGodandmotherofusall,youdonotlackthepowertohelpus.

“Neitherthepowernorthewillislackingtoher,”saysSaintBernard.AndIwillsay,usingthewordsoftheAbbotofCelles,that“youarewellawareGoddidnotcreateyouforhimselfalone,butthathegaveyoutotheangelsastheirrestorer,tomenastheirrepairer,andtothedevilsastheirvanquisher.Itisthroughyouthatwerecoverdivinegrace,andbyyouthattheenemyisconqueredandcrushed.”IfwereallywanttopleaseourBlessedLady,letusgreetheroftenwiththewordsofthe

HailMary.SheonceappearedtoSaintMechtildeandassuredherthatnoonecouldhonorhermorethanbyrepeatingthatprayer.IfwedothisweshallcertainlyobtainveryspecialgracesfromtheMotherofMercy,asthefollowingexampleshows.

Example

TheeventrecordedbyFatherPaulSegneriinhisChristianInstructediswellknown.TherewasayoungmaninRomewhowasburdenedwithsinsofimpurityandwasavictimofvicioushabits.HewenttoFatherNicholasZucchitoconfession.TheconfessorreceivedhimkindlyandassuredhimthatdevotiontoMarycoulddeliverhimfromthemiserablehabitstowhichhewasaddicted.Hethereforeimposedthispenanceonhim:tosayaHailMarytotheBlessedVirgineverymorningonrisingandeveryeveningongoingtobeduntilhisnextconfession.WhiledoingthathewastoofferMaryhiseyes,hishands,andhiswholebody,begginghertopreserve themas somethingbelonging toherself;andhemustkiss theground three times.Theyoungmanperformedthepenance,butatfirsttherewasonlyaslightimprovement.Theconfessor continued to impose the same penance, and encouraged him to increase hisconfidenceintheintercessionofMary.Inthecourseoftime,thepenitentleftRomewithsomecompanionsandtouredtheworld

forseveralyears.Onhisreturn,heagainsoughtouthisconfessorwho,tohisgreatjoyandadmiration, found that the youngmanwas entirely changed and free fromhis former evilhabits. “My son,” he said, “how didGod bring about thiswonderful change in you?” Theyouthreplied:“Father,ourBlessedMotherobtainedthisgreatgraceformebecauseofthatlittledevotionyoutaughtme.”Butthatisnotall.Withthepenitent’spermission,thesameconfessortoldthestoryinone

ofhissermons.Acaptainwhoformanyyearshadcarriedonanimproperrelationshipwithacertainwomanheardit.Heresolvedtopracticethesamedevotioninthehopethathewouldbedeliveredfromthehorriblechainswhichboundhimaslavetothedevil.Hetoogaveuphiswickedwaysandchangedhislife.Butthereisstillmore.Aftersixmonths,foolishlyrelyingtoomuchonhisownstrength,

thecaptainwenttopayavisittothewomantoseeifshealsohadbeenconverted.Butwhenhecameuptothedoor,wherehewas inobviousdangerofrelapsing intosin,an invisiblepowerdrovehimbackandhefoundhimselfawholeblockawayfromthehouse—infact,infrontofhisowndoor.HethenclearlyunderstoodthatMaryhaddeliveredhimfromdanger.ThisexampleshowsushowsolicitousourgoodMotheris,notonlytodrawusawayfromastateofsinifweappealtoherwiththisgoodpurposeinmind,butalsotodeliverusfromthedangeroffallingbackintosin.

Prayer

Oholyand immaculateVirgin!Ocreaturemost exaltedandmosthumble!Youwere so lowly inyour own eyes, but so great in the eyes of the Lord that he exalted you and chose you for hismother,andthenmadeyouqueenofheavenandearth.IthankGodthereforeforhavinghonoredyousogreatly,andIrejoiceinseeingyousoclosely

unitedtohimthatnoothercreaturecaneverbeyourequal.ProudasIaminthemidstofmymanysins,Iamashamedtoappearbeforeyouwhoaresohumbleyetendowedwithsuchgreatgifts.ButmiserableasIam,Iwillneverthelessgreetyouwiththewords:HailMary,fullofgrace.Youarealreadyfullofgrace;grantaportionofthatgracetome.TheLordiswithyou.ThatLordwhowasalwayswithyoufromtheveryfirstmomentofyour

creationhasnowunitedhimselfmorecloselytoyoubybecomingyourson.Blessedareyouamongwomen.OMary,blessedamongallwomen,obtaindivineblessingforus

also.Andblessedisthefruitofthywomb,Jesus.Oblessedplantwhichhasgiventheworldsucha

nobleandholyfruit!HolyMary,MotherofGod.OMary,IacknowledgethatyouarethetrueMotherofGod,andto

defendthistruthIamwillingtolaydownmylifeathousandtimes.Pray forus sinners.Even thoughyouare theMotherofGod,youarealso themotherofour

salvationandofuspoorsinners.Godbecamemantosavesinners,andmadeyouhismothersothatyourprayersmightbepowerfulenoughtosaveanysinner.Hasten,then,OMary,andprayforus,now,andatthehourofourdeath.Prayalways!Pray

nowwhenwe live in themidstofsomanytemptationsanddangersof losingGod;butstillmore,prayforusatthehourofourdeath,whenweareabouttoleavethisworldandappearbeforeGod’stribunal;sothat,beingsavedbythemeritsofJesusChristandbyyourintercession,wemaycomeonedaywithoutfearofbeinglosttogreetandpraiseyouwithyourSoninheavenforalleternity.Amen.

5SERMON5:

MARY’SVISITATIONMay31

WhoeverdesiresgracesmustgotoMary;whoevergoestoMaryissuretoobtainwhathedesires.

Ahome thathasbeenvisitedby somewell-knownpersonage is considered fortunate,bothbecause of the honor such a visit brings it and because of the advantages that may beexpected to follow. But stillmore fortunate is the soul that is visited by the queen of theworld, the most holy Virgin Mary, for Mary cannot help filling that soul with grace andvirtue.ThehouseofObededomwasblessedwhenthearkofGodvisitedit;AndtheLordblessed

hishouse(Par13:14).ButthosepersonswhoreceivealovingvisitfromthelivingarkofGod,Mary, are enrichedwithmuchgreaterblessings. “Happy is thehousewhich themotherofGodvisits,”saysEngelgrave.Take, forexample, thehomeofSaintJohn theBaptist.As soonasMaryentered it, she

heapedgracesandblessingson theentire family.That iswhy the feastof theVisitation isfrequentlycalledthefeastof“OurLadyofGraces.”We shall endeavor to show that the mother of God is the treasurer of all graces. The

subjectwillbedividedintotwoparts. InthefirstweshallshowthateveryonewhodesiresgracesmusthaverecoursetoMary. Inthesecond, thatapersonwhohasrecoursetoMaryshouldbeconfidentofreceivingthegracesheasksfor.

FirstPoint

When theBlessedVirginheard from theArchangelGabriel that her cousin Saint Elizabethwassixmonthspregnant,shewas inwardlyenlightenedbytheHolySpirit,andunderstoodthattheIncarnateWordwhohadbecomehersonwishedtomanifesttherichesofhismercytotheworldbyimpartingtheveryfirstgracestoallthemembersofthatfamily.Sowithoutanydelay, according to Saint Luke,Maryarose andwentwith haste into the hill country (Lk1:39).Rising from the quiet of contemplation and leaving the solitude she loved, she

immediately setout for thehomeofSaintElizabeth.Andbecausecharitybearsall things(1Cor13:7)andcannotbrookanydelay,withoutathoughtforthearduousnessofthejourney,thistenderanddelicateVirginsetoutimmediately.Onreachingthehouse,shegreetedhercousin:Andsheentered thehouseofZacharyand

salutedElizabeth(Lk1:40).SaintAmbrosenotesthatitwasMarywhogreetedhercousinfirst.

ThevisitofMary,however,borenoresemblancetothoseworldlyvisitswhichoftenarenomore thanmere showor a displayof empty courtesies.Mary’s visit brought the family anincreaseofgraces.Assoonassheenteredandgreetedhercousin,ElizabethwasfilledwiththeHolySpirit,andSaintJohnwasdeliveredfromoriginalsinandsanctified.AsasignofhisjoyandanindicationofthegracethathehadreceivedthroughtheBlessedVirgin,heleapedinhismother’swomb.SaintElizabethherselfatteststothis:Themomentthatthesoundofyourgreetingcametomyears,thebabeinmywombleaptforjoy(Lk1:44).BernardinedeBustistooremarks that itwas byMary’s salutation that John received the grace of theDivine Spiritwhich sanctifiedhim: “When theBlessedVirgin greetedElizabeth, the soundof herwordsenteringhercousin’searsdescendedtothechild,andbyvirtueofthemhereceivedtheHolySpirit.”ItisclearthenthatthesefirstfruitsoftheRedemptionallpassedthroughMaryasthrough

achannel,namelygracetotheBaptist, theHolySpirit toElizabeth,thegiftofprophecytoZachary,andmanyotherblessingstothewholehousehold.Thesearethefirstgraces,toourknowledge, that the Eternal Word granted on earth after his Incarnation. It is perfectlyreasonabletohold,therefore,thatGodhenceforthmadeMarytheuniversalchannel,asSaintBernard callsher, throughwhichall othergraceswouldpass tous.Wehavealreadydealtwiththispointinthefifthchapterofthefirstpartofourwork.It is quite right therefore to callMary the treasury, the treasurer, and the dispenser of

divinegraces.ThatiswhatthevenerableAbbotofCellescallsher:“ThetreasuryofGod,thetreasurerofgraces.”SaintPeterDamiancallsher“thetreasuryofdivinegraces”;SaintAlbertthe Great, “the treasurer of Jesus Christ”; Saint Bernardine, “the dispenser of graces”; alearned Greek quoted by Petavius, “the storehouse of all good things.” Saint GregoryThaumaturgusobservesthatMaryissaidtobefullofgracebecause“thewholetreasuryofgraceswashiddeninher.”RichardofSaintLawrencedeclaresthatMaryisatreasurybecauseGodhasplacedallgiftsofgracesinheras inavault fromwhichhedispensesmerciesandfavorstoallhisservants.Saint Bonaventure speaks of the field in the Gospel in which a treasure is hidden and

which should be purchasednomatter howgreat the price:The kingdom of heaven is like atreasurehiddeninafield;hewhofindsithidesit,andinhisjoygoesandsellsallthathehasandbuysthatfield(Mt13:44).HesaysthatthisfieldisMary,inwhichishiddenJesusChrist,thetreasureofGodtheFather,andinhimthesourceandfountainofallgraces.SaintBernarddeclaresthattheLord“hasdepositedthefullnessofallgracesinMarysothatwemayknowthatifwehaveanyhope,anygrace,oranythingsalutary,wehaveallthisfromher.”Maryherselfassuresusofthiswhenshesays:Inmeisallgraceofthewayandofthetruth(Ecclus24:25).Thatis,inmearetobefoundallthegracesandblessingswhichyouhumanbeingsarecapableofdesiringinyourlives.Yes,sweetmotherandourhope,weareconvinced,saysSaintPeterDamian,“thatallthe

treasuresofdivinemercyare inyourhands.”BeforeSaintPeterDamian,Saint Ildephonsusasserted the same thing evenmore forcefully. Speaking to the Blessed Virgin, he said: “OMary, all the blessings God has determined to grant to men he has determined to grantthroughyourhands; that iswhyhehascommitted toyouall the treasuresofgrace.”SaintGermanusalsomaintains thatnograce isdispensedtoanyoneexcept throughthehandsof

Mary:“Nooneissaved,exceptthroughyou;noonereceivesagiftfromGod,exceptthroughyou.”SaintAlberttheGreatbeautifullyparaphrasesthewordsoftheangeltotheBlessedVirgin:

Donot be afraid,Mary, for youhave found gracewithGod (Lk 1:30), by saying: “Donot beafraid,Mary,foryouhavefound,notstolen,grace,asLucifertriedtodo.Youhavenotlostit,asAdamdid.Youhavenotbought it, asSimonMagus tried todo.Butyouhave found it,because you desired it and looked for it. You have found uncreated grace”—that is, Godhimselfwhobecameyourson—“andwithityouhavefoundeverycreatedgood.”SaintPeterChrysologusconfirmsthisthoughtwhenhesays:“ThisgreatVirginandMotherfoundenoughgracetorestoresalvationtoallmen.”ElsewhereherepeatsthisthoughtandsaysthatMaryfoundagracesoplenteousthatitwasenoughtosaveeverybody:“Youhavefoundgrace,buthowmuch?Morethanenoughforyourselfandenoughtoraindownoneverycreaturelikeadownpour.RichardofSaintLawrencemakesthiscomparison:“Godmadethesunsothatitmightdiffuseitslightthroughoutthewholeworld;hemadeMarysothatshemightdispenseall divine mercies to the world.” Saint Bernardine adds: “From the time that the VirginMother conceived theDivineWord inherwomb, sheobtainedakindof jurisdiction, so tospeak,overallthetemporalmanifestationsoftheHolySpirit;tothisextent,thatnocreaturecan obtain any grace from God unless it is dispensed by this tender and compassionateMother.”WemayconcludethispointwiththewordsofRichardofSaintLawrencewhosays:“Ifwe

wishtoobtainanygracewemusthaverecoursetoMary,thefinderofgrace.Shecannothelpobtaining everything that she asks for her servants.”He borrowed this thought from SaintBernardwhosaid:“LetusseekgraceandletusseekitthroughMary;forwhateversheasksforsheobtains,andshecannotbethwarted.”Itfollowsthatifwedesiregrace,wemustobviouslygotothistreasureranddispenserof

graces. This is the will of God, the giver of all good gifts. Saint Bernard asserts thiscategoricallywhenhesays:“Forthis isthewillofhimwhoispleasedthatweshouldhaveeverything through Mary.” Note the word “everything.” When we say “everything,” weexcludenothing.Butbecauseconfidenceisnecessarytoobtaingraces, letusnowconsiderhowconfident

weoughttobewhenweappealtoMary.

SecondPoint

WhydidJesusdepositalltherichesofhismercyinthehandsofhismotherunlessitwasthatshecoulddispensethemtoallherservantswholoveandhonorherandappealtoherwithconfidence?Withme are riches… that Imay enrich them that loveme (Prov 8:18, 21). TheChurchappliesthispassagetotheBlessedVirginonsomanyofherfeastspreciselytoassureusofthis.TherichesofeternallifearekeptbyMary,astheAbbotAdamsays,fornootherpurposethantobeofusetous.InherbosomOurLorddepositedatreasuryforthepoorsothattheymaybeprovidedforandbecomerich:“TherichesofsalvationareinthecustodyoftheBlessedVirginforouruse.ChristhasmadeMary’swombthetreasuryofthepoor,fromwhichthepoorareenriched.”AndSaintBernardsaysinhisfamouspassage:“Shewasgiven

totheworldforthispurpose,tobeafullaqueduct,sothatheavenlygiftsmayflowfromGodthroughhertoallmen.”The same lover of Mary goes on to ask: “Why did Saint Gabriel, when he found the

BlessedMotheralreadyfullofgrace—Hail,fullofgrace—afterwardssaythattheHolySpiritwouldcomeuponherandfillherstillmorewithgrace?Ifshewasalreadyfullofgrace,whatmorecouldtheHolySpiritdobycomingtoher?”Hisansweris:“Marywasindeedalreadyfullofgrace,but theHolySpirit filledher tooverflowing forourbenefit, inorder thatwesinnersmightbeprovided for fromhersuperabundance.”Andthis iswhyMarywascalledthemoon.Ofthelatteritiscommonlysaid:“Themoonisfullforitselfandforothers.”He that shall find me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord (Prov 8:35).

Blessedishewhofindsmebyhavingrecoursetome,theBlessedMothersays.Hewillfindlifeandwill finditeasily.Justas it iseasytofindandtodrawasmuchwateraswewishfroma largewell, so it iseasy to findgraceandeternal salvationbyappealing toMary.Aholysouloncesaid:“AllwehavetodoisaskMaryforgracesandwereceivethem.”10SaintBernard explains that “itwas because the Blessed Virginwas not yet born that in ancienttimesthegreatabundanceofgracewhichwenowseeflowingintheworldwasthenlacking:forMary,thedesiredchannelofgrace,didnotyetexist.”ButnowthatwehavethisMotherofmercy,thereisnogracethatweneedtobeafraidto

askforaswekneelatherfeet.“Iamacityofrefuge”—SaintJohnDamascenehashersay—“forallthosewhoappealtome.Cometome,allmychildren,forfrommeyouwillreceivemoreabundantgracesthanyouhaveeverimagined.”WhattheVenerableSisterMaryVillanisawinavisionhasactuallybeentheexperienceof

manypeople.TheservantofGodsawtheBlessedMotherasahugefountaintowhichmanycametodrawoff thewatersofgrace.Butwhathappenedthen?Thosewhohadsound jarspreserved these graces. Those who brought broken vessels (that is, those whose soulslanguishedinsin)receivedgraces,tobesure,butdidnotkeepthemverylong.Thepointisthatallkindsofpeople,evenungratefulsinners,dailyreceiveinnumerablegracesfromMary.Saint Augustine, speaking to Mary, says: “Through you the abandoned obtain mercy, thefallen,grace;sinners,pardon;theweak,strength;theworldly,heavenlythings;mortals,life;andexiles,afatherland.”Letustherefore,OdevoutservantsofMary,havemoreandmoreconfidenceinhereach

timethatweappealtoherforgraces.Letusalwaysrememberhertwogreatprerogatives:herdesiretodousgood,andthepowershehaswithhersontoobtainwhateversheasksfor.To be convinced of Mary’s desire to help everybody, we have only to reflect on the

mystery of this feast of theVisitation, that is,Mary’s visit to Saint Elizabeth. The journeyfromNazarethwheretheBlessedVirginlivedtothecityofHebron,whichSaintLukecallsacityofJudea,andinwhichaccordingtoBaronlusandotherauthorsSaintElizabethresided,wassixty-ninemiles.ThiswelearnfromBrotherJosephofJesusMary,theauthorofthelifeof the Blessed Virgin, from Saint Bede, and Brocardus.11 Nevertheless, in spite of thedifficultiesofsuchajourney,theBlessedVirgin,delicateasshewas,didnothesitatetosetout.Whatmadeher do so? Shewas impelled by that great charitywithwhich her lovingheartwasalwaysfilledtogoandbeginatonceherofficeofDispenserofGraces.

This ishowSaintAmbroseputs it:“Shedidnotgoasoneskepticalaboutwhatshehadbeen told, but as one who gladly fulfills a duty. It was joy that caused her to hasten infulfillmentofheruniqueresponsibility.”Thesaintmeant:ShedidnotgoinordertofindoutifwhattheangelhadtoldheraboutthepregnancyofElizabethwastrueornot.Shehastenedbecauseshewashappytobeabletohelphercousin.Shehastenedbecauseofthejoyshefeltinbeingabletodogoodtoothers.Havingnothoughtexceptforthosesheloved,Maryaroseandwentwithhaste.Notehere thatwhen theEvangelist speaksofMary’sdeparture for thehouseofElizabeth,he says that shewentwithhaste.Butwhenhe speaksofher return,hemakesnomentionofhaste,butsimplysays:Maryremainedwithherabout threemonthsandreturned toherownhouse (Lk1:56).Whatelsecould theMotherofGodhavehad inmind,asksSaintBonaventure,whenshehastenedtovisitthehouseofSaintJohntheBaptist,exceptadesiretobeofservicetothefamily?“Whatelseimpelledhertohasteninperformingthatactofcharitybutthecharitywhichglowedinherheart?”Marycertainlydidnotstopbeingcharitabletohumanbeingswhenshewenttoheaven.

Onthecontrary,sheismorecharitablenow,forsheisinabetterpositionnowtoknowourwantsandtocompassionateourmiseries.BernardinedeBustiswrites:“Maryismoreeagertodousgoodandtograntusgracesthanwearetoreceivethem.”Shedesiressomuchtodoso,as amatter of fact, that according to Saint Bonaventure she considers herself offended bythosewhodonotaskherforgraces:“Itisnotonlythosewhoinjureyouwhooffendyou,OMary,butalso thosewhoneglect toask for favors.” It ispartofMary’snature todesire toenricheverybodywithgraces,andshedoes,infact,superabundantlyenrichherservants,asBlessedRaymondJordano testifies:“Mary isGod’s treasuryand the treasurerofhisgraces.Shedispensesthesegiftsgenerouslytothosewhoserveher.”The sameauthor also says: “Hewho findsMary finds everything that is good.”Andhe

adds:“Herkindnessissogreatthatnooneneedbeafraidtoapproachher.Andhermercyissogreatthatnoonewillberepulsed.”ThomasàKempishashersay:“Iinviteeverybodytoappealtome;Iawaitall,Idesireall,andIneverrepelanysinnerwhocomestoseekmyhelpnomatterhowunworthyhemaybe.”RichardofSaintLawrencesaysthatwhoevergoestoaskforgracesfromMary“findsheralwayspreparedtohelp”;thatistosay,readyandeagertoobtaineverygraceofeternalsalvationbyherpowerfulprayers.I say, by her powerful prayers. This is another reflection that should increase our

confidence.WeknowwithcertitudethatMaryobtainsfromGodeverythingthatsheasksforherservants.SaintBonaventuretellsustoobserve,especiallywithregardtothisvisitofMarytoElizabeth,thegreatpowerofherwords.AstheEvangelistsays,atthesoundofhervoicethegraceoftheHolySpiritwasconferredonSaintElizabethandonherson,SaintJohntheBaptist:Anditcametopass,whenElizabethheardthegreetingofMary,thatthebabeinherwombleapt.AndElizabethwasfilledwiththeHolySpirit(Lk1:41).SaintBonaventureadds:“SeehowgreatthepowerofMary’swords is:ShehasnosoonerutteredthemthantheHolySpirit isimparted.”Theophilus of Alexandria tells us that Jesus is very much pleased whenever Mary

intercedeswithhimforus.“Yielding,asitwere,totheprayersofMary,heconsidersallthegraceswhichhegivesusasgrantednotsomuchtous,astohisBlessedMother.”Noticethewords “Yielding, as it were, to the prayers of Mary.” Saint Germanus testifies that Jesus

cannotdootherwisethangraciouslyacquiescetoMary’swishes,desiringashedoestoobeyherashistruemother.Thereforethesaintsays:“Theprayersofthismotherhaveacertainauthority over Christ because by means of them she obtains pardon for even the mosthardenedsinnerswhorecommendthemselvestoher.”Andheconcludes:“It isnotpossiblefor you not to be heard, for in all things God acts toward you as his true and spotlessmother.”This is fully confirmed, observes Saint John Chrysostom, by what took place at the

marriagefeastofCanawhenMaryaskedhersontoreplenishthewinewhichhadgivenout:Theyhavenowine.Jesusanswered:Whatwouldyouhavemedo,woman?Myhourhasnotyetcome(Jn2:34).BothChrysostomandTheophylactexplainthatthetimeformiracleshadnotyetcome.Yet,astheformerstresses,“theSavior,inspiteofthisanswer,andinordertoobeyhismother,performedthemiraclethatsheaskedforbyconvertingthewaterintowine.”Letusthereforewithconfidencegotothethroneofgrace,theApostleexhortsus,thatwemay

obtainmercy,andfindgraceinseasonableaid(Heb4:16).“ThethroneofgraceistheBlessedVirgin,”saysSaintAlbert theGreat.So ifwewantgraces, letusgo to the throneofgrace,whichisMary.Letusgowiththeconvictionthatweshallbeheard.ForMarywillintercedeforusand shewillobtain fromher sonwhatever sheasks. “Letusask forgrace,” I repeatwithSaintBernard,“andletusaskforitthroughMary,”trustinginwhattheBlessedVirginherselftoldSaintMechtilde,namely,thattheHolySpirit,infillingherwithallhissweetness,hasmade her so dear toGod that anyonewho asks for graces through her intercession iscertainofobtainingthem.And ifweplace any credit in that celebrated sayingof SaintAnselm, that “salvation is

sometimesmore easily obtained by calling on the name ofMary than by invoking that ofJesus,”wemaysafelyfeelthatsometimeswewillobtaingracessoonerbyappealingtoMarythanbyappealingdirectlytoourBlessedSavior—notbecauseheisnotthesourceandLordofallgraces,butbecausewhenweappealtoMaryandshepraysforus,herprayers,beingthose of amother, aremore efficacious than ours. Let us then never stray away from thistreasurer of graces; let us always address her in the words of Saint John Damascene: “OBlessedMotherofGod,openthegateofmercytous,foryouarethesalvationofthehumanrace.”OMotherofGod,openthedoorofyourcompassiontousbyalwaysprayingforus;yourprayersarethesalvationofallhumankind!WhenweappealtoMary,itwouldbewisealwaystoaskhertoobtainthosegraceswhich

sheknowsweneedmost.ThisiswhattheDominican,FraReginald,did,asthechroniclesofhisOrdertellus.ThisservantofMaryoncebecameillandheaskedhertorestorehishealth.Mary appeared to him in the companyof SaintCecilia and SaintCatherine, and saidwithgreattenderness:“Myson,whatdoyouwantmetodo?”ThegoodreligiouswasconfusedbysuchagraciousofferonthepartofOurLadyanddidnotknowwhattoreply.Thenoneofthe saintsgavehim thisadvice: “Reginald, Iwill tell youwhat todo.Ask fornothing,butplaceyourselfentirelyinherhands,forMaryispreparedtograntyougreatergracesthanyoucaneverimagine.”ThesickmanfollowedthisadviceandOurLadysecuredtherestorationofhishealth.12

Ifwealsodesiretoreceivethesehappyvisitsfromthequeenofheaven,weshouldoftenvisit her by praying before her image or in churches dedicated to her. Read the following

example,andseewhatspecialfavorsshegivestothosewhovisitherdevotedly.

Example

TheFranciscanChronicles tellabout twomonksof theOrderwhowent tovisitashrineofOurBlessedLadyandhappened to find themselves inadense forestwhennight fell.Theywereworriedanddisturbedanddidnotknowwhattodo.However,theywentalittlefartheruntil,darkasitwas,theythoughttheysawahouseahead.Whentheyreachedthedoor,theyknocked.Avoiceinsideaskedthemwhotheywere.Theyrepliedthattheyweremonkswhohadlosttheirwayinthewoodsandwerenowlookingforshelter,atleastasprotectionfromthewolvesthatroamedtheforest.Thedooropened,andtheysawbeforethemtwoextremelycourteousservantswhowelcomedthemwithgreatkindness.Themonksaskedtheservantswholivedinthehouseandtheiranswerwasthatitwasaverygoodandhospitablelady.“Wewouldliketopayherourrespects,”theysaid,“andthankherforhercharity.”“Wearetakingyoutoher,”theysaid;“shewantstotalktoyou.”Astheywalkedupthestairstheynoticedsomerichlydecoratedroomsandanunusually

fragrantodor.Finally,theyenteredtheapartmentoccupiedbytheladyofthehouseandsawbefore themawomanwhowasboth sadandverybeautiful. She received themwithgreatkindnessandaskedthemwheretheyweregoing.ThemonksrepliedthattheywereontheirwaytovisitacertainshrineoftheBlessedVirgin.“Sincethatisthecase,”saidthelady,“Ishallgiveyoualetterthatwillbeofgreathelptoyou.”Whiletheladywasspeakingtothem,themonksexperiencedaninexplicablesenseofjoyandwereverygratefultoGodforhiskindprotection.Theythenwenttobed.Thenextmorningtheyroseandwenttobidgood-byetotheladyofthehouse,tothank

herforherhospitalityandtoreceivethelettershehadpromised.Onreceivingit,theytooktheirdeparture.Onlyashortwayfromthehouse,however,theynoticedthattheletterboreno address. Turning thisway and that, they tried to find the house, but it was no longerthere.Finally,theyopenedthelettertoseetowhomitwasaddressedandwhatitsaid.ThentheyrealizedthatitwasfromtheBlessedVirgin,whowastheladyinthehouse.Inreturnfortheirdevotion,Maryhadprovidedthemwithshelterandnourishmentintheforest,sothattheywould continue to serve and loveher.And they felt confident shewould continue toprotectthemalways.At the bottom of the letter they saw her signature in thewords: “I, the BlessedVirgin

Mary.”ItisnotdifficulttoimaginehowthankfulthesetwomonksweretoourBlessedLadyandhowmuchtheywereinflamedwithloveforherandadesiretoservehertherestoftheirlives.

Prayer

OBlessedImmaculateVirgin,sinceyouarethedispenserofalldivinegraces,youarethehopeofhumankindandmyonlyhope.Iwillalwaysthankyouforhavinggrantedmethegraceofknowingyou,andforhavingshownmethemeansbywhichIcanobtaingraceandbesaved.Youarethemeans,OgreatMotherofGod,for Inowrealize that it isprincipally throughthemeritsofJesus

Christ,andthenbyyourintercession,thatmysoulmustbesaved.OmyQueen, you hastened so in paying that visit to sanctify the home of Saint Elizabeth. I

implore you, therefore, visitme, visit the poorhomeofmy soul.Hurry, for youknowverywell,much better than I do, how poor it is and how weak from many diseases: from disorderedaffections,vicioushabits,andnumberlesssins—allofwhichwill leadittoeternaldeath.Youcanenrichit,OtreasurerofGod,andyoucanhealallthoseinfirmities.Visitme,visitmewhileIlive,andespeciallywhenIamabouttodie,forthenIshallneedyour

helpmorethanever.Idonotexpect,andinfactIamnotworthy,thatyoushouldvisitmeonearthbyappearing tomeasyouhaveappeared to somanyof yourother servants.But theywerenotunworthyandungratefulasIam.Ishallbesatisfiedtoseeyouinyourkingdomofheaven,tobeabletoloveyouthere,andtothankyouforallyouhavedoneforme.Ishallbehappynowifyouvisitmewithyourmercy.YourprayersareallthatIask.Praythenforme,OMary,andcommendmetoyourson.Youknowmuchbetter thanIhow

miserableIamandwhatIneedmost.WhatmorecanIsay?Havepityonme!IamsowretchedandignorantthatIdonotknowwhatgracesIneedmost,norhowtoaskforthem.Mysweetqueenandmother,Ibegyoutoseekandobtainformefromyoursonthegracesthatyouknowarethemostexpedientandnecessaryformysoul.Iabandonmyselfentirelyintoyourhands,andonlybegtheDivineMajestythatbythemeritsofmySaviorJesushewillgrantmethegraceswhichyouaskhimforme.Ask,therefore,OmostHolyVirgin,askforwhatisbestforme.Yourprayersareneverrejected,

fortheyaretheprayersofamotheraddressedtohersonwholoveshersomuchthatheispleasedtodoeverythingsheasks.Hedoesthisinordertohonorherallthemore,andtoprovethegreatlovehehasforher.Let usmake a bargain,OMary. As long as I live I will have confidence in you, if youwill

guaranteemyeternalsalvation.Amen.

6SERMON6:

MARY’SPURIFICATIONFebruary2

ThegreatsacrificeMarymadetoGodonthisdayinofferinghimthelifeofherson.

UndertheOldLawthereweretwopreceptsconcerningthebirthoffirstbornsons.OnewasthatthemotherwasregardedasuncleanandwastoremaininherhouseforfortydaysandthenpurifyherselfintheTemple.TheotherwasthattheparentsofthefirstbornsonshouldtakehimtotheTempleandofferhimtheretoGod.On the day of her purification, the Blessed Virgin carried out both these precepts.

Althoughshewasnotboundbythelawofpurificationsinceshewasstillavirginandwasabsolutelypure,neverthelessherhumilityandsenseofobediencemadeherwishtogoandpurifyherselflikeothermothers.Atthesametime,shefulfilledtheotherpreceptbypresentingandofferinghersontothe

EternalFather.AndwhenthedaysofherpurificationwerefulfilledaccordingtothelawofMoses,theytookhimuptoJerusalemtopresenthimtotheLord(Lk2:22).ButtheBlessedVirgindidnotofferhimasothermothersofferedtheirsons.TheothersofferedthemtoGod,buttheyknew that this offering was a mere ceremonial fulfillment of the Law. By symbolicallyredeemingtheirchildrentheymadethemtrulytheirown,andtheywouldnotbeobligedtosacrificethemtodeathatsomeothertime.Mary,however,reallyofferedhersontodeath.SheknewforcertainthatthesacrificeofthelifeofJesuswhichshewasthenmakingwouldactually be consummated on the altar of the cross. Because she loved him so much, inofferingthelifeofhersonMaryactuallysacrificedherentireselftoGod.Letusleaveasideallotherconsiderationsthatwemightreflectontodayanddwellonly

onthegreatnessofthesacrificeMarymadeofherselftoGodwhensheofferedhimthelifeofherson.Thiswillbethesubjectofourdiscourse.TheEternalFatherhadalreadydetermined to savemanwhohad fallen through sin, to

deliverhimfrometernaldeath.Atthesametime,hewilledthatdivinejusticeshouldnotbedeprivedofaworthysatisfaction.Andsohedidnotsparethelifeofhissonwhohadalreadybecomemantoredeemmen,butwilledthatheshouldpaywiththeutmostrigorthepenaltywhichallmendeserved.Hewhohasnotsparedevenhisownson,buthasdeliveredhimforusall(Rom8:32).Sendinghimtoearthtobecomeman,hegavehimamother.Hewilledthatthismother

shouldbetheBlessedVirgin.ButsincehewilledthattheDivineWordshouldnotbecomehersonbeforeshehadacceptedhimbyanexpressactofherwill, sohealsowilledthatJesusshouldnotsacrificehislifeforthesalvationofhumankindwithouttheconsentofMary.TheheartoftheMotherwastobesacrificedalongwiththelifeoftheson.

Saint Thomas teaches that the very office ofmotherhood givesmothers a special rightover their children.13 Thus, inasmuch as Jesus himself was innocent and did not deservepunishment,itseemedonlyfittingthatheshouldnotbecondemnedtothecrossasavictimforthesinsoftheworldwithouttheconsentofhismother.NowwhileMaryconsentedtohisdeathfromthemomentthatshebecamethemotherof

Jesus, God nevertheless wished that she should make a solemn sacrifice of herself in theTempleonthisdaybymakingasolemnofferingofthelifeofherson.Andit isbecauseofthissacrificethatSaintEpiphaniuscallsMarya“priest.”14

WebegintoseenowhowmuchthissacrificecostMaryinthewayofsorrow,andwhatheroicvirtueshehadtopracticeinordertoassenttothesentenceofdeathpassedonherson.Imagine, for instance,Maryon theroad toJerusalemon the firstPresentationDay.She

hurriestowardtheplaceofsacrificeandholdsthebelovedVictiminherarms.SheenterstheTemple,approachesthealtar,andthere,unassumingly,humblyanddevoutlypresentshimtotheMostHigh.Meanwhile,holySimeon,whohadbeenpromisedbyGodthatheshouldnotdiewithoutfirsthavingseentheexpectedMessiah,takestheDivineChildfromthehandsoftheBlessedVirginand,inspiredbytheHolySpirit,tellsherhowmuchthesacrificeofhersonwill cost her. He tells her, too, that together with him her own blessed soul will also besacrificed.In a sermon on the Purification, Saint Thomas of Villanova pictures the holy oldman

becomingtroubledandsilentatthethoughtofhavingtomakesuchagloomyprophecy.Thenhe picturesMary asking: “Why are you troubled on such a happyday, Simeon?” “O royalVirgin,”hereplies,“IwishIdidnothavetogiveyousuchbitternews.ButGodwillsitforyourgreatermerit.ListenthentowhatIhavetosay.Thischildwhoisnowsuchajoytoyou—andhowrightlyso,OGod—thischildwillonedaycauseyousuchbittergriefasnoothercreaturehaseverexperienced.Youwillseehimpersecutedbymenofalltypesandmadeabutt for their scoffing and outrages. Theywill even go so far as to put him to death as acriminalbeforeyourveryeyes.Youaremosthappytohavethischild,butItellyouthathewillbeastumblingblocktomany,asignofcontradiction.Afterhisdeath,therewillbemanymartyrs who will be tortured and put to death for the love of your son. They will suffermartyrdomintheirbodies,butyou,OholyMother,willsufferitinyourheart.”Yes,Marywas tosuffer inherheart.Hercompassion forhermostbelovedsonwas the

swordwhichwasdestinedtopiercehermotherlyheart,asSaintSimeonaccuratelyforetold:Andyourownsoulaswordshallpierce(Lk2:35).SaintJeromeassuresus that theBlessedVirginwaswellversed inthesacredScriptures

andthereforewasawarewhattheRedeemerwouldhavetosufferduringhis life,andevenmore at the time of his death. She fully understood from the prophets that he was to bebetrayedbyoneofhisowndisciples:Evenmyfriendwhohadmytrustandpartookofmybread,hasraisedhisheelagainstme(Ps40:10).Andthathewouldbeabandonedbythem:Striketheshepherd,and the sheep shallbe scattered (Zach13:7). Sheknewall about the contempt, thespitting,theblows,thescornthathewouldbemadetosufferatthehandsofthepeople: Ihavegivenmybody to the strikers,andmycheeks to themthatplucked them: Ihavenot turnedawaymyfacefromthemthatrebukedmeandthatspituponme(Isa50:6).Sheknewthathewasto become the reproach of the vilest men and the outcast of the people, and would be

overwhelmedwithinsultsandinjuries:ButIamaworm,notaman:thescornofmen,despisedbythepeople(Ps21:7);heshallbefilledwithreproaches(Lam3:30).Sheknewalsothatattheend of his life his most sacred flesh would be torn andmangled by scourges: But he waswoundedforouriniquities,hewasbruisedforoursins(Isa53:5).Sheknewthathiswholebodywould be disfigured and become like that of a leper—allwounds,with the bones exposedwheretheypiercedtheflesh:Thereisnobeautyinhimnorcomeliness.…andwehavethoughthim,asitwere,aleper(Isa53:2,5).Theyhavenumberedallhisbones(Ps21:18).Sheknewthathewastobepiercedbynails:Theyhavepiercedmyhandsandmyfeet(Ps21:17).Andwouldbe rankedwith criminals:Andhewas reputedwith thewicked (Isa 53:12).And that finally,bangingonacross,hewoulddieforthesalvationofallpeople:Andtheyshalllookuponme,whomtheyhavepierced(Zach12:10).Mary,Isay,wasalreadywellawareofallthesetorturesthatJesuswouldhavetosuffer,

butSimeon’swords,Andyourownsoulaswordshallpierce,revealedtoherallthedetailsofthose sufferings, internal and external, that were to torment him, as Our Lord himselfrevealed toSaintTeresa.15Sheconsented toeverything,however,witha steadfastness thatfilledeventheangelswithastonishment.Shepronouncedthesentencethatcondemnedhersontodeath—adeathsoignominiousandpainful—whenshesaid:“EternalFather,sinceyouwillthatitshouldbeso,notmywill,butyoursbedone(Lk22:42).Iunitemywilltoyourmostholywill,andIsacrificemysontoyou.Iamhappytohavehimlosehislifeforyourgloryandthesalvationoftheworld.Atthesametime,Isacrificemyhearttoyousothatitmaybepiercedwith sorrow asmuch as you please. It is enough forme, Omy God, that you beglorified and content with my offering: Not my will, but yours be done.” O immeasurablecharity!Ounparalleledconstancy!Ovictorydeservingtheeternaladmirationofheavenandearth!ThisexplainswhyMarywassilentduringthePassionofJesuswhenhewasbeingunjustly

accused.ShesaidnothingtoPilatewhowassomewhatinclinedtosethimfree,fullyawareasshewas of his innocence. She only appeared in public to be present at his great sacrificewhichwastotakeplaceonCalvary.Sheaccompaniedhimtotheplaceofexecution.Shewaswithhimfromthefirstmomenthewasnailedonthecross:TherestoodbythecrossofJesushismother (Jn 19:25). She stood there until she saw him expire and the sacrifice wasconsummated.AllthisshedidinordertocompletetheofferingshehadmadeofhimtoGodintheTemple.ToappreciatewhatthissacrificemeanttoMaryitwouldbenecessarytounderstandthe

love shehad forJesus.Generally speaking, the loveofmothers is sogreat thatwhen theirchildrenareabouttodieandthereisdangeroflosingthem,theyforgetalltheirfaultsandshortcomings.They even forget the injuries theymayhave received from them, and sufferunimaginableheartache.Butmanytimestheloveofthesemothersisadividedlove,alovethatextends tootherchildren,orat least toothercreatures.Maryhadonlyonechild—themostadmirableeverborn.Hewasmostlovable,forhehadeverythingtomakehimso.Hewasmost obedient,most virtuous,most innocent,most holy. In aword, hewasGod.AndMary’s love stopped right there. It did not extend to any other created being. Sheconcentratedallherloveonheronlyson.Norwassheafraidofgoingtoofarinlovinghim.ThissonwasGodandhedeservedlimitlesslove.Thiswasthesonwhowasatthesametimethevictimshewasvoluntarilysacrificingtodeath.

LetusthenimaginehowmuchitmusthavecostMary,whatstrengthofsoulitmusthavetaken,toperformthisactwhichamountedtosacrificingthelifeofhersononthecross.Ontheonehand,shewasthemostfortunateofallmothersbecauseshewastheMotherofGod.Ontheotherhand,shewasatthesametimethemothermosttobepitied,themostsorrowfulmother imaginable,because shewasobliged to seeher sondestined for thecross fromthedayhewasborn.Whatmotherwouldacceptachildknowingthatshewasdestinedtolosehimlateronbyadisgracefuldeath,andknowingthatsheherselfwouldbethereandseehimdie?ButMarywillinglyacceptedhersononthesedifficultterms.Shenotonlyacceptedhim,butonthisdayofferedhimtodeathwithherownhands,sacrificinghimtodivinejustice.Saint Bonaventure says that the Blessed Virgin would have gladly agreed to suffer the

painsanddeathofhersonpersonally.ButinordertoobeyGod,shemadethegreatofferingof the lifeofherJesus, conquering the tender love shehad forhim,butwithanexcessofgrief.“Haditbeenpossible,shewouldwillinglyhaveenduredallthetormentsofherson.ButGodwilled thathisonly-begotten son shouldbeofferedup for the salvationof thehumanrace.”BythissacrificeMarybroughtherselfmoregriefandwasmoregenerousthanifshehad

offeredtosufferinherownpersonallthathersonwastoendure.Thatiswhywemaysaythat she surpassed all themartyrs in generosity; for themartyrs offered their own lives toGod, but the Blessed Virgin offered the life of her son whom she loved and esteemedinfinitelymorethanherownlife.Thepainofthissorrowfulsacrificedidnotendhere.Thiswasactuallyonlythebeginning.

Forfromthattimeon,duringthewholelifeofherson,Maryhadconstantlybeforehereyesthebitterdeathandall the tormentshewas to endure.Themore charming, gracious, andlovinghersonbecame,themoreherheartwasfilledwithincreasinganguish.OsorrowfulMother,ifyouhadlovedyoursonless,orifhehadbeenlesslovableorhad

lovedyouless,yoursufferingswouldcertainlynothavebeensogreatwhenyouofferedhimtodeath.Butthereneverwas,andneverwillbe,amotherwholovedhersonmorethanyoudid.Andthereneverwas,andneverwillbe,asonmorelovable,oronewholovedhismothermorethanJesusdid.OGod,hadwebeheldthebeauty,themajestyofthefaceofthatDivineChild,wouldweeverhavehadthecouragetosacrificehislifeforoursalvation?Andyetyou,O Mary, although you were his mother and loved him with such a tender love, had thecouragetoofferhimforthesalvationofhumankind,toadeathmorecruelandpainfulthananycriminaleversufferedonearth!HowsadascenemustlovehaveplacedbeforetheeyesoftheBlessedVirginfromthatday

on,asceneinwhichalltheoutragesandmockerieswhichherpoorsonwastoendureweredelineated. Seehow love already represents himagonizedwith sorrow in the garden, tornwith scourges, crowned with thorns in the praetorium, and finally hanging on a cross ofshameonCalvary!“See,OMother,”says love,“whatanamiableandinnocentsonyouareofferingtosuchterribletorturesandtosuchahorribledeath!”Andwhatistheuseoftryingto save him from the hands of Herod when you are only destining him for a far moresorrowfulfate?MarynotonlyofferedJesustodeathintheTemple,butsherenewedthatofferingevery

momentofherlife.SherevealedtoSaintBridget:“Thatsorrow(foretoldbytheholySimeon)

neverleftmyheartuntilIwasassumed,bodyandsoul,intoheaven.”ThereforeSaintAnselmaddressesherinthesewords:“OcompassionateMother,Icannotbelievethatyoucouldhaveendured suchexcruciating torments even foramomentwithoutdying,unlessGodhimself,the Spirit of Life, had sustained you.” But Saint Bernard, in speaking of the great sorrowwhichMaryexperiencedonthisday,saysthatfromthistimeon“sheenduredalivingdeath,bearingasorrowmorecruelthandeath.”Everymomentthatshelivedshedied,forshewasassailedateverymomentbysorrowforthecomingdeathofherJesus,atormentmorecruelthananydeath.Becauseof the immensemerit sheacquired for the salvationof theworldby this great

sacrificetoGod,SaintAugustinewasquiterightincallingtheBlessedMotherthe“repairerofthe human race.”And Saint Epiphanius, “the redeemer of captives”; SaintGermanus, “ourdeliverer from all calamities”; Saint Ambrose, “the mother of all the faithful”; SaintAugustine,“themotheroftheliving”;SaintAndrewofCrete,“themotheroflife.”Arnold of Chartres says: “Thewill ofMary and thewill of Christ were then united so

intimately that both offered up the same sacrifice. Because of that union of wills, Marybrought about with Christ that one effect, namely, the salvation of the world.” Jesusaccomplisheditbymakingsatisfactionforoursins;Marybyobtainingtheapplicationofthissatisfactiontous.DenistheCarthusianlikewiseassertsthat“theBlessedMothercanbecalledthesaviorof

theworld.Byreasonof thepainthatshesuffered in feelingsorrowforherson(whomshewillingly sacrificed to the divine justice), shemerited by her prayers that the fruits of thePassionoftheRedeemershouldbeappliedtoallmen.”Mary,then,bythemeritofhersorrowsandbysacrificingherson,becamethemotherof

alltheredeemed,anditisonlyrighttobelievethatitisthroughherhandsthatthemilkofdivinegrace,thefruitofChrist’smeritsandthemeansforobtainingeternallifearegiventoallpeople.SaintBernardrefers to thiswhenhesays:“WhenGodwasabout to redeemthehumanrace,hedepositedthewholepriceinMary’shands.”BythishemeantthatthemeritsoftheRedeemerareappliedtooursoulsthroughtheintercessionoftheBlessedVirgin,forthegraceswhicharethefruitofthemeritsofJesusChristaredispensedbyherhands.IfGodwassopleasedbythesacrificeofhissonIsaacwhichAbrahamwastomaketothe

Divine Majesty that he promised to multiply Abraham’s descendants as the stars of theheavens—Becauseyouhavedone this thing,andhavenot sparedyouronly-begotten son formysake, Iwillblessyou,and Iwillmultiplyyour seedas the starsofheaven(Gen22:16–17)—wemust surely believe that the far nobler sacrifice of her son Jesus which Mary made wasimmeasurablymoreacceptabletoGod.Andasaresult,hehasgrantedthatbyherprayersthenumber of the elect should be increased. That is, the number of souls coming to heaventhroughhershallbegreat.God promised Saint Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the birth of the

Messiah:AndithadbeenrevealedtohimbytheHolySpiritthatheshouldnotseedeathbeforehehadseentheChristoftheLord(Lk2:26).ButitwasonlythroughMarythathereceivedthisgrace,foritwasinherarmsthathefoundtheSavior.SowemaysaythatanyonewhowantstofindJesuswillfindhimonlythroughMary.LetusthereforegotothisholyMotherifwewishtofindJesus,andletusgowithgreatconfidence.

MarytoldherservantPudenzianaZagnonithateveryyearonthefeastofherPurificationsomesinnerwouldreceiveagreatgrace.Whoknowsbut thatyouor Imaybethefavoredsinnerthisday?OursinsmaybegreatbutthepowerofMaryisstillgreater.“Thesoncandeny nothing to his mother,” says Saint Bernard. If Jesus is angry with us, Mary willimmediatelyplacatehim.PlutarchreportsthatAntipaterwrotealonglettertoAlexandertheGreatdenouncingAlexander’smother,Olympia.Afterreadingtheletter,Alexanderobserved:“Antipaterdoesnotknow thata single tearofmymother is enough tocancel sixhundredletters of denunciation.” We may also imagine Jesus giving the same answer to anydenunciationsmadeagainstusbythedevilwhenwehaveMaryprayingforus:“DoesLucifernotknowthataprayerofmymotherinfavorofasinnerisenoughtomakemeforgetalltheaccusationsagainsthim?”Thefollowingexampleillustratesthisthought.

Example

Thisstoryisnottobefoundinanybookbutwasreportedtomebyapriestfriendofmineassomethingthathappenedtohimpersonally.Thepriestwashearingconfessionsinachurchone day—(in order not to compromise anyone I shall notmention the name of the place,though themangave thepriestpermission tomake the facts known)—whenayoungmancametohimwhoseemedanxioustoconfess,yetatthesametimeseemedafraid.Thepriestwatchedhimforafewmomentsandthenspoketohimandaskedhimifhewishedtomakehisconfession.Herepliedthathedid,butsincehisconfessionwouldprobablybeverylong,heaskedtheconfessortotakehimintoaprivateroom.Thepenitentbeganbysayingthathewasaforeignerandawealthyman,butthathehad

ledsowickedalifethathedidnotbelieveGodwouldpardonhim.Headmittedtomurderandinnumerableothercrimesandshamefulacts.Then,hesaid,afterhehadbeguntodespairof his salvation, he took to committing sins, not because of any inclination to do so, butpurposelytoprovokeGodandtoshowhishatredforhim.HeadmittedamongotherthingsthatheworeacrucifixandthatheusedtostrikeitoutofhatredforGod.Thatverymorning,onlya short timebefore,hehadgone toholyCommunion sacrilegiously.Why?So thathemightbeabletotrampleonthesacredHost.HehadactuallyreceivedtheHost,buthadbeenpreventedfromcarryingouthispurposebecauseofthelargenumberofpeoplewhowouldhaveseenhimdoit.Hethenhandedoverthesacredparticletotheconfessorinapieceofpaper. Then hewent onwith his story and said that later hewas passing in front of thechurchandfeltastrongimpulsetoenter.Unabletoresist,hehadgonein.Afterentering,hewasovercomebygreatremorseofconscienceandbyakindofconfusedandirresolutedesiretoconfesshissins.Thatiswhyhewasstandinginfrontoftheconfessional.Butwhilehewasstanding there, his confusion and reluctance became so great that he tried to leave, but itseemedthathewasheldtherebysomeunseenforce.“Thenyoucalledme,Father,”hesaid,“andhereIammakingmyconfessiontoyou.Icannotexplainit.”The confessor then asked him whether during all this time he had ever practiced any

devotion to theBlessedVirgin, for suchconversionsonlycomeabout throughthehandsofMary.“No,Ididnot,Father.WhyshouldIpracticeanydevotionwhenIconsideredmyselfdamned!”“Butthinkcarefully,”theconfessorinsisted.“IamquitesureIdidnothing,Father,”

the youngman replied.He placedhis hand onhis breast to protest his sincerity and thenremembered that he was wearing the scapular of Mary’s dolors. “You see, my son,” theconfessor said, “ourBlessedMother is theonewhohasobtained this remarkablegrace foryou.Andyouknow,ofcourse,thatthischurchisdedicatedtoher.”The young man was deeply moved, and began to feel great sorrow, and to cry. He

continued his confession, and became so disturbed that he fainted at the confessor’s feet.Whenhehadbeenrevivedhe finishedhisconfessionandreceived thegreatconsolationofabsolution.Completelycontriteandresolvedtochangehiswayof life,hewentbacktohisowncountry,aftergivingtheconfessorpermissiontopreachandmakeknownthegreatactofmercywhichMaryhadperformedforhim.

Prayer

OholyMotherofGod,myMotherMary,youweresodeeplyconcernedformysalvationthatyouoffered todeath thedearestobjectofyourheart,yourbelovedJesus!Sinceyouwere soeager tosaveme,itisonlyrightthatIshouldplaceallmyhopesinyou,afterGod.Yes,mostBlessedMother,Itrustentirelyinyou.Bythemeritofthegreatsacrificeofthelifeof

yoursonwhichyouofferedtoGodthisday,beghimtohavemercyonmypoorsoulforwhichhetheImmaculateLambdidnothesitatetodieonthecross.Iwould like today,Omyqueen, tooffermypoorheart toGodin imitationofyou.But Iam

afraidthatifheshouldseeitsovileandsordid,hemightrejectit.Butifyouofferittohim,hewillnot reject it. Whatever your pure hands offer him is always pleasing and acceptable to him.Therefore,OMary,Imakeapresentofmyselftoyoutoday,miserableasIam.Igivemyselftoyouwithout reserve.Offerme to theEternalFather,alongwithJesus,as somethingbelonging toyou,andbeghim,bythemeritsofyoursonandforyoursake,toacceptmeandtomakemehisown.Mysweetmother,fortheloveofyoursacrificedson,helpmealwaysanddonotabandonme.

NeverpermitmebymysinstolosethismostlovingRedeemerwhomyouofferedtodaywithgreatsorrowtothecrueldeathofthecross.TellhimthatIamyourservantandthatIhaveplacedallmyhopes in you. Tell him, finally, that you pray for my salvation and he will certainly hear you.Amen.

7SERMON7:

MARY’SASSUMPTIONAugust15

ThedeathofMary16wasprecious:(1)becauseofthespecialgracesthataccompaniedit;and(2)becauseof

thewayittookplace.

Deathisapunishmentforsin.ItwouldseemthereforethatourBlessedMother,whowasallholyandfreefromallfault,shouldalsohavebeenexemptfromdeathandthatshewouldnothavetoexperiencethemisfortunesthesonsanddaughtersofAdamaresubjecttoasaresultoftheirinfectionbythepoisonofsin.ButGodwantedMarytoresembleJesusinallthings.Jesusdied.Itwasfittingthereforethathismothershouldalsodie.Moreover,sincehewishedtoprovidethejustwithanexampleofthepreciousdeaththatwouldbetheirs,hewilledthattheBlessedVirginshoulddieadeaththatwassweetandhappy.Letus considerhowpreciousMary’sdeathwas: first, becauseof the special favors that

accompaniedit;andsecondly,becauseofthewayittookplace.

FirstPoint

Therearethreethingsthatmakedeathbitter:attachmenttotheworld,thememoryofpastsins, and the uncertainty of salvation. The death ofMarywas entirely free from all thesecausesofbitternessandwasaccompaniedbythreespecialgraceswhichmadeitpreciousandjoyful. She died as she lived, entirely detached from the things of this world; she died inperfectpeace;andshediedcertainofeternalglory.There can be no doubt that attachment to earthly things makes the death of worldly

peoplebitterandmiserable.TheHolySpiritsays:Odeath,howbitteristheremembranceofyoutoamanthathaspeace inhispossessions! (Ecclus41:1).Butbecausethesaintsdiedetachedfrom the things of thisworld, their death is not bitter, but sweet, lovely, andprecious.AsSaintBernardsays,itisworthpurchasingatanyprice,nomatterhowgreat.Blessedare thedeadwho die in the Lord (Apoc 14:13). Butwho are thosewho diewhen they are alreadydead?Theyare,ofcourse, the fortunate soulswhopass intoeternityalreadydetachedanddead,sotospeak,toallaffectionforearthlythings.LikeSaintFrancisofAssisiwhosaid:“MyGodandmyall,”theyhavefoundalltheirhappinessinGodalone.Butwhatsoulwasevermoredetachedfromthethingsoftheworldandmoreunitedto

GodthanthebeautifulsoulofMary?Shewasevendetachedfromherparents,forattheageofthree,whenyoungstersaremoredevotedtotheirparentsandmoreinneedoftheirhelpthan ever,Mary left themwith complete self-assurance andwent to shutherself up in the

Temple to serveGodalone. Shewasdetached frommaterial things, content always to livepoorandtosupportherselfbythelaborofherhands.Shewasdetachedfromhonors,lovingahumbleandabjectexistence,eventhoughthehonorsduetoaqueenwereherssinceshewas descended from the kings of Israel. The Blessed Virgin revealed to Saint Elizabeth ofHungary thatwhenher parents left her in theTemple, shemadeup hermind to have noearthlylovesandtolovenooneelsebutGod.Saint John sawMary in a vision as the woman clothedwith the sun, standing on the

moon.Anda great sign appeared in heaven: awoman clothedwith the sun, and themoonwasunder her feet (Apoc 12:1). Interpreters explain themoon tomean the goods of this earthwhich, like the moon, are uncertain and changeable. Mary never had any love for thesethings;infact,shedespisedthemandtrampledthem,asitwere,underherfeet.Shelivedintheworld like a solitary turtledove in the desert, never allowing her affections to becomeattachedtoanyearthlything,sothatitwassaidofher:Thesongofthedoveisheardinourland(Cant2:12).Elsewherewe read:Who is she comingup from the desert? (Cant 3:6). TheAbbotRupert

says:“Youwentupbythedesert.Thatis,youhadasoulthatlovedsolitude.”HavingliveddetachedfromthethingsofthisworldandunitedtoGodalone,Marydidnothaveabitterdeathbutasweetandhappyone—adeathwhichunitedherintimatelyandeternallytoGodinheaven.Second,peaceofmindmakesthedeathofthejustprecious.Sinscommittedduringlifeare

thewormsthattormentandgnawattheheartsofpoordyingmortals.Abouttoappearbeforethe divine tribunal, sinners see themselves surrounded by their crimes which cry out,accordingtoSaintBernard:“Weareyourworks;wewillnotabandonyou!”Marycertainlycouldnotbe tormentedatdeathbyanyremorseof thiskind, forshewasalwayspureandalways free from the least shadow of actual or original sin. Scripture says of her:You arebeautiful,mybeloved,andthereisnoblemishinyou(Cant4:7).Fromthemomentthatshefirsthadtheuseofherreason,thatis,fromthefirstmomentof

herimmaculateconceptioninthewombofSaintAnne,MarybegantoloveGodwithallherstrength. And she continued to do so, advancing more and more in love and perfectionthroughouther life.Allher thoughts,desires,andaffectionswere forGodalone.Sheneverutteredaword,madeamovement,castaglance,ordrewabreaththatwasnotdirectedtoGodandhisglory.SheneverstrayedevensomuchasastepfromtheloveofGodandneverdetached herself fromhim even for a singlemoment. It stands to reason then that all thebeautifulvirtuesthatshehadpracticedallherlifesurroundedherblessedbedatthehappymomentofherdeath.Thatfearlessfaith,thatlovingconfidence,thatunconquerablepatiencein themidstof somuchsuffering, thathumility in themidstof somanyprerogatives, thatmodesty,thatmeekness,thatcompassionforsouls,thatzealforthegloryofGod,andaboveall,thatperfectloveforGodandtotalconformitytohiswill—allthesesurroundedMaryatherdeathbedandspokereassuringly:“Weareyourworks;wewillnotabandonyou.…Wearealldaughtersofyourbeautifulheart.Nowthatyouareleavingthisearthlylife,wewillnot abandon you.Wewill be your eternal companions to honor you in heaven,where bymeansofusyouwillreignasqueenofallmenandofangels.”Finally, the assurance of salvation makes death sweet. Death is called a passage or a

transition,becausebydeathwepassfromashorttoaneternallife.Thedreadofthosewhodieuncertainoftheirultimatesalvation,aswellasthosewhoapproachthesolemnmomentexpecting topass intoeternaldeath,mustbeverygreat.By thesametoken, the joyof thesaintswhoendtheir lifehopingwithreasonableassurancethat theywillgotoheavenandpossessGodthere,mustalsobeverygreat.WhenadoctortoldanunoftheOrderofSaintTeresathatshewasabouttodie,shewassooverjoyedthatsheexclaimed:“Howisit,doctor,thatyouaregivingmesuchgoodnewsandarenotaskingforanyfee?”Whenhewasonthepointofdeath,SaintLawrenceGiustinianinoticedthattheservants

around himwereweeping and he said: “Awaywith your tears; this is no time tomourn.Weepsomewhereelse. Ifyouwanttoremainwithme,behappy,as Iamhappytoseethegatesofheavenopeningtomesothat IcanbeunitedwithGod.”SaintPeterofAlcántara,SaintAloysiusGonzaga,andmanyothersaintsbrokeintoexclamationsofjoywhentoldthatdeathwasnear.Andyet theywerenotascertainofpossessingdivinegracenoras sureoftheirownsanctityasMarywas.WhatincomprehensiblejoyourBlessedMothermusthavefeltwhenshereceivedthenews

thatshewasabouttodie!Forshehadthemostcompletecertaintyofpossessingdivinegrace,especially after the Angel Gabriel had assured her that shewas full of grace and that shealreadypossessedGod.Hail,fullofgrace,theLordiswithyou…youhavefoundgrace(Lk1:28,30). And shewas fully aware that her heartwas continually burningwith divine love. AsBernardine de Bustis says: “By a unique privilege granted to no other saint,Mary activelylovedGodateverymomentofher life.”AndshelovedhimsointenselythatSaintBernarddeclaredthatitrequiredacontinuousmiracletopreserveherlifeinthemidstofsuchflamesoflove.TheCanticleofCanticleshadalreadyaskedwithrespecttoMary:Whatisthiscomingupfrom

thedesert, likeacolumnofsmoke ladenwithmyrrh,with frankincense,andwith theperfumeofeveryexoticdust?(Cant3:6).Themyrrhtypifiedhercompletemortification,theincense,herferventprayers.AllherholyvirtuestogetherwithherperfectloveofGodkindledinhersuchagreatflamethatherbeautifulsoul,whollydevotedtoandconsumedbydivinelove,arosecontinuallytoGodlikeacolumnofscentedsmoke.TheAbbotRupertsays:“Likeaspiraloffragrantsmoke,OMary,yougaveforthasweetodortotheMostHigh.”SaintJeromeexpressesthisideainevenstrongerterms:“Shewasasaspiralofsmokeand

gaveoutamostsweetodorbecausesheburnedinteriorlylikeaholocaustwiththeflameofdivinelove.”Asthislovingvirginlived,sodidshedie.Justasdivinelovegaveherlife,sodiditcause

her death. TheDoctors and Fathers of theChurch generally say that she died of only oneillness—pure love. Saint Ildephonsus says that Mary either should not have died, or sheshouldhavediedonlyoflove.17

SecondPoint

ConsidernowhowMary’sblesseddeathactuallytookplace.AftertheAscensionofherson,Mary remainedonearth tohelp spread the faith.Thedisciplesof theLordcame toher intheir difficulties and she solved their doubts. She comforted them in persecution and

encouragedthemtoworkforGod’sgloryandthesalvationofsouls.Sheremainedonearthwillingly,knowingthatthiswasthewillofGodforthegoodoftheChurch.Butshecouldnothelp feeling the pain of being separated from the presence and sight of her sonwho hadascended to heaven.Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be (Lk 12:34), theRedeemerhadsaid.Whereonebelieves thathis treasureandhappinessare, there the loveanddesireofhisheartwillalwaysbefound.MarylovednobodybutJesus.Nowthathewasinheaven,allherdesireswereinheaventoo.Tauler says that “heavenwasMary’sdwellingplace,” forheraffectionswereconstantly

there; “her school was eternity,” for shewas always detached from temporal andworldlythings; “her teacher was divine truth,” for she always acted in accordance with divineinspiration; “hermirrorwas theDivinity,” for she sawnoonebutGodandneverhadanyotheraimthantoconformherselfentirelytohiswill;“herinterestwasdevotion,”forshewasconstantlyconcernedaboutfulfillinghisdivinecommands;“herreposewasunionwithGod,”forshefoundpeaceonlyinunitingherselfcompletelytoGod;“thetreasureofherheartwasGodalone,”thatis,hewastheabodeandrestingplaceofherheart.Maryconsoledherlovingheartduringthispainfulseparation,wearetold,byvisitingthe

holyplacesofPalestinewhereher sonhadbeenduringhis life. She frequentlyvisited, forexample,thestableatBethlehemwhereJesushadbeenborn;atanothertime,shevisitedtheworkshopatNazarethwherehersonhadlivedsomanyyearspooranddespised;again,theGardenofGethsemanewherehehadbegunhisPassion;then,thepraetoriumofPilatewherehehadbeenscourged,andthespotonwhichhehadbeencrownedwiththorns.Butthespotshe visited most frequently was Mount Calvary where Jesus had expired, and the holysepulcherwhereshehadfinallylefthim.Inthisway,Christ’slovingmothersoothedthepainsofhersadexile.Butthiswasnotenoughtosatisfyherheart,whichcouldfindnoreposeinthisworld.She

yearnedcontinuallytobeunitedtoherLord,exclaiminginthewordsofDavid:Whowillgivemewingslikeadove,andIwillflyandbeatrest?(Ps54:7).Astheheartpantsafterthefountainsofwater:somysoulpantsafteryou,myGod(Ps41:1).Surely the sighsof this turtledovecouldnothelppenetrating theheartofherGodwho

lovedhersotenderly.Thesongofthedoveisheardinourland(Cant2:12).Unwillingtoputoffthedesiresofhislovedoneanylonger,Godgraciouslyhearsherprayerandcallshertohiskingdom.Cedrenus,Nicephorus, andMetaphrastes tellus thata fewdaysbefore thedeathof the

Blessed Virgin, Our Lord sent the Archangel Gabriel to her, the same angel who hadannouncedthatshewastheblessedwomanchosentobetheMotherofGod.Theangelsaid:“MyLadyandmyQueen,Godhasheardyourprayersandhassentmetotellyoutoprepareyourselftoleavetheearth,forhewillsthatyoushallbewithhiminheaven.Come,therefore,take possession of your kingdom. All its holy inhabitants eagerly await and desire yourarrival.”WhatelsecouldMaryhavedoneonhearingthishappyannouncementthananswer,intheutmosthumility,withthesamewordsthanshehadusedwhenGabrielannouncedthatshewas tobecometheMotherofGod:Behold thehandmaidof theLord (Lk1:38). Iam theservantoftheLord,shesaysagain.Inhispuregoodnesshehaschosenmeandmademehismother;andnowhecallsmetoparadise.Ididnotdeservethatgreathonor,nordoIdeserve

thisone.Butsincehewishestoshowmehisinfinitegenerosity,Iamnowreadytogowherehe pleases.Behold the handmaid of the Lord. May the will of my God and Lord always beaccomplishedinme!After receiving this welcome news she told Saint John about it. It is not difficult to

imaginehowhemusthavefeltwhenheheardit.FormanyyearshehadstoodbyhersideasasonandhadenjoyedthecompanionshipofthemostBlessedMother.Oncemore,MaryvisitedtheholyplacesatJerusalem,tenderlytakingherleaveofthem,

andespeciallyMountCalvarywhereherJesushaddied.Finally,shewithdrewintoherlittlecottagetopreparefordeath.Allduringthistimetheangelspaidvisitstotheirqueen,comfortingthemselveswiththe

thought that they would soon see her crowned in heaven. Many authors, such as SaintAndrew of Crete, Saint John Damascene, and Euthymius, assert that before her death theapostles and many other disciples who were scattered throughout the world weremiraculously transported to Mary’s room. When she saw them gathered together in herpresence, she said to them: “Mybeloved children, becauseof love for youand inorder tohelpyou,mysonleftmeonthisearth.Ourholyfaithisnowspreadthroughouttheworld.Alreadythefruitofthedivineseedhassprungup.SomyLord,seeingthatmypresenceonearthisnolongerneeded,andoutofcompassionformygriefinbeingseparatedfromhim,hasgraciouslylistenedtomyprayerthatImayleavethislifeandgotohiminheaven.Butyoumust remain towork forhisglory.Although Iam leavingyou,myheart remainswithyou.IshallalwayscarrywithmeandcherishthegreatloveIhaveforyou.Igotoparadisetoprayforyou.”Whatwordscandescribe the sorrowof thosedisciplesas they realized that theywould

soon be separated from theirmother? Sobbing andweeping, they began to say: “Are youreallygoingtoleaveus,Mary?Isittruethattheworldisnotaplaceworthyoforfitforyou?As for us,we are unworthy to enjoy the presence of theMother ofGod in ourmidst. Butrememberthatyouareourmother,too.Youhavebeensohelpfultousinourdifficulties,soconsoling tous inourafflictions.Howcanyounowabandonusand leaveusalone in themidst of so many enemies and so many conflicts, without the benefit of your help andconsolation?Wehave already lost Jesus.OurMaster and Father on earth has ascended toheaven.Untilnow,youhavebeenourmainstay,OMother.Howcanyouleaveusasorphans,withoutfatherormother?Eitherremainwithusortakeuswithyou.”According to Saint John Damascene, the Blessed Virgin is supposed then to have said:

“No,mychildren,thiswouldnotbeaccordingtothewillofGod.Becontenttodowhathehasdecreedisbestformeandforyou.YourlotwillbetoremainonearthandworkforthegloryofyourRedeemer,andthusweaveforyourselvesaneternalcrown.Ileaveyou,notinordertoabandonyou,buttohelpyouevenmoreinheavenbymyintercessionwithmyson.Besatisfiedwiththis.IcommendholyChurchtoyou;Icommendallredeemedsoulstoyou.Letthesebemylastwordsoffarewellandmylastwordsofadvice.Ifyouloveme,dowhatItellyou:Laborforthegoodofsoulsandthegloryofmyson.Onedayweshallallmeetagaininparadise,nevertobeseparatedforalleternity.”Shethenbeggedthemtoprovideforherburial,blessedthemall,andcommissionedSaint

John togive twoofher gowns to twoyoungmaidenswhohadbeen servingher for some

time.18Thenshecomposedherselfpeacefullyonherlittlebedandlaythereeagerlyawaitingdeath.Withdeath,shewouldknowreunionwithherson,whowouldcometoconducthertothe kingdom of the blessed. In her heart, she experienced great joy, the forerunner of thecoming of theBridegroom,which filled herwith a new andunaccustomed sweetness. Theholyapostlesbeganagain toweepand fall on theirkneesatherbedside. Somekissedherfeet,somebeggedaspecialblessingfromher,someappealedtoher torememberaspecialrequest, and all felt their hearts piercedwith grief at the thought of being separated fromtheir beloved mother for the rest of their earthly lives. Mary, loving mother that she is,lookedwith love on all of them and consoled each one. Somewere promised her help inheaven,otherswereblessedwithparticularaffection,andothersencouragedtoworkforthesalvationoftheworld.ShecalledSaintPeterinparticulartoher,astheheadoftheChurchandvicarofher son,warmlyurging the spreadof the faithandpromisinghimher specialprotection in heaven. But itwas to Saint John that she turnedwith the greatest affection,becausehefeltmorekeenlythantheothersthelossofhismother.Mindfuloftheaffectionanddevotionthisholydisciplehadlavishedonherduringalltheyearsafterherson’sdeath,Marysaid:“MysonJohn, I thankyouforall theassistanceyouhavegivenme.BeassuredthatIshallneverforgetit. Iamleavingyounow,butIgotoprayforyou.Remainhereinpeace until wemeet again in heaven, where I shall be waiting for you. Never forgetme.Wheneveryouneedanything,donothesitatetocalluponme,forIwillneverforgetyou.Iblessyou,myson.Liveinpeace.Farewell!”Death was now at hand. Divine love had nearly consumed her with its blessed and

vehementardor.Theheavenlyphoenixwaslosingherlifeinthemidstoftheflames.Hostsofangelscametomeether,preparingforthegreattriumphwithwhichtheywouldaccompanyhertoparadise.Marywasconsoledbythesightoftheseblessedspirits,butnotcompletelyconsoled,forshedidnotyetseeherJesus,theoneloveofherheart.Shekeptrepeatingtotheangelswhohadcometogreether:Iadjureyou,OdaughtersofJerusalem, ifyoufindmybeloved, thatyou tellhim that I languishwith love (Cant5:8).Tellhimtocome,andtocomequickly.Iamactuallydyingbecauseofmylongingtoseehim.ThenJesuscametotakehismothertothekingdomoftheblessed.ItwasrevealedtoSaint

ElizabeththatJesusappearedtoMarybeforeshediedwithacrossinhishandstoshowthespecialglorythathehadobtainedbytheredemption.19

OurLordhimselfgaveMaryViaticum(accordingtoSaintJohnDamascene),sayingtoherlovingly: “Receive, OmyMother, frommy hands the same body that you gaveme.” AndMary,receivingherlastCommunionwithinfinitefervor,saidwithherlastbreath:“MySon,intoyourhandsIcommendmyspirit.Icommendtoyoumysoulwhichyoucreatedfromtheveryfirstsorichwithmanygracesanduniquelyprivilegedtobepreservedfromthestainoforiginal sin. I commendmy body to you, fromwhich you deigned to take your flesh andblood. I commend these holy children of mine to you [meaning the disciples who weregatheredaroundher].Theyareindeedsadtoseemeleavingthem.YoulovethemmorethanIpossiblycan;pleaseconsolethem,blessthem,andgivethemstrengthtodogreatthingsforyourglory.”ThelifeofMarywasnowatitsclose.Delicatemusic,asSaintJeromerelates,washeard

in the roomwhere she lay.According toa revelationmade toSaintBridget, the roomwas

alsofilledwithabrilliantlight.ThesweetmusicandtheunusuallightwarnedthedisciplesthatMary’ssoulwasabouttodepart.Againtheybegantosob.Raisingtheirhands,withonevoicetheyexclaimed:“OMother,youarenowleavingusandgoingtoheaven.Giveusyourlastblessingandpromisenevertoforgetus.”Maryturnedhereyesaroundtheroom,asiftobidthemallalastfarewellandwhispered:“Goodbye,dearchildren.Iblessyou.Donotbeafraid,Iwillneverforgetyou.”Deathcameatlast,notcladingarmentsofmourningandgriefasisthecasewithothers,

butadornedwithlightandgladness.Butwhatarewesaying?Howcanwespeakofdeath?Wemustrathersaythatdivinelovecametocutthethreadofthatnoblelife.Andjustasacandlegivesoffone lastvaliant flickerbeforegoingout, so thisbeautifulcreature,hearingChrist’sinvitationtofollowhim,gavealastsighofevengreaterlove,breathedforthhersoul,andexpired.Thuswasthatgreatsoul,thatbeautifuldoveoftheLord,loosedfromthebondsofthislife.Thusdidsheenterintothegloryoftheblessedwheresheisnowenthroned,andwhereshewillbeenthronedasqueenofparadiseforalleternity.Mary has left theworld. She is now in heaven. From there this compassionatemother

looksdownuponuswhoarestillinthevalleyoftears.Shepitiesusandpromisestohelpusifwewishherto.Letusalwaysbeseechherbythemeritsofherblesseddeathtoobtainahappydeath forus.And if it shouldbeGod’spleasure, letusbegher toobtain forus thegraceofdyingonaSaturday,adaydedicatedspecially toherhonor,orduringoneofhernovenas, orwithin the octave of one of her feast days. She has obtained this grace for somany of her devoted servants, and especially for Saint Stanislaus Kostka. For him sheobtainedtheprivilegeofdyingonthefeastofherAssumption,asFatherBartolirelatesinhislifeofthesaint.

Example

This pious youth, Stanislaus, was very much devoted to Our Lady. One day, the first ofAugust, he heard a sermon given by Father Peter Canisius to the Jesuit novices.With thegreatestfervor,thegoodFatherurgedthemalltoliveeverydayasif thatweretobetheirlast,andtheoneonwhichtheyweredestinedtoappearbeforethedivinetribunal.Afterthesermon,SaintStanislaustoldhiscompanionsthatthisadmonitionhadaspecial

meaningtohim,asifitwerethevoiceofGod,andthathewasdestinedtodieduringthatverymonth.HesaidthiseitherbecauseGodhadexpresslyrevealedittohim,orbecauseGodhadgivenhimacertaininnerpresentimentofwhatwastohappenlater.Fourdaysafterthis,theholynovicewenttothechurchofSaintMaryMajorwithFather

EmmanuelSa.Astheywereenteringthechurch,theybegantospeakabouttheapproachingfeast of the Assumption, and Stanislaus said: “Father, I believe that on that day a newparadiseappearsinheavenwhenthegloryoftheMotherofGodisseen,crownedqueenofheaven, and seated so near Our Lord, above all the choirs of angels. And if, as I firmlybelieve, this feast is celebrated anew each year in heaven, I hope to be there for the nextcelebration.”According to Jesuit custom, lots had been drawn for a monthly patron, and Saint

Stanislaushaddrawn thegloriousmartyrSaintLawrence. It is said thatStanislauswrotea

letter to the BlessedMother inwhich he begged her to obtain for him the grace of beingpresentathernextfeastinheaven.OnthefeastofSaintLawrencehereceivedholyCommunion,andthenbeggedthesaintto

presenthislettertotheBlessedVirginandtosupporthispetitionwithhisprayerssothattheBlessedVirginwouldacceptit.Towardtheendof thatday,hewasseizedwith fever.Thoughtheattackwasslight,he

neverthelessconsidereditascertainthathisrequestforaspeedydeathhadbeengranted.Infact,ashewenttobed,hesmiledjoyfullyandsaid:“Ishallneverrisefromthisbedagain.”AndspeakingtoFatherClaudiusAcquavivaheadded:“Father,IamsurethatSaintLawrencehas already obtained for me fromMary the grace of being in heaven on the feast of herAssumption.”However,noonetookhiswordsseriously.On thevigilof the feasthis illness still seemednot too severe,butStanislausassureda

Brotherthathewoulddiethatverynight.TheBrotherrepliedhowever:“Frater,itwouldbeagreater miracle to die of your illness than to be cured of it.” Nevertheless, during theafternoonStanislausbecamedeathly sick.A cold sweat cameoverhim, andhe lost all hisstrength.TheSuperiorhurried tohisbedsideand theyouthbegged tobe laidon thebarefloorsothathemightdielikeapenitent.Hisrequestwasgranted,andhewaslaidonathinmattressontheground.Thenhemadehisconfessionand,inthemidstofmuchsadnessonthepartofthosepresent,receivedViaticum.WhentheBlessedSacramentwasbroughtintotheroom,hiseyesbegantoglowwithheavenlyjoy,andhisfacebecameinflamedwithholylove, like the face of a seraph. He received Extreme Unction, and while this was beingadministered he did nothing but constantly raise his eyes to heaven and lovingly press animageofMary tohisheart.Oneof theFathersaskedhim: “Why twine that rosaryaroundyour hand if you don’t recite it?” He replied: “It is a consolation to me, because it issomethingbelongingtomymother.”“Howmuchgreateryourconsolationwillbe,”saidtheFather, “when in a short time you see her and kiss her hands in heaven!”When the saintheardthis,hisfacebecameallaflamewithlove,andheraisedhishandsasanexpressionofhisdesire tobe inherpresence.Mary thenappeared tohim,ashehimself told thosewhowerestandingaround.Shortlyafterward,asthefifteenthofAugustwasbeginningtodawn,he died like a saint,without the slightest struggle andwith his eyes fixed on heaven.HispassingwassoquietthatitwasonlywhentheypresentedtheimageoftheBlessedVirgintohimandnoticed thathedidnot see it that they realizedhehadalreadygone togreethisbelovedqueeninheaven.

Prayer

OsweetMary,ourMother,youhavealreadylefttheearthandreachedyourkingdomwhereyouareenthronedasqueenaboveallthechoirsofangels.AsholyChurchsings:“Sheisexaltedabovethechoirsofangelsintheheavenlykingdom.”Wearewellawarethatwepoorsinnersarenotworthytopossessyouinthisvalleyofdarkness;

butwealsoknowthat inyourgreatnessyouhavenever forgottenusmiserablesinners.Nowthatyou have been exalted to such great glory, your pity for us poor children of Adam has reallyincreased.Fromyourthroneonhighthen,OMary,turnyourcompassionateeyesonusandhave

mercyonus.Rememberthatwhenyouleftthisworld,youpromisednottoforgetus.Lookatusandhelp us. See what tempests and dangers we find ourselves in constantly and shall always findourselvesinuntilwedie.Bythemeritsofyourblesseddeath,obtainforusthegraceofremaininginGod’sfriendshipto

theend,sothatwemayfinallypassfromthislifeinGod’sgrace.Thenwe,too,shallonedaycometogreetyouinparadise,andunitewiththeblessedspiritsinpraisingyouandsingingyourgloriesasyoudeserve.Amen.

8SERMON8:

SECONDSERMONONMARY’SASSUMPTION

(1)Mary’sglorioustriumphwhensheenteredheaven;(2)Mary’sexaltedthroneinheaven.

OnemightimaginethatonthisdayofMary’sassumptionintoheavenHolyMotherChurchwould invite us tomourn rather than rejoice inasmuch as our goodmother has taken herleave of this world and left us deprived of her presence. Saint Bernard long ago said: “Itseemsthatweoughttoweepratherthanrejoice.”Butno;HolyMotherChurchinvitesustobeglad:“Letusallrejoice intheLord,celebratingafestival inhonorof theBlessedVirginMary.”And rightly so. For if we love Mary we ought rather to exult in her glory than be

concernedwithourownpersonal feelings.What sonwouldnotbehappy to learn thathismotherwasabouttobecomeaqueen,eventhoughitmeanthewouldhavetobeseparatedfromher?TodayMaryiscrownedQueenofHeaven,andweshouldbehappytocelebratetheeventifwetrulyloveher.“Letusrejoice,then;letusallrejoice.”Thatwemayderiveallthemoreconsolationfromhergreatfeast,letusconsiderfirsthowgloriousMary’striumphwaswhensheenteredheaven;andsecondly,howmagnificentthethronewastowhichshewasraised.

FirstPoint

AfterJesusChristourSaviorhadcompletedtheworkofredemptionbyhisdeath,theangelsyearnedtohavehimintheirmidstinheaven.TheybeggedhimcontinuallyinthewordsofDavid:Arise, O Lord, into your resting place: you and the ark which you have sanctified (Ps131:8).Come,OLord,nowthatyouhaveredeemedman,cometoyourkingdomandjoinus,bringing with you the ark you have sanctified, your mother. You sanctified that ark bydwelling inherwomb.This is preciselywhat SaintBernardhas theangels say: “LetMary,yourmostholymother,whowassanctifiedbyconceivingyou,alsocomeuptoheaven.”Itpleased Our Lord finally to satisfy the desire of those faithful angels by calling Mary toparadise.ButifithadbeenhiswillthatthearkoftheolddispensationbebroughtwithgreatpompintothecityofDavid:AndDavidandallthehouseofIsraelbroughtthearkofthecovenantof the Lord with joyful shouting, andwith sound of trumpet (2 Kings 6:15), howmuchmoregloriouslydidhearrangetohavehismotherenterheaven!TheprophetEliaswascarriedtoheaveninafierychariot,whichinterpreterstelluswasnothingelsethanagroupofangelswhoborehimawayfromtheearth.“Buttoconductyoutoheaven,OMotherofGod,”saystheAbbotRupert,“afierychariotwasnotenough;thewholecourtofheaven,headedbyitsKing,yourson,wentforthtomeetandaccompanyyou.”

SaintBernardineofSienasays thesame.Hesays that tohonor the triumphofhismostsweetmother,“Jesuswentforthinhisglorytomeetandaccompanyher.”SaintAnselmsaysthatitwaspreciselyforthispurposethatitpleasedOurRedeemertoascendtoheavenbeforehismother;thatis,notonlytoprepareathroneforherinthatkingdom,butalsosothathecouldgotomeetherwithalltheangelsandsaintsandthusmakeherentryintoheavenmoreglorious,aswasfittingforonewhowashismother.SaintPeterDamian,contemplatingthesplendorofMary’sassumptionintoheaven,says:

“WefinditmoregloriousthantheascensionofJesusChrist;fortomeettheRedeemer,angelsalonecameforth;butwhentheBlessedVirginwasassumedintoglory,shewasmetbytheLordofgloryhimselfaccompaniedbyall thesaintsandangels.”Forthisreason,theAbbotGuerricpicturestheDivineWordsaying:“TohonormyFather,Idescendedfromheaven;tohonormyMother,Ire-ascendedthere”;thatistosay,thatImightbeabletogoforthtomeetherandbringhertoheavenmyself.Let us now picture Jesus going forth from heaven to meet his mother. When he first

encountered her, in order to console her he said:Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, mybeautifulone,andcome, forwinter isnowpastandgone(Cant2:10–11).Come,myowndearmother,mypureandbeautifuldove,leavethatvalleyoftearsinwhichyouhavesufferedsomuch for love ofme.Come from Libanus,my spouse, come from Libanus, come; you shall becrowned(Cant4:8).Comein,soulandbody,toenjoytherewardofyourholylife.Greatasyoursufferingshavebeenonearth,theglorywhichIhavepreparedforyouinheavenwillbeevengreater.Comethen,andtakeyourplacebesideme;comeandreceivethecrownwhichIshallbestowuponyouasqueenoftheuniverse.PictureMaryleavingtheearth,rememberingasshegoesthemanygracesshehasreceived

fromitsLord.Sheviews itwithaffectionandcompassionbecauseshe is leavingbehindsomany souls exposed to sufferings and trials. See Jesus offering her his hand, the BlessedMotherascendsabovethecloudsandstars.Nowshearrivesatthegatesofheaven.Inoldendayswhenmonarchstooksolemnpossessionoftheirkingdoms,theydidnotpassthroughthegatesofthecapital.Eitherthegateswereremovedorthekingspassedoverthem.SowhenJesusChristenteredparadise,theangelscriedout:Liftupyourgates,Oyouprinces,andbeyouliftedup,Oeternalgates;andthekingofgloryshallenterin(Ps23:7).Soalso,nowthatMarygoestotakepossessionofthekingdomofheaven,theangelswhoaccompanyhercryouttothosewithin:Liftupyourgates,Oyouprinces,andbeyouliftedup,Oeternalgates;andthequeenofgloryshallenterin!Marynowentersheaven.Butassheenters,thecelestialspirits,seeinghersobeautifuland

glorious,ask theangelsoutside,asOrigenputs it:Who is this that comesup from thedesert,flowingwithdelights,leaninguponherbeloved?(Cant8:5).Whocanthisbeautifulcreaturebewho comes from thedesert of the earth, aplaceof thorns and tribulations? She comes allpureandrichinvirtue,leaningonherbelovedLord,whograciouslyarrangedtoaccompanyherhimselfwithsuchgreathonor.Whoisshe?Theangelsaccompanyingheranswer: “She is theMotherofourKing, she isourqueen

andtheblessedoneamongallwomen;fullofgrace,thesaintofsaints,thebelovedofGod,theimmaculateone,thedove,thefairestofallcreatures.”Thenalltheblessedspiritsbegintoblessandpraiseher,singingwithmorereasonthantheHebrewsdidtoJudith:Youarethe

gloryof Jerusalem, youare the joyof Israel, youare thehonorof our people (Jdt15:10).OurLadyandourqueen,youareindeedthegloryofparadise,thejoyofourcountry;youarethehonorofusall!Welcome!Mayyoubeblessedforever!Beholdyourkingdom.Beholdusalso,allyourservants,readytodowhateveryoucommand.Thenallthesaintsinparadisecametogreettheirqueen.Alltheholyvirginscame:The

daughters sawher, anddeclaredhermost blessed, and they praisedher (Cant6:8). “We,” theysaid,“OmostblessedLady,arealsoqueensinthiskingdom,butyouaretheQueenofqueens.ForyouwerethefirsttogiveusthebeautifulexampleofconsecratingourvirginitytoGod.Weblessandthankyouforit.”Thencametheholyconfessorstogreether,forbyherholylifeshehadtaughtthemsomanybeautifulvirtues.Theholymartyrswelcomedherastheirqueen.Byher constancyduring the sorrowsofherSon’sPassion shehad taught themandobtained strength for them to laydown their lives for the faith. Saint James,whowas theonly one of the apostles already in heaven, came to thank her in the name of all hiscolleagues for the comfort andhelp shehad given themwhile shewas on earth.Next theprophets greeted her and said: “Lady, you were the one who was foreshadowed in ourprophecies.”Theholypatriarchscameandsaid:“OMary,youaretheonewhowasourhope.Itwasforyouthatwesighedsomuchandsolong.”Andwiththepatriarchsthereappearedourfirstparents,AdamandEve,whocametothankherwiththegreatestaffection.“Beloveddaughter,” they said, “youhave repaired the injurywhichweafflictedon thehuman race.Youhave obtained for theworld that blessingwhichwe forfeited by our crime.Youhavesavedus.Mayyoubeblessedforitforever!”Withthat,SaintSimeonapproachedtokissherfeetandremindedherwithjoyoftheday

when he received the Infant Jesus fromher hands. Saint Zachary and Saint Elizabeth alsocameandthankedheragainforthelovingvisitshehadpaidtotheirhomewithsuchgreathumilityandcharity,andfromwhichtheyhadreceivedsuchtreasuresofgrace.SaintJohntheBaptistappearedwithanevengreatershowofaffectiontothankherforhavingsanctifiedhimbyhervoice.Butwhatmusthavebeenthesentimentsofherparents,SaintJoachimandSaint Anne, as they approached!Withwhat devotion theymust have greeted her, saying:“Beloveddaughter,whatgoodfortuneitwasforustohavesuchachild!Mayyounowbeourqueen,foryouarethemotherofourGod,andassuchwegreetandhonoryou.”Is it possible to imagine the love and affectionwithwhich her devoted husband Saint

Josephmether?Cananyonedescribe the joy that floodedhisheart ashe sawMary enterheavensotriumphantlyandbecomethequeenofheaven?Dowedaretolistenashesaystoher: “My Lady and my spouse, how can I ever thank our God for having made me yourhusband, you who are his true mother! Through you I have been privileged to assist theDivine Child on earth, to carry him so often inmy arms, and to receive somany specialgracesfromhim.ForevermemorablewillbethosemomentsIspentinlifeservingJesusandyou,myholyspouse.BeholdourJesus!Howhappywemaybethathenolongerliesonstrawinamanger,ashedidwhenhewasbornatBethlehem.Henolongerlivespooranddespisedinashop,asheoncedidwithusinNazareth.Heisnolongernailedtoashamefulcross,ashewaswhenhedied in Jerusalem for the salvationof theworld.He is seatednowat therighthandofhisFather,asKingandLordofheavenandearth.Andnow,OmyQueen,youandIshallneveragainbeseparatedfromhim.Hereinheavenweshallblesshimandlovehimforalleternity.”

Alltheangelsthencametosaluteher.Andshe,thegreatQueen,thankedthemallfortheassistancetheyhadgivenheronearth.EspeciallydidshethanktheArchangelGabriel, thehappyambassador,themessengerofallherglories,whoannouncedtoherthatshewasthechosenMotherofGod.MarythenkneltandadoredtheDivineMajesty.Allabsorbedintheconsciousnessofher

ownnothingness, she thankedhimfor thegraceshehadbrought toher,andespecially forhavingmadeher theMother of theEternalWord. Let himwho can, comprehend the lovewith which the most Blessed Trinity then blessed her. Let him comprehend the welcomegiventohisdaughterbytheEternalFather, tohismotherbytheSon,tohisspousebytheHolySpirit.TheFathercrownedherbyimpartinghispowertoher;theSon,hiswisdom;theHolyGhost,hislove.AndthethreeDivinePersons,placingherthroneattherightofthatofJesus,declaredherqueenofheavenandearth,andcommandedtheangelsandallcreaturestoacknowledgeherastheirQueen,andassuchtoserveandobeyher.LetusnowconsiderhowexaltedwasthethronetowhichMarywasraised.

SecondPoint

Ifthemindofman,saysSaintBernard,cannevercomprehendtheimmenseglorypreparedinheavenbyGodforthosewhohavelovedhimonearth,astheApostletellsus,whocanevercomprehendtheglorythathepreparedforhisBelovedMotherwholovedhimonearthmorethan all others together? Or rather who loved himmore, even from themoment shewasborn,thanallmenandangelscombined?RightlythendoesHolyChurchsingthatsinceMarylovedGodmore thanall theangels, she “hasbeenexaltedabove themall in theheavenlykingdom.”“Yes,”saystheAbbotGuerric,“shewasexaltedabovetheangels,somuchsothatshesawabovehernooneexceptherson,”theonly-begottenoftheFather.The learnedGersonasserts that, justas theordersofangelsand saintsaredivided into

three hierarchies (according to the Angelic Doctor and Saint Denis), so Mary herselfconstitutesaseparatehierarchy,thesublimestofall,andsecondonlytoGod.And,asSaintAntoninusadds,justastheladyofahouseisvastlysuperiortoherservants,so“Mary,whoisthesovereignladyoftheangels,isincomparablyexaltedabovetheangelichierarchies.”Tounderstandthis,weneedonlyrecallwhatDavidsaid:Thequeenstoodonyourrighthand(Ps44:10).InasermonbyanancientauthoramongtheworksofSaintAthanasius,thesewordsareexplainedasmeaningthat“MaryisplacedattherighthandofGod.”It is certain, as Saint Ildephonsus says, that the good works of Mary incomparably

surpassedthoseofallthesaintsinmerit;andthereforeherrewardmusthavesurpassedtheirsinthesameproportion.Forjustas“thatwhichsheborewasincomprehensible,sotherewardwhich she merited and received is incomprehensible.” It is certain that God rewardsaccordingtomerit,astheApostledeclares:Whowillrendertoeverymanaccordingtohisworks(Rom2:6).Itisalsocertain,asSaintThomasteaches,thattheBlessedVirgin,“whowasequaltoandevensuperiorinmerittoallmenandangels,wasexaltedabovethemall.”“Inshort,”addsSaintBernard,“letusmeasuretheuniquegracethatsheacquiredonearth,andthenwemaymeasuretheuniqueglorysheobtainedinheaven; foraccordingtothemeasureofhergraceonearthisthemeasureofhergloryinthekingdomoftheblessed.”

Alearnedauthor, theBlessedClaudede laColombière, remarks that thegloryofMary,whichisfullandcomplete,differstothatextentfromthegloryofallothersaintsinheaven.Itistruethatalltheblessedinheavenenjoyperfectpeaceandfullcontentment,butitisalsotruethatnoneof themenjoysasmuchgloryashecouldhavemeritedifhehadlovedandservedGodwithgreaterfidelity.Andso,althoughthesaintsinheavendesirenothingmorethantheypossess,thereis,infact,somethingthattheycoulddesire.Whileitistruethatthesinstheyhavecommittedandthetimetheyhavelostdonotbringsufferings,neverthelessitcannotbedeniedthathadagreateramountofgoodbeendoneinlife,hadvirtuebeenmorestrenuously practiced, and time better employed, these would have brought them greaterhappiness.Mary desires nothing in heaven and has nothing to desire. Who among the saints in

paradise,saysSaintAugustine, ifaskedwhetherhehadcommittedsins,couldsayno?It iscertain,astheCouncilofTrenthasdefined,thatMarynevercommittedanysin,noreventheslightestimperfection.Shenotonlyneverlostdivinegrace,andneverevenobscuredit,butsheneverevenkeptitinactive.Sheneverperformedanactionthatwasnotmeritorious.Sheneverpronouncedaword,neverhadathought,neverdrewabreath,thatwasnotdirectedtothegreatergloryofGod.Inshort,shenevercooledinherardororpausedasinglemomentinher onward course toward God. She never lost anything by negligence, but alwayscorrespondedtogracetothebestofherabilityandlovedGodasmuchasshecouldlovehim.“OLord,”shenowsaystohiminheaven,“ifIdidnotloveyouasmuchasyoudeservedtobeloved,atleastIlovedyouasmuchasIcould.”Ineachofthesaintsthereweredifferentgraces,asSaintPaulsays:Therearevarietiesof

gifts (1Cor12:4). Eachof themcooperatedwith the graces received and excelled in someparticular virtue: one in zeal for souls, another in leading a penitential life, another inenduringtorments,anotherinalifeofprayer.Andthisiswhy,whenHolyChurchcelebratestheirfeasts,shesaysofeach:“Therewasnotfoundonelikehim.”Andjustasthesaintsdifferintheirmerits,sotheydifferintheirheavenlyglory:forstardiffersfromstaringlory(1Cor15:41). Apostles differ frommartyrs, confessors from virgins, the innocent from penitents.OurBlessedLady,beingfullofallgraces,surpassedeachsaintineveryparticularvirtue:shewastheapostleoftheapostles,thequeenofmartyrs(forshesufferedmorethanallofthem),the standard bearer of virgins, the model of spouses. She surpassed them all because sheunited in herself perfect innocencewith perfectmortification. In short, she blended in herheartallthemostheroicvirtuesthatanysainteverpracticed.AndthatiswhyHolyWritsaysofher:TheQueenstoodonyourrighthandingildedclothing,surroundedinvariety(Ps44:10).Allthegraces,privileges,andmeritsoftheothersaintswerefusedinMary,astheAbbotofCellessays:“Theprerogativesofallthesaints,OBlessedVirgin,youunitedinyourself.”Asthebrillianceofthesunsurpassesthesplendorofallthestars,toquoteSaintBasil,so

Mary’s glory surpasses the splendor of all the saints. Saint PeterDamian adds that “as thelightofthemoonandthestarsisentirelyeclipsedwhenthesunappears,sothatitnolongerseemstoexist,soMary’sglorysofarexceedsthegloryofallmenandangelsthatitalmostobscurestheminheaven.”SaintBernardineofSienaagreeswithSaintBernardinsayingthatthe blessed participate in the divine glory to a degree; but the BlessedVirgin has been soenrichedwithitthatnocreaturecouldbemorecloselyunitedwithGodthanMaryis.“Shehaspenetratedintothedepths,andisimmersedasdeeplyasitispossibleforacreaturetobe

immersedinthatinaccessiblelight.”SaintAlberttheGreatconfirmsthis,sayingthatMary“contemplatesthemajestyofGod

incomparablycloserthanallothercreatures.”SaintBernardineofSienasays:“Astheotherplanetsareilluminedbythesun,soalltheblessedreceivelightandanincreaseofhappinessfromthesightofMary.”Andinanotherpassagehemaintains:“WhenthegloriousMotherofGodascendedintoheaven,sheincreasedthejoyofeverybodythere.”Withthesamethoughtinmind, Saint Peter Damian also says: “The greatest glory of the blessed in heaven, afterseeingGod,isthepresenceofthismostbeautifulqueen.”AndSaintBonaventure:“AfterGod,ourgreatestgloryandourgreatestjoyisMary.”RejoicethenwithMarythatGodhasexaltedhertosuchahighthroneinheaven.Andlet

usrejoicealsoonourownaccount.Foralthoughourmotherisnolongerwithusonearth,havingascendedinglorytoheaven,stillsheisalwayswithusinaffection.Moreover,beingclosernowtoGod,sheknowsourmiseriesbetterandisbetterabletohavepityonusandtohelpus.“Isitpossible,OBlessedVirgin,”asksSaintPeterDamian,“thatyouhaveforgottenus because you are so exalted? No, certainly not. God forbid that we should have such athought. A heart as compassionate as yours cannot help but pity our great miseries.” “IfMary’s compassion for those in trouble was great when she lived on earth,” says SaintBonaventure,“itiscertainlyfargreaternowthatshereignsinheaven.”Let us then dedicate ourselves to the service of this queen, and honor and love her as

much aswe can.AsRichard of Saint Lawrence remarks: “She is not like other rulerswhooppresstheirsubjectswithburdensandtaxes.Sheenrichesherservantswithgraces,merits,andrewards.”Letusentreather in thewordsof theAbbotGuerric: “OMotherofMercy,who sitson

suchaloftythroneandinsuchcloseproximitytoGod,satiateyourselfwiththegloryofyourJesus, and give us, your servants, fragments of what is left. You now enjoy the heavenlybanquet of your Lord.Wewho are still on earth, aswhelps under the table, ask for yourmercy.”

Example

FatherSilvanusRazzitellsofapiouspriestwholovedourBlessedLadyverymuch.Onedayhebecame inflamedwith thedesire to see theBlessedMother.Hedecided topray for thisfavor.Marysentanangeltotellhimhecouldhavehiswish—butunderthiscondition:thatafterthevisionhewouldbeblind.Themanacceptedthecondition.OnedaytheBlessedVirginappearedtohim.Butthemanhadbecomesomewhatreluctant

tosettle forblindness,andsohedecidedto lookatOurLadywithoneeyeonly.However,entrancedbyherbeauty,hecouldnothelpopeningtheothereye.ButatthatmomentOurLadyvanished.Themanbecamesad.Hedidnotregretthathisoneeyehadgoneblind,buthewassorrynottohaveseenMarywithbotheyes.SoheresumedhisprayersandbeggedtoseetheBlessedVirginagain,protestingthathewouldgladlyaccepttotalblindnessinreturnfor the favor. Theman’s devotion pleased ourBlessed Lady and so she appeared a secondtime.Butthistime,insteadofallowinghimtobecometotallyblind,Maryhealedtheothereyeandrestoreditssight.

Prayer

Ogreat,exalted,andmostgloriousLady,prostrateatthefeetofyourthronewevenerateyoufromthisvalleyof tears.Werejoiceat the immenseglorywithwhichOurLordhasenrichedyou.Andnowthatyouareenthronedasqueenofheavenandearth,donotforgetus,yourpoorservants.Donotdisdain,fromthehighthroneonwhichyoureign,toturnyoureyesofmercytowarduspoorcreatures.Theneareryouaretothesourceofgraces,themoreabundantlyyoucanprocurethosegraces

forus.Inheavenyouseeoursorrowsmoreplainly;thereforehavecompassiononusandhelpusthemore.Makeusyourfaithfulservantsonearththatwemayonedayblessyouinheaven.Onthisday,whenyouweremadequeenoftheuniverse,wealsoconsecrateourselvestoyour

service.Inthemidstofyourgreatjoy,grantustheconsolationofbeingacceptedasyourservants.YouareourMother.OmostsweetMother,mostlovingmother,youraltarsaresurroundedby

manypeople;someasktobecuredofasickness;others,tofindreliefintheirtroubles;some,foranabundant harvest; others, success in various projects. We ask you for graces which are morepleasingtoyourheart.Seetoitthatwemaybehumbleanddetachedfromtheworld,andresignedtoGod’swill.ObtainforustheholyfearofGod,agooddeath,andparadise.OMary,changeusfromsinnersintosaints.Workthismiracle,whichwillredoundmoretoyour

honorthanifyourestoredsighttoathousandblindpersonsorraisedathousandpeoplefromthedead.YouaresopowerfulwithGod,weneedonlysaythatyouarehismother,hisbelovedone,his

mostdearone,filledwithhisgrace.Whatcanheeverdenyyou?Omostbeautifulqueen,wedonotaspire toseeyouonearth;butwedodesire toseeyou in

heaven.And it is up to you to obtain this grace for us.We hopewith confidence that youwill.Amen,amen.

PARTIV

THESORROWSOFMARY

Maryisthequeenofmartyrsbecausehermartyrdomlastedlongerandwasmoreseverethanthatofallothermartyrs.

Whoseheartwillnotmeltwhenhehearsaboutthemosttragiceventthateverhappenedinthisworld?Therewasonceawonderfulandholymotherwhohadanonly son.This sonwasmost

exemplary—innocent, virtuous, handsome—and he loved his mother dearly. He was sodevoted that he never caused her the least displeasure.He always showed her the utmostrespect,obedience,andaffection.Bythesametoken,thismotherlovedhersonwithalltheaffectionofhergenerousheart.Nowthisiswhathappened.Outofenvy, this sonwas falselyaccusedbyhisenemies.Andalthoughthe judgeknew

and admitted that the young man was innocent, nevertheless, in order not to offend hisenemies,hecondemnedhimtothedisgracefuldeaththeydemanded.Thispoormotherhadtosufferthegriefofseeinghersonunjustlysnatchedfromherintheflowerofhisyouth.Bydintofvarioustorturesandtorments,hisbloodwasalldrainedawayandhewasmadetodieacriminal’sdeathinapublicplaceofexecution—andthisbeforeherveryeyes.Odevoutsouls,whatdoyousay?Arenottheseeventsandthisunhappymotherworthyof

yourcompassion?You already know ofwhom I speak. This son, so cruelly put to death, was our loving

RedeemerJesus;andthismotherwastheBlessedVirginMary.Becauseofherloveforus,shewaswillingtoseehimsacrificedtodivinejusticebythebarbarityofmen.Thisgreattormentwhich Mary endured for us was more dreadful than a thousand deaths and deserves oursympathyandourgratitude.Ifwecannotreturnthisloveinanyotherway,letusatleastforafewmomentsconsiderhowgreatwerethesufferingsbywhichMarybecamethequeenofmartyrs.ThesufferingsofMary’smartyrdomsurpassedthoseofallothermartyrs.Firstofall,theylastedlonger;andsecond,theyweremoreintense.

FirstPoint

WecallJesustheKingofsorrowsandtheKingofmartyrsbecauseduringhislifehesufferedmorethanallthemartyrs.WecallMarythequeenofmartyrsbecauseshetoosufferedacruelmartyrdom, themost cruel that anyone could suffer after thatofher son.Richardof SaintLawrencerightlycalledher“themartyrofmartyrs.”ToherwecanwellapplythewordsofIsaiah:Hewillcrownyouwithacrownoftribulation(Isa22:18).Thesorrowsthattorturedhersoulwerethecrownthatproclaimedherthequeenofmartyrs.Hersufferingssurpassedthesufferingsofallothermartyrstogether.There can be no doubt that Mary was a true martyr. Denis the Carthusian, Pelbart,

Catharinus, and others prove it clearly. The opinion is generally accepted that sufferingsufficienttocausedeathismartyrdom,eventhoughdeathmaynotresultfromit.SaintJohntheEvangelistisreveredasamartyreventhoughhedidnotdieinthecaldronofboilingoil.He “came out more vigorous than when he went in,” as the Breviary used to say. Saint

Thomas says: “Tohave thegloryofmartyrdom it is sufficient to exerciseobedience in thehighestdegree,thatis,tobeobedientuntodeath.”“Marywasamartyr,”saysSaintBernard,“notbytheswordoftheexecutioner,butbythe

bitter sorrow of her heart.” Although her body was not wounded by the hand of theexecutioner,herheartwaspiercedbyaswordofgriefatthePassionofherson,griefwhichwassufficienttocauseherdeathnotoncebutathousandtimes.AndsoitfollowsthatMarywasnotonlyarealmartyr,butthatshesufferedmorethanallothers,asweshallsee.Hermartyrdomwaslongerthanthatofallothers;somuchso,thatitcanbesaidthatherwholelifewasaprotracteddeath.“The Passion of Jesus began with his birth,” says Saint Bernard. Now, just as Jesus

suffered throughout his whole life, so Mary, too, in all things like her son, endured hermartyrdomthroughoutherwholelife.OneofthemeaningsofthenameofMary,AlberttheGreattellsus,is“bittersea.”HencethetextofJeremiahisapplicabletoher:Greatastheseaisyourdestruction(Lam2:13).Justastheseaisextraordinarilybitterandsalty,sowasthelifeofMaryalwaysfullofbitterness,forthethoughtofthePassionofhersonwasalwayspresentinhermind.“TherecanbenodoubtthatMarywasenlightenedbytheHolySpirit inafarhigher degree than all the prophets, and sounderstood far better than they the predictionthey recorded in the sacred Scriptures concerning the Messiah.” This is what an angelrevealed to Saint Bridget, and he added: “The Blessed Virgin, even before she became hismother,knewhowmuchthe IncarnateWordwas tosuffer for thesalvationofhumankind.OutofcompassionforthisinnocentSaviorwhowastobeputtosuchacrueldeathforcrimesnothisown,Marybeganeventhenhergreatmartyrdom.”Her sorrow was immeasurably increased when she actually became the mother of the

Savior.Thesorrowfulsightofthetormentshersonwastoendurecausedhertosufferalongmartyrdom, amartyrdomwhich lasted herwhole life, as theAbbot Rupert says. ThiswasmadeclearinavisionwhichSaintBridgethadinthechurchofSaintMaryMajorinRome.TheBlessedVirgin appeared to her alongwith Saint Simeon and an angel carrying a longsworddrippingwithblood.ThesworddenotedthebittersorrowwhichtransfixedtheheartofMary during her whole life. The Abbot Rupert has Mary speak as follows: “My belovedchildren,donotpitymemerelyforthehourwhenIhadtolookatmyJesusdyingbeforemyeyes; for the sword of sorrow predicted by Simeon piercedmy soul duringmy entire life.WhenIwasnursinghimandwhenIwaswarminghiminmyarms,Iforesawthebitterdeathawaitinghim.YoucaneasilyunderstandthelongandcrueltormentsImusthaveendured.”Marymightwell say in thewordsofDavid:My life is spentwith grief andmyyearswith

sighing(Ps30:11).Mygrief iswithmealways (Ps37:18).That is tosay:“Mywhole lifewasspent insorrowandtears, for Ialwaysforesawthesufferingsanddeathmysonwouldonedayhavetoendure.”OurBlessedLadyrevealedtoSaintBridgetthatevenafterthedeathandascensionofherson,whethershewaseatingorworking,thememoryofhisPassionwasasdeeply impressedonhermindas if ithad justbegun.Tauler therefore says that “themostBlessed Virgin spent her whole life in continual sorrow,” implying that her heart wasconstantlypreoccupiedwithsadnessandsuffering.Theelementof time,whichusuallymitigatespeople’s sorrows,didnot relieveMary. In

fact,itincreasedhersorrows.ForontheonehandasJesusgrewolderandmoreandmore

dear to her, so also on the other hand did the time of his death draw ever nearer.Understandably,herheartbecamemoreandmoreboweddownwithgriefatthethoughtofhavingto losehimonearth.“Astherosegrowsamongthethorns,”saidtheangel toSaintBridget,“sotheMotherofGodgrewinthemidstofsuffering.Andasthethornsincreaseinsizewiththegrowthoftherose,sothethornsofhersorrowsincreasedinMary,thechosenroseoftheLord,assheadvancedinyears.Allthemoredeeplydidtheypierceherheart.”WehaveconsideredthedurationofMary’ssorrows.Letusnowpassontoaconsideration

ofthesecondpoint,namely,theirintensity.

SecondPoint

Maryisqueenofmartyrsnotonlybecausehermartyrdomlastedlongerthanallothers,butalsobecauseitwasthemostintenseofallmartyrdoms.WhocanevermeasuretheintensityofMary’ssorrows?Jeremiahseemsunabletofindanyonehecancompareherto,especiallywhenheconsiderswhatsheenduredatthedeathofherson.TowhatshallIcompareyou?ortowhatshallIlikenyou,odaughterofJerusalem?…forgreatastheseaisyourdestruction:whoshallhealyou?(Lam2:13).CardinalHugo,inacommentaryonthesewords,says:“OBlessedVirginMary,astheseaismorebitterthananythingelse,soisyoursorrowmorebitterthananyothersorrow.”SaintAnselmmaintains:“IfGodhadnotbyaspecialmiraclepreservedthelifeofMaryateachmomentofherlife,hersorrowwouldhavebeensuchastocauseherdeath.”SaintBernardineofSienagoessofarastosay:“ThegriefofMarywassogreatthat,ifitweredividedamongallmen,itwouldbesufficienttocausetheirdeathimmediately.”LetusnowconsiderthereasonswhyMary’smartyrdomwasgreaterthanthatofallother

martyrs.In the first place, wemust remember that the othermartyrs suffered their martyrdom

physically, bymeansof fire and sword andother tortures.Mary, on the contrary, sufferedhers in her soul, as Saint Simeon had foretold:And your own soul a sword shall pierce (Lk2:35). In effect, the holy old man had said: “O most Blessed Virgin, the bodies of othermartyrswillbetornwithhooksofiron,butyouwillbetransfixedandmartyrednotinbodybut in soul by the Passion of your Son.” Just as the soul ismore noble than the body, soMary’s sufferings were greater than those of all the martyrs. Our Blessed Savior himselfdisclosedtoSaintCatherineofSiena:“Thereisnocomparisonbetweenthesufferingsofthesoulandthoseofthebody.”AbbotArnoldofChartresdoesnothesitatetosay:“AnyonewhohadbeenpresentonMountCalvaryandhadwitnessedthegreatsacrificeoftheImmaculateLambwouldhaveseentwogreataltarsthere,oneinthebodyofJesusandtheotherintheheartofMary.Foronthatmountain,atthesametimethatthesonwassacrificinghisbodybyhisdeath,Marywassacrificinghersoulbyhercompassion.”Moreover, says Saint Antoninus, while other martyrs suffered by sacrificing their own

lives, theBlessedVirgin suffered by sacrificing her son’s life, a life dearer to her thanherown.Shenotonlyenduredinspiritallthathersonenduredinhisbody,buttheverysightofhistormentsbroughtmoresorrowtoherthanifshehadundergonethemallphysically.NoonecandoubtthatMarysufferedinherheartalltheoutragesshesawinflictedonherJesus.Everyoneknows that the sufferings of children are also those of theirmotherswho see

themsuffer.SpeakingofthesorrowthemotheroftheMachabeesfeltwhenshewitnessedthetortureofhersons,SaintAugustinesays:“Seeingtheirsufferings,shesufferedineachoneofthem.Becauseshelovedthemall,sheenduredinhersoulwhattheyenduredintheirflesh,”Maryalsosufferedallthetorments—thescourges,thethorns,thenails,andthecross—whichtorturedthe innocent fleshofJesus.Allpressedat thesametimeintotheheartofMarytocomplete her martyrdom. “He suffered in the flesh, and she in the heart,” writes BlessedAmadeus. And Saint Lawrence Giustiniani says: “The heart ofMary became, as it were, amirrorofthePassionofherSon,inwhichonecouldsee,faithfullyreflected,thethorns,theblows,thewounds,andallthatJesussuffered.”SaintBonaventureremarksthat“thewoundswhichwerescatteredoverthebodyofOur

LordwereallunitedinthesingleheartofMary.”OurBlessedLady,therefore,becauseofhercompassionforJesus,wasscourged,crownedwiththorns,insulted,andnailedtothecross.SaintBonaventure,contemplatingMaryonCalvaryatthedeathofherson,questionsherandasks:“OLady,tellme,wherewereyouonCalvary?Nearthecross?No,Iwouldrathersaythat you were actually on the cross, being crucified with your Son.” Richard of SaintLawrencecommentsonthewordsIsaiahplacedonthelipsoftheRedeemer: Ihavetroddenthewinepressalone,andoftheGentilesthereisnotamanwithme(Isa63:3).Hesays:“Itistrue,OLord,thatyousufferedaloneintheworkofhumanredemption,andtherewasnomanwhosufficiently pitied you. But there was a woman with you, namely your own mother. Shesufferedinherheartallthatyouhadtoendureinyourbody.”ButallthisissayingtoolittleofMary’ssorrows.AsIhavealreadyobserved,shesuffered

morebyseeinghimsufferthanifshehadenduredtheoutragesandthedeathofhersoninher own person. Erasmus says, speaking of parents: “They aremore cruelly tormented bytheir children’s sufferings thanby their own.”This is not always true.But it certainlywastrueinMary’scase.Forshelovedhersonandhislifeathousandtimesmorethanshelovedherselforherownlife.BlessedAmadeusclaims,andrightly,thatMary“enduredfarmoreatthe sorrowful sight of the torments of her Jesus than she would have suffered if she hadenduredhiswholePassionherself.”The reason is obvious for, as SaintBernard says: “Thesouliswhereitloves,ratherthanwhereitlives.”OurLordhimselfhadalreadysaidthesamething:Whereyourtreasureis,therealsowillyourheartbe(Lk12:34).IfthenMarylivedmoreinhersonthaninherselfbyreasonofherindescribablelove,shemusthaveenduredfargreatertormentsinhissufferingsanddeaththanshewouldhaveenduredifthemostcrueldeathintheworldhadbeeninflictedonherpersonally.Now let us reflect on another circumstance which made the martyrdom of Mary

incomparablygreaterthanthetormentsofalltheothermartyrs,namely,thatinthePassionofJesussheenduredwhatshesufferedwithouttheleastrelief.Themartyrssufferedfromthetormentsinflictedonthembytyrants,buttheloveofJesus

made their pains sweet and bearable. Saint Vincent suffered excruciatingly during hismartyrdom.Hewastorturedonarack,tornwithpincers,burntwithred-hotironplates.ButhespoketothetyrantwithsuchenergyandcontemptforhistormentsthatSaintAugustineremarks: “It seemedas if therewereoneVincentwhowas suffering andanotherwhowasspeaking.”SaintBonifacehadhisbodytornwithironhooks;sharp-pointedreedswerethrustbetweenhisnailsandflesh;meltedleadwaspouredintohismouth.Yetinallthistorturehe

never stopped repeating: “I give you thanks, O Lord Jesus Christ.” Saint Mark and SaintMarcellinuswereboundtoastakeandtheirfeetpiercedwithnails.Whenthetyranttauntedthemandsaid:“Wretches,seewhatamiserableconditionyouarereducedto;saveyourselffromthesetorments,”theyreplied:“Whatpains,whattormentsdoyoumean?Wehaveneverfeltbetterthanwefeelatthepresentmoment,nowthatwearesufferingjoyfullyfortheloveofJesusChrist.”SaintLawrencesufferedwhileroastingonthegridironbut,according toSaintLeo,“the

innerflameoflovewhichconsoledhissoulwasmorepowerfulthantheouterflamewhichtorturedhisbody.”Lovemadehimsocourageousthathemockedthetyrantandsaid:“Ifyouwant to feed onmy flesh, part of it is now roasted; turn it and eat.”How could the saintpossibly rejoice in themidstof somany tormentswhichwere, forallpracticalpurposes, alivingdeath?SaintAugustinereplies:“Intoxicatedbythewineofdivinelove,hefeltneithertormentsnordeath.”Themorethemartyrs lovedJesus,thelesstheyfelt theirtorments.Theverythoughtof

thesufferingsofacrucifiedChristwasenoughtoconsolethem.ButwasnotourMotherofSorrowsalsoconsoledbyloveofhersonandthesightofhistorments?No,forthissonwhowassufferingwastherealcauseofhersorrows.Herloveforhimwasunfortunatelyheronlyand her most cruel executioner. Mary’s whole martyrdom consisted in beholding andcompassionatingherinnocentsonwhowassufferingsomuch.Themoreshelovedhim,themorebitterandinconsolablewashergrief.Greatastheseaisyourdestruction;whoshallhealyou?(Lam2:13).OQueenofheaven,lovehasmitigatedthesufferingsoftheothermartyrsandhealedtheir

wounds;butwhosoothedyourgrief?Whohealedthecruelwoundsofyourheart?Whoshallheal you? asks Jeremiah. Your son, who could afford you this consolation, caused yoursufferings by his own sufferings, and your love for him was what constituted yourmartyrdom.“Othermartyrs,”Diezremarks,“areallrepresentedwiththeinstrumentsoftheirsufferings—SaintPaulwithhissword,SaintAndrewwithhiscross,SaintLawrencewithhisgridiron—butMaryisrepresentedwithherdeadsoninherarms.Jesushimself,andhealone,wastheinstrumentofhermartyrdom,becauseoftheloveshehadforhim.”RichardofSaintVictorconfirmsall that Ihave just said ina fewwords:“Inothermartyrs, thegreatnessoftheir love soothed the pains of their martyrdom; but in the Blessed Virgin, the more sheloved,thegreaterwerehersufferingsandthemoreexcruciatinghermartyrdom.”Itisatruismthatthemorewelovesomethingthemorepainwefeelwhenweloseit.We

grievemore at the loss of a brother thanwe do at the loss of some animal.We aremoredistressedatthelossofasonthanatthelossofafriend.NowCorneliusàLapidesaysthat“tounderstandhowmuchMarygrievedatthedeathofherson,wemustunderstandhowmuchshelovedhim.”Butwhocanpossiblymeasurethatlove?BlessedAmadeussays:“TwokindsofloveforJesuswereunitedintheheartofMary—supernaturallovebywhichshelovedhimasherGod,andnaturallovebywhichshelovedhimasherson.”Thesetwoloveswerefusedintoasinglelove,alovesointensethat,accordingtoWilliam

ofParis,theBlessedVirginlovedJesusasmuchasitwaspossibleforacreaturetolovehim.AndRichardofSaintVictorassertsthat“astherewasnolovelikeherlove,sotherewasnosorrowlikehersorrow.”IfMary’sloveforhersonwasimmense,hergriefatlosinghimby

deathmustalsohavebeenimmense.“Whereveryoufindthegreatestlove,”saysSaintAlberttheGreat,“thereyouwillalsofindthegreatestgrief.”Let us now imagine this Blessed Mother standing near her son expiring on the cross.

PictureherapplyingtoherselfthewordsofJeremiahandsayingtous:Oallyouthatpassbytheway, attendand see if therebe any sorrow like tomy sorrow (Lam1:12).Oyouwhospendyourlivesonearthanddonotpityme,stopawhiletogazeatmeasIseemybelovedsondyingbeforemyeyes.Thentellmewhether,ofalltheanguishyouhaveeverwitnessed,youhaveeverseenanysorrowlikemysorrow.“No,Omostsufferingofallmothers,”repliesSaintBonaventure,“nosorrowcanbefoundmorebitterthanyours.Fornosoncouldeverbefoundmoredear thanyourson.”“Therewasneveramore lovable son in thewholeworldthanJesus,”saysRichardofSaintLawrence;“norwasthereeveramotherwholovedhersonmoredevotedlythanMary.AndsincetheworldhasneverseenalovelikeMary’slove,howcantherebeanysorrowlikeMary’ssorrow?”Saint Ildephonsus did not hesitate to call it an understatement tomaintain thatMary’s

sorrowsweregreaterthanallthetormentsofthemartyrscombined.AndSaintAnselmadds:“The cruelest tortures inflicted on the holy martyrs were as nothing compared with themartyrdomofMary.”SaintBasilofSeleuciawrites:“Asthesunexceedsalltheotherplanetsinbrilliance, soMary’s sufferingsexceed thoseof all theothermartyrs.”A learnedauthor,FatherPinamonti,expressesthethoughtthatthesorrowofthisdevotedmotherinthePassionofJesuswassogreatthatshealoneofallGod’screaturescouldadequatelycompassionatethedeathofaGodmademan.AddressingtheMotherofSorrows,SaintBonaventuresays:“Why,OLady,didyougoto

sacrificeyourselfonCalvary?WasitnotenoughforGodtobecrucifiedinordertoredeemus?Didyou,hismother,alsohave togo tobecrucifiedwithhim?” Itgoeswithout sayingthat the death of Jesus was more than enough to save the whole world and an infinitenumberofworlds.Butbecauseofherboundlessloveforhim,MarywishedtohelpthecauseofoursalvationwiththemeritsofthesufferingssheofferedforusonCalvary.SaintAlberttheGreatwas induced to say that “aswe are under great obligation to Jesus forwhat hesufferedforoursake,soalsoareweundergreatobligationtoMaryforthemartyrdomshevoluntarilysufferedforoursalvationinthedeathofherson.”Isayvoluntarily,sinceasSaintAgnes revealed to Saint Bridget, “our merciful and compassionate mother was willing toendureanytormenttosavethesoulsofmen.”IndeedwemaysaythatMary’sonlyreliefinthemidstofhertremendoussorrowwasinseeingthelostworldredeemedandthemenwhowerehisenemies reconciledwithGod.“Sherejoiced inhersorrow,”saysBlessedSimonofCassia,“becauseasacrificeofappeasementwasbeingofferedforallhumankind.”SuchloveonthepartofMarydeservesourgratitude,andwecanshowthisgratitudeby

meditatinguponandsympathizingwithhersorrows.ButshecomplainedtoSaintBridgetthatveryfewpeopledocondolewithherandthatthegreaterpartoftheworldlivescompletelyobliviousofhersorrows.“I lookaroundmeatallwhoareonearth tosee if thereareanywhopitymeandwhomeditateonmysorrows,andIfindthatthereareveryfew.Therefore,my daughter, while I may be forgotten by most people, at least do you not forget me.Meditateonmysorrowsandshareinmygrief,asfarasyoucan.”TounderstandhowpleasedOurLadyiswhenwemeditateonhersorrowswehaveonlyto

remember that in theyear1239 sheappeared to sevendevout servantsofhers (whowereafterwardstofoundtheOrderoftheServantsofMary)withablackgarmentinherhand,andaskedthemtomeditateoftenonhersufferings.Toremindthemofhersorrows,sheexpressedthedesirethatinfuturetheyshouldwearnothingbutgarmentsofmourning.Our Lord revealed to Blessed Veronica of Binasco that he is more pleased to see

compassionshowntohismother than tohimself.Hesaid toher:“Mydaughter, IcertainlyappreciatethetearsshedformyPassion.However,becauseIlovedmymothersointensely,meditationonthetormentsshesufferedatmydeathisevenmoreagreeabletome.”AndsowemaysaywithreasonthatJesuspromisesextraordinarygracestothosewhoare

devotedtothesorrowsofMary.PelbartrelatesthatitwasrevealedtoSaintElizabeththat,aftertheassumptionoftheBlessedVirginintoheaven,SaintJohntheEvangelistwaseagertoseeheragain.GodgrantedthisfavorandMaryappearedtohimaccompaniedbyherson.ThesaintthenheardMaryaskJesustograntsomespecialgracetoallthosewhoaredevotedtohersorrows.SoJesuspromisedherfourprincipalones.First,thosewhoinvokeMaryinthenameofhersorrowswillobtainbeforedeathtruerepentanceforalltheirsins;second,hewillprotectinallthetrialsoflifeandespeciallyatthetimeoftheirdeathallthosewhopracticethisdevotion;third,hewillimpressontheirmindstheremembranceofhisPassionandwillrewardtheminheavenfortheirdevotion;andfourth,hewillplacesuchdevoutservantsinMary’shandstodowiththemasshewishesandtoobtainforthemallthegracesshedesires.The followingexampleproveshowbeneficial to salvation isdevotion to the sorrowsof

Mary.

Example

IntherevelationsofSaintBridget,wereadthattherewasacertainrichmanwho,asaresultofhissinfulhabits,hadgivenhimselfupbyanexpresscompacttobeaslavetothedevil.Forsixty years he had served Satan, leading a most vicious life and never approaching thesacraments.Nowthisnoblemanlaydying.Toshowmercytohim,OurRedeemercommandedSaintBridgettotellherconfessortogoandvisithimandexhorthimtoconfesshissins.Theconfessorwentbutthesickmanrepliedthathehadnoneedtoconfesshissinssincehehadfrequentlygonetoconfession.Thepriestwentasecondtime,butthepoorslaveofthedevilremained obdurate in his determination not to go to confession. Jesus oncemore told thesainttohaveherconfessorgoandseehim.Hedidso.Onthethirdoccasionhetoldthedyingman about the revelation made to the saint and said that he had come back repeatedlybecauseOurLordwishedtoshowmercytohimandhadtoldhimtocome.Onhearingthisthedyingmanwastouchedandbegantoweep:“HowcanIbesaved?”heasked.“ForsixtyyearsIhavebeenaslaveofthedevilandmysoulisblackwithinnumerablesins.”“Donotbeafraid,”answeredtheconfessor;“ifyouaresorryforyoursinsIcanpromiseyoupardononthepartofGod.”Themanbegantogrowconfident.“Father,”hesaid,“Ihadregardedmyselfaslostandhaddespairedofmysalvationbecauseofmysins;butnowIfeelrealsorrowandthisgivesmehope.SinceGodhasapparentlynotyetabandonedme,Iwillgotoconfession.”Hemade his confessionwith the greatest fervor. The followingmorning he received holyCommunion.Soonafter,contriteandresigned,hedied.

Sometimelater,OurLordagainspoketoSaintBridgetandtoldherthatthesinnerwassavedandwasinpurgatory.HerevealedthatitwastotheintercessionoftheBlessedVirginthatthemanowedhissalvation.Eventhoughhehadledawickedlife,hehadneverthelessalways preserved a devotion toMary’s sorrows andwhenever he thought of them he hadalwayssaidaprayertoher.

Prayer

OsorrowfulMother!Youweptsobitterlyoveryoursonwhodiedformysalvation;butwhatgoodwillallthosetearsdomeifIamlost?Bythemeritsofyoursorrows,obtainformetruecontritionformysinsandagenuineamendmentofmylife,togetherwithaconstantandtendercompassionforthesufferingsofJesusandyourownsorrows.SinceJesusandyou,innocentasyoubothare,havesufferedsomuchforloveofme,helpme,

whoamdeservingofhell,tosuffersomethingforloveofyou.OLady,IwillsaywithSaintBonaventure,ifIhaveoffendedyou,woundmyheartinalljustice.

IfIhaveservedyou,Inowaskforwoundsasmyreward.IamashamedtoseemyJesuswounded,andyouwoundedalongwithhim,andmyselfwithoutawound.Inshort,OmyMother,bythegriefyouexperiencedinseeingyoursonbowdownhisheadand

expireonthecrossinthemidstofsomanytorments,Ibeseechyoutoobtainformeagooddeath.Beonhand,Oadvocateofsinners,toaidmyafflictedsoulinthecombatitwillhavetoengage

inasitpassesintoeternity.SinceatthathourIwillprobablybeunabletospeakandunabletocalluponyournameandthatofJesus,whoaremyonlyhope,Idosonow.Icalluponyoursonandyoutocometomyhelpduringmylastmoments.Andtoyou,OJesusandMary,Icommendmysoul.Amen.

1THEFIRSTSORROW:

THEPROPHECYOFSAINTSIMEON

Sufferingiseveryone’slotinthisvalleyoftears,andallofusmustputupwiththeevilsandmiseriesthatareadailyoccurrence.Yethowmuchmorevexatiouslifewouldbeifweknewwhatwasinstoreforus!“Unhappywouldthatmanbe,”saysSeneca,“whoknewwhatthefuturewouldbringandwouldhavetosufferallthemorebyanticipation.”God ismercifulbynotallowingus to foresee thecrosses thatare instore forus. It isa

blessingthatwhateveritiswehavetoendure,wehavetosufferitonlyonce.Buthewasnotso compassionate towardMary. Hewilled that she should be queen of sorrows and in allthings like his son, and so Mary was obliged to have continually before her eyes all thetormentsthatawaitedher,especiallyherparticipationinsufferingsofthePassionanddeathofherbelovedJesus.IntheTemple,SaintSimeonhadreceivedtheDivineChildinhisarmsand predicted that this child would be a symbol of contradiction and persecution for allpeople.Behold this child is set… for a signwhich shall be contradicted. Then he added thatdreadfulprophecy:Andyourownsoulaswordshallpierce(Lk2:34–35).TheBlessedVirgin told SaintMatilda thatwhen Saint Simeon pronounced thesewords

“allherjoywaschangedintosorrow.”For,aswasrevealedtoSaintTeresa,althoughMaryalreadyknewthatthelifeofhersonwouldbesacrificedforthesalvationoftheworld,shethen received amore explicit knowledge and learned in greater detailwhat sufferings andwhatacrueldeathawaitedhim.Sheknewthathewouldbepersecutedandopposedineveryway.Hewouldbeopposedinhisteaching: insteadofbeingbelieved,hewouldhecalledablasphemer for claiming to be the SonofGod.The reprobateCaiphaswas to say: “He hasblasphemed.…heisguiltyofdeath”(Mt26:65,66).Hewouldbeopposedinhisreputation:forthough hewas of noble, even royal lineage, hewas despised as a nobody: “Is not this thecarpenter’s son?” (Mt 13:55). “Is not this the carpenter, the son ofMary?” (Mk 6:3). HewasWisdomitself,yetwastreatedasanignoramus:“Howdoesthismanknowletters,havingneverlearned?”(Jn7:15).Asafalseprophet:Andtheyblindfoldedhim,andsmotehisface…saying:“Prophesy,whoisitthatstruckyou?”(Lk22:64).Hewastreatedasamadman:“Heismad,whyhearyouhim?”(Jn10:20).Asadrunkard,aglutton,andafriendofsinners:“Beholdamanthatisaglutton,andadrinkerofwine,afriendofpublicansandsinners”(Lk7:34).Asasorcerer:“Bytheprinceofdevilshecastsoutdevils”(Mt9:34).Asahereticandonepossessedbytheevilspirit:“DowenotsaywellofyouthatyouareaSamaritanandhasadevil?”(Jn8:48).Inshort,Jesuswasconsideredsonotoriouslywickedthat,astheJewssaidtoPilate,no

trialwasnecessarytocondemnhim.“Ifhewerenotamalefactor,wewouldnothavedeliveredhimuptoyou”(Jn18:30).Hewasopposedeveninhisverysoul:forhisownEternalFather,inordertomeetthedemandsofdivine justice,opposedhimbyrefusingtohearhisprayerwhenhe said:“Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass fromme” (Mt 26:39).His Fatherabandonedhimtofear,weariness,andsadness—somuchsothatJesusexclaimed:“Mysoulis

sorrowfuluntodeath” (Mt26:38).His innersufferingsevencausedhimtosweatblood. Inaword,hewaspersecutedandtorturedinbodyandinsoulineverywayuntilfinally,drainedofeverydropofhisblood,heexpired—anobjectofscornonacrossofshame.When David, in the midst of his pleasure and regal splendor, heard from the prophet

Nathanthathissonwoulddie(2Kgs12:14),hecouldnotbeconsoled.Hewept,fasted,andslept on the ground. Mary, on the other hand, received with the greatest calm theannouncement that her sonwould die. She submitted to it peacefully. Yet,what grief shemusthave suffered, livingdaily in thepresenceof this devoted son,hearing fromhim thewordsofeternallife,edifieddayafterdaybyhissacredconduct.AbrahamhadmuchtosufferduringthethreedaysthathespentwithhisbelovedIsaac

afterhelearnedthathewastolosehim.But,OGod,itwasnotforthreedaysbutforthirty-threeyearsthatMaryhadtoendureasimilarsorrow!Asimilarsorrow?Itwasafargreatersorrow,inasmuchasMary’ssonwasinfinitelymorelovablethanthesonofAbraham.TheBlessedVirginrevealedtoSaintBridgetthatwhenshewasonearththerewasnota

momentthat thissorrowdidnotpiercehersoul:“Whenever I lookedatmyson,”shesaid,“wheneverIwrappedhiminhisswaddlingclothes,wheneverIsawhishandsandfeet,mysoulwasenvelopedingrief,forIrealizedthathewouldbecrucified.”TheAbbotRupertcontemplatesMarynursingherchildandsayingtohim:Myloverisfor

measachetofmyrrhtorestinmybosom(Cant1:12).Ah,myson,Iclaspyouinmyarms,becauseyouaresodear tome.But themore I loveyou, themoreyoubecomeasourceofsorrowtomewhenIthinkofallthatyouwillhavetosuffer.AccordingtoSaintBernardineofSiena,Maryrealizedthathewhowasthestrengthofthesaintswastobereducedtoagony;he whowas the beauty of paradise would be disfigured; the Lord of the world would beboundasacriminal;theCreatorofallthingswouldbemadelividwithblows;theJudgeofallwouldbecondemned;theGloryofheavenwouldbedespised;theKingofkingswouldbecrownedwiththornsandtreatedasanimpostor.FatherEngelgravesaysthatitwasalsorevealedtoSaintBridgetthatourafflictedMother,

alreadyawarewhathersonwastosuffer,“thoughtofthegallandvinegarwhenshesuckledhim;ofthecordsthatwouldbindhimwhensheswathedhim;ofthecrosstowhichhewouldbe nailed when she carried him in her arms; of his death when he slept.”Whenever shedressedhim,shereflectedthathisclotheswouldonedaybetornfromhimsothathecouldbecrucified.Andwhenshegazedathissacredhandsandfeet,shethoughtofthenailsthatwouldonedaypiercethem.Then,asMarytoldSaintBridget,“myeyesfilledwithtears,andmyheartwastorturedwithgrief.”TheEvangelistsaysthatasJesusgrewolder,healsoadvancedinwisdomandingracewith

Godandmen(Lk2:52).SaintThomasexplainsthisasmeaningthatJesusadvancedinwisdomandgraceintheeyesofmeninasfarastheiropinionofhimwasconcerned.Headvancedbefore God in the sense that all his actions would have sufficed to increase his meritcontinuallyifithadnotbeenforthefactthatallgracehadbeenconferreduponhiminitscomplete fullness from the beginning by virtue of the hypostatic union.1 But if Jesusadvancedintheloveandesteemofothers,howmuchmoremustMaryhavegrowntolovehim!Yet,atthesametimethatherloveincreased,allthemoredidhersorrowincreaseatthethought of having to lose him by such a cruel death. The nearer the time of his Passion

approached,themoredeeplytheswordofsorrowforetoldbySimeonpiercedtheheartofhismother.Anangel revealed this in somanywords toSaintBridgetwhenhe toldher: “ThatswordofsorrowapproachedtheBlessedVirginhourbyhour,asthetimeforthePassionofhersondrewnear.”Itismostreasonablethereforethat,sinceourKingandhisholymotherdidnotrefuseto

sufferthemostcruelpainsthroughoutlifeforoursake,weatleastshouldnotcomplainifwetoo have to suffer something. Jesus crucified once appeared to the Dominican SisterMagdalene Orsini who had long been suffering under a great trial. He encouraged her toremainwithhimon the crossbybearingher affliction.ButSisterMagdaleneobjectedandsaidcomplainingly:“OLord,youweretorturedonthecrossforonlythreehours,butIhaveenduredmypainformanyyears.”TheRedeemerreplied:“Oignorantsoul,youdonotknowwhat you are saying. From the first moment of my conception I suffered in my hearteverythingthatIwouldhavetoendurelateronwhiledyingonthecross.”Whenweareinthemoodtocomplainofoursufferings,letuspictureJesusandhisMotherMaryaddressingthesamewordstous.

Example

FatherRoviglione,S.J.,tellshowayoungmanaccustomedtovisitdailyastatueofOurLadyofSorrows,one inwhichMarywas representedwithsevenswordspiercingherheart.Onenighttheyouthunfortunatelycommittedamortalsin.Thenextmorning,goingasusual tovisitthestatue,henoticedthattherewerenolongeronlyseven,butnoweightswordsintheheartofMary.Wonderingat this,heheardavoice tellinghimthat itwashis sin thathadaddedtheeighthsword.Hewassomovedbythisthatheimmediatelywenttoconfessionandthroughtheintercessionofhisheavenlyadvocaterecovereddivinegrace.

Prayer

OBlessedMother,Ihavenotpiercedyourheartwithoneswordalone,butwithasmanyasarethenumberofsinsIhavecommitted.OLady,itisnotyouwhoareinnocentwhooughttosuffer,butIwhoamguiltyofsomanycrimes.Butsinceyouhavesufferedsomuchforme,obtainformebyyourmeritsgreatsorrowformysinsandpatience in the trialsof this life.Theseareboundtobelightincomparisonwithmycrimes,bywhichIhavesooftendeservedhell.Amen.

2THESECONDSORROW:

THEFLIGHTOFJESUSINTOEGYPT

A stagwoundedbyanarrowcarries thepainwithhimwhereverhegoes, becausehe stillbears the arrow that wounded him. Similarly, the Blessed Mother, after hearing the sadprophecyofSaintSimeon,alwayscarriedhersorrowwithherincontinualremembranceofthePassionofherson.ExplainingthispassageoftheCanticles:Yourhair is likedraperiesofpurple; a king is held captive in its tresses (Cant 7:5), Algrino says that it refers to Mary’scontinualthoughtsaboutthePassionofJesus.Thebloodwhichwasonedaytoflowfromhiswounds was kept continually before her eyes: “Your mind, and your thoughts, O Mary,steeped in the blood ofOur Lord’s Passion,were always filledwith sorrow, just as if theyactuallybeheldthebloodflowingfromhiswounds.”ThearrowintheheartofMarywashersonhimself.Andthemorepreciousheappearedtohertobe,themoredeeplythethoughtoflosinghimbysuchacrueldeathwoundedherheart.Letusnow turn to the second swordof sorrowwhichwoundedMary, the flightofher

InfantJesusintoEgypttoescapethepersecutionofHerod.Havingheardthatthelong-awaitedMessiahhadbeenborn,Herodfoolishlyfearedthathe

woulddeprivehimofhiskingdom.SaintFulgentius,rebukingthekingforhisfoolhardiness,addresseshimsaying:“Whyareyoudisturbed,Herod?TheKingwhoisborndoesnotcometoconquerkingsbythesword.Hewillsubjugatetheminamostremarkablemannerbyhisdeath.” Herod waited to hear from the holy Magi where the young King was born, andplannedtotakehislife.Whenhefoundhehadbeendeceived,heorderedalltheinfantsintheneighborhoodofBethlehemtobeputtodeath.Itwasthenthattheangelappearedinadream to Saint Joseph and toldhim: “Arise, and take the child and hismother, and flee intoEgypt” (Mt 2:13). According to Gerson, Saint Joseph immediately told Mary about thecommand.TheytooktheInfantJesusandtheysetoutatonce.Hearoseandtookthechildandhismother,bynight,andwithdrewintoEgypt(Mt2:14).“OGod,”SaintAlberttheGreatpicturesMaryassaying,“musthewhocametosavemen

nowfleefromthem?”NosoonerisJesusbornthanheispersecuted.MarybegantorealizethatSimeon’sprophecyregardinghersonwasalreadybeingfulfilled:Heissetforasignthatshallbecontradicted(Lk2:34).WhatanguishtherealizationoftheimpendingexilemusthavecausedMary. Saint Peter Chrysologus sees fit to paraphrase the angel’s words: “Flee fromyourfriendstotheabodeofstrangers;fleefromthetempleofGodtotheshrinesofdemons!Owhat tribulation for anewborn Infant, still athismother’s breast, tohave to flee into aforeignland!”ItiseasytoimaginethatMarymusthavesufferedonthejourney.ThedistancetoEgypt

wasconsiderable.Someauthorsestimatethatitwasfourhundredmiles,requiringajourneyofuptothirtydays.Theroadwas“rough,unknown,andnotverymuchtraveled,”accordingto Saint Bonaventure’s description. Itwaswintertime, so that they had tomake theirway

throughsnow,rain,andwind,overroughanddirtyroads.Marywasthenonlyfifteenyearsold,adelicateyounggirl,unusedtosuchtravel.Theyhadnoonetoaccompanythem.SaintPeter Chrysologus says: “Joseph andMary had no servants; they were obliged to be bothservantsandmasters.”WhatatouchingsightitmusthavebeentoseethisdelicateVirgin,thenewbornbabein

her arms, wandering through a strange land. “How did they get their food?” asked SaintBonaventure.“Wheredidtheystopforthenight?”Theyprobablyweresatisfiedwithahardpieceofbread,eitherbroughtalongbyJosephorbeggedasalms.Theonlyplacethattheycouldhavesleptalongtheroad(especiallythroughtwohundredmilesofdesertwheretherewerenohousesorinns)wasonthesandorunderatree,intheopenairandexposedtothedangersof robbersandwildanimalswithwhichEgyptabounded. Ifanyonehadmet thesethree—thegreatestpersonagesintheworld—wouldhenothavethoughtthattheywerebutthreepoorwanderingbeggars?AccordingtoBrocardandJansenius,theyresidedinEgyptataplacecalledMatarea.Saint

Anselm,ontheotherhand,saysthattheylivedinthetownofHeliopolis,oratMemphis,nowthetownofCairo.2Imaginethepinchingpovertytheymusthaveenduredduringthesevenyearstheyspentthere,accordingtoSaintAntoninus,SaintThomas,andotherauthors.Theywerestrangers—unknown,without income,money,or relatives,andbarelyable to supportthemselves by thework of their hands. “Since theywere destitute,” says Saint Basil, “it isobviousthattheymusthaveworkedveryhardtoprovidethemselveswiththenecessitiesoflife.”LudolphofSaxonyhaswritten (and let thisbeaconsolation to thepoor) that “Marylivedthereinsuchpovertythatthereweretimeswhenshedidnothaveevenapieceofbreadtogivehersonwhenhewashungry.”After the death of Herod, according to the account in Saint Matthew, the angel again

appearedtoSaintJosephinadream,andtoldthemtoreturntoJudea.Withreferencetothisreturn,SaintBonaventurereflectshowmuchmoretheBlessedVirginmusthavesufferedthistimesinceJesuswasnowolder—aboutsevenyearsofage—asthesaintremarks,anagewhenchildrenaretoobigtocarryandnotyetstrongenoughtowalklongdistancesbythemselves.ThethoughtofJesusandMarywanderingasfugitivesthroughastrangelandteachesus

thatwemust also live as pilgrims here below, detached from thematerial things that theworldoffers,andwhichwemustsoonleavetoentereternity:Herewehavenopermanentcity,butseekforthecitythatistocome(Heb13:14).TowhichSaintAugustineadds:“Youareonlyaguesthere.Youglancearoundandthenpasson.”It also teaches us to embrace crosses, for we cannot live in this world without them.

BlessedVeronicaofBinasco,anAugustiniannun,accompaniedMaryandtheInfantJesusinspiritontheirwaytoEgypt.Afterwards,theBlessedMothersaidtoher:“Daughter,youhaveseenhowdifficult itwas forus to reach thiscountry.Learn fromthis thatnoone receivesgraceswithout suffering.” Anyonewhowishes to have the sufferings of this life lightenedmust travel in thecompanyofJesusandMary:Take thechildandhismother (Mt2:20).Allsufferingsbecomelight,andevensweetanddesirable,toonewholovinglybearsJesusandMary in his heart. Let us then prove that we love them. Let us make Mary happy bywelcominghersoninourhearts,thesonwhommenstillcontinuetopersecutebytheirsins.

Example

OnedaytheBlessedVirginappearedtoSaintColette,aFranciscannun,andshowedhertheInfant Jesus in a basin, bruised andmutilated.Mary said to her: “This is theway sinnerscontinuallytreatmydearson,renewinghisdeathandmysorrows.Mydaughter,youmustprayforthemsothattheywillbeconverted.”WemayalsociteanothervisionseenbythevenerableSisterJoannaofJesusandMary,

alsoaFranciscannun.Oneday,whenshewasmeditatingontheInfantJesuspersecutedbyHerod, shehearda loudnoise, like thatofarmedmenpursuingsomeone. Immediatelyshesawbeforeherabeautifulchildalloutofbreathandrunning,whoexclaimed:“OJoanna,helpme,concealme!IamJesusofNazareth,IamfleeingfromthesesinnerswhowishtokillmeandpersecutemeasHeroddid.Pleasesaveme!”

Prayer

OMary,yoursonexpiredatthehandsofmenwhopersecutedhimtodeath.Theseungratefulmenstill goonpersecutinghimby their sinsand they continue toafflict you,O sorrowfulMother!OGod,Itooamoneofthese.MymostsweetMother,letmehavetearstoweepovermyingratitude.BythesufferingsyouenduredonthatjourneytoEgypt,helpmeinthejourneyInowhavetomaketoeternitysothatImayfinallybeunitedtoyouinlovingmypersecutedSaviorinthekingdomoftheblessed.Amen.

3THETHIRDSORROW:

THELOSSOFJESUSINTHETEMPLE

The apostle Saint James says that our perfection consists in the virtue of patience.And letpatiencehaveaperfectwork,thatyoumaybeperfectandentire,lackingnothing(Jas1:4).SinceOurLordgaveustheBlessedVirginMaryasamodelofperfection,itwasnecessaryforhertobeburdenedwithsorrowssothatwemayadmireherheroicpatienceandendeavortoimitateit.ThesorrowweareconsideringtodaywasoneofthegreatestthatMaryhadtoendureinallherlife—thelossofhersonintheTemple.Apersonbornblinddoesnot feel thedeprivationofdaylightasmuchas someonewho

becomesblind later in life. If anyonehasonceenjoyed the sunlight,he suffersmuchmorekeenlywhendeprivedofit.Thesameappliestothoseunhappysoulswholiveblindedbytheworld.TheyhaveverylittleknowledgeofGod.Theysufferverylittlefromthefactthattheycannot find him. But those souls who, illumined by divine light, have enjoyed the sweetpresence of God through love—how bitterly they feel the loss when they find themselvesdeprivedofhispresence!LetusnowseehowmuchMarymusthavesufferedfromthisthirdswordofsorrowthatpiercedherheartwhenshelostJesusinJerusalemforthreedays,andwhenshewasdeprivedofhissweetpresencewhichshewassoaccustomedtoenjoy.Saint Luke relates in the second chapter of his Gospel that the Blessed Virgin was

accustomedtovisittheTempleeachyearatpaschaltimealongwithSaintJosephandJesus.Whenhersonwastwelveyearsoldshewentthereasusual,andJesusremainedbehindinJerusalem.Atfirst,shedidnotnoticeit,thinkingthathewaswiththeirkinsfolk.WhenshereachedNazarethandlookedforhim,shecouldnotfindhim.SheimmediatelyreturnedtoJerusalemandfoundhimonlyafterthreedays.Whatanxietythisbroken-heartedmothermusthavefeltduringthosethreedayswhenshe

searchedeverywhereforherson,andaskedforhimasthespousedidintheCanticles:Haveyou seen him whommy soul loves? (Cant 3:3). How disconsolatelymust she have repeatedthosewordsofRubenreferringtohisbrotherJoseph:Theboyisnotthere,andI,whereshallIturn? (Gen 37:30).Weeping uninterruptedly, she couldmake her own thewords of Davidduringthosethreeterribledays:Mytearshavebeenmybreaddayandnight,whileitissaidtome daily:Where is yourGod? (Ps 41:4). Pelbart is right in saying that “during thosenightsMary did not sleep; she wept constantly and besought God to help her find her son.”According to Saint Bernard she frequently addressed Jesus during those days by using thewordsofthespouseintheCanticles:Showmewhereyoufeed,whereyoulieinthemidday,lestIbegintowander(Cant1:6).Myson,tellmewhereyouare,thatIneednolongerwanderaboutlookingforyouinvain.Therearesomewhosay,andnotwithoutreason,thatthissorrowwasnotonlyoneofthe

greatest,buttheverygreatestandthemostpainfulthatMaryhadtoendureduringherlife.Inthefirstplace,duringherothersorrows,MaryalwayshadJesuswithher.Shesuffered

whenSaintSimeonmadehisprophecytoherintheTemple.ShesufferedduringtheflighttoEgypt.ButatbothtimesJesuswaswithher.Now,however,shewassufferingfarfromJesus,notknowingwherehewas:And the lightofmyeyes itself isnotwithme (Ps37:11).That is,whileshesorrowedshesaid:“Thelightofmyeyes,mydearJesus,isnolongerwithme.HehasleftmeandIdonotknowwhereheis.”OrigensaysthatbecauseofMary’sloveforherson“shesufferedmorefromthislossofJesusthananymartyreversufferedintheseparationofhissoulfromhisbody.”ExcruciatinglylongwerethosethreedaysforMary;theyseemedtolastforages.Andtheywerefilledwithbitterness,becausetherewasnoonetoconsoleher.Whocaneverconsoleme,shecouldsaywithJeremiah,becausetheonlyonewhocoulddosoisfaraway?Andthereforemyeyescannotweepenough:ThereforedoIweep,andmyeyesrundownwithwater;becausethecomforter…isfarfromme(Lam1:16).AndshecouldrepeatwithTobias:whatmannerofjoyshallbetomewhositindarknessandseenotthelightofheaven?(Tob5:12).Inthesecondplace,duringallherothersorrowsMaryknewwhattheircauseandpurpose

was—theredemptionoftheworldandthedivinewill.Butinthiscaseshedidnotknowwhyhersonhadlefther.“OursorrowfulMother,”saysLanspergius,“wasgrief-strickenbythelossofJesusbecauseinherhumilitysheregardeditasasignthatshewasnolongerworthytoremainwithhimorattendhimonearth,or tobe inchargeofsucha treasure.”“Andwhoknows,”shemayhavethoughttoherself,“butperhapsIhavenotservedhimasIshouldhavedone;perhapsIhavebeenguiltyofsomenegligence,andthatiswhyhehasleftme.”“Theylookedforhim,”saysOrigen,“fearinghemighthaveleftthemforgood.”It is certain that a soulwho lovesGod can experiencenogreater pain than the fear of

having offended him. Itwas the sorrow caused by this thought thatmadeMary complainlovinglytoJesuswhenshefoundHim:Son,whyhaveyoudonesotous?YourfatherandIhavesought you sorrowing (Lk 2:48). These words do not mean, as the heretics blasphemouslyassert,thatshewasreprimandingJesus.Theywereintendedmerelytogiveexpressiontothegrief she felt during his absence. “Itwas not a rebuke,” saysDenis the Carthusian, “but alovingcomplaint.”What happened to BlessedBenvenuta brings out graphically the deep sorrow this third

swordoccasionedMary.ThispioussoulhadbeggedMarytolethershareinthisdolor.OurLadycompliedandappearedtoherwith theChildJesus inherarms.ButwhileBenvenutawas enjoying the sight of the Divine Infant, all of a sudden he disappeared. She was sobrokenheartedbythisthatshebeggedMarynottoletherdieofgrief.Threedayslater,Maryappearedtoherandsaid:“Mydaughter,youhaveaskedtoshareinmysorrow.IwantyoutoknowthatwhatyouhavegonethroughduringthesepastthreedaysisonlyaninfinitesimalpartoftheanguishIsufferedwhenIlostmyson.”ThisthirdsorrowofMaryoughttoserveinthefirstplaceasaconsolationtosoulswho

aredesolate,andwhonolongerenjoy,astheyonceenjoyed,thesweetpresenceoftheLord.Theymayweep,buttheyshouldweepconfidently,justasMaryweptoverthelossofherson.They should be encouraged and not be afraid that they have lost divine grace, for SaintTeresawasassuredbyGodthat“nooneis lostwithoutknowingit,andnooneisdeceivedwithoutwishingtobedeceived.”IfOurLordwithdrawshimselffromthesightofasoulthatloves him, he does not thereby necessarily withdraw himself from the heart. He often

concealshimselffromasoulsothatitmayseekhimwithakeenerdesireandamoreardentlove.ButwhoeverwantstofindJesusmustlookforhimasMarydid,notamidthepleasuresanddelightsoftheworld,butamidcrossesandmortifications.“Wesoughtyousorrowing,”Marysaidtoherson.“LearnthenfromMary,”saysOrigen,“howtosearchforJesus.”Moreover,weshouldlookfornoothergoodinthisworldthanJesus.Jobdidnotdespair

whenhelosteverythinghepossessedonearth:wealth,children,health,andhonors.Heevencamedown fromhis throne and sat on a dunghill. Because hehadGodwith him, hewashappyeventhen.SaintAugustinesaysthatJob“hadlostwhatGodhadgivenhim,butnotGodhimself.”SoulswhohavelostGodarereallymiserableandunhappy.IfMaryweptoverthe loss of her son for three days, how much more should sinners weep who have lostsanctifyinggrace.TothemGodsays:Youarenotmypeople,andIwillnotbeyours(Osee1:9).Forthisistheeffectofsin:itseparatesthesoulfromGod.YouriniquitieshavedividedbetweenyouandyourGod(Isa59:2).Sinnersmaypossessallthewealthintheworld,butinasmuchasthey have lost God, everything in this world becomes a source of affliction to them, asSolomon confessed:Behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit (Eccl 1:14). But the greatestmisfortuneofthesepoorblindsoulsis,asSaintAugustineremarks,that“whentheyloseanox theydonothesitate togoand look for it;when they losea sheep, they leaveno stoneunturned to find it; when they lose a beast of burden, they cannot rest until they havediscoveredit;butwhentheyloseGod,whoisthesupremeGood,theyeat,drink,andsleepasusual.”

Example

IntheAnnualLettersoftheSocietyofJesus,wereadthatayoungmanintheEastIndieswasabouttoleavehisroomtocommitasinwhenheheardavoicesayingtohim:“Stop!Whereareyougoing?”He turned, and sawan imageof the sorrowfulMother takea short swordfromherbosomandsaytohim:“Here,takethisswordandstabmeratherthanmysonwiththat sin you are about to commit.” The youngmanprostratedhimself on the ground, andcontritelybeggedGodandtheBlessedVirgintopardonhimforhissinfulintention,afavortheyreadilygrantedhim.

Prayer

OBlessedVirgin,whydoyouafflictyourself, lookingeverywhere foryour lost son? Is itbecauseyoudonotknowwhereheis?Doyounotknowthatheisinyourheart?Areyounotawarethathefeedsamongthelilies?Youyourselfhavesaid:Mybelovedtome,andItohim,whofeedsamongthelilies(Cant2:16).Yourthoughtsandyourlove—allsohumble,sopure,andsoholy—arethelilieswhichinviteyourdivineSpousetodwellinyou.Mary,doyou sighafter Jesus, youwho lovenoonebut Jesus?Leave sighs tome,and to so

manysinnerswhodonotlovehim,orhavelosthimbyoffendinghim.MostlovingMother,ifitismyfault thatyoursonhasnotyetreturnedtomysoul,obtainformethegraceoffindinghim.Iknowwell that thosewho seek him find him.The Lord is good to the soul that seeks him (Lam3:25).HelpmetosearchforhimasIshould.YouarethegatethroughwhichallfindJesus.Itoo

hopetofindhimthroughyou.Amen.

4THEFOURTHSORROW:

THESORROWFULMEETINGOFJESUSANDMARY

SaintBernardinesaysthattoformanideaoftheunspeakablesorrowMaryfeltwhenJesuswenttohisdeath,wemustfirsttrytorealizehowmuchshelovedhim.All mothers feel the sufferings of their children as if they were their own. When the

Canaanite woman begged Our Savior to deliver her daughter from the devil that wastormentingher,sheaskedhimtohavepityonher,themother,ratherthanonherdaughter:“Havepityonme,OLord,sonofDavid!Mydaughterissorelybesetbyadevil”(Mt15:22).ButwhatmothereverlovedhersonasmuchasMarylovedJesus?Hewasheronlyson,amostlovingandmostlovableson.HewasatthesametimehersonandherGod.Hehadcomeonearthtoenkindleinallheartsthefireofdivinelove:“Ihavecometocastfireupontheearth,andwhatwillIbutthatitbekindled?”(Lk12:49).Itisnotdifficulttoimaginehowardentaflamehemusthaveenkindledinthepureheart

ofhismother,emptyasitwasofeveryearthlyaffection.TheBlessedVirginherselftoldSaintBridgetthat“lovehadmadeherheartandtheheartofhersonone.”Thatblendingtogetherofservantandmother,andofsonandGod,createdintheheartofMaryafiremadeupofathousandflames.ButthiswholefurnaceoflovewaslaterchangedintoaseaofgriefatthetimeofthePassionwhen,asSaintBernardinedeclares:“Ifallthesorrowsoftheworldwerefusedintoone,theywouldnotequalthesorrowsoftheBlessedVirginMary.”SaintLawrenceGiustinianigivesthereasonforthis:“Themoretenderlysheloved,themoredeeplyshewaswounded.”Thegreaterher love forhim, thegreaterhergriefat thesightofhissufferings,especially when she met him on that dolorous way, dragging his cross to the place ofexecution.Thisisthefourthswordanditformsthesubjectofourmeditationtoday.The Blessed Virgin revealed to Saint Bridget that, as the time of Our Lord’s Passion

approached,hereyescontinuallyfilledwithtearswhenevershethoughtoflosingherJesus.Shedescribedhowacoldsweatcoveredherwholebodyasaresultofthefearthatseizedherwhenevershethoughtofhisapproachingsufferings.Theappointeddayfinallyarrived.Jesuswentintearstosaygoodbyetohismotherbefore

goingtohisdeath.SaintBonaventure,contemplatingMaryonthatnight,saystoher:“Youspentitwithoutsleep.Andwhileothersslept,youkeptwatch.”Inthemorning,thedisciplescametoMarybringinghertheaccountsofthenight’sproceedings.ItwasallsorrowfulnewsanditverifiedtheprophecyofJeremiah:Weeping,shehasweptinthenight,andhertearsareonhercheeks:thereisnonetocomfortheramongallthemthatweredeartoher(Lam1:2).SometoldheraboutthecrueltreatmentofhersoninthehouseofCaiphas;others,abouttheinsultshehad received fromHerod. Finally—to come to our point quickly—Saint John came andbroke the news that fickle Pilate had just now condemned him to die on the cross. I say“fickle” Pilate because, as Saint Leo remarks, “This unjust judge condemned him to deathwith the same lips with which he had declared him innocent.” “O sorrowful Mother,”

exclaimedSaintJohn,“yoursonhasnowbeencondemnedtodeath;hehasalreadysetoutontheroadtoCalvary,carryinghisowncross.Come,ifyoudesiretoseehimandsayfarewelltohim,ashepassesthroughthestreets.”Mary goes alongwith Saint John, and from the bloodwhich she sees bespattering the

ground learns thather sonhasalreadygoneby.She revealed this later toSaintBridget: “Iknewfromthefootstepsofmysonthathehadalreadypassedby,forthegroundwasstainedwithhisblood.”SaintBonaventurerepresentsMarytakingashort-cutandstationingherselfatthecorner

ofacertainstreetinordertoseeJesus.“ThesorrowingMother,”saysSaintBernard,“wenttomeethersorrowfulson.”Whileshewaitedforhimtocomealong,thethrongsrecognizedher—andwhatdreadfulthingsshemusthaveheardthemsayagainstherandherlovedone.What a frightening picture as the nails, the hammers, the ropes and all the fatal

instrumentsthatweretoputanendtoherson’slifewereparadedby.Whataheartbreakingsound,asthetrumpetproclaimedthesentenceofdeathagainstherJesus!Butnowtheimplements,thetrumpeter,theexecutionershaveallpassedby.Maryraised

her eyes and, OGod, saw a figure all coveredwith blood,wounded from head to foot, awreathofthornsonhisbrowandcarryingtwoheavybeamsonhisshoulders.Shegazedathim, but hardly recognized him, saying with Isaiah:We have seen him and there was nosightliness(Isa53:2).Thewounds,thebruises,andtheclottedbloodgavehimtheappearanceof a leper, so that he could no longer be recognized.His look was, as it were, hidden anddespised;whereuponweesteemedhimnot…Wehavethoughthim,asitwere,aleper(Isa53:3,4).But,finally,loverevealedwhohewas,andassoonasMaryrealizedthatitwasherson,

whataffectionandfearfilledherheartsimultaneously,asSaintPeterofAlcántarasays.Ontheonehandshewasveryeagertoseehim,andontheother,shedreadedtheheartrendingsight.Atlengththeireyesmet.Jesuswipedawaytheclottedbloodwhich,accordingtoSaintBridget,preventedhimfromseeingMary.Themotherandthesonlookedateachother.Andtheir looks became as so many arrows to pierce those hearts which loved each other sotenderly.WhenMargaret,thedaughterofSaintThomasMore,metherfatheronhiswaytodeath,

shecouldonlyexclaim:“Father,Father!”andfellfaintingathisfeet.MarydidnotfaintwhenshemethersononthewaytoCalvary.Itwasnotbecoming,asFatherSuarezremarks,forChrist’smothertolosetheuseofherreason.Nordidshedie,forGodwasreservingforherstillgreatergrief.Shedidnotdie,butshewasneverthelessobligedtosuffersorrowsufficienttocauseathousanddeaths.Hismotherwouldhaveembracedhim,saysSaintAnselm,buttheguardsthrustheraside

with insultsandpushed the sufferingSavior forward.Mary followed.OholyVirgin,whereareyougoing?ToCalvary.Canyoutrustyourselftoseehimhangingtherewhoisyourverylife?Andyourlifeshallbe,asitwere,hangingbeforeyou(Deut28:66).Saint Lawrence Giustiniani pictures Jesus speaking to Mary: “Mother, where are you

going?Ifyoufollowme,youwillbetorturedbymysufferings,andIalongwithyou.”Eventhoughthesightofherdyingsonwastocosthersuchbittersorrow,Marywouldnotleavehim. Jesuswent forward and hismother followed, to bewith her crucified son. AsAbbot

Williamsays:“Maryalsotookuphercrossandfollowedhim,tobecrucifiedalongwithhim.”SaintJohnChrysostommentions that“wehumans feelpityeven forwildbeasts.” Ifwe

seealionessfollowingherlittlecubtodeath,weareallmovedatthesight.ShouldwenotbemuchmoregreatlymovedtocompassiononseeingMaryfollowingherimmaculateLambtodeath?Letuspityher,andaccompanyherandhersonbypatientlycarryingthecrossOurLordimposesonus.SaintJohnChrysostomaskswhy inhisother sufferingsJesuswascontent tobear them

alone,butwhenhecarriedhiscrosshewasassistedbytheCyrenean.Herepliesthatitwas“sothatwemayunderstandthatthecrossofChristisnotsufficienttosaveus,unlesswealsobearourcrosswithresignationuntilthedayofourdeath.”

Example

OnedayOurSaviorappearedtoSisterDiomira,aFlorentinenun,andsaid:“Thinkofmeandloveme,and Iwill thinkofyouand loveyou.”At thesametime,hepresentedherwithabouquetofflowersandacross,indicatingthattheconsolationsofthesaintsinthisworldarealwaysaccompaniedbythecross.ThecrossunitessoulstoGod.SaintJeromeEmiliani,whilestillasoldierandladenwithsins,waslockedupinatower

byhisenemies.There,movedbyhismisfortuneand inspiredbyGod tochangehiswayoflife,heappealedtotheBlessedVirgin.Fromthattimeon,withthehelpofMary,hebegantoleadthelifeofasaint,somuchsothatheoncemeritedtoseethehighplaceinheavenwhichGodhadprepared for him.Hebecame the founder of the religious order of the Somaschi,diedasasaint,andhasbeencanonizedbytheChurch(1766).

Prayer

MysorrowfulMother,by themeritof the sorrowyou feltat seeingyourbelovedJesus led tohisdeath,acquireformethegracetobeabletobearwithpatiencethecrossesGodsendsme.IshallreallybeveryhappyifIcanonlylearnhowtoaccompanyyouwithmycrossuntilmydeath.YouandJesus—bothinnocentasyouwere—havecarriedafarheavierburden.ShallI,asinnerwhohasdeservedhell,refusetocarrymine?OimmaculateVirgin,helpmetobearpatientlyallthecrossesofmylife.Amen.

5THEFIFTHSORROW:

THEDEATHOFJESUS

Wearenowabouttowitnessanewtypeofmartyrdom—thatofamothercondemnedtoseeher innocent son, whom she loves with all the ardor of her motherly heart, barbarouslytorturedandputtodeathbeforeherveryeyes.TherestoodbythecrossofJesushisMother(Jn19:25).SaintJohndidnotfeelitnecessary

tosaymorethanthesewordswithreferencetothemartyrdomofMary.Picturehernowatthefootofthecrossbesideherdyingson,andthenaskyourselfiftherecaneverbesorrowlikehersorrow.RemainforawhileonCalvaryandconsiderthefifthswordwhichtransfixedtheheartofMary—thedeathofJesus.AssoonasouragonizedRedeemerhadreachedMountCalvarytheexecutionersstripped

himofhisclothes.Then,piercinghishandsandfeet“notwithsharpbutwithbluntnails,”asSaintBernardsays,totormenthimallthemore,theyfastenedhimtothecross.Theyraisedthecrossandplaceditinahole,andlefthimtodie.Theexecutionerslefthim,butnotMary.Shecameupclosetothecrosstobenearhimindeath.“Ididnotleavehim,”sherevealedtoSaintBridget,“butstoodnearerthecross.”“Whatgooddid itdoyou togo toCalvary,”asksSaintBonaventure,“andseeyourson

expire? Shame should have prevented you from going, for his disgrace was your disgracesinceyouwerehismother.Andifnotshame,atleasthorrorofwitnessingsuchacrimeasthecrucifixionofaGodbyhisowncreatures.”Hegoeson:“Butyourhearthadnoregardforitsownsorrows,butonlyforthesufferingsanddeathofyourlovedone.Andsoyouwishedtobe present to suffer along with him.” “True Mother,” says Abbot William, “most lovingMother,noteventhefearofdeathcouldseparateyoufromyourbelovedson.”But,OGod,whataspectacleofsorrowmusthaveconfrontedthosewhocouldseeJesus

hanginginagonyonthecross,andhismotherthereatthefootofthecrosssufferingallhistormentswithhim!ThisishowMarydescribedtoSaintBridgetthedolefulstateofhersondyingonthecross:“MyJesuswasbreathless,tormented,andinthelaststagesofexhaustionon the cross. His eyes were sunk, half-closed, and lifeless. His lips were swollen and hismouthhungopen.Hischeekswerehollowanddrawnin.Hisfacewasgaunt,hisnosesharp,his countenance sad.His head had fallen on his breast, his hairwasmatted and gory, hisstomach collapsed, his legs and arms stiff, and his whole body covered with wounds andblood.”All these sufferings of Jesuswere alsoMary’s sufferings. “Every torture inflictedon the

bodyofJesus,”saysSaintJerome,“wasawoundintheheartofhismother.”“Anyonewhohadbeen present then onMountCalvary,” says Saint JohnChrysostom, “would have seentwoaltarsonwhichtwogreatsacrificeswerebeingoffered:theoneinthebodyofJesus,theotherintheheartofMary.”InfactwemayevensaywithSaintBonaventure:“Therewasonlyone altar—the cross of the son on which together with the divine Lamb, the Victim, his

motherwas also being sacrificed.”And therefore the saint asksMary: “O Lady,where areyou?Near thecross?No,youareactuallyon thecross,beingcrucified, sacrificingyourselfalongwithyourson.”SaintAugustinesayspracticallythesamething:“Thecrossandnailsofthe sonwere also those of themother; crucifiedwith Christwas also hismother.” This isactually true, for as Saint Bernard says: “Love inflicted on the heart ofMary the tortureswhichthenailscausedtothebodyofJesus.”SomuchsothatSaintBernardinewrites:“Attheverysametimethatthesonwassacrificinghisbody,Marywassacrificinghersoul.”Mothersordinarilywould liketo flee fromthesightof theirdyingchildren;butwhena

motherisobligedtowitnesssuchascene,sheattemptstodoeverythingpossibletorelieveherchild’ssuffering.Shesmoothsouthisbedsothathecanrestmorecomfortably;shegiveshimsomethingtodrink.Inthisway,thepoormothersoothesherowngrief.OMary,mostafflictedof allmothers!Youwereobliged to standat thedeathbedof your Jesus, but youcouldofferhimnorelief.Maryheardhersonexclaim: I thirst,but shecouldnotevengivehim a drop of water to assuage that thirst. She could only say, as Saint Vincent Ferrerremarks,“Myson,Ihaveonlythewaterofmytears.”Shesawthatonthatbedoftortureherson,hangingonthethreenails,couldfindnocomfortableposition.Shelongedtoclasphiminherarmstocomforthimandtolethimexpirethere,butshecoulddonothing.“Invain,”saysSaintBernard,“shestretchedforthherarms;theyonlysankbackemptyonherbreast.”Shebeheldthatpoorsonlookingforconsolation,butunabletofindany,aswasforetoldbytheprophet: Ihavetroddenthewinepressalone.…I lookedaboutandtherewasnonetohelp; Isought,andtherewasnonetogiveaid(Isa63:3,5).Whowouldbewillingtoconsolehimwhenall peoplewere his enemies? Even on the cross hewas taunted and blasphemed:Now thepassers-bywerejeeringathim,shakingtheirheads(Mt27:39).Somesaidtohisface:“Ifyouarethe Son of God, come down from the cross.”Others said: “He saved others, himself he cannotsave.”Again:IfhebethekingofIsrael,lethimnowcomedownfromthecross(Mt27:42).OurBlessedLadytoldSaintBridget:“Iheardsomesay thatmysonwasa thief;others, thathewasanimpostor;others,thatnoonedeserveddeathmorethanhedid;andeverywordwasanewswordofgrieftomyheart.”What increased Mary’s sorrows was hearing him complain on the cross that even his

EternalFatherhadabandonedHim:MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?(Mt27:46).ThesewordstheBlessedVirgintoldSaintBridgetshewasneverabletoforgetfortherestofherlife.ShesawherJesussufferingoneveryside.Shelongedtohelphim,butcouldnot.Butwhatcausedherthegreatestpainwastoseethatbyherpresenceandhersorrowshe

was increasing the suffering of her son. “The grief which filled Mary’s heart,” says SaintBernard,“flowedlikeatorrentintotheheartofJesusandaggravatedhismartyrdomtosuchanextentthatonthecrossJesussufferedmorefromcompassionforhismotherthanfromhisowntorments.”SpeakinginthenameofourBlessedLady,SaintBernardsays:“Istoodwithmyeyesfixedonhim,andhisonme,andhewasmoresorryformethanforhimself.”AndthenspeakingofMarybesideherdyingson,hesays:“Shestoodtheredying,withoutbeingabletodie.”PassinowritesthatOurLordhimselfoneday,whenspeakingtoBlessedBattistaVaraniof

Camerino, assured her that when he was on the cross, he was so saddened at seeing hismother at his feet in such bitter anguish that pity for her caused him to diewithout any

consolationwhatever.BlessedBattista,supernaturallyenlightenedastothegreatnessofthissufferingofJesus,exclaimed:“OLord,tellmenomoreaboutyoursorrow,forIcannotbeartohearanymore.”“Everybodywho sawMary standing there silentlyandutteringnocomplaintamid such

suffering,”saysSimonofCassia,“wasfilledwithastonishment.”ButwhileMary’slipsweresilent,herheartwasnot,forshewasincessantlyofferingthelifeofhersonforoursalvation.Weknowthatbythemeritsofhersorrowsshecooperatedinourbirthtothelifeofgrace.That is why we can truthfully say we are the children of her sorrows. According toLanspergius,“Christwilledthatshe,thecooperatorofourredemptionandtheonewhomhehaddeterminedtogiveusforourmother,shouldbepresentthere.Itwasatthefootofthecrossthatshewastobringforthus,herchildren.”Ifanyconsolationatallfilteredintothatseaofbitternesswhichwas theheartofMary, it couldonlyhavebeen this, that sheknewthat by her sorrows she was leading us to salvation. Jesus himself revealed this to SaintBridget:“MyMotherMary,becauseofhercompassionandlove,wasmadethemotherofallinheavenandonearth.”Thelastwordswithwhichhesaidfarewelltoherbeforedeathwerethose with which he gave us to her as her children in the person of Saint John:Woman,beholdyour son (Jn19:26).From that timeon,Maryhasalwaysbeenourdevotedmother.HergoodofficesbeganrightonCalvary.SaintPeterDamianassertsthat“bytheprayersofMary, who stood between the cross of the good thief and that of her son, the thief wasconvertedand saved,andMary thereby repaidaprevious favor.”Manyauthors relate thatthisthiefhadbeenkindtoJesusandMaryontheirjourneytoEgypt.AndourBlessedLadyhasalwaysacted,andstillcontinuestoact,asadevotedmothertoallpeople.

Example

Therewas a youngman in Perugiawho promised the devil that if hewould help him tocommitacertainsin,hewouldgivehimhissoul.Hesealedthebargainbywritingdownthepromise inhisblood.After thesinhadbeencommitted, thedevilwishedtoclaimhisdue,andsohe led theyoungmantoawell, threateningthat ifhedidnot throwhimself in,hewoulddraghim,bodyandsoul,intohellanyway.Indespairastohowhecouldescapetheclutchesoftheevilone,thepoorboymountedtheedgeofthewellandpreparedtothrowhimself in.Buthewas terrifiedby the thoughtofdeathand told thedevil thathedidnothavethecouragetodie.Ifthedevilwishedhimtodie,hewouldhavetopushhimhimself.Theboywas inthehabitofwearingtheblackscapularofOurLadyofSorrowsaroundhisneck. The devil told him: “You must first remove that scapular before I push you in.”Knowing that the scapularwould still affordhim theprotectionof theBlessedMother, theboywouldnotremoveit.Afteragreatargument,thedevilwasforcedtoleavehim,andthesinner, grateful to Mary, went to give thanks to her. As a sign of his sincere sorrow, hedeterminedtoleaveaperpetualvotiveofferingnearheraltarinthechurchofSantaMarialaNuovainPerugia.

Prayer

Omostsorrowfulofallmothers,yoursonisnowdead—thatsonsoloving,wholovedyousomuch!Weep,foryouhavereasontoweep.Whocaneverbringyouanyconsolation?Onlythisthoughtcanconsoleyou: that,byhisdeath,Jesusconqueredhell,openedheaven,andgained somany souls.From the throneof the cross, hewill reign inmillionsofhearts.Conqueredbyhis love theywillservehimwithlove.Donothesitateinthemeantime,OmyMother,tokeepmenearyousothatImayweepwith

you. I have good reason to shed bitter tears for the many crimes I have committed against mySavior.OMotherofmercy,IhopefirstthroughthedeathofmyRedeemer,andthenthroughyoursorrows,toobtainforgivenessandeternalsalvation.Amen.

6THESIXTHSORROW:

THEPIERCINGOFTHESIDEOFJESUSANDHISDESCENTFROMTHECROSS

Oall you that pass by theway, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like tomy sorrow (Lam1:12).Odevoutsouls,hearwhatoursorrowfulmotherhastosaytoustoday:“Mybelovedchildren,Idonotaskyoutocomfortme,formysoulisnolongercapableofbeingconsolednowthatmyJesushasdied.Butifyouwishtocommiseratewithme,lookatmeandseeiftherehaseverbeenasorrowlikemineintheworld,fortheoneIlovesomuchhasbeentornfrommewithsuchgreatcruelty.”But,OLady,sinceyouwillnotbecomforted,andsinceyouhavesuchagreatthirstforsufferings,itisonlyfairtotellyouthatyoursorrowshavenotyetcome to an end, even though your son is dead. Youwill bewounded todaywith anotherswordofsorrow.Acruellancewillpiercethesideofyourdeadson,andyouwillreceivehiminyourarmsafterhehasbeentakendownfromthecross.Wemust now consider the sixth sorrowwhichweighed upon the heart of our Blessed

Lady.Listenattentivelyandweep.Untilnow,Mary’ssorrowshavetorturedheronebyone.Butnowtheyconverge,asitwere,toassailherallatonce.Itisenoughtotellamotherthathersonisdeadtoarouseinherheartallherloveforthe

dead child. In order to lessen amother’s grief, some people remind her of things that thechildmayhavedoneinthepasttodispleaseher.But,OmyQueen,ifIwishedtolightenyourgriefforthedeathofJesus,whatreprehensiblethingscouldIremindyouofthathehadeverdonetoyou?Therearenone.Healwayslovedyou,alwaysobeyedyou,alwaysrespectedyou.Now that you have lost him, who can ever hope to describe your grief? You alone candescribeit,youwhohaveexperiencedit.AdevoutauthorsaysthatwhenOurRedeemerdied,thefirstcareofhisBlessedMother

was to accompany in spirit the soul of her son and to present it to the Eternal Father. “Ipresenttoyou,OmyGod,”hepicturesMaryassaying,“theimmaculatesoulofyourandmyson.Hehasobeyedyoutodeath.Receivehimthereforeinyourarms.Yourjusticehasnowbeensatisfied,yourwillaccomplished.Thegreatsacrificetoyoureternalgloryhasnowbeenconsummated.”ThenturningtowardthelifelessbodyofherJesus:“Owounds,Owoundsoflove,Iadoreyou,andIamhappybecauseofyou.Bymeansofyou,salvationhasbeengiventotheworld.Youwillremainopeninthebodyofmysonandbetherefugeofallwhohaverecoursetoyou.Howmanywillbepardonedfortheirsinsthroughyou!HowmanywillbeinflamedbyyouwithloveforJesus!”The Jews wanted the body of Jesus taken down from the cross so that the joy of the

followingpaschalSabbathmightnotbedisturbed.Butsincethiscouldnotbedoneuntil itwascertainthatthecriminalsweredead,mencamewithironbarstobreakOurLord’slegs,astheyhadalreadydonetothetwothievescrucifiedwithhim.Marywasstillweepingoverthe death of her sonwhen she saw these armedmen advancing toward Jesus.At first shetrembledwithfear.Thenshesaid:“Mysonisalreadydead.Donotharmhimanymore.Do

not torment me any more; I am his poor mother.” According to Saint Bonaventure, shebeggedthemnottobreakhislegs.Butwhileshewasspeaking,asoldierrodeupbrandishingalanceandplungeditthroughthesideofJesus.Oneofthesoldierswithaspearopenedhisside,and immediately therecameoutbloodandwater (Jn19:34).Thecross shookwhen the lancepiercedthebodyoftheSaviorand,aswaslaterrevealedtoSaintBridget,theheartofJesuswasdividedintwo.Bloodandwatercameout,foronlyafewdropsofbloodremained.YeteventheseourSaviorwaspleased toshed, thatwemightunderstandthathehadnomoreblood to give us. The blow of the centurion’s lance injured the body of Jesus, but Marysuffereditspain.“Christ,”saysthedevoutLanspergius,“sharedthiswoundwithhismother.Hereceivedthehurt;hismotherenduredthepain.”TheFathersmaintainthatthiswasactuallytheswordforetoldbySaintSimeon—asword,

notofiron,butofgrief;aswordthatpiercedherblessedsoulintheheartofJesuswherehersoulalwaysdwelt.ThatiswhySaintBernardandothershavesaid:“ThelancewhichpiercedhissidepassedthroughthesouloftheBlessedVirgin,asoulthatcouldneverleaveherson’sheart.”MaryrevealedthesamethingtoSaintBridget:“Whenthespearwasdrawnout,thepointwasredwithblood.Itwasthen,whenIsawtheheartofmyowndearsonpierced,thatI felt as thoughmy own heart were also pierced.” An angel told the same saint: “Mary’ssufferingsweresogreatthatitwasonlybyamiracleonGod’spartthatshedidnotdiefromthem.”Whenshesufferedbefore,sheatleasthadhersontopityher;butnowshehadnosontocommiseratewithher.Fearing that still other frightful thingsmight be done to Jesus,Mary begged Joseph of

ArimatheatoobtainthebodyfromPilatesothatitcouldbeguardedandsparedfromfurtheroutrage.JosephwentandexplainedtoPilatethesorrowandthewishofthevictim’smother.SaintAnselmbelievesthatpityforMarysoftenedtheheartofPilateandmovedhimtogranttherequest.AndsoJesuswastakendownfromthecross.OmostholyVirgin,nowthatyouhavegiven

yoursontotheworldwithsuchgreatloveandforoursalvation,behold,theworldnowgiveshimback toyou.But,OGod,whataconditionhe is in!Mybeloved [was]whiteand ruddy(Cant5:10),Marysaystotheworld,butyoureturnhimtomeblackenedwithbruisesandredfromthewoundsyouinflictedonhim.Hewasbeautiful,butnowheisnolongerbeautiful,butalldisfigured.Hisappearanceusedtomakepeoplehappy,butnowheexcitesonlyhorrorin thosewho lookonhim. “Oh,howmany swords,” says SaintBonaventure, “pierced thatpoormother’ssoul”whenshereceivedthebodyofhersonfromthecross!Justthinkoftheanguish itwouldcauseanymother to receive inherarms the lifelessbodyofher torturedson.ItwasrevealedtoSaintBridget that three ladderswereplacedagainst thecross to take

down the body of Jesus. The disciples first drew the nails out of his hands and feet and,according toMetaphrastes, gave them toMary. Then one supported the upper part of thebody of Jesus and the other the lower, and thus they eased him down from the cross.BernardinedeBustisdescribestheBlessedMotherstandingthereandholdingoutherarmstoreceivehim.Sheembracedhimand thensatdownat the footof thecross.Hismouthwasopen,hiseyesweredim.Sheexaminedhismangledfleshandhisexposedbones.Shetookoffthecrownandgazedat thewounds the thornshadmade inhisbrow.She saw thegaping

holesinhishandsandfeet.Thenshesaidtohim:“OmyJesus,yourloveformenhasbroughtyoutothis.Whatharmdidyoueverdothemthattheyshouldtreatyousocruelly?Youweremyfather,mybrother,myspouse,mydelight,myglory.Youwereeverythingtome!Omydearson,seehowdesolateIam!Lookatmeandcomfortme.Butyoucannolongerlookatme.Sayonlyonewordandcomfortme.Butyoucannotspeakanymore,foryouaredead.Ocruelthorns,Ocruelnails,Omercilessspear,howcouldyoupossiblytortureyourCreator?Butwhydo I speakof thorns andnails? It is you,O sinners,whohave treatedmy son socruelly!”ThatiswhatMarysaidthen,asshesatatthefootofthecross.Butwhatwouldshesay

nowifshewerecapableofsorrow?Howpainedshewouldbetoseemencontinuetotormentand crucify her son by their sins even after his death. Let us resolve not to torment oursorrowfulmotheranylonger.Andifwehavesaddenedherinthepastbyoursins,letusnowdowhatshewantsustodo.Shesays:Return,youtransgressors,totheheart(Isa46:8).Sinners,returntothewoundedheartofJesus.Returnsorryforyoursins,andhewillwelcomeyou.“Fleefromhimtohim,”shesays,withtheAbbotGuerric;“fromtheJudgetotheRedeemer,fromthetribunaltothecross.”Mary revealed toSaintBridget that “sheclosed theeyesofher sonwhenhewas taken

downfromthecross,butshecouldnotclosehisarms.”Jesusintendedustounderstandbythis that hewanted to remainwith his arms extended to receive all penitent sinnerswhoreturntohim.“Oworld,”continuesMary,“behold,then,yourtimewasthetimeoflovers(Ezek16:8).Nowthatmysonhasdiedtosaveyou,itisnolongeratimeoffearforyou,butatimeoflove;atimetoshowlovetohimwho,inordertoshowyouthelovehehasforyou,waswilling tosuffersomuch.”“TheheartofJesus,”saysSaintBernard,“waswoundedso thatthrough the visible wound, the invisible wound of love might become visible.” “If then,”concludesMary,inthewordsofBlessedRaymondJordano,“mysonwaspleasedthathissideshouldbeopenedthroughanexcessoflove3sothathecouldgivehishearttoyou,itisright,Oman,thatyoushouldgivehimyoursinreturn.”Andifyoudesire,OchildrenofMary,tofindaplaceintheheartofJesuswithoutfearofbeingrejected,“Go,”asUbertinodaCasalesays,“gowithMary,forshewillobtainthisgraceforyou.”

Example

TheDominicanFatherJohnHeroltrelatesthattherewasapoorsinnerwhoinadditiontohisotherwickedactskilledhisfatherandhisbrother,andthereforebecameanoutlaw.OnedayduringLentwhilehewaslisteningtoapreacherdiscourseonthethemeofdivinemercy,hisheartwasmovedandhedecidedtogotoconfession.Whentheconfessorheardwhathehaddone,hesenthimtoanaltarofthesorrowfulMothertogethertoobtaintruesorrowforhimandthepardonofhissins.ThesinnerwentandbegantopraytoMary,whensuddenlyhefelldowndead.Thenextday,whenthepriestwasrecommendingthesoulofthepoormantotheprayersofthefaithful,awhitedoveappearedinthechurchanddroppedanoteatthefeetofthepriest.Pickingupthenote,heopeneditandreadthefollowingwords:“Assoonasthesoul of the dead man left his body, it went to heaven. Continue therefore to preach thewondersofdivinemercy.”

Prayer

O sorrowfulVirgin!O soul great in virtue but also in sorrow, for bothwere bornof thatmightyflameof lovewhichyouhaveforGod,yourheartcanlovenoonebutGodandhimalone.Havepity onme,OMother, for I have not lovedGod and have offended him somuch. Your sorrowencouragesmetohopeforpardon.Butthisisnotenough.IdesirealsotolovemyLord.Andwhocanobtainthisgraceofloveformebetterthanyouwhoarethemotheroffairlove?OMary,youareaconsolationtoeverybody;consolemealso.Amen.

7THESEVENTHSORROW:

THEBURIALOFJESUS

Amother standing at the bedside of her dying child undoubtedly feels and suffers all hispains.Butwhenthechildhasactuallydiedandisabouttobeburied,andthebrokenheartedmothermustsaygoodbye tohimfor the last time, thensurely therealization thatshewillneverseehimagainisasorrowthatmustsurpassallothersorrows.LetusmeditatenowonMary’s last swordof sorrow.Shehaswitnessed thedeathofher sonon the cross. Shehasembraced his lifeless body for the last time. Now she has to leave him in the tomb andreconcileherselftothefactthatshewillneverenjoyhispresenceonearthagain.Butinordertograspthemeaningofthislastsorrowmorefully,letusreturntoCalvary

andpictureourafflictedmotherthere,stillholdingthelifelessbodyofhersonclaspedinherarms.Omyson,sheseemstosayinthewordsofJob:Youarechangedtobecrueltowardme(Job30:21).Yes,forallyournoblequalities,yourbeauty,grace,virtues,yourcharm—allthespecialmarksof loveyouhaveshownme, thespecial favorsyouhavegrantedme—allarenowchangedintosomanyarrowsofgrief.Themorethosefeaturescausedmetoloveyou,themoretheynowcruellymakemefeelyourloss.Mybelovedson,inlosingyouIhavelosteverything.This iswhatSaintBernardsays inMary’sname:“O trulybegottenofGod,youwere tome a father, a son, a spouse: Youweremy very soul! Now I am deprived ofmyfather,widowedofmyspouse,adesolate,childlessmother.Havinglostmyonlyson,Ihavelosteverything.”AndsoweseeMaryplungedingrief,hersonlockedinherarms.Thedisciples,afraidthat

Marymaydieofgrief,approachandtakethebodyofJesusfromherarmstoburyit.Withreverence,theyliftitfromherarms,embalmitwitharomaticherbs,andwrapitinashroudtheyhave alreadyprepared.On this cloth,which is still preserved atTurin,Our Lordwaspleasedtoleavetotheworldanimpressionofhissacredbody.4

The mournful procession sets out for the tomb. The disciples raised him on theirshoulders.Choirsof angels fromheavenaccompanied them,and theholywomen followedbehind. Among themwas the afflictedmother following her son to his last resting place.Whentheyreachedthetomb,“O,howwillinglywouldMaryhaveburiedherselfalivewithhersonhadthisbeenhiswill!”—assheherselfrevealedtoSaintBridget.Butsincethiswasnothiswill,manyauthorsdeclarethatshefollowedthesacredbodyofJesusintothetombwhere,accordingtoBaronius,thedisciplesalsodepositedthenailsandthecrownofthorns.When it was time to raise the stone to close the entrance, the grief-stricken disciplesapproached our Blessed Lady and said to her: “It is time now,O Lady, to close the tomb.Forgiveus;lookatyoursononcemore,andsaygoodbyetohimforthelasttime.”“OmybelovedSon”(forthatiswhatMarymusthavesaid),“amInotgoingtoseeyou

anymore? Receive, then, my last farewell, as I gaze upon you for the last time, the lastfarewell of your devotedmother.Receivemyheart,which I burywith you.”According to

Saint Fulgentius, the Blessed Virgin ardently desired “to bury her soul with the body ofChrist.”AndMaryrevealedinavisiontoSaintBridget:“Icantrulysaythatwhenmysonwasburied,thereweretwoheartslaidinonetomb.”Finally,theytookthestoneandsealedoffthesacredbodyofJesusinthesepulcher,that

bodywhichisthegreatesttreasuretherecanpossiblybeonearthorinheaven.MaryleftherheartinthetombofJesus,becauseJesuswasherwholetreasure:Forwhereyourtreasureis,therealsowillyourheartbe(Lk12:34).Butwheredowekeepourheartsburied?Increatures—perhaps even in sin?Why dowe not imitateMary and bury our hearts in Jesus? Eventhough he has gone to heaven, he still remains on earth, not dead, but alive, alive in theBlessedSacramentofthealtar,sothatourheartsmaybenearhimandthathemayenjoythepossessionofthemalways.Butwemust return toMary.Before leaving the sepulcher,SaintBonaventuremaintains

thatsheblessedthesacredstone:“Ofortunatestone,”shesaid,“younowguardhimwhomIboreforninemonthsinmywomb.Iblessyouandenvyyou.Ileaveyoutowatchovermyson,whoiseverythingtome,mywhole love.”AndthenturningtotheEternalFather,shesaid:“OFather,Irecommendmysontoyou,forheisyoursontoo.”Afterspeakingherlastfarewell tohersonandthetomb,she leftandreturnedtoherhome.Marywassodesolateandsosadthat,accordingtoSaintBernard,she“movedmanytotears.”Infact,wherevershepassed,thosewhosawhercouldnothelpweepingwithher.SaintBernardalsosaysthattheholydisciplesandwomenwhoaccompaniedher“mournedevenmoreforherthanfortheirLord.”SaintBonaventuretellsusthathersisterscoveredherwithamourningcloak:“Thesisters

of Our Lady veiled her like awidow, almost covering herwhole face.”He also says that,passingby the cross still drippingwith thebloodofher sononher return from the tomb,Marywasthefirsttoadoreit.“Oholycross,”shesaid,“Ikissyou,Iadoreyou!Youarenolongeraninstrumentoftorture,butathroneof loveandanaltarofmercy.Youhavebeenconsecrated by the blood of the divine Lamb, immolated on you for the salvation of theworld.”Shethen left thecrossandreturnedhome.Whenshereachedthere,Marycasthereyes

aboutandno longer sawherJesus. Insteadof thephysicalpresenceofherdear son, thererosebeforeherthememoryofhisbeautifullifeandexcruciatingdeath.Sherememberedhowshe had pressed him to her bosom in the stable at Bethlehem. She remembered theconversationsshehadwithhimduringthemanyyears theydwelt together inthehouse inNazareth.Sherememberedtheirdeepaffectionforeachother.Sherememberedthewordsofeternal life which fell from those divine lips. Finally, she recalled the sad scene she hadwitnessedthatveryday.Thenails,thethorns,thelaceratedflesh,thosedeepwounds,thosenakedbones, thatopenmouth, thoseswolleneyes,allappearedtoher.OhwhatanightofsorrowMarymusthavepassed.WecanpictureherturningtoSaintJohnandsaying:“John,tellme,whereisyourMaster?”WecanpictureheraskingMagdalen:“Mary,tellme,whereisyourbeloved?OGod,whohastakenhimfromus?”Marywept,andallwhowerethereweptwithher.And you, my soul, do you not weep also? Turn to Mary and say to her with Saint

Bonaventure:“OmyownsweetLady,Iamtheonetoweep.Youareinnocent,Iamguilty.”

Begherat least to letyouweepwithher. Sheweepsoutof love.You shouldweepoutofsorrowforyoursins.Ifyoudoso,youmayhavethehappylotofthereligiousaboutwhomwereadinthefollowingexample.

Example

FatherEngelgraverelatesthatacertainreligiouswassotormentedwithscruplesthathewassometimesalmostdrivenmad.ButsincehewasgreatlydevotedtoOurLadyofSorrows,healways prayed to herwhen hewas spiritually depressed and he derived great consolationfrommeditatingonherdolors.Whenhecametodie,thedeviltormentedhimmorethaneverwithscruplesandeventemptedhimtodespair.TheMotherofSorrows,seeingherclientinsuchanguish,appearedtohimandsaid:“Whyareyousodowncast,myson?Whyareyousoafraid?Youhavesooftenconsoledmebymeditatingonmysorrows.Jesus isnowsendingme,”shesaid,“tobeacomforttoyou.Beconsoled,myson,andcomewithmetoparadise.”Onhearing thesewords, thedevout religiouswas filledwith joy and confidence, anddiedpeacefully.

Prayer

Mysorrowfulmother,Iwillnotleaveyoutoweepalone.No,Iwillweepalongwithyou.ThisisthegraceIaskyoutoobtainforme:tobeablealwaystobearinmindandtohaveatenderdevotiontothePassionofJesusandyour sorrows.May I spend the remainderofmydays, sweetmother, ingrievingoveryoursufferingsandthesufferingsofmyRedeemer.Thesesorrows,Ihope,willgivemetheconfidenceandstrengthIwillrequireatthehourofmydeath,sothatIwillnotdespairatthethought of the many sins by which I have offended my Jesus. You must obtain pardon,perseverance, and heaven forme. In heaven I hope to be happywith you;may it be so. Amen.Amen.

PARTV

THEVIRTUESOFTHEBLESSEDVIRGINMARY

SaintAugustinesaysthatifwewishtowinthefavorofthesaintswithgreatercertaintyandingreaterabundance,wemustimitatethem.Whentheyseeusimitatingtheirvirtues,theyaremoreinclinedtoprayforus.Assoonasthequeenofsaintsandourchiefadvocate,Mary,delivers a soul from the grasp of Lucifer andunites it toGod, shewants it to imitate her.Otherwise,shecannotenrichthesoulwithgraces.Marycalledblessedthosewhoimitateherlifediligently:Now,therefore,children,hearme;blessedaretheythatkeepmyways(Prov8:32).Thereisaproverbthatloverscometoresemblethepersonstheylove:“Loveeitherfinds

ormakes lovers alike.” Saint Sophroniusurgesus to strive to imitateMary ifwe loveher,becausethisisthebestwaytopleaseher:“Mybelovedchildren,serveMary,whomyoulove.Youwillprovethatyouloveherifyouendeavortoimitateher.”RichardofSaintLawrencesays: “Theyare true childrenofMary and can call themselves true children,who strive toimitateherlife.”“Letachild,then,”concludesSaintBernard,“imitatehismother,ifhewantstohaveherfavor;forwhenMaryseesherselftreatedasamother,shewilltreathimasherchild.”AlthoughtheGospelshave little tosayaboutMary’svirtues indetail,wedo learn from

them that shewas full of grace, and this implies that she possessed all virtues in a heroicdegree. “So much so,” says Saint Thomas, “that whereas other saints excelled in someparticularvirtue—oneinchastity,anotherinhumility,anotherinmercy—theBlessedVirginexcelled in all, and is offered to us as amodel of all.” Saint Ambrose says: “Marywas sooutstandingthatherlifewasamodelforeverybody.”Andheconcludeswiththewords:“LetthevirginityandthelifeofMarybeeverbeforeyoureyeslikeanimage,inwhichtheformofvirtue is resplendent.Youwill learn fromthat imagehowto live,what tocorrect,what toavoid,andwhattoretain.”Sincehumilityisthefoundationofallthevirtues—astheFathersoftheChurchteach—let

usconsiderinthefirstplacehowgreatMary’shumilitywas.

1MARY’SHUMILITY

“Humility,”saysSaintBernard,“isthefoundationandguardianofthevirtues.”Heisright,forwithoutitnoothervirtuecanexistinthesoul.Wereasoultopossessallthevirtues,allwoulddisappearwerehumilitytogo.But,ontheotherhand,asSaintFrancisdeSaleswrotetoSaintJaneFrancesdeChantal,“Godloveshumilitysomuch,thatwheneverheseesit,heimmediatelygoes there.”Thisbeautifulandnecessaryvirtuewasunknown in theworld inearlydays.ButtheSonofGodcameonearthtoteachitbyhisexample,andhewilledthatweshouldendeavortoimitatehiminthatvirtueparticularly:Learnofme,becauseIammeekandhumbleofheart(Mt11:29).SinceMarywasthefirstandmostperfectdiscipleofJesusinthepracticeofthevirtues,

shenaturallyexcelledinthepracticeofhumility.Forthisreason,shedeservedtobeexaltedaboveallothercreatures.ItwasrevealedtoSaintMatildathatitwashumilityinwhichtheBlessedMotherparticularlyexcelled,evenfromherverychildhood.Thefirsteffectofhumilityofheartisalowlyopinionofoneself.Maryalwayshadsucha

humbleopinionofherselfthat,aswasrevealedtothesameSaintMatilda,althoughshesawherself enriched with more graces than all other people, she never put herself ahead ofanyone.AbbotRupert,commentingonthepassageofthesacredCanticles:Youhavewoundedmyheart,mysister,myspouse…withonehairofyourneck(Cant4:9),saysthatthehumbleopinionMaryhadofherselfwasthehairwithwhichshewoundedtheheartofGod.NotthatMaryconsideredherselfasinner.Humilityistruth,asSaintTeresaremarks,andMaryknewthatshehadneveroffendedGod.ShealsoknewthatshehadreceivedmoregracesfromGodthanallothercreatures.AhumbleheartalwaysacknowledgesthespecialfavorsoftheLordinorder tohumble itselfall themore.But theBlessedMother,becauseof thegreater lightwhichmadeherawareoftheinfinitegreatnessandgoodnessofGod,wasalsoawareofherownnothingness.Thatiswhyshehumbledherselfmorethaneverybodyelse,sayingwiththesacredSpouse:Donot stareatmebecause Iamswarthy,because the sunhasburnedme (Cant1:5).Thatis,asSaintBernardexplainsit:“WhenIapproachhim,Ifindmyselfblack.”This is true, says Saint Bernardine, because the Blessed Virgin was always vividly

consciousof themajestyofGodandherownnothingness.Whenabeggar isgivenacostlygift,hedoesnot showoffwith it in thepresenceof thedonor.He receives ithumblyandremains consciousofhisownpoverty. SowhenMary sawherself enrichedwithgrace, shehumbled herself; reminding herself that it was all God’s gift. That is why she told SaintElizabethofHungarythatshelookeduponherselfasaworthlesscreatureandunworthyofthegraceofGod.AndthatiswhySaintBernardinesaysthat“aftertheSonofGod,nooneinthewholeworldwaseversoexaltedasMary,becausenooneeverhumbledhimself to theextentthatshedid.”Moreover,itischaracteristicofhumilitytoconcealheavenlygifts.Marywishedtoconceal

fromSaintJosephthefavorwhichmadehertheMotherofGod.Atthesametimeitseemed

necessarytorevealthesecrettohim,ifonlytoremovefromhismindanysuspicionsastohervirtuewhich hemight have entertained on seeing her pregnant. Saint Joseph, on the onehand,didnotwishtodoubtMary’schastity;andyetontheotherhand,beingunawareofthemystery,hewasmindedtohaveherputawayprivately(Mt1:19).Andhewouldhavedonesohad theangelnot revealed tohimthathis spousewaspregnantby theoperationof theHolySpirit.Again,asoulthatistrulyhumbledoesnotallowherselftobepraised.Andifpraisesare

showeredonher,sherefersthemalltoGod.MarywasdisturbedathearingherselfpraisedbySaintGabriel.ShewasalsodisturbedwhenElizabeth said:Blessedareyouamongwomen.…AndhowhaveIdeservedthatthemotherofmyLordshouldcometome?…Blessedisshewhohasbelieved(Lk1:42,43,45).MaryreferredeverythingtoGod,andrepliedinthehumblewordsofhercanticle:MysoulmagnifiestheLord(Lk1:46).Thiswasthesameassaying:“Youpraiseme,Elizabeth,butIpraisetheLord,towhomaloneallhonorisdue.YouwonderwhyIhavecometovisityou,whileIwonderatthedivinegoodnessthathascometome.AndmyspiritrejoicesinGodmySavior(Lk1:47).Youpraisemebecause1havebelieved;butIpraisemyGod,becausehehasexaltedmynothingness.Hehasregardedthelowlinessofhishandmaid(Lk1:48).”OurLady said toSaintBridget: “Ihumbledmyself somuch,andhavemerited somuch

grace,because Iknewthatofmyself Ipossessednothing.That iswhyIdidnotwant tobepraised.IdesiredonlythatpraisebegiventotheCreatorandGiverofallthings.”ReferringtothehumilityofMary,anancientauthorsays:“Otrulyblessedhumility,whichhasgivenGodtomen,openedheaven,anddeliveredsoulsfromhell!”It isalsocharacteristicofhumilitytoserveothers.Marydidnothesitatetogoandhelp

Elizabethforthreemonths.SaintBernardaptlyremarks:“ElizabethwonderedwhyMaryhadcometovisither;but—whatisstillmoreremarkable—thatshecamenottobeministeredto,buttominister.”Humblepersonsareusuallyretiringandchoosetheleasthonorableplacesforthemselves.

Therefore,asSaintBernardremarks,“whenJesuswaspreachinginahouse(aswelearninSaint Matthew), Mary, wishing to speak to him, would not enter of her own accord butremainedoutside,anddidnotavailherselfofhermaternalrighttointerrupthim.”Andwhenshewaswith theApostleswaiting for the coming of theHoly Spirit, she chose the lowestplace, as Saint Luke relates:All these with one mind continued steadfastly in prayer with thewomenandMary,theMotherofJesus(Acts1:14).SaintLukewasnotignorantoftheBlessedMother’smerits,whichshouldhavecausedhimtonameherfirst.However,Maryhadtakenthe lastplaceamong theApostlesand thewomen.And thereforehedescribed them,asanauthor remarks, in theorder inwhich theywere. SaintBernard says: “The last has rightlybecomethefirst,becausebeingthefirstofallshebecamethelast.”Finally,peoplewhoare sincerelyhumbledonot look for favor. In fact, they love tobe

despised.ThatiswhywenotethatMarydidnotshowherselfinJerusalemonPalmSundaywhenthepeoplereceivedJesuswithsomuchhonor.Ontheotherhand,athisdeath,shedidnothesitatetoappearonCalvary.Shewasundeterredbyfearoftheridiculeshewouldincurwhenitbecameknownthatshewasthemotherofthecriminal.Ononeoccasion,MarysaidtoSaintBridget:“Whatismorehumblingthantobecalledafool,tobeinneedofthings,and

tobelieveoneself themostunworthyofall?Suchwasmyhumility,Odaughter. ItwasmyconstantjoyanddesiretopleasemysoninthiswayasmuchasIcould.”Venerable Sister Paola of Foligno was privileged to see in an ecstasy how great the

humilityoftheBlessedVirginwas.Givinganaccountofittoherconfessor,shewassofilledwithastonishmentthatshecouldonlysay:“Father,youcanneverunderstandhowgreatthehumility of the Blessed Virgin was! There is no humility in the world comparable to thehumilityofMary.”On another occasion, Our Lord showed Saint Bridget two women. The one was all

glamourandvanity.“Sheispride,”hesaid,“buttheotheronewhomyouseewithherheadbowed, courteous to all, devoted to God alone, and considering herself as a nobody, ishumility, andhername isMary.”God chose thatwayof lettingus know thatMary is thepersonificationofhumility.There canbenodoubt,observesSaintGregoryofNyssa, thatof all thevirtues there is

perhapsnonemoredifficultforournaturetopractice,taintedasitisbysin,thanhumility.Atthesametime,wecannotevadethistruth:WecanbetruechildrenofMaryonlyifwearehumble. “If you cannot imitate the virginity of the Blessed Virgin,” says Saint Bernard,“imitateherhumility.”Shedeteststheproud,andinvitesthelowlytocometoher:Whosoeverisalittleone,lethimcometome(Prov9:4).RichardofSaintLawrencewrites:“Maryprotectsusunderthemantleofherhumility.”TheBlessedMotherexplainedtoSaintBridgetwhathermantle was. “Come,” she said, “and hide yourself under my mantle. This mantle is myhumility.”Shethenaddedthatmeditationonherhumilitywasacloakormantlewithwhichwecouldwarmourselves.Butsinceamantlegivesthisserviceonlytothosewhowearitandnot to thosewhomerely think about it, she said: “Mary’s humilitywill not help anybodyexceptthosewhoendeavortoimitateher.”Andsheconcludedwiththesewords:“Thereforeclotheyourself,mydaughter,withthishumility.”OhowdevotedMary is tohumble souls! SaintBernard says: “She recognizes and loves

those who love her. And she is ready to help all that call on her, especially those whoresembleher inchastityandhumility.”So the saintexhortsall thosewho loveMary tobehumble: “Strive to imitate this virtue ofMary, if you really love her.”Marinus orMartind’Alberto,oftheSocietyofJesus,usedtosweepthehouseandcollectthetrashoutoflovefortheBlessedVirgin.OnedayMaryappearedtohim,asFatherNierembergrelatesinhislife,andthankedhimsaying:“Iamverymuchpleasedbythishumbleactionwhichyoudoforloveofme.”Itfollowsthen,OmyQueen,thatIcanneverreallybeyourchildunlessIamhumble.But

surelyyouunderstandthatmysins,afterhavingmademeungratefultomyLord,havealsomademeproud?OMary,youmustprovidetheremedy.Bythemeritofyourhumility,makemetrulyhumble,andhelpmeinthatwaytobecomeyourchild.Amen.

2MARY’SLOVEFORGOD

SaintAlbert says that “wherewe find thegreatest chastity, therewe findalso thegreatestcharity.”Themorepureaheartisandthemoreemptyofself,themoreitisfilledwithloveforGod.BecauseMarywasthoroughlyhumbleandthoroughlyunselfish,shewasfilledwithdivinelove.“HerloveforGodsurpassedthatofallmenandangels,”writesSaintBernardine.SaintFrancisdeSalesbeautifullycallsher“thequeenoflove.”Godhasindeedgivenmanthecommandtolovehimwithhiswholeheart:Youshalllove

theLordyourGodwithyourwholeheart (Mt22:37).However,SaintThomasdeclares: “Thiscommandmentwillbefulfilledbymenfullyandperfectlyonlyinheaven,notonearth.Onearthitisfulfilledonlyimperfectly.”Onthissubject,SaintAlberttheGreatremarksthat,inacertain sense, it would be unfitting for God to give a commandment that could never beperfectlyfulfilled.ButthiswouldhavebeenthecaseifOurLadyhadnotfulfilleditperfectly.Thesaint says:“Eithersomeone fulfilled thisprecept,ornoonedid. Ifanyonedid, itmusthavebeentheBlessedVirgin.”RichardofSaintVictorconfirmsthisopinionwhenhesays:“ThemotherofourEmmanuel

practiced all virtues as perfectly as possible.Whoever fulfilled the first commandment thewayshedid:You shall love theLordyourGodwith yourwholeheart?Divine loveburned soardently in her that no defect of any kind could come close to her.” Saint Bernard says:“DivinelovepenetratedandfilledthesoulofMarytosuchanextentthatnopartofherwasleft untouched. She loved with her whole heart, with her whole soul, with her wholestrength,andshewasfullofgrace.”ThereforeMarywasinapositiontosay:Myloverbelongsall tomeandI tohim (Cant2:16).“EventheSeraphim,”accordingtoRichard,“mighthavecomedownfromheaventolearnhowtoloveGodfromtheheartofMary.”God,whoislove,cametoearthtokindletheflameofhisdivineloveintheheartsofall

people.Butinnoheartdidhekindlesomuchloveasintheheartofhismother.Herheartwasentirelyfreefromallearthlylovesandfullypreparedtoburnwiththispreciousflame.SaintSophroniussaysthatdivineloveinflamedhersomuchthatnothingearthlycouldenterherheart.Shewas,sotospeak,incandescentwithdivinelove.TheheartofMarybecameallfire and flames, as we read of her in the sacred Canticles (Cant 8:6); fire burning withinthrough love, as Saint Anselm explains it, and flames shiningwithout by the example shegaveinthepracticeofvirtue.WhenMarywasinthisworldandheldJesusinherarms,shecouldwellbecalled“firecarryingfire”;andwithfarmorereasonthanthewomanspokenofbyHippocrateswhowascalledthisbecauseshecarriedfireinherhands.SaintIldephonsussays:“TheHolySpiritheated,inflamed,andmeltedMarywithlove,asfiredoesiron;sothatnothingwasseeninherbuttheflameofthisHolySpirit,andnothingwasfeltbutthefireoftheloveofGod.”SaintThomasofVillanovasaysthatthebushseenbyMoses,whichburnedwithoutbeingconsumed,wasatruesymbolofMary’sheart.AndSaintBernardrightlysaysthatMarywasseenbySaintJohnclothedwiththesun:Andagreatsignappearedinheaven,a

womanclothedwith the sun (Apoc12:1).Shewas socloselyunited toGodby love,andshepenetratedtheabyssofdivinewisdomsodeeply,thatapartfrompersonalidentificationwithGod,itwouldseemimpossibleforacreaturetohaveacloserunionwithhim.SaintBernardineofSienamaintains that theMostBlessedVirginwasnever temptedby

hell.Hesaysthat“asfliesaredrivenawaybyagreatfire,sotheevilspiritsweredrivenawaybyherardent love.Theydidnotevendare toapproachher.”RichardofSaintVictor says:“TheBlessedVirginwas such a terror to theprinces of darkness that theydidnotdare tocomenearher.Thefireofhercharitykeptthemoff.”OurLadyrevealedtoSaintBridgetthatsheneverhadanythought,desire,orjoyinthisworld,butonlyinandforGod:“IthoughtofnothingbutGod;nothingpleasedmeexceptGod.”SinceherblessedsoulalmostcontinuallycontemplatedGodwhileonearth,theactsof lovesheperformedwereinnumerable.FatherSuarezwrites:“TheactsofperfectcharityMaryperformedinthislifewerewithoutnumber.Practically speaking,herwhole lifewas spent in contemplation, andwhile shewas in thatstatesheconstantlyrepeatedactsoflove.”AremarkofBernardinedeBustispleasesmeevenmore.HesaysthatMarydidnotrepeat

acts of love as other saints do; herwhole lifewas one continual act of love. By a specialprivilege,shewasalwaysactuallyexpressingloveforGod.Asaroyaleagle,shealwayskepther eyes fixedon thedivineSunof Justice.AsSaintPeterDamian says: “Thedutiesof anactivelifedidnotpreventherfromloving,andlovedidnotpreventherfromperformingherduties.”ThatiswhySaintGermanussaysthatthealtarofpropitiation,onwhichthefirewasneverextinguisheddayornight,wasasymbolofMary.Sleepwas no obstacle toMary’s love. SaintAugustine asserts: “The dreams of our first

parents,whensleeping in their stateof innocence,wereashappyas their liveswerewhentheywereawake.”AndiftheyhadsuchaprivilegeitcertainlywasnotdeniedtoourBlessedLady, as Suarez, the Abbot Rupert, and Saint Bernardine fully admit. Saint Ambrose alsoholds this opinion.He says: “WhileMary’s body rested, her soulwatched.” She verified inherself thewordsof theHolySpirit:Atnighther lamp isundimmed (Prov31:18).Whileherblessed body found its necessary repose in sleep, according to Saint Bernardine, her soulfreelywingeditswaytoGod.Infact,shewasthenwrappedinmoreperfectcontemplationthan the average person when awake. And so she could well say with the spouse in theCanticles:Iwassleeping,butmyheartkeptvigil(Cant5:2).“Shewasashappyinsleepaswhenawake,” says Suarez. In short, Saint Bernardine asserts that as long as Mary lived in thisworldshecontinuallylovedGod:“ThemindoftheBlessedVirginwasalwayswrappedintheardoroflove.”Thesaintaddsmoreover:“SheneverdidanythingexceptwhatdivineWisdomrevealedaspleasing tohim.She lovedGodasmuchas she thoughthe shouldbe lovedbyher.”Asamatteroffact,accordingtoSaintAlberttheGreat,wecansaythatMarywasfilled

with such great love forGod that no creature on earth could possibly possessmore. SaintThomasofVillanovamaintainsthatMarybyherardentcharitybecamesoattractivetoGod,that he was captivated by her love and descended into her womb to become man. ThisthoughtcausedSaintBernardinetoexclaim:“SeethepoweroftheVirginMary!ShecapturedtheheartofGod!”ButsinceMarylovesGodsomuch,thereisnothingshewantsustodomorethantolove

himasmuchaswecan.ThisiswhatshetoldBlessedAngelaofFolignoonedayafterholyCommunion:“Angela,mayyoubeblessedbymyson.Andonyourpart,mayyouendeavortolovehimasmuchaspossible.”ShealsosaidtoSaintBridget:“Bridget,ifyouwantmetoloveyou,lovemyson.”Marydesiresnothingmorethantoseeherbeloved,whoisGod,loved.NovarinusaskswhytheBlessedVirginbeggedtheangelstomakeknowntotheLordthe

great love she had for him in the words of the spouse in the Canticles: I adjure you, OdaughtersofJerusalem, ifyoufindmybeloved, thatyou tellhimthat I languishwith love(Cant5:8).WasGodnotawarehowmuchshelovedhim?“Whydidshetrytoshowthewoundoflovetoherbeloved,sinceitwashewhohadinflictedit?”HeanswersthatMarywishedtomakeherloveknowninthatwaytous,nottoGod.Shewantedusalsotobewoundedwithdivinelove,justasshewaswounded.Hecontinues:“BecauseMarywasallonfirewithloveofGod,allwhoapproachherandareclosetoherarealsoinflamedwiththissameburninglove,forshemakesthemlikeherself.”ThisiswhySaintCatherineofSienacalledMary“thebearerof fire,”meaning thebearerof the fireofdivine love. Ifwewant toburnwith thisblessedflame,letustryalwaystodrawnearertoMarybyourprayersandourdevotions.O Mary, you are Queen of love. Of all creatures, you are the most lovable, the most

beloved,andthemostloving,asSaintFrancisdeSalessaid.MyownsweetMother,youwerealwaysandinallthingsinflamedwithloveforGod.Givemeatleastasparkofyourfervor.YouintervenedwithyourSononbehalfofthespousesatCana.WillyounotalsoprayforuswhoaresowantingintheloveofGod,whomweareundersuchgreatobligationtolove?Sayofus:“Theyhavenolove,”andobtainthisloveforus.Thisistheonlygraceweaskfor.OMother,graciouslyhearandprayforus.Amen.

3MARY’SLOVEFORHERNEIGHBOR

Love of God and love of neighbor are commanded by God in the same precept:And thiscommandmentwehavefromhim,thathewholovesGodshouldlovehisbrotheralso(1Jn4:21).SaintThomassaysthatthereasonforthisisthatthepersonwholovesGodlovesallthatGodloves.Oneday,SaintCatherineofGenoasaid:“Lord,yousaythatIshouldlovemyneighbor,butIcanlovenoonebutyou.”Godrepliedtoherinthesewords:“Everybodywholovesmeloveswhat I love.”But since thereneverwasandneverwillbeanyonewho lovedGodasmuchasMarydid,sothereneverwasandneverwillbeanyonewholovesherneighborasmuchasshedid.FatherCorneliusàLapidecommentingon thispassage fromtheCanticles:KingSolomon

hasmadehimalitterofthewoodofLibanus…themidsthecoveredwithcharityforthedaughtersofJerusalem (Cant 3:9, 10), says that “this litterwasMary’swomb inwhich the IncarnateWorddwelt,fillingitwithcharityforthedaughtersofJerusalem.Christ,whoisloveitself,infusedintotheBlessedVirginthegreatestpossibleamountofcharity,sothatshecouldhehelpfultoallwhoappealtoher.”WhileMarywasonearth,hercharitywassogreatthatshewasonthealerttohelpthe

needyevenwithoutbeingasked.WeseethisclearlyinthecaseofthemarriagefeastatCanawhensheremindedJesusofthefamily’sdistress:Theyhavenowine(Jn2:3).Sheaskedhimto perform a miracle. How quickly she always acted when there was need to relieve herneighbor!WhenshewenttothehouseofElizabethtofulfilladutyofcharity,shewentintothehillcountrywithhaste(Lk1:30).Butshecouldnotdisplayheroverflowingcharitymorefullythanshedidwhensheofferedthedeathofhersonforoursalvation.Withregardtothis,SaintBonaventuresays:“Marysolovedtheworldastogiveheronly-begottenSon.”ThisalsoinspiredSaintAnselmtoexclaim:“Oblessedamongwomen,yourpuritysurpassesthatoftheangels, and your charity that of the saints.” “And this love of Mary for us,” says SaintBonaventure,“hasnotdiminishednowthatsheis inheaven.Onthecontrary, ithasratherincreased,forsheisnowinabetterpositiontoseethemiseriesofmen.”Andtherefore,thesaintgoesontosay,themercyofMarytowardthoseindistresswhenshewasstillonearthwasprodigious,butitisfargreaternowthatshereignsinheaven.SaintAgnesassuredSaintBridgetthattherewasnoonewhoeverprayedforgracewhodidnotreceiveitthroughthecharityoftheBlessedVirgin.WewouldbeextremelyunfortunateifwedidnothaveMarytointercedeforus!Jesushimself,speakingtoSaintBridget,said:“Wereitnotfortheprayersofmymother,therewouldbenohopeofmercy.”Blessedishethatlistenstomyinstructions,whoimitatesmycharity,andpracticesthat

charity toward his neighbor, says Mary: Happy the man who obeys me … happy the manwatchingdailyatmygates,waitingatmydoorposts (Prov8:33,34).SaintGregoryNazianzenassuresusthatthereisnobetterwaytomakeMaryloveusthanbypracticingcharitytowardour neighbor. Just as Jesus exhorts us with the words:Be merciful, therefore, even as your

Fatherismerciful,soMaryseemstosaytous:“Bemerciful,evenasyourmotherismerciful.”Wemaytakeitforgrantedthatourcharitytowardourneighborwillbethemeasureby

whichGodandMarywillshowcharitytowardus:Give,anditshallbegiventoyou.…Forwithwhatmeasureyoumeasure,itshallbemeasuredtoyou(Lk6:38).SaintMethodiususedtosay:“Givetothepoorandgetparadiseinreturn.”SaintPaulmaintainsthatcharitytowardourneighbor makes us happy both in this world and in the next.Godliness is profitable in allrespects,sinceithasthepromiseofthepresentlifeaswellasofthatwhichistocome(1Tim4:8).SaintJohnChrysostomcommentingonthesewordsofProverbs:HethathasmercyonthepoorlendstotheLord(Prov19:17),says:“WhoeverhelpstheneedymakesGodhisdebtor.”OMother ofMercy, youhave everybody’swelfare at heart. Bemindful ofmy troubles.

Youknowthemverywell.RecommendmetoGod,whowillgiveyoueverything.Askhimtoletmeimitateyouinholylove,loveforGodandformyneighbor.Amen.

4MARY’SFAITH

Iamthemotheroffairlove,andoffear,andofknowledge,andofholyhope(Ecclus24:24).JustasMaryisthemotherofloveandhope,sosheisalsothemotheroffaith.SaintIrenaeussaysthatthisissoforaverygoodreason,for“theevildonebyEve’sunfaithfulnesswasremediedbyMary’s faith.” Tertullian confirms this by saying that because Eve believed the serpentagainst the warning she had received from God, she brought death into the world; butbecauseMarybelieved theangelat theAnnunciationshebroughtsalvation into theworld.Heputsitthisway:“Evebelievedtheserpent;MarybelievedGabriel.WhatEvedemolishedbyher foolishcredulity,Maryrestoredbyhergenuine faith.”SaintAugustinesays:“ItwasMary’sfaiththatopenedheaventomenwhensheagreedtocooperateintheIncarnationoftheEternalWord.”RichardofSaintLawrencecommentingonthesewordsofSaintPaulfromCorinthians:For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believingwife (1 Cor 7:14), says:“MaryisthebelievingwomanbywhosefaiththeunbelievingAdamandallhisposterityaresaved.” Itwasasa tributetoher faiththatElizabethcalledOurLady“blessed”:Blessedareyou thathasbelieved,because those things shallbeaccomplished inyou thatwerespokenby theLord(Lk1:45).AndSaintAugustineadds:“MarywasblessedmorebyreceivingthefaithofChristthanbyconceivingthefleshofChrist.”FatherSuarezsays that themostholyVirginhadmore faith thanallhumanbeingsand

angels together. She saw her son in the crib at Bethlehem and believed that he was thecreatoroftheworld.ShesawhimfleefromHerodandbelievedthathewastheKingofkings.Shesawhimborn,yetbelievedhimtobeeternal.Shesawhimpoorandinneedoffood,andbelievedthathewastheLordoftheuniverse.Shesawhimlyingonstraw,andbelievedthathewasomnipotent.Sheobservedthathedidnotspeak,andyetbelievedthathewasfilledwith infinite wisdom. She heard him cry, and believed that he was the joy of paradise.Finally, she saw him in death, despised and crucified, and even though faith wavered inothers,sheremainedfirmintheconvictionthathewasGod.CommentingonthosewordsoftheGospel:TherestoodbythecrossofJesushismother(Jn

19:25), Saint Antoninus says: “Mary stood there, supported by her faith,which she firmlyretainedinthedivinityofChrist.”Andthisisthereasonwhy,thesaintadds,inthemidstoftheTenebraeserviceonlyonecandleisleftlighted.Withreferencetothis,SaintLeoappliestoourBlessedLadythewordsofProverbs:Atnightherlampisundimmed(Prov31:18).AndwithregardtothewordsofIsaiah:Ihavetroddenthewinepressalone,and…thereisnotamanwith me (Isa 63:3), Saint Thomas remarks that the prophet says “a man,” because of theBlessedVirginwhoneverfailedinfaith.SaintAlbert theGreatassuresus:“Marydisplayedperfectfaith.Evenwhenthedisciplesdoubted,shedidnotdoubt.”Byhermagnificentfaith,therefore,Marymeritedtobecome“alighttoallthefaithful,”as

SaintMethodiuscallsher;andthe“Queenofthetruefaith,”assheiscalledbySaintCyrilofAlexandria. Holy Church herself attributes the destruction of all heresies to the merits of

Mary: “Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, for you alone have destroyed all heresies throughout theworld.”SaintThomasofVillanova,explainingthewordsoftheHolySpirit:Youhavewoundedmyheart,mysister,myspouse…withoneofyoureyes(Cant4:9),says:“TheseeyesdenotedMary’sfaith,bywhichshepleasedtheSonofGodsomuch.”SaintIldephonsusmakesapointofurgingustoimitateMary’sfaith.Buthowcanwedo

this?Faithisbothagiftandavirtue.ItisagiftofGodbecauseitisalightinfusedbyhimintooursouls;itisavirtueinasmuchasthesoulmuststrivetopracticeit.Hencefaithmustnot only be the rule of our belief, but the rule of our actions as well. That is why SaintGregorysays:“Thatmanreallybelieveswhoputswhathebelievesintopractice.”AndSaintAugustine:“Yousay‘Ibelieve.’Dowhatyousayandthenitwillbefaith.”Toliveaccordingtoourbeliefiswhatismeantbytheexpression“tohavealivingfaith.”Myjustonelivesbyfaith (Heb 10:38). The Blessed Virgin lived very differently from those who do not liveaccordingtowhattheybelieve.SaintJamesdeclared:Faithwithoutworksisdead(Jas2:26).Diogenes lighteda lanternand lookedaroundforamanonearth.ButGodseemstobe

lookingforaChristian.Amongthebaptizedonearth,therearemanywhoperformnogoodworks at all. The majority are Christians only in name. The words once addressed byAlexandertoacowardlysoldiershouldbeappliedtothesepeople:“Eitherchangeyournameor change your conduct.” FatherÁvila used to say: “Itwould be better to lock these poorcreaturesupasmadmen.Theybelievethateternalhappiness is instoreforthosewholeadgoodlivesandaneternityofmiseryforthosewholeadbadlives.Andyettheyactasiftheybelievednothing.”SaintAugustineexhortsus to lookat thingswith theeyesofChristians,thatis,witheyesthatseeeverythinginthelightoffaith.SaintTeresaoftenusedtosay:“Allsinscomefromthelackoffaith.”LetusthereforebegourBlessedLady,bythemeritofherfaith,toobtainalivingfaithforus.“OLady,increaseourfaith!”

5MARY’SHOPE

Hopeisbornoffaith.Godenlightensusbyfaithtoknowhisgoodnessandthepromiseshehasmade, thereby to risebyhope to thedesireof possessinghim.Maryhad thevirtueoffaithinthehighestdegree,andshealsohadthevirtueofhopeinthesamehighdegree.AndthisenabledhertosaywithDavid:ButitisgoodformetoadheretomyGod,toputmyhopeintheLordGod(Ps72:28).MarywasthefaithfulspouseoftheHolySpirit.Scriptureasksregardingher:Whois this

that comes up from the desert, flowingwith delights, leaning on her beloved? (Cant 8:5). SinceMaryneverreliedeitheroncreaturesoronherownmeritsbutonlyondivinegraceinwhichshehadthefullestconfidence,shecontinuallyadvancedintheloveofGod.Algrinosaidofher: “She came up from the desert, that is, from the world which she had renounced socompletely that she turned all her affections away from it. She leaned upon her belovedbecauseshedidnottrustinherownmeritsbutreliedentirelyonGod.”TheBlessedVirgingaveaclearindicationofherconfidenceinGod,firstofallwhenshe

saw the anxiety of Saint Joseph. Unable to understand the mystery of her pregnancy, hethoughtofleavingher:ButJoseph…wasmindedtoputherawayprivately(Mt1:19). It thenappearednecessary,aswehaveremarkedabove,torevealthesecrettohim.ButMarycouldnot bring herself to disclose the grace she had received. She thought it better to abandonherselftoDivineProvidenceinthefullconfidencethatGodhimselfwouldprotecther.ThisispreciselywhatCorneliusàLapidesaysinhiscommentaryonthewordsoftheGospelquotedabove:“TheBlessedVirginwasunwillingtorevealthissecrettoJoseph,lestshemightseemto be boasting of her gifts. She therefore resignedherself to the care ofGod in the fullestconfidencethathewouldguardherinnocenceandreputation.”MaryshowedconfidenceinGodagainwhensheknewthatthetimeforthebirthofOur

Lord was approaching, and when she was driven even from the lodgings of the poor inBethlehem and obliged to bring forth her child in a stable:And she laid him in a manger,becausetherewasnoroomforthemintheinn(Lk2:7).Shedidnotutterawordofcomplaint,butabandonedherselfwhollytoGod.ShealsoshowedhergreatconfidenceinDivineProvidencewhenshelearnedfromJoseph

thattheyhadtofleetoEgypt.Thatverynightshewasobligedtoundertakealongjourneytoa strangeandunknowncountry,withoutanyprovisions,withoutmoney,andaccompaniedonlybyherinfantandherpoorhusband.Hearoseandtookthechildandhismotherbynight,andwithdrewintoEgypt(Mt2:14).Sheshowedherconfidencemuchmorewhensheaskedhersonforwineatthemarriage

feastinCana.Whenshesaid:Theyhavenowine,Jesusansweredher:Whatwouldyouhavemedo,woman?Myhourhasnotyetcome(Jn2:3,4).Evenafterthisanswer,whichseemedsuchanobviousrebuff,herconfidencepromptedhertotell theservantstodowhateverhersonwouldtellthemtodo.Shewascertainthatthefavorwouldbegranted.Dowhateverhetells

you (Jn2:5).Andeveryoneknowswhathappened: Jesusordered the jars tobe filledwithwaterandthenchangedthewaterintowine.LetusthereforelearnfromMarytohaveconfidenceinGod—ineverysphereoflife—but

principally in the business of our eternal salvation. This is an affair inwhichwemust, ofcourse,cooperate.Atthesametimewemusthopeforthenecessarygracetoattaintheresult.Wemustdistrustourownstrengthandsaywith theApostle: I candoall things inhimwhostrengthensme(Phil4:13).OmostholyLady,Ecclesiasticustellsmethatyouarethemother…ofholyhope(Ecclus

24:24): andholyChurch, that youare “ourhope.”Where elseneed I look forhope?AfterJesus,youareallmyhope.ThisiswhatSaintBernardsaid,andthisiswhatIsay:“Youarethewholebasisformyhope.”AndwithSaintBonaventureIwillrepeatagainandagain:“Osalvationofallwhocalluponyou,saveme!”

6MARY’SCHASTITY

AfterthefallofAdam,man’ssensesbecamerebellioustoreason.Asaconsequence,chastityisthemostdifficultofallthevirtuestopractice.SaintAugustinesays:“Ofallinnerconflictsthe most arduous are concerned with chastity. These battles are of daily occurrence, butvictoryisrare.”1MayGodbepraisedeternally,however,because inMaryhehasgivenussuchashiningexampleofthisvirtue.“Mary is with good reason called the Virgin of virgins,” says Saint Albert the Great.

“Without the advice or example of others, shewas the first to consecrate her virginity toGod.”Inthisway,sheledtoGodallwhoimitatedhervirginity,asDavidhadforetold:Afterhershallvirginsbebrought…intothetempleoftheking(Ps44:15).Withoutadviceandwithoutanyexample!SaintBernardsays:“OVirgin,whotaughtyoutopleaseGodbyyourvirginityandtoleadanangel’slifeonearth?”SaintSophroniusreplies:“Godchoseapurevirginforhis mother, that she might be an example of chastity to everybody.” That is why SaintAmbrosecallsMary“thestandard-bearerofvirginity.”BecauseofMary’spuritytheHolySpiritdeclaredthatsheisasbeautifulastheturtledove:

Your cheeks are beautiful as the turtledove’s (Cant 1:9). “A most pure turtledove” is whatAponius calls her. For the same reason, Mary is also called a lily: As the lily among thethorns,soismyloveamongthedaughters(Cant2:2).OnthispassageDenistheCarthusianremarks:“Marywascomparedtoalilyamongthornsbecauseallothervirginswerethorns,either to themselvesor toothers;but theBlessedVirginwasnot so, either toherselfor toothers.”She inspiredeverybodywho sawherwithchaste thoughts.SaintThomasconfirmsthiswhenhesaysthatthebeautyoftheBlessedVirginincitedtochastityallwholookedather. Saint Jeromemaintains that Saint Joseph remained a virgin as a result of livingwithMary.WritingagainstthehereticHelvidiuswhodeniedMary’svirginity,SaintJeromesaid:“YousaythatMarydidnotremainavirgin.Isaythatnotonlydidsheremainavirgin,butthatevenJosephpreservedhisvirginitythroughMary.”Saint Gregory of Nyssa says that the Blessed Virgin loved chastity so much, that to

preserveitshewouldhavebeenwillingtorenounceeventhedignityofMotherofGod.Thisseemsevidentfromherreplytothearchangel:Howshallthishappen,sinceIdonotknowman?(Lk1:34).And fromthewords sheadded then:Be itdone tomeaccording toyourword (Lk1:38), signifying that shegaveher consenton thecondition that, as theangelhadassuredher,sheshouldbecomeamotheronlybytheovershadowingoftheHolySpirit.SaintAmbrosesaysthat“anyonewhopreserveschastityisanangel;anyonewholosesitis

adevil.”OurLordassuresusthatthosewhoarechastebecomeangels:They…shallbeastheangelsofGodinheaven(Mt22:30).ButtheunchastebecomehatefultoGod,likedevils.SaintRemigiususedtosaythatthemajorityofadultsarelostbythisvice.We have quoted Saint Augustine as saying that a victory is very seldom gained in this

combat.Whyisthis?Becausethemeansbywhichthevictorymaybegainedareveryseldom

used.Thesemeansarethreefold,accordingtoBellarmineandthemastersofthespirituallife:fasting,theavoidanceofdangerousoccasionsofsin,andprayer.1.Byfastingwemeanespeciallymortificationoftheeyesandtheappetite.Althoughour

BlessedLadywasfilledwithdivinegrace,sheneverthelesspracticedmortificationoftheeyes,according toSaintEpiphaniusandSaintJohnDamascene.Herglanceswerealwaysmodestand shenevergazed fixedlyat anyone.Shewas sounassuming, even fromchildhood, thateveryonewhosawherwascharmedbyherreserve.SaintLukeremarksthatwhenshewenttovisitElizabeth,shewentwithhaste(Lk1:39),inordertoavoidthepublicgaze.Philibertrelates that itwasrevealedtoahermitnamedFelix thatas farasher foodwasconcerned,whenshewasababyshetookmilkonlyonceaday.SaintGregoryofToursmaintainsthatshe fasted throughout her life. Saint Bonaventure explains this: “Mary would never havefoundsomuchgraceifshehadnotbeenmoderateinhermeals,forgraceandgluttonydonotgotogether.”Inshort,Marywasmortifiedineverything,sothatitwastruetosayofher:Myhandsdrippedwithmyrrh(Cant5:5).2.Thesecondmeansisavoidanceoftheoccasionsofsin:Hethatisawareofthesnaresshall

be secure (Prov 11:15). Saint Philip Neri coined the expression: “In thewar of the senses,cowardsconquer.”Bycowardshemeansthosewhofleefromdangerousoccasions.Maryfledasmuchaspossiblefromthegazeofmen.RememberSaintLuke’sremarkthat, ingoingtovisitElizabeth,Marywentwithhasteintothehillcountry.Oneauthorcallsattentiontothefact thatOur Lady left Elizabeth before Saint Johnwas born:AndMary remainedwith herabout threemonths and returned to her own house. Now Elizabeth’s time was fulfilled that sheshouldbedelivered,andshebroughtforthason(Lk1:56–57).WhydidMarynotwaitforSaintJohn’s birth? Because she wanted to avoid the hubbub and excitement that usuallyaccompanysuchanevent.3.Thethirdmeansisprayer.TheWiseMansaid:AndasIknewthatIcouldnototherwisebe

continentexceptGodgaveit…IwenttotheLordandbesoughthim(Wis8:21).MaryrevealedtoSaint Elizabeth ofHungary that she did not acquire any virtuewithout effort andwithoutcontinualprayer.SaintJohnDamascenecallsourImmaculateMother“aloverofpurity.”Shecannot endure thosewhoare content tobeunchaste.And if anybodyappeals toher tobedelivered from unchastity she will certainly help him. All he has to do is call upon herconfidently. The Venerable John of Ávila used to say that many have conquered impuretemptationsmerelythroughdevotiontoMaryImmaculate.OMary,mostpuredove,howmanyarenowinhellonaccountofimpurity!Mostgracious

Lady,obtainforusthegracealwaystoflytoyouinourtemptations,andalwaystoinvokeyourname,pleading:“Mary,Mary,helpus!”Amen.

7MARY’SPOVERTY

OurRedeemerchosetobepooronearth,sothatwecouldlearnfromhimtodespiseworldlythings.Beingrich,saysSaintPaul,hebecamepoorforyoursake, that throughhispovertyyoumightberich(2Cor8:9).Jesusexhortseachonewhowishestobehisdisciple:Ifthouwillbeperfect,gosellwhatyouhave,andgivetothepoor…andcome,followme(Mt19:21).Mary,hismostperfectdisciple,imitatedhisexamplemostperfectly.SaintPeterCanisius

provesthatMarycouldhavelivedincomfortonthepropertysheinheritedfromherparents,butshepreferredtoremainpoor.Retainingonlyasmallportionforherself,shedistributedtheresttotheTempleandtheneedy.ManyauthorsevenbelievethatMarymadeavowofpoverty.Perhaps thebasis for this iswhatshesaid toSaintBridget:“Fromthebeginning IvowedinmyheartthatIwouldneverpossessanythingonearth.”ThegiftsshereceivedfromthewealthyMagiweresurelynotof littlevalue.Butweare

assuredbySaintBernard that shedistributed them to thepoor through thehandsofSaintJoseph.ItisquiteclearthatMaryimmediatelydisposedofthesegiftsfromthefactthatatherpurificationintheTempleshedidnotofferalamb,aswasprescribedinLeviticusforthosewhocouldaffordit(Lev12:6),buttwoturtledovesortwopigeons,whichwastheofferingprescribedforthepoor(Lk2:24).MarytoldSaintBridget:“IgavetothepoorallthatIcould,andonlykeptalittlefoodandclothingformyself.”BecauseofherloveofpovertyshewaswillingtomarrySaintJosephwhowasonlyapoor

carpenter.Shehelpedmaintainthefamilybyworkingwithherhands,byspinningorsewing,asSaintBonaventureassuresus.TheangeltoldSaintBridgetthat“worldlyricheswereofnomorevalueinMary’seyesthandirt.”Shealwayslivedpoor,andshediedpoor.MetaphrastesandNicephorustellusthatatherdeathsheleftnothingexcepttwosimpledresses.Sheleftthesetothetwowomenwhohadservedherduringthelateryearsofherlife.SaintPhilipNeriused tosay that“noonewho loves thebaublesof theworldwillever

become a saint.”Wemay add that Saint Teresa said on the same subject: “It follows thatanyone who chases after perishable things is in danger of perishing himself.” But, on theotherhand,sheaddsthatthevirtueofpovertyisatreasurethatcomprisesinitselfallothertreasures. She says the “virtueof poverty,” for as SaintBernard remarks, povertydoesnotconsistmerelyinbeingpoor,butinlovingpoverty.ThereforeJesusChristsaid:Blessedarethepoorinspirit,fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven(Mt5:3).SuchpersonsareblessedbecausetheydonotdesireanythingbutGodandfindeverythinginGod.Povertyforthemisparadiseonearth.ThisiswhatSaintFrancismeantwhenheexclaimed:“MyGodandmyall.”Letusthen,asSaintAugustineexhortsus,“lovethatonegoodinwhichallgoodthings

arefound.”LetusaddressOurLordinthewordsofSaintIgnatius:“Givemeonlyyourloveandyourgrace, and I shall be richenough.” “Whenwehave to suffer frompoverty,” saysSaintBonaventure,“letusconsoleourselveswiththethoughtthatJesusandhismotherwerealsopoorlikeourselves.”

MostholyMother,youhadgoodreasontosaythatyourwholejoywasinGod:AndmyspirithasrejoicedinGodmySavior.InthisworldyoudesiredandlovednothingbutGod.Drawme…afteryou(Cant1:3).OLady,detachmefromtheworld,thatImaylovehimalone,whoalonedeservestobeloved.Amen.

8MARY’SOBEDIENCE

Marylovedobediencesomuchthatwhentheangelmadehisastonishingannouncement,shechoseinresponsetocallherselfmerelyaservant:BeholdthehandmaidoftheLord(Lk1:38).AccordingtoSaintThomasofVillanova,“thisfaithfulservantneveropposedthewillofherMaster in thought, word, or deed. Completely despoiled of anywill of her own she livedalwaysandinallthingsobedienttothewillofGod.”SheherselfmadeitknownthatGodwaspleasedwith her obedience, for she said:He has regarded the humility of his handmaid (Lk1:48).Thehumilityof a servant consistsprecisely inawillingness toobeypromptly. SaintIrenaeussaysthatbyherobedienceMaryrepairedtheevildonebyEve’sdisobedience:“AsEvebyherdisobediencecausedherowndeathandthatoftheentirehumanrace,soMarybyherobediencebecamethecauseofherownsalvationandthatofallmankind.”Mary’sobediencewasmuchmoreperfectthanthatoftheothersaints.Allothermenare

pronetoevilandfinditdifficulttodogoodbecauseoforiginalsin;butnotsoMary.SaintBernardinewritesthatbecauseMarywasfreefromoriginalsin,shedidnotfinditdifficulttoobeyGod.“Shewaslikeawheel,”hesays,“whichwaseasilyturnedbyeveryinspirationoftheHolySpirit.HeronlyobjectintheworldwastokeephereyesconstantlyfixedonGod,tolearnhiswill,andthentoperformit.”TheCanticlesreferthissayingtoher:Mysoulmeltedwhen[myBeloved]spoke(Cant5:6).AsRichardofSaintLawrenceexplainsit:“Mysoulwasasmetal,liquefiedbythefireoflove,readytobemoldedintoanyform,accordingtoGod’swill.”Mary proved her love for obedience first of all when, to please God, she obeyed the

Romanemperorandundertook the long journey toBethlehem. Itwaswinter.Thedistancewasseventymiles.Marywaspregnantandsopoorthatshehadtogivebirthtohersoninastable.ShewasequallyobedientwhensheundertookontheverysamenightthatSaintJoseph

suggested it, the longer andmore difficult journey to Egypt. TheCarmelite Father SilveiraaskswhythecommandtofleetoEgyptwasgiventoSaintJosephratherthantotheBlessedVirginsinceshewastosufferthemostfromit?Andheanswers:“SothatMarymightnotbedeprivedoftheopportunitytoperformanactofobedience,forwhichshewasalwaysmostready.”OurBlessedLadyshowedherheroicobedienceaboveallwhen,inconformitywithGod’s

will,sheofferedhersontodeath.Andthiswithsuchperfectabandonment,asSaintAnselmandSaintAntoninusremark,thathadtherebeennoexecutionerswaitingforhimonCalvary,sheherselfwouldhavebeenreadytocrucifyhim.VenerableBedeexplainsOurLord’sanswertothewomanintheGospelwhoexclaimed:Blessedisthewombthatboreyou…Rather,blessedare theywho hear theword ofGod and keep it (Lk 11:27, 28).He says thatMarywas veryblessedbybeingtheMotherofGod,butwasevenmoreblessedbyalwayslovingandobeyinghisdivinewill.

Forthisreason,allwholoveobediencearehighlypleasingtoourBlessedLady.Sheonceappeared to a Franciscan friar named Accorso, who was in his cell.WhileMary was stillthere,obediencerequiredthathegotoheartheconfessionofasickperson.Hewent,andonhisreturnfoundthatMaryhadwaitedforhim.Shecommendedhimhighlyforhisobedience.Ontheotherhand,shecensuredanotherreligiouswhohadremainedtofinishsomeprivatedevotionsaftertherefectorybellhadrung.Mary once spoke to Saint Bridget about the confidencewithwhich one ought to obey

one’sspiritualdirector,andsaid:“Itisobediencethatbringschosensoulstoglory.”AsSaintPhilipNeriusedtosay:“Goddemandsnoaccountingofthingsdonebyobedience,sincehehimselfsaid:Hewhohearsyouhearsme,andhewhorejectsyourejectsme(Lk10:16).”Maryrevealed toSaintBridget that itwas through themerit ofherobedience that sheobtainedsuchgreatpowerthatnosinnerwhoappealedtoherwithadesiretomendhiswayswouldfailtoobtainpardon,howevergreathiscrimes.MostsweetQueenandMother,intercedewithJesusforus.Bythemeritofyourobedience

obtain that we may be faithful in obeying God’s will and the injunctions of our spiritualguides.Amen.

9MARY’SPATIENCE

Sincetheworldisaplaceofmeriting,itisrightlycalledavalleyoftears.Weareplacedheretosuffer,sothatbypatiencewemaybringourownsoulstolifeeternal,asOurLordhimselfsays:Byyourpatienceyouwillwinyoursouls(Lk21:19).GodgaveustheBlessedVirginasamodel of all virtues. But particularly as a model of patience. Saint Francis de SalescommentingonthemarriagefeastatCana,remarksthatitwaspreciselyforthisreasonthatOur Lord’s answer to the Blessed Virgin seemed to pay but little attention to her request:Woman, what is that to you and tome? (Jn 2:4). He did this to give us an example of hismother’spatience.Butwhydowehavetolookforexamples?Mary’swholelifewasonecontinualexerciseof

patience. The angel said to Saint Bridget: “As a rose grows up among thorns, so did theBlessed Virgin grow up among tribulations.” Her compassion for the sufferings of theRedeemerwasenoughinitselftomakeheramartyrofpatience.SaintBonaventuresays:“AcrucifiedMother conceived a crucified Son.” In speaking of her sorrows,we have alreadymentionedhowmuchshesufferedduringherjourneytoEgyptandduringherstaythere,aswellasduringthetimeshespentwithhersoninthehouseatNazareth.ButwhatMaryhadtoendurewhenher sonwascrucifiedonCalvary isenough in itself to showhowconstantand steadfast her patience was: There stood by the cross of Jesus his mother. It was then,accordingtoSaintAlberttheGreat,thatshebroughtusforthtothelifeofgrace.IfthenwewishtobechildrenofMary,wemuststrivetoimitateherpatience.“Whatcan

enrichuswith greatermerit in this life,” asks SaintCyprian, “orwith greater glory in thenext,thanthepatientenduranceofsufferings?”DivineWisdomsaid,bytheprophetOsee:Iwill hedge in her way with thorns (Osee 2:6). Saint Gregory adds: “The way of the elect ishedgedwiththorns.”Asahedgeofthornsprotectsavineyard,soGodprotectshisservantsfromattachingthemselvestotheearthbysurroundingthemwithtribulations.SaintCyprianconcludes,therefore,thatitispatiencethatdeliversusfromsinandhell.Itisalsopatiencethatproducessaints:Letpatiencehaveitsperfectwork(Jas1:4).Patient

soulsbear inpeacenotonly thecrosses thatcome immediately fromGod,suchassicknessandpoverty, but also those that come frommen—persecution, injuries, and the like. SaintJohn sawall the saints carryingpalmbranches, theemblemofmartyrdom, in theirhands:AfterthisIsawagreatmultitude…andpalmswereintheirhands(Apoc7:9).Thismeantthatalladultswhoaresavedmustbemartyrsinsomesense,eitherthroughsheddingtheirbloodfor Christ or through the practice of patience. Saint Gregory urges us to take courage,maintainingthat“wecanbemartyrswithouttheexecutioner’ssword,bymerelypreservingpatience.”“Provided,ofcourse,”addsSaintBernard,“thatweendurethetrialsofthislifenotonlypatientlybutwillinglyandwith joy.”What fruit everypainborne forGod’s sakewillproduce forus inheaven!TheApostleencouragesus, saying:Forourpresent lightaffliction,whichisforthemoment,preparesforusaneternalweightofglory(2Cor4:17).

Saint Teresa’s reflections on this subject are beautiful. She used to say: “Those whoembrace thecrossdonot feel it.”Andagain:“Oncewehavemadeupourminds tosuffer,thereisnomorepain.”Whenourcrossesweighheavilyuponus,letushaverecoursetoMarywhomHolyChurchcalls“comforteroftheafflicted,”andwhomSaintJohnDamascenecalls“theremedyforallthesorrowsoftheheart.”OmysweetLady,youwhowereinnocentenduredsufferingwithsomuchpatience.Why

doI,whodeservehell,refusetosufferatall?Mymother,Inowaskyouforthisfavor—nottobedeliveredfromcrosses,buttobearthemmorepatiently.FortheloveofJesus,IbegyoutoobtainatleastthisgracefromGod.Iconfidentlyhopeforthisfromyou.

10MARY’SSPIRITOFPRAYER

No other soul on earth ever practiced so perfectly as the Blessed Virgin the great lessontaughtbyourSaviorthatwemustalwayspray,andnotloseheart(Lk18:1).Noonecangiveusabetterexample,saysSaintBonaventure,ofhownecessaryitistopersevereinprayer.SaintAlberttheGreatassertsthat,afterJesusChrist,ourBlessedLadyexcelledallsoulswhoeverexistedoreverwillexist inherspiritofprayer.Herprayerwascontinualandpersevering.Fromtheveryfirstmomentthatshehadtheuseofreason(whichwas,aswehavesaidinthediscourseonherNativity,thefirstmomentofherexistence)shebegantopray.Sothatshecould devote herself still more to this pious practice, she retired into the solitude of theTemple when she was only three years old. There, as she revealed to Saint Elizabeth ofHungary,inadditiontotheotherhourssetasideforprayershealwaysroseatmidnightandwentbeforethealtartoofferherpetitionstoGod.Laterinlife(aswelearnfromOdilo),soastomeditatemoreferventlyonthesufferingsofJesus,shefrequentlyvisitedtheplacesofOurLord’snativity,passion,andburial.Moreover,sheprayedwiththemostcompleterecollectionofspirit,freefromeverydistractionandinordinateaffection.Nordidanyexterioroccupationeverinterferewiththelightofherunceasingcontemplation,asDenistheCarthusianassuresus.Becauseofher loveofprayer,Marywassoenamoredofsolitudethat,asshe toldSaint

Bridget,when she lived in theTemple sheavoidedassociationevenwithherownparents.SaintJeromecommentsonthewordsoftheprophetIsaiah:Thevirginshallbewithchildandshallbeara son,and shallnamehimEmmanuel (Isa7:14).He says that inHebrew theword“virgin”properlymeansa“retiredvirgin.”SoweseethattheprophetevenforetoldtheloveMarywouldhaveforsolitude.RichardofSaintLawrencesaysthattheangeladdressedherinthesewords:TheLordiswithyou,becauseofhergreatloveforseclusion.ThatiswhySaintVincentFerrermaintainsthatMary“leftherhouseonlytogototheTemple,andthatwhenshedidsoherdemeanorwasmodestandshekepthereyescastdown.”Forthesamereason,whenshewenttovisitSaintElizabethshewentwithhaste.ThispromptedSaintAmbrose toadmonishvirginstoavoidtheworldandpublicappearancesasmuchaspossible.SaintBernardclaimsthatitwasMary’sloveofprayerandsolitudethatpromptedher“to

avoidthesocietyofmenanduselessconversationwiththem.”TheHolySpiritcalledheraturtledove:Your cheeksare asbeautiful as the turtledove’s (Cant 1:9). According toVergello,thisisareferencetoMary’sloveofseclusionandherspiritofrecollection.Turtledoveswereknown to seek solitude and to flee from association with other birds. Mary lived such aretiredlifeintheworldthatthewordsofCanticlesapplytoher:Whoisshethatgoesupbythedesert,asapillarofsmoke?(Cant3:6).Commentingonthesewords,theAbbotRupertsays:“Youcameupasfromadesert,becauseyouhadasoulthatlovedsolitude.”Philoassuresusthat“Godonlyspeakstosoulsinsolitude.”HolyWritsaysthesamething

in the prophecy of Osee: I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart (Osee 2:14).

“Happy solitude!” exclaims Saint Jerome, “where God converses familiarlywith his own.”“Yes,”saysSaintBernard,“solitudeandsilenceforcethesoulto leavethethoughtofearthbehindandtomeditateonheavenlythings.”MostholyVirgin,helpustoloveprayerandretirement,sothatwemaydetachourselves

fromtheloveofcreaturesandmayaspireonlytoGodandheavenwherewehopeonedaytosee you, to praise you, and to love you, togetherwith Jesus, your son, for ever and ever.Amen.Comeover tome,allyouthatdesireme,andbefilledwithmyfruits(Ecclus24:26).Mary’s

fruitsarehervirtues.“Therehasneverbeenanyonelikeyou,norshallthereeverbe.Youaloneofallwomen,

withoutanyrival,havepleasedtheLord”(Sedulius).

PARTVI

PRACTICESOFDEVOTIONINHONOROFTHEBLESSEDVIRGINMARY

The Queen of Heaven is so gracious and generous, says Saint Andrew of Crete, that sherewardsmagnificentlyeventhemosttriflingtributesofouraffection.Therearehowevertwoconditionsthatmustbefulfilled:thefirstisthatwhenwehonor

herwemustdosowithasoulfreefromsin.Otherwise,shewillsaytouswhatshesaidtoareprobatesoldiermentionedbySaintPeterCelestine.Despitehiscrimes,thissoldierusedtoperform some devotion in honor of Mary every day. One day, when he was particularlyhungry,OurLadyappearedtohimandofferedhimsomedeliciousfood,butinsuchafilthydishthathecouldnotbringhimselftotasteit.“IamtheMotherofGod,”theBlessedVirginsaid,“andIhavecometosatisfyyourhunger.”“ButIcannoteatfromsuchadirtydish,”hesaid.“Thenhowcanyouexpectmetoacceptyourdevotionswhenyouofferthemtomewithsuchadefiled soul?” repliedMary.Whenheheard this, the soldierhadachangeofheart,becameahermit,andlivedinadesertforthirtyyears.Athisdeath,theBlessedVirginagainappearedtohimandtookhimtoherselfinheaven.Earlier in thiswork,wesaid that itwasmorally impossible fora servantofMary tobe

lost.Butthismustbeunderstood,ofcourse,onconditionthatheeitherliveswithoutsinor,attheveryleast,dieswithadesiretoabandonsin.ThentheBlessedVirginwillhelphim.Butifontheotherhand,anyoneshouldsininthehopethatMarywillsavehimanyway,Marywouldbeunabletohelphimandheatthesametimewouldbemakinghimselfunworthyofherprotection.Thesecondcondition isperseverance indevotiontoMary. It isperseverance,saysSaint

Bernard,thatmeritsthecrown.WhenThomasàKempiswasayoungmanheusedtopracticedevotiontotheBlessedVirgineverydayandofferhercertainprayers.Onedayheomittedthem.Thenheomittedthemforsomeweeks.Finallyhegavethemupaltogether.OnenighthesawMaryinadream.Sheembracedallhiscompanions,butwhenhisturncameshesaid:“Whatdoyouexpectmetodowhenyouhavegivenupyourdevotions?Youdonotdeserveanymarksofaffectionfromme.”Thomaswokeupinalarmandfromthattimeonresumedhisusualprayers.RichardofSaintLawrencewithgoodreasonsaysthat“anyonewhoperseveresindevotion

toMarywillberewardedforhisconfidenceandwillobtaineverythinghewishes.”Butsincenoonecanbecertainofthisperseverance,noonecanbecertainofsalvationbeforedeath.TheadvicegivenbySaintJohnBerchmansdeservesourparticularattention.Whenthisholyyoungmanlaydying,hiscompanionsbeggedhim,beforeheleftthisworld,totellthemwhatdevotiontheycouldperformthatwouldbemostpleasingtoOurBlessedLady.Hegavethisremarkableanswer:“Performanydevotionwhatever,nomatterhowsmall,providedyoudoitregularly.”IshallnowenumerateinafewsimplewordsvariousdevotionswecanofferOurBlessed

Lady to obtain her favor. I consider this the most useful part of my work. But I am notrecommending,dearreader,thatyoupracticethemall.Choosetheonesthatpleaseyoumostandpracticethemconstantly.Donotomitthem,foryoumaylosetheprotectionofOurLady.HowmanytherearenowinhellwhomighthavebeensavediftheyhadonlyperseveredinthedevotionstheyoncepracticedinhonorofMary!

1THEHAILMARY

This“angelicsalutation,”asitiscalled,isverypleasingtotheBlessedVirgin.Whenevershehearsit,itseemstorenewinherthejoyfeltwhenSaintGabrielannouncedthatshewastobetheMotherofGod.ThatiswhyweshouldfrequentlyrecitetheHailMary.“Greetherwiththe angelic salutation,” says Thomas à Kempis, “for itmakes her very happy to hear thatprayer.”OurLadyrevealedtoSaintMatildathatnoonecouldgreetherinamorepleasingwaythanbyrecitingtheHailMary.ThosewhogreetMarywillalsobegreetedbyher.SaintBernardonceheardastatueof

Maryaddresshimwiththewords:“Hail,Bernard.”Mary’sgreeting,saysSaintBonaventure,willalwaystaketheformofsomegracecorrespondingtotheneedsofthepersonwhogreetsher:“Shegladlysalutesuswithgrace,ifwejoyfullysaluteherwiththeHailMary.”RichardofSaintLawrenceadds:“IfwegreettheMotherofOurLordandsay‘Hail,Mary,’shecannotrefusethegraceweask.”MaryherselfpromisedSaintGertrudeasmanygracesatdeathasshehadsaidHailMarys.BlessedAlanusmaintains that“justasallheavenrejoiceswhenaHailMaryissaidsothedevilstrembleandflee.”ThomasàKempisreportsthatthisissoonthe basis of his own experience. He says that one day a devil appeared to him but fledinstantlywhenheheardtheHailMary.Wecanpracticethisdevotioninthefollowingways:

1.Everymorningwhenweriseandeveryeveningwhenweretire,weoughttosaythreeHail Marys either in a prostrate position, or at least kneeling. To each Hail Mary weshouldaddthefollowingshortprayer:“ByvirtueofyourImmaculateConception,OMary,makemybodypure andmy soulholy.”1Then, likeSaint Stanislaus,we shouldask forMary’s blessing, since she is our Mother. Placing ourselves under her protection, weshouldimplorehertoguardusfromsinduringthecomingdayornight.Forthispurpose,itisadvisabletohaveapictureoftheBlessedVirginnearourbed.

2.WecansaytheAngeluswiththeusualthreeHailMarysinthemorning,atnoon,andintheevening.PopeJohnXXIIwas the first tograntan indulgence for thisdevotion.Theoccasionwas as follows, according to Father Crasset: A criminalwas condemned to beburntaliveonthevigiloftheAnnunciation.WhenherecitedtheHailMaryinthemidstoftheflames,bothheandhisclothesremainedcompletelyunscathed.In1724,BenedictXIII granted a hundred days’ indulgence to allwho recited the Angelus, and a plenaryindulgenceonceamonthtothosewhoduringthattimehavereciteditdailyasabove,onconditionofgoingtoconfessionandreceivingholyCommunionandprayingfortheusualintentions.2

Formerly,everybodyusedtokneelatthesoundofthebelltosaytheAngelus,butatthe present time there are some who are ashamed to do so. Saint Charles Borromeo

howeverwasnotashamedtoleavehiscarriageorgetoffhishorsetorecitetheAngelusinthestreet,andsometimeseveninthemud.There is a story that once there was a lazy religious who neglected to kneel down

whenheheardtheAngelusbellring.Thenhesawthebelfryitselfbendoverthreetimesandavoicesaid tohim:“Willyounotdowhateven inanimatecreaturesdo?”HerewemustmentionthatBenedictXIVdirectedthatduringthepaschaltime, insteadofsayingtheAngelusweshouldsay theReginaCoeli:and thatonSaturdayevenings,andalldaySunday,theAngelusshouldbesaidstanding.3. It iswell togreetOurLadywithaHailMarywheneverwehear theclock strike.

SaintAlphonsusRodriguezusedtosalutehereveryhour,andatnightangelsawokehimsothathewouldnotomitthisdevotion.

4.Wheneverweleavethehouseorreturn,wecangreetMarywithaHailMary,sothatshewillpreserveusfromsinbothathomeandwhileweareaway.Wemightalsokissherfeetinspiriteachtime,astheCarthusianFathersdo.

5.We should reverence every statue ofMarywe pass by, saying aHailMary. For thispurpose,thosewhocanaffordtodososhouldhaveastatueoftheBlessedVirginintheirhomes,sothatallwhocometheremayvenerateher.InNaples,andstillmoreinRome,therearebeautiful imagesofourBlessedLadywhichhavebeenplacedinthestreetsbyMary’sdevotedclients.

6.HolyChurchhasordainedthattheCanonicalHoursoftheDivineOfficeshallbeginandendwithaHailMary.3Wemaythereforeverywellimitateherbybeginningandendingall our actions with a Hail Mary. I say all our actions, whether spiritual—like prayer,confession,communion,spiritualreading,hearingsermons,andsoon;ortemporal—likestudy,givingadvice,working,eating,goingtobed,andsoon.Verymeritoriousare theacts that are enclosed within two Hail Marys. We should do this on waking in themorning, on closing our eyes before going to sleep, whenever we are tempted, or indanger, or inclined tobeangry, and soon.On suchoccasions,we shouldalways sayaHailMary.Mydearreader,dothisandyouwillseewhatimmenseadvantageswillcometoyou.

FatherAuriemmarelatesthattheBlessedVirginpromisedSaintMatildaahappydeathifsherecitedthreeHailMaryseverydayinhonorofherpower,wisdom,andgoodness.OurLadyherselfrevealedtoSaintJaneFrancesdeChantalhowpleasingtheHailMaryistoher,especiallywhenitisrecitedtentimesinhonorofhertenvirtues.

2NOVENAS

SoulsdevotedtoMarylovetocelebratehernovenas;thatis,theninedaysprecedingoneofherfeasts.Maryrewardsthemforthis,andgivestheminnumerablespecialgracesontheseoccasions.OnedaySaintGertrudesawunderMary’smantleabandofsoulswhomthegreatLadywasprotectingwithgreataffection.Shewasgiventounderstandthattheywerepersonswho,duringtheprecedingdays,hadpreparedthemselveswithvariousdevotionsforthefeastoftheAssumption.Thefollowingaresomeofthedevotionsthatcanbeusedduringnovenas:

1.Wemayengageinmentalprayerinthemorningandintheevening,andvisittheBlessedSacrament,addingninetimestheOurFather,HailMary,andGloryBetotheFather.

2.Wemaypayadailyvisit(orthreevisits)toapictureorshrineofMaryandthankOurLordfor thegraceshehasgrantedher.Ateachvisit,weshouldask theBlessedVirgin forsomespecialgrace.Ononeofthosevisitswemightwellrecitetheprayerthatisfoundattheendofthediscourseforthatparticularfeast.

3.WemaymakemanyactsoflovetoMary(atleastfiftyorahundred),andalsotoJesus.Wecan do nothing that pleases Mary more than loving her son, as she herself said to SaintBridget:“Ifyouwishtogainfavorwithme,lovemySon.”

4.Everydayduringthenovenawemightreadforaquarterofanhoursomebookthattreatsofherglories.

5. We may perform some external act of mortification, such as wearing a haircloth, orperformingsomeotherpenanceofthiskind.Wemayalsofast,orabstainfromafavoritedishatmeals,orat least takea little less,oreventakesomethingbitterorunpleasantwithourfood.On the vigil of the feast,wemight even fast on bread andwater. But none of thesethingsshouldbedonewithoutthepermissionofourconfessor.Interiormortifications,however,arethebestofall.Forexample,wemayavoidlookingat

orlisteningtothingsoutofmerecuriosity;wemayremaininseclusion;keepsilence;makeaparticular point of being obedient; try to be patient with our answers; put up withcontradictions,andthelike.Allthesethingswecanpracticewithlessdangerofvanityandwithgreatermerit.Besides,itisnotnecessarytohaveourconfessor’sapprovalbeforehand.Themostusefulpracticeistomakeupourmindsatthebeginningofanovenatocorrect

somefaultwehavebeenaccustomedtocommit.Withthisintentioninmind,eachtimethatwemakeoneofthevisitsmentionedabove,wecanaskpardonforoursinsofthepast,renew

our resolution not to commit them in the future, and imploreMary’s help in keeping ourresolve.The devotion dearest to the heart ofMary is the determination to imitate her virtues.

Therefore it iswell to try to imitate some special virtueofhers corresponding to the feastbeingcelebrated.Forexample,onthefeastoftheImmaculateConception,purityofintention;on her Nativity, a renewal of the spiritual life and the rejection of lukewarmness; on herPresentation, detachment from something of which we are particularly fond; on herAnnunciation,humilityandpatienceinputtingupwithcontempt;onherVisitation,charitytowardourneighbor,almsgiving,oratleastprayerforsinners;onherPurification,obedienceto superiors; and finally, on her Assumption, detachment from the world, coupled with adiligentpreparationfordeathandaresolvetoliveeachdayofourlifeasifitweretobethelast.Novenasmadeinthiswaycanbeofgreatprofittothesoul.

6. Besides going to holy Communion on the day of the feast, itwould bewell to ask ourconfessorforpermissiontogomorefrequentlyduringthenovena.4FatherSegneriusedtosaythatwe cannot honorMary in any betterway thanwith and through Jesus.Mary herselfrevealed to a holy soul, according to Father Crasset, that we can offer her nothing morepleasingthanholyCommunion;forinthatsacramentJesusgathersthefruitsofhisPassioninoursouls.ItisquiteevidentthenthattheBlessedVirgindesiresnothingmorethanthatwereceiveholyCommunion frequently.Shesays tous:Come, eatmybread,anddrink thewinewhichIhavemingledforyou(Prov9:5).

7.Finallyonthefeastitself,afterholyCommunion,weshouldofferourselvestotheserviceof our BlessedMother and ask her for the grace to practice the virtuewe have asked forduringthenovena,orforwhateverspecialgracewemayneed.Itiswelleachyeartochooseone of her feasts for which we have a special devotion, and to make a very specialpreparation for thisonebydedicatingourselvesagain toherservice inaveryspecialway,proclaimingagainthatwechooseherasOurLady,ouradvocate,andourmother.Thenletusask her to pardon all our failings of the past year, and promise to serve herwith greaterfidelityinthefuture.Finally,letusconcludebybegginghertoreceiveusasherservantsandtoobtainaholydeathforus.

3THEROSARYANDTHEOFFICEOFOURBLESSEDLADY

ItiswellknownthatthedevotionoftherosarywasrevealedtoSaintDominicbytheBlessedMotherherself.ThisoccurredatatimewhenthesaintwastroubledandbemoaningtoOurLady the fact that theAlbigensianhereticsweredoingagreatdealofharmto theChurch.TheBlessedVirginsaidtohim:“Thislandwillalwaysbesterileuntilrainfallsonit.”SaintDominicwasthengiventounderstandthatthisrainwouldbedevotiontotherosary,whichhewastopropagate.Thisheproceededtodo,preachingthenewdevotioneverywhereuntilitwasembracedbyCatholicsallovertheworld.Sosuccessfulwashethat,eventoday,thereisnodevotionmorewidelypracticedbythefaithfulofallclassesthantherecitationoftherosary.Whatistherethatheretics—Calvin,Bucer,andothers—havenotsaidtodiscredittheuseofthebeads?Buttheextraordinarygoodthatthispreciousdevotionhasbroughttotheworld is toowell known.Howmany souls have been delivered from sin bymeans of therosary!Howmanyhavebeenconvertedtoaholylife;howmanyhavediedagooddeathandarenowsaved!Tobeconvincedofthis,allwehavetodoisreadanyofthenumerousbooksonthesubject.It is enough toknow that thisdevotionhasbeenapprovedby theChurchand that the

sovereign pontiffs have enriched it with many indulgences. Principal among these is theplenary indulgencewhichmaybegainedwhen the rosary is recited in thepresenceof theBlessedSacrament,eitherexposedorinthetabernacle,providedonegoestoconfessionandreceivesholyCommunion.5

Therosaryshouldberecitedasdevoutlyaspossible.Andherewemaycalltomindwhatthe BlessedVirgin said to Saint Eulalia: that shewasmore pleasedwith five decades saidslowlyanddevoutlythanwithfifteensaidinahurryandwithlittledevotion.Itiswelltosaytherosarykneeling,beforeanimageoftheBlessedVirgin;andbeforeeachdecade,tomakeanactoflovetoJesusandMary,andtoaskthemforsomespecialgrace.Itisalsopreferabletosayitwithothersratherthanalone.The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin is said to have been composed by Saint Peter

Damian.6Manyindulgenceshavebeengrantedtothosewhoreciteit,andtheBlessedVirginhasshownmanytimeshowpleasingthisdevotionistoher.ThisisbroughtoutespeciallyinthelittleworkbyFatherAuriemma.Mary likewise is verymuchhonoredwhenwe recite theLitanyof Loretowhich is also

indulgenced.ThehymnAveMarisStellapleaseshertoo.SherecommendedthatSaintBridgetrecite it every day. The canticleMagnificat is very dear to her because these are the verywordssheherselfusedtopraiseGod.

4FASTING

ManywhoaredevotedtoMaryhonorherbyfastingonbreadandwateronSaturdaysandthevigilsofherfeasts.HolyChurchdedicatesSaturdaytotheBlessedVirginbecause,asSaintBernardsays,on

thedayafterthedeathofhersonsheremainedsteadfastinherfaith.Thatiswhywehonorheronthatdaybysomeparticulardevotion.Forexample,wemayfastonbreadandwater,as Saint Charles Borromeo, Cardinal Toledo, and many others did. Nithard, Bishop ofBamberg,andFatherJosephArriaga,S.J.,preferredtoeatnothingatallonSaturday.FatherAuriemmadescribesinhis littlebookmanyofthegracestheMotherofGodhad

dispensed to thosewho follow thispractice.Oneexamplewill suffice:Therewasa famousleaderofabandofrobberswhodidnotdiewhenhisheadwascutoffbutremainedlivinguntil he could make his confession because the poor man was in a state of sin. Afterconfession,heannouncedthattheBlessedVirginhadgrantedthisgreatfavorbecauseofthisdevotion.Thenheexpired.ItwouldnotbeaverygreatburdenforonewhoclaimstohaveaspecialdevotiontoMary

toofferherthisfastonSaturdays,particularlyifhehasalreadydeservedhellonaccountofhissins.Imaintainthatthosewhofollowthispracticecanhardlybelost.Idonotmeantosay, of course, that if they reach the point of death inmortal sin the Blessed Virgin willdeliverthembyamiracle,asshedidthebandit.Theseareprodigiesofdivinemercywhichoccurvery rarely,and itwouldbe theheightof folly toexpecteternal salvationbymeanssuchas these.But Idomaintain thatMarywillmakeperseverance inGod’sgraceeasy forthosewhopracticethisdevotion,andwillobtainagooddeathforthem.AllthemembersofourhumbleCongregation,whoareabletodoso,practicethisdevotion.Isaythosewhoareable to do so. For if health does not permit it, we should at least content ourselves withsomethinglessonSaturday,orobserveanordinaryfast,orabstainfromfruit,orsomethingthatweparticularlylike.All the faithful should try to practice some special devotion to the Mother of God on

Saturday, such as receiving holy Communion, hearingMass, visiting a shrine dedicated toMary, wearing a haircloth or something of that sort. On the vigils of her seven principalfeasts,theycouldprofitablymaketheattempttofast,ortodowhatevertheirhealthallows.

5VISITINGMARY’SSHRINES

FatherSegnerisaysthatthedevilcouldthinkofnobetterwaytomakegoodhislossesfromthedestructionofidolatrythanbygoadingthehereticsontoattacksacredimages.ButHolyChurch has defended images evenwith the blood ofmartyrs. And the BlessedMother hasprovedbymiracleshowpleasingtoherarevisitspaidtohershrines.SaintJohnDamascenehadhishandcutofffordaringtodefendtheiconsofMarybyhis

writings, but Our Lady miraculously restored it to him. Father Spinelli relates that inConstantinopleaveilcoveringapictureoftheBlessedVirginusedtodrawitselfasideeverySaturday,andthenaftervespersclosedagainofitsownaccord.TheveiloverapictureofourBlessedLadythatSaintJohnof theCrossused tovisitwasoncewithdrawnthesameway.Thesacristan,thinkingthatthesaintwasarobber,kickedhim,buthisfootatoncewithered.Lovers ofMary are fond of visiting shrines and churches dedicated in her honor. Saint

JohnDamascenecalls theseplaces“citiesofrefuge”wherewecanbesafe fromtemptationand the punishmentwehave deserved for our sins. The first thing that the Emperor SaintHenryusedtodoonenteringacitywastovisitachurchdedicatedtoMary.FatherThomasSanchezwouldneverreturnhomewithouthavingvisitedsomechurchnamedafterher.Letusthereforenotregarditastoomuchofaburdentovisitourqueeneverydayinsome

churchorchapel,oreveninourownhome,wherewecanhaveaquietplacesetasideasalittleoratory,withherstatueorpicturewhichwecankeepdecoratedwithdrapery,flowers,candles,or lights.Before it,weshould recite the litany, rosary,andotherprayers.For thispurpose, I have published a little book (which has already been reprintedmany times) ofvisitstotheBlessedSacramentaswellastotheBlessedVirgin,foreverydayinthemonth.7AdevoutclientofMarycouldalsoarrangetohaveoneofherfeastscelebratedinachurchorchapelwithgreatersolemnitythanitwouldotherwisebe—perhapsbyhavingitprecededbyanovena,withexpositionoftheBlessedSacrament,andevenwithsermons.MayIhererelateafactrecordedbyFatherSpinelliinhisbookMiraclesoftheMadonna.In

theyear1611,on thevigilofPentecost, an immensecrowdofpeoplehadgatheredat thecelebratedshrineofMaryatMontevergine.While thepeoplewereprofaningthe feastwithdances, drunkenness, and immodest acts, a fire suddenlybrokeout in thehall, and in lessthananhourandahalf thebuildingwas reduced toashesandmore than fifteenhundredpersons perished. Five people who escaped swore that they had seen the Mother of Godherselfsetfiretotheplacewithtwotorches.IimploreallloversofMary,therefore,tokeepfarawayfromsuchplacesonherfeastsand,iftheyareabletodoso,topreventothersfromgoingthere.SuchoccasionsaffordmorehonortothedevilthantheydototheBlessedVirgin.LetthosewhoaredevotedtotheBlessedMothervisithershrines,tobesure,butnotasanoccasionformerrymakingandsin.

6THESCAPULAR

Inbygonedays,theservantsoffamouspeopleweredistinguishedbythefactthattheyworetheliveryordistinctivegarboftheirmasters.TheservantsofMary,too,canbedistinguishedbythefactthattheywearherlivery,namely,herscapular,asasignthattheyhavededicatedthemselvestoherserviceandthattheyaremembersofthehouseholdoftheMotherofGod.Heretics,asarule,ridiculethisdevotion.ButHolyChurchhasapproveditbymanybullsandindulgences.FathersCrassetandLezzana,intheiraccountsofthescapularofMountCarmel,relatethatintheyear1251theBlessedVirginappearedtoSaintSimonStock,anEnglishman,and gave him the scapular, telling him that all whowore it would be saved from eternaldamnation. She said: “Receive, my son, this scapular of your Order, the badge of myconfraternity,aprivilegegrantedtoyouandtoallCarmelites.Whoeverdieswhilewearingthiswillnotsufferhell-fire.”FatherCrassetalsorelatesthatMaryappearedtoPopeJohnXXIIandcommandedhimto

makeitknownthatallwhowearthisbrownscapularwillbedeliveredfrompurgatoryontheSaturday after their death.8 He declared this in a bull which was later confirmed byAlexander V, Clement VII, and other popes. Pope Paul V, as we have already remarked,clarified thebulls of his predecessors, and set out the conditions thatmust be observed inordertogainthepromisedprivilege.Theseconditionsare:thateachoneshouldobservethechastityrequiredofhisstateoflife9andthatheshouldrecitetheLittleOfficeoftheBlessedVirgin.10Ifapersonisunabletoread,heshouldatleastobservethefastsoftheChurchandabstainfrommeatonWednesdaysandSaturdays.The indulgencesattached to thescapularofMountCarmel,aswellas thoseattached to

thescapularsoftheSevenSorrowsofOurLady,oftheBlessedTrinity,andespeciallyoftheImmaculateConception,are innumerable—bothpartialandplenary—during lifeandat thehourofdeath.Ihavemadeitapointtobeinvestedinallthesescapulars.Itisworthknowingthat the scapular of the Immaculate Conceptionwhich is blessed by the Theatine Fathers,enjoysmanyspecialindulgences.11

7CONFRATERNITIESOFOURBLESSEDLADY12

Somedisapproveofconfraternitiesbecausetheysaytheygiverisetoquarrels,andbecausemany join them for purely social reasons. But just as we do not condemn churches andsacramentsjustbecausetherearemanywhomakeawronguseofthem,soneithershouldwecondemn confraternities. The supreme pontiffs, far from condemning them, have approvedandhighlycommendedthem.Saint Francis de Sales earnestly exhorts the laity to join them. Saint Charles Borromeo

sparednopainstoestablishandincreasethenumberoftheseconfraternities.Inhissynodsheparticularly recommends that confessors urge their penitents to join them. Andwith goodreason.Forsodalities,andespeciallythoseofourBlessedLady,arelikesomanyNoah’sarks,inwhichthelaitymayfindarefugefromthedelugeoftemptationsandsinswhichinundatethe world. From our experience withmissions, we are well aware of the benefits of suchinstitutions.Asarule,apersonwhodoesnotattendthemeetingsofsomespiritualsocietycommitsmore sins than twentywho do attend them.A confraternity canwell be called atowerofDavid;athousandbucklershanguponit—alltheshieldsofvaliantmen(Cant4:4).Thereasonsuchsocietiesdosomuchgoodisthatthemembersacquiremanydefensiveweaponsagainsthell,andareprovidedwiththemeansforpreservingdivinegrace.Thosewhoarenotmembersofconfraternitiesusetheseweaponsandresourcesonlyrarely.

1.Inthefirstplace,onemeansofsalvationismeditationontheeternaltruths:Rememberyourlastend,andyoushallneversin(Ecclus7:40).Howmanypeoplearelostbecausetheyneglecttodothis!Withdesolationisallthelandmadedesolate;becausethereisnonethatconsidersintheheart(Jer12:11).Thosewhoattendthemeetingsoftheirsociety,ontheotherhand,areledto thinkof these truthsby themanymeditations, lectures,andsermons that theyhear:Mysheephearmyvoice(Jn10:27).

2.Tosaveone’ssoul,prayerisnecessary:Ask,andyoushallreceive(Jn16:24).Thisiswhatthemembersofconfraternitiesareconstantlydoing.Godhearstheirprayersmorewillinglybecausehehimselfhassaidthathegrantsgraceswillinglytoallthosewhoprayincommon:Iftwoofyoushallagreeonearthaboutanythingatallforwhichtheyask,itshallbedoneforthemby my Father (Mt 18:19). Commenting on this, Saint Ambrose says: “Many who areindividually weak become strongwhen united, and it is impossible that the prayers of somanyshouldnotbeheard.”

3.Confraternitiesarelikelytoencouragepersonstofrequentthesacraments,bothbyreasonoftherulesandbecauseoftheexamplesetbytheothermembers.Perseveranceingraceisobtainedmoreeasily.TheCouncilofTrenthasdeclaredthatholyCommunionisanantidotewhichfreesusfromdailyfaultsandpreservesusfrommortalsins.

4. Besides frequenting the sacraments, themembers of these societies also perform acts ofmortification,humility,andcharity towardsickbrethrenand toward thepoor. Itwouldbewellifthispracticeofaidingthesickandpoorwereextendedtoalltheconfraternities.Itwouldalsobeveryprofitabletointroducethecustomofhavingprivateconfraternities

ofthemoredevoutbrethreninhonoroftheBlessedMother.Iwillbrieflydescribeheretheexerciseswhichsuchgroupsareaccustomedtopractice:(1)Theymakeahalf-hour’sspiritualreading;(2)VespersandComplineoftheHolySpiritaresaidincommon;(3)ThelitaniesoftheBlessedVirginarerecited,duringwhichthemembersperformsomeactofmortification;(4) They meditate for a quarter of an hour on the Passion of Jesus Christ; (5) Each oneaccuseshimselfoftransgressionsagainsttherules,andreceivesanappropriatepenancefromthe Father Confessor; (6)One of the brethren designated for this purpose reads the list ofmortificationsperformedtheprecedingweek,andthenanannouncementismadeofcomingnovenas,andsoon.ThemeetingisclosedwithsomeformofexternalpenanceduringwhichtheMiserereandtheSalvearerecited,andtheneachmemberapproachesandkissesthefeetofourcrucifiedSavior,placedatthefootofthealtar.13

The rules could then provide that eachmember should: (1)Make somemental prayereveryday;(2)VisittheBlessedSacramentandtheBlessedVirgin;(3)Examinehisconscienceeverynight;(4)Readsomethingspirituallyedifying;(5)Avoidworldlypursuits;(6)ReceiveholyCommunionfrequentlyandperformsomeactofmortificationregularly;(7)Prayforthesoulsinpurgatoryandforsinnerseveryday;(8)Visitsomesickmembers.

5.Wehavealreadynotedhowprofitableit isforoursalvationtoservetheMotherofGod.Butwhatelsedothemembersofconfraternitiesdoexceptserveher?Theypraiseher.Theyoffer prayers to her. Members are consecrated to her service the moment they join thesociety.Theychooseherinaspecialwayastheirpatronessandprotectress.TheirnamesareinscribedinthebookofthechildrenofMary.EverymemberofaconfraternityofMarycanjustlysay:Allgoodthingstogethercometomeinhercompany(Wis7:11).

Leteachmemberhoweverpayattentiontotwothings:Firstofall, theobjectheshouldhaveinviewaboveallelseshouldbetoserveGodandhismotherMary,andtosavehisownsoul. Second, he should not allowworldly interests to interferewith his attendance at theregularmeetings.Whatisdiscussedthereisthemostimportantbusinessintheworldforhim,namely,hiseternalsalvation.Heshouldalsotrytoinduceasmanyothersashecantojointheconfraternity,andespeciallytobringbacktoactivemembershipthosewhohavelapsed.What drastic punishments the Lord has inflicted on those who have abandoned the

confraternityofourBlessedLadywithout reason!There is a story toldof aman inNapleswho did so.When he was urged to return, he answered: “I will do so whenmy legs arebroken andmy head is cut off.”Without knowing it, he hadmade a prophecy. Not longafterward,certainenemiesofhisbrokehislegsandcutoffhishead.Ontheotherhand,Marylooksafteralltheneedsofthememberswhopersevere.Allher

domesticsareclothedwithdoublegarments(Prov31:21).FatherAuriemmatellsofmanyspecialgraces granted byMary tomembers of confraternities, especially at themoment of death.Father Crasset gives the account of a youngmanwho lay dying in the year 1586.He fell

asleep,butafterwardsawokeandsaidtohisconfessor:“Father,Iwasalmostdamned,butourBlessed Lady savedme. The devils presentedmy sins beforeOur Lord’s tribunal, and theywerepreparingtodragmeofftohell.ButtheBlessedVirgincameandsaidtothem:‘Whereareyoutakingthisyoungman?Youhavenothingtodowiththisservantofminewhohasservedme so long in my confraternity.’When the devils heard this, they fled, and I wasdelivered from them.” The same author tells about anothermemberwho also had a greatbattle with hell at the hour of death. But, finally, having won the victory, he exclaimed:“WhatablessingitistobelongtoMary’sconfraternity!”Filledwithconsolation,heexpired.FatherCrassetgivesanotherexample.WhentheDukeofPopoliwasdyinginNaples,he

saidtohisson:“Son,youknowthatIattributewhatlittlegoodIhavedoneduringmylifetomembership in the confraternity. I can leave you no more valuable treasure than theconfraternityofMary.IconsidermyselfluckiertohavebeenasodalistthanDukeofPopoli.”

8ALMSGIVING

Servants of Mary are accustomed to give alms to the poor in honor of our Blessed Lady,especiallyonSaturdays.SaintGregorytellsinhisDialoguesaboutaholyshoemakernamedDeusdeditwhousedto

distributetothepooronSaturdayswhateverhehadleftofhisweek’searnings.Aprivilegedsoul once saw in a vision a gorgeous palace which God was preparing in heaven forDeusdedit,butitwasbeingbuiltonlyonSaturdays.SaintGerardtheMartyrneverrefusedanythingthatanyoneeveraskedforinthenameof

Mary.FatherMartinGuttierez,S.J., followed the samepractice,and lateradmitted thathehadneveraskedMaryforasinglegracewhichhehadnotobtained.Whenthisservantofherswas put to death by the Huguenots, Mary appeared to his companions, accompanied byvirginswho,atherdirection,wrappedhisbodyinlinenandcarrieditaway.SaintEberhard,BishopofSalzburg,alsogavealmsinhonorofOurLady,andaholymonk

oncesawhimasachild inthearmsofMarywhosaid:“This ismysonEberhard,whohasneverdeniedmeanything.”AlexanderofHales,who followed thesamepractice,wasonceaskedbyaFranciscanbrothertojointheOrderinthenameofMary.Hecompliedatonce,gaveuptheworld,andbecameafriar.LetnoservantofMarythereforethinkittoomuchofaburdentogivesomealmsevery

dayinherhonor,nomatterhowtriflingtheamount,andtoincreasethisonSaturdays.Ifhecandonothingelse,heshouldatleastperformsomecharitableactfortheloveofMary,suchasvisiting the sick,praying for sinners, or for the souls inpurgatory, and soon.WorksofmercyliketheseareverypleasingtotheheartoftheMotherofMercy.

9FREQUENTRECOURSETOMARY

NodevotionismorepleasingtoourBlessedMotherthanthatofcallinguponherinallourspecialneeds.Forexample,whenwehavetogiveoraskforadvice,orwhenwearebesetbydangers,afflictions,andtemptations,mostparticularlytemptationsagainstpurity.Marywillcertainlylistentousandhelpusifweappealtoherandrecitetheantiphon“Weflytoyourpatronage.…”;orifwerecitetheHailMary,orevenifwemerelyinvokethemostholynameofMary,whichisendowedwithspecialpoweragainstdevils.BlessedFraSanti,theFranciscan,wasoncetemptedwithanimpurethoughtandappealed

toMary.She immediatelyappeared tohim,placedherhandonhis shoulderanddeliveredhim.Itisalsousefulontheseoccasionstokissorpresstoourheartourrosaryorscapular,orto

lookatan imageof theBlessedVirgin.Andit iswell tonotethat theChurchhasenrichedwithspecialindulgencestheinvocationofthesacrednamesofJesus,Mary,andJoseph.

10OTHERPRACTICESINHONOROFMARY

1.TosayorhearMass,ortohaveMassofferedinhonoroftheBlessedVirgin.Itistruethatthe holy Sacrifice can be offered to God alone. It is offered to him principally as anacknowledgmentofhis supremedominion.But theCouncilofTrentsays that thisdoesnotpreventMassfrombeingofferedatthesametimeinthanksgivingforthegracesgrantedtothe saints and to our Blessed Mother, so that while we are mindful of them they mayintercedeforus.ThatiswhyatMasswesay:“Thatitmayavailtotheirhonor,butalsotooursalvation.”Our Blessed Lady personally revealed to a holy soul that this devotion of offering the

Mass,aswellas thesayingof theOurFather,HailMary,andGloryBe to theFather threetimes,inhonoroftheHolyTrinityandinthanksgivingforthegracesgrantedtoher,areverypleasingtoher.SincetheBlessedVirgin isunabletothankOurLordadequatelyforall thepreciousgiftshehasgivenher,sheisverygladwhenherchildrenhelphertothankGod.

2. Tohave a special devotion to the saintswho aremore closely related toMary, such asSaintJoseph,SaintJoachim,andSaintAnne.TheBlessedVirginherself recommendedtoacertainnoblemandevotiontowardhermother,SaintAnne.ItiswellalsotohonorthesaintswhoweremostdevotedtotheBlessedMother,suchasSaintJohntheEvangelist,SaintJohnthe Baptist, Saint Bernard, Saint John Damascene, the defender of her images, SaintIldephonsus,thedefenderofhervirginity,andothers.

3.EverydaytoreadsomebookthatdealswiththegloriesofMary.Alsototrytoinstillintoall,particularlythoseclosetous,adevotiontotheMotherofGod.TheBlessedVirginoncesaidtoSaintBridget:“Seetoitthatyourchildrenarealsomychildren.”ItiscommendabletoprayeverydayforthosemostdevotedtoMary,bothlivinganddead.14

Iomitmanydevotionswhichmaybe found inotherbooks,suchas thedevotionof theseven joys of Mary, of the twelve privileges of Mary, and the like. I conclude with thebeautifulwordsofSaintBernardineofSiena:“OLady,blessedamongallwomen,youarethegloryof thehumanrace, thesalvationofallourpeople.Yourmeritsare limitless,andyouhavepoweroverallcreation.YouaretheMotherofGod,thesovereignladyoftheworld,andthequeenofheaven.Youarethedispenserofallgraces,andtheornamentofHolyChurch.Youarethemodelofthejust,theconsolationofthepious,andtherootofoursalvation.Youare the joyofparadise, thegateofheaven, thegloryofGod.Wehavebeenhappy to singyourpraises.Webegyou,OMotherofMercy, tomakeupforourweakness, toexcuseourpresumption,toacceptourdevotion,toblessourlabors.Imprintyourloveintheheartsofallofus,sothatafterhavinglovedandhonoredyoursononearth,wemaywithyoupraisehimandblesshimforeverinheaven.Amen.”

PARTVII

FURTHEREXAMPLESRELATINGTOTHEBLESSEDVIRGIN1

Somepeoplepridethemselvesontheiropen-mindednessanddeclarethattheybelieveinnomiraclesexceptthoserecordedinsacredScripture.Theymaintainthatallothersarenothingbut fables and old wives’ tales. It is well, however, to remember the wise judgment of alearnedanddevoutman,FatherJeanCrasset,whosaidthatit is justaseasyforpersonsofgoodwilltobelieveinmiraclesasitisforthoseofbadwilltoscoffatthem.Itisaweakness,ofcourse, tobelieve ineverything.Bythesametoken, it isunwisetorejectmiracleswhentheyareattestedbyseriousandsensiblemen.Thissmackseitherofalackoffaith,inthatitimplies that such things are impossible to God, or of rashness, in refusing to believe thetestimonyofcrediblepersons.IfwearepreparedtobelieveaTacitusoraSuetonius,howcanwereasonably refuse tobelievecompetentand trustworthyChristianauthors?There is lessrisk,according toSaintPeterCanisius, inbelievingandacceptingasprobably truewhat isreported as such by well-meaning persons, and what serves for the edification of ourneighbor,thaninrejectingthesereportsinarashanddisdainfulway.

TESTIMONIESOFDEVOTIONTOOURLADY

1.A certainman inGermanyonce fell into a grave sin.Unwilling to confesswhathehaddonebecauseofshame,andontheotherhandunabletobearwithhisconscience,hewenttothrowhimselfintotheriver.Atthelastminute,however,heweakenedandbeggedGod,withmanytears,topardonhimwithouthavingtogotoconfession.Onenightwhilehewasasleephefeltsomeoneshakehisshoulderandheardavoicesay:“Gotoconfession.”Hewenttothechurch,butdidnot confess.Anothernightheheard the samevoice.Againhewent to thechurch,butwhenhearrivedtherehedecidedthathewouldratherdiethanconfesshissin.Before going back home, however, he recommended himself to the prayers of the BlessedVirginandkneltdowninfrontofherstatuethereinthechurch.NosoonerhadhekneltatMary’s shrine than a complete change came over him. He got up at once, rang for theconfessorand,amidmanytearsreceivedasthegiftofOurLady,madeacompleteconfession.Afterwardhe said that hehad experiencedgreaterhappiness as a result of that confessionthanifhehadbeengiventhewealthofthewholeworld.

2.Once,whileayoungnoblemanwasmakingaseavoyage,hebegantoreadanindecentbook of which he was very fond. A monk said to him: “Would you be willing to givesomething to theBlessedVirgin?”The youngman replied that hewould. “Well then,” themonk said, “tearup thisbookand throw it into the sea for the loveofMary.” “Here it is,Father,”hesaid.“No,”repliedthemonk,“IwantyoutodoityourselfasagiftofittoMary.”Hedid so.No soonerhadhe returned tohisnative cityofGenoa than theMotherofGodinflamedhisheartwithsuchfervorthathedecidedtobecomeamonkhimself.

3.Thereonce lived inRomeawickedwomannicknamedCatherine theBeautiful.OnedaysheheardSaintDominicpreachondevotiontotherosary,soshehadherselfenrolledinthesociety.Shebegantosaytherosary,butdidnotgiveupherevillife.Oneevening,ayoungnoblemancame to seeher.Shereceivedhimgraciouslyandwhile theywereatdinner shenoticed thatdropsofbloodappearedonhishandswheneverhebroke thebread.Thenshesawthatallthefoodhetouchedwasstainedwithblood.Sosheaskedhimwhatthisbloodwas.TheyoungmanrepliedthataChristianshouldnoteatanyfoodexceptthatwhichhadbeenstainedbythebloodofChristandseasonedbythememoryofhisPassion.Amazedbythisreply,sheaskedhimwhohewas.“IwillsoontellyouwhoIam,”hesaid.Whentheyhadwithdrawn to another room, the young man changed his appearance and, crowned withthornsandwithhisfleshallwounded,saidtoher:“DoyouwanttoknowwhoIam?Doyounotknowme? IamyourRedeemer.Whenwillyou stopoffendingme,Catherine?You seehowmuchIamsufferingforyou.Enoughofthis!Youhavegrievedmeenough.Changeyourwayof life.”Catherinebrokeout in tearsandJesus said toherbywayof encouragement:“Wellnow,that’sbetter.Lovemeasmuchasyouhaveoffendedme.Youhavereceivedthisgrace from me because you have said the rosary in honor of my mother.” Then hedisappeared. Catherine went the nextmorning to confess her sins to Saint Dominic. Aftergivingallthatshehadtothepoor,sheledaholylifeandreachedahighstateofperfection.

TheBlessedVirginappearedtoherseveraltimes;andJesushimselfrevealedtoSaintDominicthatthispenitenthadbecomeverydeartohim.

4. In themountains aboveTrent thereonce lived anotoriousbandit.Oneday, amonkwarnedhimtochangehislife.Thebanditrepliedthattherewasnolongeranyhopeforhim.“Nonsense!”repliedthemonk.“DoasIsay.FastonSaturdayinhonorofOurLadyanddonotmolestanybodyonthatday,andMarywillobtainforyouthegraceofdyinginthegraceofGod.”Thebanditnotonlycarriedoutthisadvicebutmadeavowtodoso.Inordernottoviolatehisvow,hewentaboutunarmedonSaturday.OneSaturday,hehappenedtorunintothepolice.Soasnottobreakhisvowheallowedthemtocapturehimwithoutofferinganyresistance.Whenthejudgesawthathewasawhite-hairedoldman,hewishedtocommutethedeathsentence,butthebandit,movedtorepentancebythegraceofMary,saidthathewishedtopaythepenaltyforhiscrimes.Sointheverycourtroomwherehewashemadeapublicconfessionofallthesinshehadevercommitted.Allwhoheardhimwereprofoundlymoved.Themanwasbeheadedandburiedinasimplegravewithlittleceremony.Later,theMotherofGodwasseenorderingfourholyvirginstorescuehisbodyfromthat

humbleburialplaceandwrapitinarichclothofgold.Takingitherselftothegatesofthecity,Marytoldtheguards:“Tellthebishopformethatheshouldgivethismananhonorableburial in some church, because he was one of my faithful servants.” This was done. Thewholetownflockedtothespotandfoundthebodywrappedinitsrichgoldenshroud.Fromthatdayon,saysCaesarius,allthefaithfulinthatareabegantofastonSaturdays.

5.OneoftheFathersofourCongregation,afterpreachingthesermononMarywhichweusuallypreachonmissions,oncehadaveryoldmancometohimtogotoconfession.Themanbeganbysayingtohim:“Father,OurLadyhasgivenmeagreatgrace.”“Whatgracehasshegivenyou?”theconfessorasked.“Forthirty-fiveyears,Father,Ihavegonetoconfessionsacrilegiously,becauseIwasashamedofacertainsin.Ihavehadmanynarrowescapesandseveral times Iwas on thepoint of death. If I haddied then, Iwould certainlyhavebeendamned.NowOurLadyhasgivenmethegraceofmakingagoodconfession.”Ashesaidthishebegantoweep.Afterhearinghisconfession, thepriestaskedhimwhatdevotionhehadpracticedtowardtheBlessedVirgin.HesaidthathehadneverfailedtoabstaininhonorofMaryonSaturdays,andthatthatwaswhytheMotherofGodhadhadpityonhim.Hegavetheconfessorpermissiontomentionthefactinhissermons.

6. A certain criminal was once condemned to death in Germany, but hewould not go toconfession.AJesuit Fatherdidallhe could togethim to changehismind.Hebegged,heentreated, he threw himself at his feet; but he saw that he was simply wasting his time.Finally,he said to theman: “Well,at least recite theHailMarywithme.”Thecondemnedmandidsoandallatoncehebegantoweep.Heconfessedhissinswithgreatsorrow,andexpressedadesiretodieembracingapictureofMary.

7. A woman of Cologne who kept up sinful relations with a libertine one day found himhanging in her room. Soul-stricken, she entered a convent. Shewas often tempted by the

devil,eveninvisibleform,andwasatalosswhattodotoridherselfofhisattentions.OneoftheSisterssuggestedthatshesayaHailMaryeverytimeheappeared,whichshedid.Withthat, the devil said to her: “A curse on the onewho told you to do that.”Andhedidnotbotherherafterthat.

8.Therewasacertainnoblemanofevillifewholivedinacastle.Bychance,acertainmonkhappenedtovisithim.EnlightenedbyGod,themonkaskedhimtosummonhisservants.Allcameexcept the valet.Whenhewas finally brought inby force, themonk said tohim: “IcommandyouinthenameofJesusChristtotelluswhoyouare.”Thevaletreplied:“Iamadevil fromhell. For fourteen years I have served thismiserable rascalwaiting for the daywhenhewouldfailtosaythesevenHailMaryswhichheisaccustomedtosay,sothatIcouldstranglehimandcarryhimofftohell.”Themonkorderedthedeviltoleave,whichhedidatonce,andthenoblemanfellathisfeet,wasconverted,andledaholylifethereafter.

9. Once a certain monk in Spain became so angry that he killed his superior. After thisdreadfulact,hefledtoBarbary,wherehedeniedthefaithandmarried.Whiletherestofhislifewasunworthy in every respect, hedidonlyonegood thing eachday, and thatwas torecite the Hail, Holy Queen. One day, while hewas saying this prayer alone, the BlessedMotherappearedtohim,scoldedhim,andurgedhimtochangehiswayoflife,promisingtohelp him if hewould.When he returned to his house, hiswife asked himwhyhewas soupset.Hefinallybrokedownandexplainedwhohewas,whathehaddone,andhowhehadhadavision.Hiswifeprovedveryunderstanding.Shegavehimmoneytoreturnandevenhadoneoftheirsonsgobackwithhim.Hereturnedtothemonasteryandprovedhimselfsopenitent that he was again received into the Order along with his son. This time heperseveredanddiedaholydeath.

10. A studentwas once taught by his teacher to begin his prayerswith thewords: “Hail,MotherofMercy.”WhenhewasonhisdeathbedMaryappearedtohimandsaid:“Myson,doyounotrecognizeme?IamtheMotherofMercywhomyouhavegreetedsomanytimesinyourprayers.”TheservantofMarythenstretchedouthisarmsasiftofollowherandgentlybreathedhislast.

11.ApaganintheIndiesfoundhimselfabandonedbyeveryonewhenhecametodie.HavingheardChristianssaysomuchaboutthegreatpowerofMary,hedecidedtoaskhertohelphim.TheBlessedVirginappearedtohimandsaid:“HereIam.Iamtheoneyouareinvoking.GoandbecomeaChristian.”Themanatoncefeltcompletelywellandhadhimselfbaptized.Manyotherswereconvertedasaresultofthismiracle.

12.Intheyear1610,therewasacertainmaninMadridwhowasverydevotedtoMary,andespeciallytoafamousshrinecalledOurLadyofAntioch.Hemarriedawomanwhogavehimno peace because of her insane jealousy and suspicions. Every Saturday he used to gobarefootearlyinthemorningtovisitthisshrine.Butthewomanwasconvincedthathewasgoingsomewhereelse.Oneday,shereprimandedhimsoseverelythatinafitofimpatience

he tooka ropeandhangedhimself.But just ashewasabout tobreathehis last,he calledupontheBlessedMother tohelphim,andsuddenlyhesawabeautifulLadyapproachhimandcut the rope.Peopleoutside thedoorwereaware that somethingwasgoingon, soheexplainedwhathadhappened.Whenhiswifeheardaboutit,sheregrettedwhatshehaddoneandfromthattimeontheylivedinpeace,bothdevotedtotheMotherofGod.

13.OnedayagreatsinnerwasweepingatthefootofacrucifixandbeggingtheLordtoshowhimasignofhispardon.Whenhereceivednosuchsign,heprayedtoOurLadyofSorrows,whothenappearedtohim.Hesawherpresenthistearstohersonandsaytohim:“MySon,arethesetearstobeinvain?”ThenherealizedthatJesushadnowpardonedhimandlivedaholylifeeverafterward.

14.OneofourFathersnamedDonCesareSportelli—whofinallydiedintheodorofsanctityandwhosebodywasfoundintactaftermanymonths—oncehadamanofadvancedagecometohimforconfessionduringamission.Thishappenedrightafter thesermonwedeliveratevery mission on the powerful intercession of Mary. Kneeling down at the feet of theconfessor, he said: “Father,Our Lady has givenme this grace.” “That is herway of doingthings,”repliedtheconfessor.“Butyoucannotgivemeabsolution,”themansaid,“becauseIhaveneverbeentoconfession.”Thislastwastrue;althoughthemanwasaCatholic,hehadneverbeentoconfession.Sothepriestencouragedhim,heardhisconfession,andtothegreatjoyoftheoldmangrantedhimhisfirstabsolution.

15.BlessedBernardTolomei,thefounderoftheOlivetanFathers,whohadbeenverydevotedtoOurLady fromchildhood,wasvery troubledoneday inhishermitageatAccona,calledMonteOliveto.HewasafraidthathewouldnotbesavedandthatGodhadnotyetpardonedhimhissins.TheBlessedMotherappearedtohimandsaid:“Whyareyouafraid,Bernard?Set your mind at rest. God has pardoned you and is pleased by the life you are leading.Continueasyouare. Iwillhelpyouand saveyou.”Theblessedmanwenton contentedlywithhisholywayoflife,untilthetimecameforhimtodieahappydeathinthearmsoftheBlessedVirgin.

16. While a certain canon was saying some prayers in honor of the Blessed Mother, hehappened to fall into theSeineRiverandwasdrowned.Becausehewas inmortal sin, thedevilscametocarryhimawaytohell.ButatthatmomenttheBlessedVirginsaidtothem:“Howdareyoucarryoffonewhodiedintheactofpraisingme?”Then,turningtothepoorsinner,shesaid:“ChangeyourlifeandpracticedevotiontomyImmaculateConception.”Theman was restored to life, became a monk, and never ceased thanking his deliverer andspreadingeverywheredevotiontoherImmaculateConception.

17.Intheyear589,therewasauniqueplagueinRome.Manymensneezedandfelldowndead.SaintGregorytheGreatwascarryingastatueoftheBlessedVirginthroughthecityinprocessionandcametothespotnowcalledtheCastelS.Angelo.Suddenlyhesawanangelintheairplacingasworddrippingwithbloodinitsscabbard.Thenheheardtheangelssinging:

Queenofheaven,rejoice,alleluia,becausehewhomyouhavedeservedtobear,alleluia,hasarisen,ashesaid,alleluia.SaintGregorythereuponaddedthewords:PraytoGodforus,alleluia.Theplagueceasedatonce,andeversince,theChurchhascelebratedtheGreaterLitanieseveryyearonthetwenty-fifthofApril.

18.Acertainnoviceovercomebytemptationoncemadeuphismindtoleavethemonastery.ButbeforeleavinghewenttosayaHailMarybeforeastatueofOurLadyandfoundhimselfnailedtothefloor,unabletomove.Hehadachangeofheart,andassoonashehadresolvedtopersevere,hefelthimselffreetogetup.Hewentandexplainedeverythingtothemasterofnovices,andhisvocationwassaved.

19.OnemorningBlessedClement, a Franciscanmonk, left the community table to go andrecite certain private devotions to the Blessed Virgin of which he was very fond. But thestatueofOurLadytoldhimtorejoinhisbrethren.Obedience,Marysaid,wasmorepleasingtoherthananyotherdevotions.

20.ThepiousauthorofSecret forEveryGrace, inspeakingabouttherosary,saysthatSaintVincent Ferrer once asked amanwhowas dying in despair: “Why do you wish to damnyourself,whenJesusChristwishes tosaveyou?”Themanrepliedthathe felthewouldbelostinspiteofOurLord.SaintVincentreplied:“Youwillbesavedinspiteofyourself.”Thesaintbegansayingtherosarywiththemembersofthefamilyandthemanwassoonaskingfortheconfessor.Hereceivedabsolutionanddiedinpeace.

21.AmissionaryrelatesthatoncewhenhewaspreachingamissiontothosewhohadbeencondemnedtotheNeapolitangalleys,hefoundthatthereweresomewhoobstinatelyrefusedtogotoconfession.Hepersuadedthemat least tohavetheirnamesenrolledintheRosarySocietyandtobegintorecitetherosary.Theyhadnosoonerdonethisthantheyaskedtogotoconfession,eventhosewhohadnotbeentoconfessionformanyyears.

22. In the town of Cesena therewere two friendswhowere sinners.One of them, namedBartholomew,managedtopreserveamidhismanyvicesthecustomofrecitingaStabatMatereverydaytoOurLadyofSorrows.Once,whilehewasdoingso,hehadavisioninwhichhesawhimselfinafierylakealongwithhisfriend.TheBlessedVirginextendedahandtohimoutofpity,andfinallydraggedhimoutofthefireandadvisedhimtoaskhersonforpardon.Jesus indicatedthathewouldpardonhimbecauseof theprayersofhismother.Thevisionthencametoanend,butjustatthatmomentBartholomewreceivedwordthathisfriendhadbeenkilledbyagunandheknew that thevisionhadbeen true. Sohe left theworldandenteredtheCapuchinOrder,whereheledaholyandrigorouslifeuntilhediedintheodorofsanctity.

23.SaintJeromeEmiliani,thefounderoftheSomaschiFathers,wasoncethegovernorofacertainterritory.Hewascapturedbyenemiesandshutupinatower.TurningtoMary,hevowedtogoonpilgrimagetoTrevisoifshewouldfreehim.Sosheappearedtohiminthe

midstofagreatlightandwithherownhandsunfastenedthechainsthatboundhimandgavehimthekeysoftheprison.Nosoonerhadhegotoutside,however,andbeguntosetoutforTrevisotofulfillhisvow,thanhefoundhimselfagainconfrontedbyhisenemies.SoheagainappealedtoMaryandshetookhimbythehandandledhimunharmedasfarasthegatesofTreviso.Thenshedisappeared.Hemadehispilgrimage,leftthechainsofhisimprisonmentatthe foot of Mary’s altar, and devoted himself from that time on to leading a holy life.EventuallyhewasnumberedamongthesaintsoftheChurch.

24.Anobleladywhohadanonlysonwasonedaytoldthathersonhadbeenkilledandthatthemurdererhadtakenrefugeinherownpalace.MindfulofthefactthatMaryhadpardonedthosewhohadcrucifiedherson,shetoowishedtopardonthiscriminalfortheloveofOurLady of Sorrows. She not only pardoned him but provided himwith a horse,money, andclothessothathecouldescape.Hersonthenappearedtoherandtoldherthathehadbeensaved, and thatbecauseof thekindness shehad shownhis enemy theBlessedMotherhadfreedhimfrompurgatory,wherehewouldotherwisehavehadtosufferforalongtime,andthathewasnowonhiswaytoheaven.

25.InacertaintowninthePapalStates,ayounggirlwhowasverymuchdevotedtoMaryoncehappenedtoencounterahighwayman.Afraidthathemightharmher,shebeggedhimnot to hurt her for the love of Our Lady. “Do not be afraid,” he replied, “since you havebeggedmeinthenameoftheMotherofGod.Iwishonlythatyouwouldrecommendmetoherinyourprayers.”Hethenaccompaniedherthroughthestreetandsawhersafelyhome.ThefollowingnightMaryappearedtothebanditinhisdreamsandcommendedhimforwhathehaddonebecauseofhisloveofher.Shetoldhimthatshewouldrememberthisactandwould in time reward him for it. Later, the thief was captured by the authorities andcondemnedtodeath.Thenightbeforehewastobekilled,theBlessedVirginagainappearedtohiminadreamandaskedhim:“DoyouknowwhoIam?”Thebanditreplied:“ItseemsthatIhaveseenyousomewherebefore.”“Iamtheone,”Marysaid,“whopromisedtorewardyou for what you did for me. You will die tomorrow, but you will die with such perfectcontrition that youwill at once go to heaven.” The condemnedman awoke and felt suchsorrow for his sins that he began to cry and thanked Our Lady for her great mercy. Hesummonedthepriestandcontritelyconfessedallhissins,tellinghimaboutthevisionthathehadhadandbegginghimtospreadwordaboutthegreatgracethatMaryhadshownhim.Hewenttohisdeathwithgreatcalmness,anditissaidthatafterhisexecutionhisfacehadsuchacontentedairaboutitthatallwhosawitbelievedthatthepromiseoftheMotherofGodhadindeedcometrue.

26. When a Cistercian nun in Toledo named Mary was about to die, the Blessed Motherappeared to her. The nun said: “OMary, the favor that you do me in paying me a visitemboldensmetoaskforanothergrace,namely,thatImaydieatthesamehouryoudiedandenteredheaven.” “You shall,”Mary replied. “Iwilldoyou this favor.You shallhearwhenyouaredyingthecanticlesandhymnsofpraisethattheblessedsangwhenIenteredheaven.So,beprepared.”Aftersayingthis,shevanished.TheothernunshearinghertalktoOurLadythoughtthatshehadbecomedelirious,butshetoldthemabouthervisionandthegracethat

hadbeenpromisedher.Shewaitedpatientlyforthelongedforhourandwhenitarrived—thewriterdoesnotinformuswhenitwas—hearingtheclockstrike,shesaid:“Nowthehourhascome; now I hear the music of the angels; this is the hour when Our Lady ascended toheaven.Iamcontent,becauseIamgoingnowtoseeher.”Aftersayingthis,shedied.Andwhileshebreathedherlast,hereyesbecameasbrightasstarsandherfacetookonamostbeautifulcolor.

CONCLUSION

Andwiththis,mydearreaderandfriend,loverofourMotherMary,Ibidyoufarewell,andIsay:ContinuejoyfullytohonorandloveMaryanddoallyoucantomakeothers loveher.FeelconfidentthatifyoupersevereuntildeathintruedevotiontoMary,yoursalvationwillbeassured.I bringmy book to a close, not because there is notmuchmore I could say about the

gloriesofMary,thisgreatqueen,butsoasnottotireyou.ThelittleIhavewrittenshouldbemore than enough to make you yearn for this priceless treasure of devotion toward theMotherofGod.Shewillrewardyoubyintercedingforyoualways.ThemainpurposeIhavehadinthisworkistoleadyoutosalvationandtosanctifyyou

byinflamingyouwithloveanddevotionforthismostlovingqueen.AndifyoushouldfindthatIhavehelpedyouevenalittlebitwiththisbook,asafavorIaskyoutorecommendmetoMary,andaskformethegracewhichIaskherforyou,thatwemayonedaybetogetheratherfeet,inthecompanyofallthosewholoveher.AndinconclusionIturntoyou,OMotherofmyLord,andmyMotherMary.Ibegyouto

acceptmypoorlaborsandthedesireIhavetoseeyoupraisedandlovedbyeveryone.YouknowhoweagerIhavebeentocompletethislittleworkonyourgloriesbeforetheendofmylife,whichisalreadydrawingtoitsclose.NowIcandiecontented,leavingthisbookonearthtocontinuetopraiseandglorifyyouasIhavetriedtododuringtheyearswhichhavepassedsincemyconversion,whichIobtainedfromGodthroughyourhelp.OImmaculateMary,watchoverallthosewholoveyouandespeciallythosewhoreadthis

littlebook.Protectinaspecialwaythosewhohavethecharitytorecommendmetoyou.OLady,grantthemperseverance,makethemallsaints,andleadthemalltoheaven.OmymostsweetMother,itistruethatIamonlyapoorsinner,butIgloryinlovingyou.

Ihopeforgreatthingsfromyou,especiallythegracetodielovingyou.Itrustthatinmylastagony,whenthedevilholdsupmysinsbeforeme,thePassionofJesusinthefirstplace,andthen your intercession will strengthen me. I trust that they will enable me to leave thistroublesomelifeinthegraceofGod,sothatImaygotolovehim,andthankyou,mymother,foralleternity.Amen.

APPENDICES

REPLIESTOCRITICS

APPENDIX1:

REPLYTOANANONYMOUSCRITIC

ReplytoanAnonymousCriticWhoCensuredCertainPassagesinTheGloriesofMary

BychanceIhappentohavebeforemeabookprintedlastyear,1775,whichbearsthetitleAdvisoryLetterofLamindusPritaniusRedivivustoFatherBenedictPlazza.TowardtheendoftheAppendix,IfindthatthisanonymousauthorcriticizeswhatIwroteintheFifthChapteroftheGlories, relating to the pious opinion held by Father Plazza (an opinion which I myselfmaintain)totheeffectthatallgracescometousthroughMary.Thisopinioncontradictswhatthe famous Louis Muratori wrote under the name of Pritanius in his bookWell-RegulatedDevotions.Firstof all, theanonymousauthor claims that I ammistaken inasserting thatPritanius

said this opinion ishyperbolical andexaggeratedand that it slipped from the lipsof somesaintsintheheatoftheirfervor.FearingImighthavebeendeceived,Ireadthebookagain.IfindnowthatPritaniusdoesnotusethisexactcombinationofwordsinthepassagewherehespeaks of the saints. Nevertheless, it is evident from the context that he does ascribe thismistakenopiniontosaintswhohavespokenonthesubject.Speakingofanotherproposition,namely,thatinheavenMarycommands,hesays:“Inall

sobernesswemustadmitthatthisandsimilarexpressionsfell fromthelipsofthesaints intheir fervor, and will not stand when examined in the light of sound theology.” Then hespeaksoftheChurchandsays:“Wemustlistentoher,andnottotheexaggerationsofsomeprivateauthor,even thoughhebea saint.”Headds immediately: “Likewise,wemaymeetwithsomewhoassertthatnogracecomestousfromGodotherwisethanthroughthehandsofMary.”Note theword,“likewise.”Laterhesays: “Topretend thatallGod’sgracescomethroughMarywouldbeapiousexaggeration.”Buteven supposing that thedeadPritaniushadnot said this, there is a livingPritanius

whosaysitinNumber545ofhisbook!Here,amongotherthings,hestatesthatthesaints,inpraising the Blessed Mother, sometimes exaggerated and used figures of hyperbole. Now,therefore, IanswerhimandIsaythatbeyondanydoubtthefigureofhyperbolecannotbecalledaliewhenitisevidentfromthecontextthatitismerelyanembellishmentofthetruth.Take as an instance the passagewhere Saint PeterDamian says: “Mary approaches as onewhocommands,notasonewhoasks.”AndthepassagefromSaintAnselmwherehesaysthat“in heaven Mary weeps for those who offend God.” In cases such as these, in which theimplicationisunmistakable,figuresareadmissible.Ontheotherhand,thisisnotthecaseinpositiveassertionswheretheexaggerationisnotevident.Insuchinstances,thehyperboleistantamounttorealdeception.But let us move to the principal point under discussion. To prove it, I will not bring

forwardtheintrinsicreasonswhichsupportmyopinion.LetmerefermerelytothereasonsIhavementionedinmybookwhichindicatethatGodwaspleasedinthiswaytohonorMary,

whoinherlifehadhonoredhimsomuch.SaintThomassaysthat“inproportiontothegracestheyhavemerited, the saints can savemanyothers.”He adds that “theRedeemer andhisMotherhavemeritedsomanygracesthattheycansaveallmen.”Moreover,sinceMaryistheuniversal advocate of all men, it is fitting that all who are saved should obtain salvationthroughMary.Thereisanotherreason—andthisseemstometobethemostsolidofall—thatasMary,

byhercharity,cooperatedinthespiritualbirthofthefaithful,asSaintAugustinesays,soalsoGodwillsthatshecooperate,byherintercession,insecuringforthemthelifeofgraceinthisworldandthelifeofgloryineternity.ThatiswhytheChurchbidsuscallMary,withoutanyrestriction,“ourlife”and“ourhope.”Whathasencouragedme,andstillencouragesme,isthefactthatthisopinionisheldnot

onlybysomanylearnedauthors,butalsobythesaints.OuranonymousauthorbelievesthathehasprovedinparticularthatSaintBernardnevermeanttoassertthatallgracescometousthroughMary’shands,butonlythatthroughMarywereceivedJesusChrist,thesourceandfullnessofallgrace.IthinkIshallprovethecontraryquiteclearlybywhatIamabouttosay.Saint Bernard says thatMary received the fullness of God. Then he explainswhat this

fullnessis.HesaysthatMaryreceivedthisfullnessmainlybecauseshereceivedwithinherselfJesus Christ, the fount of all graces. Then he says that, as a consequence, Mary receivedanother fullness, the fullness of grace, in order that, as mediatrix before God, she mightdispense graces to allmen by her ownhand.Here iswhat he says in one of his sermons:“WhyshouldhumanweaknessbeafraidtoapproachMary?Thereisnothingaustere,nothingsevereabouther.Sheisallsweetnessandsheoffersmilkandwooltoeveryone.Thankhim,then,whohasprovidedyouwithsuchamediatrix.Shehasmadeherselfallthingstoallmen;tothewiseaswellasthefoolish.”Notethathesays,toallmen.Hecontinues:“Sheopenshermercifulhearttoall,sothatallmayreceiveofherfullness:thecaptive,redemption;thesick,health; sinners, pardon; the just, grace; the angels, joy, andher son, flesh—so that noonemay hide himself from her heat.” The words, that all may receive of her fullness, indicateclearly that Saint Bernard speaks here not of the first fullness, which is Jesus Christ—otherwisehecouldnotsaythatofherfullnesshehadreceivedhisflesh—butofthatsecondfullness, the fullness of gracewhichMary received fromGod todistribute amongus everygracewereceive.Mark thesewords too:“There isnoone thatcanhidehimself fromherheat” (Ps18:7).

Should anyone receive a grace not coming through Mary, he would be hidden from thewarmthofthissun.ButSaintBernardsaysthatnoonecanhidehimselffromthewarmthofMary:“ThroughyouwehaveaccesstotheSon,Ofinderofgrace,OMotherofsalvation!Hewhowasgiventousthroughyou,willreceiveusthroughyou.”Bythis,theSaintgivesustounderstand clearly that, aswehave access to theFather only through the Son,who is themediatorofjustice,andwhobyhismeritsobtainsforusallgraces,sodowehaveaccesstotheSononly through theMother,who is themediatrixofgrace,andobtains forusbyherprayersallthegracesthatJesusChristhasmeritedforus.ThisbecomesevenclearerwhenweconsiderwhatSaintBernard said inhis sermonon

“TheAqueduct.”Attheverybeginning,hestatesthatMaryreceivedfromGodtheprincipalfullnessofgrace,whichisJesusChrist,inordertosharehimwithus.Alittlefurtheron,he

speaksclearlyaboutthesecondfullness,whichisaresultofthefirst,namely,thefullnessofthegraceswhichwereceivethroughherprayers.ThenhegoesontoexhortusnevertoceasehonoringMaryandinvokingherwiththegreatestconfidence.HesaysthatGodhasalreadydonewhatwewouldlikehimtodo,namely,depositedinMarythefullnessofeverygrace,sothatwhateverwereceivefromGod,wewillacknowledgeashavingcometousthroughthehands ofMary,who goes up flowingwith delights. “She is a garden of delights,” says thesaint (and note that he is still speaking of the graces given to us throughMary’s hands),“upon which the south wind not only breathed in passing, but which he so thoroughlypervadedthatherfragrance,thewondersofhergrace,spreadseverywhere.”Alludingtothetext I first quoted: “There is none than can hide himself from her heat,” Saint Bernardcontinues:“Takeawaythesunwhichilluminestheworld,andwhereistheday?TakeawayMary,the‘starofthesea’andwhatisleftbutdarknessandgloom?”HerehecontinuestoexhortustohaverecoursetoMaryandtotakeherasouradvocate

before Jesus Christ.He encourages us by saying thatwhenMary prays for us, there is nodoubtthatshewillbeheardbyherson.“TheSonwillheartheMother,”hesays,“andtheFatherwillheartheSon.”Andhegoeson:“Mychildren,sheisthesinners’sladder;sheismygreatesthope;sheisthewholefoundationofmyconfidence.”WhenhecallsMarytheladderofsinners,andthewholefoundationhisconfidence,hedoessofornootherreasonthanthatheconsidersheras the intercessor foranddispensatrixofallgraces.She iscalleda ladderbecause,justasonmountingaladderwecannotreachthethirdrungwithouthavingtouchedthe second, nor the secondwithout having touched the first, so neither canwe reachGodwithoutfirstreachingJesusChrist,norJesusChristwithoutfirstreachingMary.Hecallsherhis greatest hope and the whole foundation of his confidence. Why? Because, since GodwilledthatallgracesshouldcomethroughMary,hewouldhaveconsideredhimselfdeprivedofgraceandhopeifheweredeprivedofherintercession.Thatiswhyheexhortsustodowhathedid:toputallourhopeinMary.Heassuresus

that,ifMarypraysforus,weshallbesaved.JustastheFathercannothelpbutheartheSon,sotheSoncannothelpbuthearhismother.HetellsusthatifMarydoesnotprayforus,weshallnotbesaved,becauseitisMarywhoobtainsforusthatparticulargracewithoutwhichwecannotbe saved.Heconcludes: “Whatmore canweask?Letus seekgraceand seek itthroughMary.Whateversheseeks,shefinds,andsheisnotabletobedisappointed.”Inmybook,Ihavereferredtomanyotherpassages,andhavegiventhevolumeandthe

pagewherethecitationsmaybefound.Ihavequotedboththesaintsandotherwell-knownauthors.Noneof thesecitationscanbe interpreted inanyotherway thanaccording to theopinionIexpressed.Ishallsimplygivethemhereinagroup,andwithoutcomment,andshallleavetheirinterpretationtothereader’sjudgment.SaintJerome,or,asotherswillhaveit,SaintSophronius,acontemporaryofSaintJerome,

says in a sermon on theAssumption: “The fullness of gracewas in Christ, as in theHeadwhichinfusesgrace,andinMary,asintheneckthroughwhichtheyarepassedalong.”SaintBernardineofSiena:“Life-givinggracesfromChrist,theHead,aretransmittedtohis

MysticalBody through theBlessedVirgin.Fromthe time that theVirginMotherconceivedtheDivineWordinherwomb,she,sotosay,acquiredacertainjurisdictionoverallthegiftsoftheHolySpirit;somuchsothatnocreaturehaseverobtainedthegraceofGodwithout

Mary’s intercession. Therefore, all gifts, all virtues, all graces are dispensed by Mary towhomevershepleases,whenevershepleasesandinwhateverwayshepleases.”SaintBonaventure:“SincealloftheDivineNaturedweltinMary’swomb,Idonothesitate

tosaythatMaryhadacertainjurisdictionovertheflowofgraces.Fromherwomb,asfromadivineocean,allgracesstreamedasfromasource.”“Asthemoonisakindofintermediarybetweenthesunandtheearth,andreflectsupontheearthwhatitreceivesfromthesun,sodoes Mary act as an intermediary between God and us, pouring out on us the grace shereceives.Withouther,Godwillnotsaveyou.…Asaninfantcannotlivewithoutitsnurse,soyoucannothavesalvationwithoutOurLady.”SaintEphrem:“Wehavenootherhopebutyou,MostHolyVirgin!”SaintGermanus:“Whatwillbecomeofus,OlifeofChristians,ifyoudesertus?”Saint Ildephonsus: “All the good his Majesty has determined to do to men, he has

determinedtoentrusttoyourhands;hehasentrustedallthetreasuresandrichesofgracetoyou.”SaintAntoninus:“TobegforsomethingwithoutMary’shelp,isliketryingtoflywithout

wings.”SaintPeterDamian:“InyourhandsareallthetreasuresofGod’smercy.”Gerson:“Sheisourmediatress,throughwhosehandsGoddecreedthateverygracetoman

shouldpass.”Raymond Jordano: “She is thedispensatrix of all graces.Her Songivesusnothing that

doesnotpassthroughherhands.Oursalvationisinherhands.”Cassian:“ThesalvationofalldependsupontheirbeingfavoredandprotectedbyMary.”SaintBernardineofSiena:“Youarethedispensatrixofallgraces;oursalvationisinyour

hands.”Richard of Saint Lawrence: “God wills that whatever good he does to man shall pass

through the hands of his VirginMother.” In another passage he picturesOur Lord saying:“Nobodycomestome,unlessmymotherdrawshimbyherprayers.”AlludingtothewordsofProverbs,Sheislikethemerchant’sship(Prov31:14),hesays:“Intheoceanofthisworldallarelostwhodonotboardthisship.Therefore,wheneverweseethewavesofthesearisinghighwemustcrytoMary:‘OLady,saveus;weperish!’”Againhesays:“Asastonefallsintotheabyss,oncethegroundsustainingitisremoved,soalsodoesamanfallintosinandintohellifMary’shelpisnotavailable.”FatherNoëlAlexandrewrites the same: “Godwills thatwe shouldexpect to receiveall

blessingsfromhim,oncewehaveaskedforthem(asisfitting)throughtheintercessionofhisVirginMother.”FatherContenson,commentingonthewordsofChristonthecrosstoSaintJohn,Behold

yourmother(Jn19:27),says:“Thiswasthesameassaying:‘NobodyshallshareinmyBloodexceptthroughmymother’sintercession.Mywoundsarefountainsofgrace,buttheirwaterswill not be brought to anyone except byMary, their channel.My love for you, John,mydisciple,willbeinproportiontoyourloveforher.’”Inaddition,IwouldsaythatIammuchencouragedatseeinghowthefaithfulingeneral

alwaysturntotheintercessionofMaryforthegracestheydesire.Fromthis,Igatherthattheabovementionedpiousopinionis,asitwere,thecommonsentimentoftheChurch.Petaviususedthisargument(fromthecommonopinionofthefaithful)toprovetheopinionIholdforcertaininregardtoMary’sImmaculateConceptionatthefirstmomentofherexistence.1Tome,andtomanyotherauthors,suchasSegneri,Paciucchelli,Crasset,Mendoza,Nieremberg,Poire,andothers,theopinionthatallgracespassthroughMary’shandsisbothveryprobableandveryfitting.Ishallalwaysconsidermyselfhappytohavehelditandpreachedit.AndifIhelditfornootherreasonthanthatitenkindlesdevotiontoMary,whiletheoppositeopinionchillsit,Iconsideritworthwhile.

APPENDIX2:

REPLYTOTHEABBÉROLLI1

AbriefcommentontheextravagantreformrecommendedbyAbbéRolli;reformthatisinoppositiontotheloveanddevotionweoweour

BlessedLady.

I recently came across a learned and devout little workwritten by Father IldephonsusCardonioftheOrderofMinims.Init,theauthorcompetentlyrefutesabookpublishedbytheAbbé Leoluca Rolli, entitled The New Project, in which the Abbé attempts to reform thevariousprayersanddevotionsof theCatholicChurchinhonorofourBlessedLadyandtheothersaints.ForthehonorofourBlessedMotherandbecauseofthespecialdevotionIhavealwayshad toher,even frommyboyhood, Ihavedetermined to synopsize thecontentsofthese twoworks. I shall recount the dangerous propositions of the one and then give theconvincingrefutationsoftheother.

1.TheAbbéRollispeaksofthemiraculoustransferencebytheangelsoftheholyHouseofLoretofromNazarethtoDalmatia.FromDalmatia,itwasremovedtothepropertyownedbyacertainladynamedLaureta,inthedioceseofRecanatineartheborderofAncona.Finally,itwasmovedtoahilltopamileandahalffromthatproperty,whereitisstillvenerated.AbbéRollireferstothisandsays:“Theytellthestory,”implyingthatitisafable.Heisunmindfulofthe fact that in his beautifulwork on the feasts ofMary the illustrious PopeBenedict XIVsays:“ThedwellingwheretheDivineWordassumedhumanfleshwasmovedbytheministryof angels. This is attested by ancient documents andunbroken tradition, aswell as by thetestimonyofSovereignPontiffs, thecommonconsentof the faithfulandcontinualmiracleswhichareworkedthereeventothepresentday.”FatherTursellino,S.J.,inhisHistoryoftheHouseofLoretotellsusthatnearlyallthePopes

after Pius II have made mention of the miraculous transference of the Holy House. PopeSixtus V, in 1583, founded or revived the Order of Cavaliers of Our Lady of Loreto.Notwithstanding all this, Abbé Rolli, without reason, follows the tack of Launoy, Verger,Hospinien, and other non-Catholics who deny the miraculous translation, and also ofTheodoreBezaandtheCalvinistDavidPareuswhocalltheHouseofLoretothe“LauretanianIdol.”ButallofthesehavebeenrefutedbytheincontestableevidenceofmanylearnedCatholic

writers—SaintPeterCanisius,FrancisTorres,S.J.,JamesGretscher,S.J.,andothers—aswelearnfromthewritingsofFatherTheophilusReynaud,S.J.Ontheauthorityofsoundauthors,Father Tursellino relates the details of themiracle and his evidence is confirmed by PeterGiorgio,JeromeAngelita,andJohnBonifacio.BenedictXIVhimselfquotestheseauthoritiesandmentionsthatevenhereticswhoentertheHolyHousearesometimesconvertedandthussilencetheimpioustonguesofthosewhodenythemiracle.

2.TheAbbéRollithencriticizesthetitles“TowerofDavid,”“TowerofIvory,”and“Houseof Gold” which we find in the Litany of our Blessed Lady. He calls them affected andmeaningless—infact,almostridiculous.Aretheyreallymeaninglessandinsignificant?TheysignifythepowerwithwhichMarydefendssoulswhoaredevotedtoher.TheyevidencetheardentloveofherblessedsoulwhichmadeherworthytobecomethetempleoftheEternalWord. That is how Saint Bernard, Saint Ephrem, Richard of Saint Lawrence and othersexplainthesetitles.Afterwards, he speaks of the titles “Mirror of Justice,” “Refuge of Sinners,” “Morning

Star,”and“GateofHeaven.”Hesays thatwhenaCatholichears these titlesappliedto theBlessedVirgin,hemustmakeanactoffaithandmustbelievethattheyareapplicableonlytoourBlessed Savior andnot toMary.He implies that the use of these titles in reference toMaryisprejudicialtofaith.Hewouldliketoseealltheselitaniesabolished,eventhoughtheyhave been recited and sung in churches throughout theworld for centuries by priests andlaityalike—andthiswiththeapprobationofmanySovereignPontiffs.Allofwhichgoes toprovethatthesetitlesarenotonlynotaffectedandridiculous,butarefilledwithpietyanddevotion to Our Lady and calculated to inspire greater confidence in her protection.Willanyonedenythattheselitanies,accordingtotheestablishedcustomofsomanyyears,havebecomeapartofthepublicworshipoftheChurch?TheAbbéRolli thengoes togreatpains todiscredit thecustomofsinging theLitanyof

LoretowhentheBlessedSacramentisexposed.Hereferstothiscustomas“anabuse.”InthishefollowstheopinionofLouisMuratori. InhisbookWell-RegulatedDevotionMuratoridoesnot expressly call this “an abuse,” asRolli does, nor does he actually disapprove of it.Hemerelysuggeststhatitmightbeworthwhiletoconsiderwhetheritmightnotbebetterduringexpositiontouseprayers immediatelyaddressedtoourBlessedLord.Formypart, Idonotsee how it is unbecoming to askMary to offer her prayers for us to Jesus exposed in theBlessedSacrament.EveryoneknowsthatGodhasgivenusJesusChristsothatwecanhaverecoursetohimasourprincipalmediator.ButSaintBernardsaysthatGodhasalsogivenusMarytobeanadvocatewithJesus:“Wouldyouliketohavesomeoneintercedewithhim?GotoMary!Thesonwillcertainlylistentohismother.”Andinanotherplacehesays:“WeneedamediatorwithChristtheMediator,andwecannotfindabetteronethanMary.”Heusesthewords“Weneed…”implyingthatamediatorwithChristisnecessary.Necessary,ofcourse,notwithabsolutenecessitynorwith“necessityofmeans”aswesay,butmorallynecessarytoincrease our confidence. JesusChrist alone is ourmediator by absolute necessity. So as tobanishanyscruplewemayhave inhavingrecourse toMary,SaintJerometellsus thatwemustgotohernotastotheauthorofgrace—asCalvinfalselyassertedwedo—butonlyastoan intercessor. And that is why we say to Jesus Christ: “Have mercy on us,” and to ourBlessedLady:“Prayforus.”ThatishowSaintJeromeconvincedVigilantiusonthispoint.

3. The Abbé Rolli is not satisfiedwith calling Our Lady’s titles in the litany “affected,meaningless, and almost ridiculous.”He has the audacity to attack also the antiphonHail,holyQueen,eventhoughheknowsthatHolyChurchhasapproveditbymakingitsrecitationobligatoryinthedailyOffice.Lutherhadalreadysaidthatthisprayerisscandalousandthatit givesOur Lady the attributes ofGod. The heretic PeterMartyr claimed that since JesusChristisouronlymediator,itisderogatorytohimtocallMaryouradvocateandmediatress.

OurAbbéRolliinhisNewProjectisnotashamedtowritethesewords:“Itisamatterofblindrespect andpartisanship that the titles given to theBlessedMother in theSalveRegina areretained.” He says, moreover, that Herman Contractus (who composed the prayer) calledMary“ourhope”and“ouradvocate”merelyoutofdevotionandpiety,sinceJesusChristisouronlyhopeandouronlyadvocate.WhatRollisaysactuallydiffersvery little fromwhatthehereticPeterMartyrsaid.But Saint Epiphanius callsMary our “mediatrix,” which is the same as calling her our

advocate,andSaintEphremcallsher“thehopeofthosewhoareindespair.”HowthendoesAbbéRollidaretoassertthat“thesetitlesareretainedoutofblindrespectandpartisanship”?DoestheChurchpermittheprayerHail,holyQueenoutofblindrespectandpartisanship?

4.TheAbbéthenleavesthelitanyandtheSalveReginaandpassesontootherdevotionslikethescapular,therosary,cords,andthelike.Hecallsthemtrifling,andforallpracticalpurposes,useless.WeknowthattheSovereignPontiffshaveapprovedofthesedevotionsandhaveenrichedthemwithindulgences.ThelearnedPapebroecksaysthatonlysomeonewhoisverydishonestwilldenythatthePopeshavegrantedmanybenefitsandthatGodhimselfhasgivenmanyspecialfavorstothosewhowearthescapulardevoutly.Bzovius,andtheBollandists,too,speakinhighpraiseofOurLady’srosaryandweknow

thatthisdevotionhasthepraiseandapprovalofLeoX,SaintPiusV,GregoryXIII,SixtusV,and many other Pontiffs. In speaking of those who ridicule these devotions, the learnedPougetwrites:“Theycriticizesomethingtheyknownothingabout.”

5. Abbé Rolli next vents his spleen against peoplewho practice these devotions in thestateofsin,hopingthat,asaresult,Godwillshowthemmercy.Heexclaims:“Thosepeopleare already damned.” In this matter, as I have already remarked, he follows the lead ofLamindusPritanius(LouisMuratori)who,inhisbookWell-RegulatedDevotion,maintains:“IfaChristianlivesatenmitywithGodandtruststhatonaccountofhisdevotiontoMaryshewillnotallowhimtobesurprisedbysuddendeathandthathewillhavetimetomakehispeacewithGod,orifhehopesthatMarywillgranthimsometemporalbenefit,hehopesrashly.Hishope ispresumptuous, superstitious,andcontrary to the teachingof theChurch. It is tobewhollyrejected.”Inthismatter,bothPritaniusandRolliareindirectoppositiontoSaintRobertBellarmine

whom Pope Benedict XIV quotes in his book on feasts. Saint Robert Bellarmine writes:“Devotions performed in the state of sin, while they do not in themselves justify, at leastdisposethesoultobejustifiedthroughthemeritsoftheBlessedMotherorofthesaints.”However,whatisofevengreaterweightandwhatfullycondemnsthemisthedoctrineof

themaster-theologianSaintThomaswhoteachesthat“thedevotionsofthefaithfulperformedin the state of sin, even though they arenot sufficient toobtain salvation, neverthelessdoaccomplish three things: first, theysecure temporalblessings; second, theydispose thesoulfor thereceptionofdivinegrace;andthird, theykeeppeople in thepracticeofperforminggoodworks.” TheAngelicDoctor also teaches that “although the prayer of a sinner is notworthyofgraceinjustice,itdoesobtainitthroughthepuremercyofGod.”Heevenadds:“Itis possible that the prayer of a sinner who does not even have an efficacious purpose of

amendmentmaybeheard,outoftheinfinitemercyofGod,providedthesinnerisnotinsoobstinateastateofmindasconstantlytorejecteveryexhortationtorepentance.”

6.Pritanius (orMuratori)also saysanother thing inhisbook.Hemaintains that“whentheBlessedVirginorthesaintsprayforus,theydonotoffertheirownmerits,butonlytheefficacyofthemeritsofJesusChrist.”ThelearnedDonConstantineGaudiohasfullyrefutedhimonthispointinhisbookDefenseoftheSpotlessDevotion,etc.In another section of his book, Pritanius says: “It is alleged that our prayerswill have

morepowerwhentheyareaccompaniedbythoseoftheBlessedMother.”Thenheproceedstogiveaninconsistentanswertothisassertionandonethatinnowaycorrespondswithhisscholarship.He says: “This statementproves toomuchand thereforeprovesnothingatall.Otherwise itwouldneverbe fitting topray toOurLordwithout joining toourprayers theintercession ofMary.”What an answer! So itwould be unbecoming always to joinMary’sprayers toour intercessionwith Jesus?TheCouncil ofTrent states clearly: “It is goodandusefulearnestlytoinvokethesaints.”Nowiftheintercessionofthesaints,andespeciallyofMary,isgoodanduseful,itisalsogoodandusefulalwaystoobtainthatintercession.ThatiswhySaintBernardexhortsusalltoaskGodforgracesandtoaskthemthroughMary.Mary’sprayerstoGodaretheprayersofamotherandthereforetheyareneverrefused.

How strange all this is! Louis Muratori, whom I have always respected, was famousthroughoutEurope,asyoucanseefromhisbeautifulbiographywrittenbyhisnephew.Yet,in somany parts of his writings, as we have already pointed out, he does not show thatdevotiontowardtheMotherofGodyouwouldexpecttofindinasoulsuchashis.Thereisnoneedformetowritemoreonthesubject.WhatpromptedmetowritethelittleIhavewasthat I saw thevariousprayersand titlesgiven toOurLady in the litaniesand in theSalveReginahelduptodiscredit.Ialsoheardthedevotiontotherosaryandthescapularreferredtoas“trifling,”whereastheyarereallysobeautifulandhavemeantsomuchtomeallmylife.IfanyonewantstoseethereformwhichtheAbbéRolliintendedtobringaboutrefutedfullyandatlength,lethimreadtheworkofFatherCardoni,theMinim,towhichIreferredatthebeginningofthisshorttreatise.

NOTES

PartI1. This excerpt appears to be from the writings of Thomas the Englishman (ThomasAnglicus)ratherthanfromtheworksofSaintThomasAquinas(ThomasAngelicus).

2. According to Suetonius, this same Titus was reputed to have authored the famousaphorism:“Ihave lostaday.”He said this tohisguestsatdinneron theeveningofacertaindaywhenhehadbeenunabletodoafavorforanyone.

3.ThisreferenceistoGeorge,notGregoryofNicomedia.Georgeisnotacanonizedsaint,although several biographers say that he merited the title. He was an outstandingpanegyristofOurLady.

4.SisterCatherineofSaintAugustinewhotellsthisstorywasborninBayeux,France,anddiedin1688inCanadawhereshehadstartedthefirstNorthAmericanfoundationofherOrder.Herbiography,writtenbyFatherRagueneau, S.J., contains thedirect report ofMary’sconversion:“Formorethantwentyyearsbeforeherdeath,shehadneverprayedtoGod,theBlessedVirgin,ortheSaints.Shehadabandonedthesacraments,hadlostallrespectforholythingsandhadgivenherselfovercompletelytoalifeofvice.Whatsavedherwasthis:Asdeathdrewnear,shereflectedonthenameofMarywhichshebore.Sheturned to our Blessed Lady and said: ‘O Blessed Virgin, I am unworthy to bear yourname.ButIprayyounottoletmebedamned.Iaskyouforthisoutofrespectforyourholyname.’Maryobtainedforherthegracetomakeanactofperfectcontrition,afterwhichthatfortunatesoulpassedaway.”

5.Itisinterestingtonotethatmodernscientistssubstantiatethisreferencetothematernalsolicitudeofthemother-whale.Shedoesnotactuallyswallowheryoungonesbuthidesthemunderherfinsanddefendsthemtothedeath.

6. Turano relates in his Life of SisterMary Crucified that the nun was severely beset bydiabolical temptations. These temptations vanished immediately when the harassedreligiousrecitedtheSubtuum.Thenunsofherconventbyrecitingthesameprayerwerebelieved to have been cured of an epidemic of eye disease brought on by diabolicalintervention.

7.Elphinstonewasbornin1563anddiedin1584intheJesuitmonasteryinNaples,justtwoyearsbeforeSaintAloysiusGonzagaappliedforadmissionthereinthecompanyofanother Elphinstone named George. It has not been determined whether the twoElphinstoneswerebrothers.

8.KingJamesVIofScotlandandEngland.Born1566,crownedKingofScotlandin1567,KingofEngland1603,successortoQueenElizabethbyvirtueofthewillofHenryVIII.Died1625.

9. Saint Alphonsus quotes Paciucchelli who quotes again Philostratus (A.D. 170?–245).Philostratusaddsthatiftheshipshavealreadysetouttoseabythetimethetigersget

there,thetigresseswilloftenwailforhoursontheshoreandwillsometimesevendieofheartbreak.

10.TurselliniinhisLifeofSaintFrancisXaviersaysthattheultimatepurposeofthisjourneywas to get to the capital and win the support of the leaders of the people for hisapostolate. He reached the capital but did not succeed in gaining the support of thegoverningpowers.

11.Somescholarsaffirm,somedeny,thetruthofthisstatement.SaintGregorytheGreatisSaintAlphonsus’sauthorityformaintainingthatSaintPaulinussoldhimselfintocaptivityforthepurposementioned.

12.ItwouldseemthatFatherFerdinandSalazar,S.J.,notCorneliusàLapide,istheauthorityforthiscitation.

13.TheJesuitcompanionwasFatherEmmanuel,S.J.,andtheshrinetheyvisitedwasthatofSaintMaryMajorinRome.

14.BlessedHerman,aPremonstratensianmonk,livedabouttheyear1230.TheBollandistsrecord that he was later given the name Joseph as a result of this unusual incident.HermanwasprayinginthechoirofthemonasteryoneeveningwhenOurLadyappearedtohimaccompaniedbytwoangels.Oneoftheangelstookthemonk’shandandjoinedittothehandofMaryinasymbolicespousal,sayingthesewords:“Behold,IgivethisvirginovertoyouasshewasgiventoJoseph,sothatyoumayreceivethenameofthespousetogetherwiththepersonoftheespoused.Andfromnowon,yournameshallbeJoseph.”Sometimeafterward,Maryagainappearedtohimholdingherchildinherarms.“Carrymychild,”saidMary,“ashewascarriedbyJosephintoEgypt.Andsinceyoubearthesameburden,havethehonorofbearinghenceforththesamename.”

15. Cepari inhisbiographymentionsthatSaintAloysius,becauseofhisgreatdesiretodoeverything pleasing to Our Lady, made a vow of perpetual virginity even before heenteredreligiouslife.

16.FatherJamesMartinez,S.J.,wasagreatPeruvianmissionary.HediedatLimain1626attheageof84.

17. This talebears a remarkable resemblance to events found in the life of theVenerableGermaineCousin.

18. Aristotle probably never expressed this thought in precisely the terminology SaintAlphonsusused:Amorautsimiles invenit,aut facit.Hedidhowevergiveutterancetotheideascontainedintheaphorism.IntheNicomacheanEthics,forexample,hewrote:“Truefriendship is discernible in thewillingness to share all things.” In theEudemian Ethics:“Godalwaysattractssimilarthingstoeachother.”Also:“Thequalityofequalityisalwayspleasingtoanequal.”

19. This is not a direct quotation, but an adaptation of the words of Adam, Abbot ofPerseigne,whodiedin1203.

20.AlthoughattributedtoSaintBernardbymedievalandlaterwriters,thesewordsarenotfoundinhisworks.However,theyrepresentanaccurateparaphraseofhisthought.

21.ThesewordsnolongerarefoundintheMassforthefeastoftheImmaculateConception.

22.SaintMaryofEgypthasalwaysbeengreatlyveneratedintheEasternChurch.Shewasprobablyconvertedin383anddiedin431.

23.AnothermorerecentexampleoftheBlessedVirgin’spoweroverdeathwasthecaseofaCarmelitenun,SisterMaryofJesusCrucified,whoasayounggirlofthirteenwaskilledinAlexandria,Egypt,byaMohammedanandrestoredtolifebytheMotherofGod.Shediedintheodorofsanctityin1878.

24.TheauthorofthesewordsdiedonthefeastoftheImmaculateConception,December8,1630.

25.ThephraseisnotfoundinSaintAugustine’sauthenticworksbutcomesfromasermonlaterattributedtohim.

26.ThisphraseisnotfoundamongtheextantworksofSaintEphrem.Theword“damned”isusuallyexplainedasmeaning“thosewhoareinimminentdangerofdamnation.”

27. The treatise to which reference is made is now recognized as being by Eadmer ofCanterbury,thepupilandfriendofSaintAnselm,notbythesainthimself.

28.Thisfamousprayerwasnot,inallprobability,composedbySaintBernardinitspresentform. It appears to be of later medieval origin and is based upon the words of SaintBernard.

29. Thewords arenot found inRupert ofDeutz. SaintAlphonsus appears tohavehad inmindapassageofRichardofSaintLawrencewhichis tobefoundamongthecollectedwritingsofSaintAlberttheGreat.

30.ThisquotationisnotfoundverbatimineitherSaintBonaventureorSaintBernard.AfterquotingtheScripturaltext,SaintBonaventuresays:“BythiswelearnthatifwewishtofindJesus,wemustfirstgotoMary.”

31. This sentence is not found in Saint Bernard, but the thought is expressed by SaintAnselm.

32.ThesewordsarenotfoundinSaintBernard’sworks,butthethoughtishis.SaintBridgetin herRevelations says: “The saintswho appeared spoke thesewords: ‘O Blessed Lady,whatistherethatyoucannotdo?Forwhateveryouwill,thatisaccomplished.’”

33. Thethought is inaccordancewiththeteachingofSaintAugustine,asexpressed inhiscommentaryonSaintJohn.

34. These exactwords donot appear in theworks of Saint Thomas. SaintAlphonsuswasquotingfromaseventeenthcenturyDefenseof theBlessedVirginbyLodovicoBona. It isBonawhoattributesthequotationtoSaintThomas.

35.ThequotationisfromGodfrey,AbbotofVendôme,acontemporaryofSaintAnselm.36.RichardTrouveorRichardofSaintAnne,O.F.M.,martyredatNagasakiin1622,wasnotthe same as the Richardmentioned in the first part of the story. Both, however,wereFranciscans.

37.SomeauthorssaythatSaintDominicalsoraisedherbodyfromthewellandjoinedittoherhead,inordertomakethereceptionofholyCommunionseemmorenormal,butthisdetailisnotpartoftheoriginalversionofthestory.

38.ThisisanauthenticinstancetakenfromtheFranciscanChroniclesbyWadding(a.1232).

The apparition is certainly not incredible.Nor is it right to say itmakes the power ofMarysuperiortothatofChrist.TheideahasbeenexpressedrepeatedlybySaintBernardandothers.“AswehavenoaccesstotheFatherexceptthroughtheSon,sonoonecancome to the Son except through theMother.” Eadmer, the companion and disciple ofSaint Anselm, has been quoted as saying: “Frequently our petitions are heeded soonerwhenweaddressourselvestoMary,thequeenofmercyandcompassion,thanwhenwegodirectlytoJesuswho,askingofjustice,isourjudge.”

39. VenerableHildebert, archbishopofTours,whodied in1134.Thepassageoccurs in aletterthankingQueenMatildaofEnglandforthegiftoftwogoldencandelabra.

40.ThequotationisnotfoundinHughofSaintVictor,butdoesappearVincentofBeauvais,invirtuallythesamewords.

41.NotHonoriusofAutun,thetwelfth-centurytheologian,butanotherHonorius,aspiritualwriter,citedbyDenistheCarthusian.

42.SaintAlberic,firstabbotofCiteaux,declaredtheQueenofHeaventobetheProtectressoftheCistercianOrderandorderedallmonasteriesoftheOrdertobededicatedtoher,acustomstillobserved.

43. Not Saint Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople,who died in 740, but Germanus II,Patriarchfrom1222–40.

PartII1.AccordingtoRichardofSaintLawrence,thisprayerisbyEckert,AbbotofSchoenaugeinthedioceseofTrier,whodiedabout1160,andnotbySaintBernardofClairvaux.

2. This prayer is probably not by SaintAthanasius. It is found in a sermon (erroneouslyattributedtohim)ontheAnnunciation,whichmustbedatedmuchlater.

3. PossiblynotbySaintAnselm,butbyhispupilandbiographer,EadmerofCanterbury.ThePopeappointedEadmer tobeAnselm’sreligioussuperior, soasnot todeprive theArchbishopofthegraceofobedience.

4.NotbySaintPeterDamian,butbyNicholas,thesecretaryofSaintBernard.5. William of Auvergne, Bishop of Paris, 1228–49,was an excellent bishop but is not acanonizedsaint.

6.ThisbeautifulprayerwascomposedbySaintAlphonsushimselfandiseminentlyworthyofinclusioninthisgarlandofPrayerstoOurLady.

PartIII1. NotSaintBasilofCaesarea,butBasilofSeleucia (d.458).Basilwasnever canonized,possiblybecausehewasnotunwaveringinhisoppositiontotheEutychianheresy.

2.ScholarsfailtofindthisquotationintheauthenticwritingsofSaintAugustine.3. SaintAlphonsuswroteall this,ofcourse,manyyearsbeforethepronouncementofthedogmaoftheImmaculateConception.

4. Thesesmallpictureswerecalledcartelleorcartellineandtheyhadprintedonthemthe

abbreviationofthefollowingwords:“YouwereimmaculateinyourConception,OMary;prayforustotheFather,whoseSonJesusyouborebytheHolySpirit.”

5.TheopinionthatOurBlessedLadywasblessedwiththeuseofreasonfromthemomentofherconceptioninthewombofSaintAnneisnotsharedbyalltheologians.However,thesaintsarewitnessestothereligioussentimentsoftheirtimes.Theconsensusofthefaithfulservesinaspecialwayasachannelforthedevelopmentoftheologicalthought.ThatdevelopmentisfirstandforemostaworkoftheHolySpiritonbehalfofthewholeChurch for the sanctification of souls. The opinion of the saints on doctrinal matters(while not infallible) is something added to their personal gifts and is usually notdisregardedbydiscreettheologians

6.AnechoofSaintAugustine’sSoliloquies:“Youhaveenlightenedme,OLight!AndIsawyouandIlovedyou.Noonelovesyouunlessheseesyou;andnooneseesyouwithoutlovingyou.ToolatehaveIlovedyou,OBeautyeverancientandevernew;toolatehaveIlovedyou.WoetothosedaysinwhichIdidnotloveyou.”

7. SaintWilliam’scontext:“TheSonofGod,abouttobecomeman,senthismessengertoobtainMary’sconsent.Hedidnotwishtoworkthismiracleinherwithoutherconsent;Hewouldnot take flesh fromherwithoutherconsent.Andso itcanbesaid thatGodbecamemannotonlyfromMarybutalsobyMary’sconsent.”

8.ThisquotationseemsinrealitytobefromSaintThomasofVillanova.9.ThewordsarenotfoundinSaintAnselm,butthethoughtishis,expressedinsomewhatdifferentterms:“NothingisequaltoMary;nothinggreaterthanMary,exceptGod.”

10. This“holysoul”wasmost likelyMsgr.GiovannideVita,BishopofRieti (1764–1774).Like Saint Alphonsus, he had studied law at Naples but left law for the priesthood.AlphonsusanddeVitaweregoodfriends.

11. The distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem is about seventy miles; from Jerusalem toHebronabouteighteenandtwo-thirdsmiles;fromJerusalemtoAinKarimaboutfourandahalfmiles.ThecityofJudeainwhichZacharylivedisnowgenerallybelievedtohavebeenAinKarim.

12.ThisReginaldwasDeanoftheCathedralofOrleansandafamousDoctorofLawsattheUniversity of Paris in the lifetime of Saint Dominic. It was through him, according totradition,thattheDominicanshavethehabittheynowwear.WhileinRomeonhiswaytotheHolyLand,Reginaldbecameillandnearlydied.BothheandSaintDominicprayedtoOurLady.MaryappearedtoReginaldandhealedhimwithsomeoilcarriedbySaintCeciliaandSaintCatherinetheMartyr,whowerewithher.Hewasnotonlyhealedbutgiven the grace from that moment “of never experiencing any evil sentiment orinclination.”MaryshowedReginaldthescapularandwhitehabitandtoldhim:“Thisisthe habit of the Order you seek and which has already been promised to you.” SaintDominic saw all this while praying in his own house. Reginald asked Dominic to bereceivedintohisOrderandtowearthehabitwhichhadbeenshownhim.SaintDominicorderedallhisbrethrentoadoptthishabit,abandoningtherochetoftheCanonsRegularwhichtheyhadbeenwearing.Aftertakinghisvows,Reginaldmadethepilgrimagetothe

Holy Land at the command of Saint Dominic. Before his death he became one of theleadinglightsofthenewlyfoundedDominicanOrder.

13. Scholarshavebeenunable to locatea textcorresponding to this in theworksofSaintThomasAquinas.

14. This titleof “priest”wasalsogiven toMary in aprayer composedat thedirectionofPopeSaintPiusXandapprovedbyhimonMay9,1906.

15.SaintTeresaprobablyreceivedthisrevelationintheConventoftheIncarnationin1572.16. On this day the church celebrates two events: first,Mary’s departure from this earth;second,herAssumptionintoheaven.Thisdiscoursetreatsofherdeparture;thefollowingone,ofherAssumption.

17.TheologianstodayarenotinagreementastowhetherMarydiedornot.SaintAlphonsusseemstohavetakenitforgrantedthatshedied.

18.SaintJohnDamascenedoesnotmentionthedetailofthegowns,butitismentionedbyMetaphrastes,Nicephorus,andothers.

19.ThiswasrevealedtoSaintElizabethnotinhervisionofMary’sdeparturefromearthbutinhervisionoftheAssumption.

PartIV1.SaintThomasputsitthisway(SummaTheologiaeIII,qu.7,art.12,ad3):Apersonmayadvanceinwisdomandgraceintwoways:first,inasmuchastheveryhabitsofwisdomandgraceareincreased;andinthiswayChristdidnotincrease.Second,asregardstheeffectsofwisdomandgrace,i.e.,inasmuchasapersonworkswiserandgreaterworks.Inthisway,Christincreasedinwisdomandgraceevenasinage,sinceinthecourseoftimehedidmoreperfectworkstoprovehimselftrueman,bothinthethingsofGodandinthethingsofman.

2.ThecommontraditionisthattheHolyFamilysojournedatMatarea(Matarieb),partoftheancientcityofHeliopolis,aboutsixorsevenmilesfromCairo.

3.NotfromBlessedRaymondJordano,butfromtheauthoroftheStimulusamorisprintedamongtheworksofSaintBonaventure.

4.TheHolyShroudiscommonlyregardedasoneofthemostpreciousrelicsofOurSavior.Itisalinencloth,allofonepiece,14’3”longand3’7”wide,withthedoubleimageofahuman person—front and back view.Visible on the cloth are the traditionalmarks ofwoundsandstigmata.

PartV1.Hespeakshereofthosewhoappearanxioustowinthebattleagainstunchastitybutareunwillingtousethemeansandfleethedangers.

PartVI1. TheBriefofSaintPiusXofDecember5,1904,grantedan indulgenceof300days for

reciting the Hail Mary three times morning and evening, adding the invocation “ByvirtueofyourImmaculateConception,OMary,makemybodypureandmysoulholy.”The occasion was the fiftieth anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of theImmaculateConception.TheBriefrecalledthezealofSaintAlphonsusinpromotingthispractice,soeffectiveinpreservingchastity.

2.PopePiusXIgrantedanindulgenceoftenyears totiesquotiesandaplenaryindulgenceonceamonthundertheusualconditions.

3.ItisnolongerobligatorytobeginandendtheCanonicalHourswiththeHailMary.4. Saint Alphonsus wrote, of course, in the days before frequent Communion became acommon practice. In his days, penitents usually asked the confessor for permission toreceive.Thisisnolongercustomary.

5.SaintAlphonsushere(andinotherpassages)enumeratestheindulgencesinvogueinhisday,manyofwhichhavebeenrescinded.AcompletelistofindulgencesavailabletodaymaybefoundintheEnchiridionIndulgentiarum.

6. SaintPeterDamiandidnotcomposetheLittleOfficebuthedidardentlypropagateitsuse.Somuchsothathecanwellbecalledthe“restoreroftheLittleOffice.”

7. Saint Alphonsus’s Visits to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary hasappeared inmore than two thousand separateeditionsandhasbeen translated intoatleast sixty-five languages. More than fifty-four editions of theVisits have appeared inEnglishalone.

8.Thisprivilegeiscalledthe“Sabbatineprivilege.”9.ShouldanyonefailintoasinofunchastityandsubsequentlyregainGod’sgracethroughperfectcontritionorconfession,thatpersonagainqualifiesasoneobservingthechastityrequiredofhisstateoflife.

10.ThoseboundtothedailyrecitationoftheCanonicalHourssatisfythisconditionbytheirrecitationoftheDivineOffice.

11.ThesefourscapularstogetherwiththescapularofthePassionareoftenfastenedtogetherandreferredtoasthe“fivescapulars.”

12. WhatSaintAlphonsussayshereobviouslypertains tomembership insocieties like theSodality,theLegionofMary,theRosarySociety,andsoon.

13. Someof thepracticesrecommendedheremayseemunusual to themodernreaderbuttheywerenotuncommoninSaintAlphonsus’sday.

14.SaintAlphonsusthenlistsnumerousindulgencesgrantedinhistimeforpopularMariandevotions.Arevisionoftheseindulgences,togetherwithmanynewones,maybefoundinanyapprovedhookofindulgences.

PartVII1.ManyhaveobjectedtotheinclusionoftheseexamplesinamoderneditionofTheGloriesof Mary. The editors of the critical edition have investigated the sources of theseexamplesandhavebeenabletotracemostofthemtowritersorspeakersknowntoSaintAlphonsus. Some examples, no doubt, are of the saint’s own fashioning. It must be

remembered that Saint Alphonsuswrote andworked for a simple, credulous people—peoplewhosefaithwasdeep,butwhosetechnicalknowledgeofthetruthsoffaithwasoftensparse.LikeourBlessedSavior,SaintAlphonsuschosetheapproachofstoriesandparables to bring home doctrines difficult of comprehension by unletteredminds. TheexamplesareprintedherebecausetheydoformanintegralpartofthecriticaleditionofTheGloriesofMary.Sincemanyof themarerepetitious,however,aselectionhasbeenmade.Thestoriesprintedherearerepresentativeofthosethathavebeenomitted.

Appendix11.WhenSaintAlphonsuswrotethis,thedoctrineoftheImmaculateConceptionhadnotyetbeendefinedasanarticleoffaith.

Appendix21.SaintAlphonsusfirstpublishedthis“Reply”in1775.Fromthattimeon,however,ithasusuallybeenincorporatedintoeditionsofTheGloriesofMaryasanappendix.

INDEX

Abondo,Brother133Abraham17–18,125,144–145,253,296Achinto,S.J.,John21Acquaviva,S.J.,Claudius267Adam10,86,146,178,180,183,187,190–191,196,211,222,229,257,273,341,346Adam,abbot113,238AdamofPerseigne,abbot26,120Agnes,Saint118,187,290,339Alan,Blessed38,75,139,152Alanus362Alberic,Saint155Albert, theGreat3–4,10,19,57,72,86,96,109,124,225,228–229,236–237,242,278,

283,289–290,300,334,336,342,346,354,356Alexander,O.F.M.,ofHales380AlexandertheGreat253AlexanderV,pope374AlexanderVII,pope193Algrino299,344AloysiusGonzaga,Saint20,260AlphonsusRodriguezxxvi,21,174,363Alvarez,Alphonso126Amadeus,Blessed37,65,103,286–287,289Ambrose,Saint10,15,71,94,135,152,183,191,205,212,230,235,240,252,328,336,

346–347,357,377Amphilochius,Saint192Anastasius,Saint136Andrew,Saint288AndrewAvellino,Saint43,116AndrewofCrete33,51,112,164,226,252,263,360AngelaofFoligno,Blessed337Angelita,Jerome404Anne,Saint204,211–212,259,274,383Anselm,Saintxxv,13,17,22,26,30,37,51,67–68,75,78–79,86,89,95–96,112,124,

128,138,146,158,165,168,182,189,203,206,212,215,226–227,242,271,285,290,301,310,320,335,339,352,401

AnthonyofPadua,Saint74,152Antipater253Antoninus,Saint17–18,44,52,59,61,79,81,88,91,96,99,124–125,136,138,143–144,

147,152,188,217,221,225,275,286,301,342,352,402Aponius346

Aristotle24ArnoldofChartres,abbot2,15,146,184,202,226,252,286Arriaga,S.J.,Joseph370Athanasius2,165,179,275Augustine,Saintxxiii,12,33,36,57,61,71,81,97,99,136,180,184–185,187,189,192–

193,223,225–226,239,252,276,286–288,306,314,328,336,341,343,346–347,350,401

Auriemma,Father22,370

Baronius211,324Baronlus239Barrada98Basil,Saint51,57,59,179,198,202,277,301BasilofSeleucia,Saint290BattistaVarani,Blessed316BedetheVenerable,Saint117,239,352Benedict,Saint89BenedictXIII,pope363BenedictXIV,pope363,405Benvenuta305Bernardxxv,xxvii,5–6,18–20,25–26,32–34,37,39,51,53,58,60–61,68–69,71–72,74,

78–79, 81–83, 86, 88–91, 96, 101, 104–105, 108–109, 113, 118–119, 125, 136–139,142,145–147,152,154,161,168,174,179,181,183,185,189,194,201–202,207,217, 222–225, 229, 231, 236–239, 242, 252–253, 258–260, 270–271, 275–277, 283,287,304,310,313–316,320,322–323,325,328–329,331–333,335,345–346,349–350,355,357,360,362,370,383,401–402,405–407

BernardinedeBustis19,33,39,66,144,146–147,212,214,224,240,260,321,336BernardineofSiena,Saintxxv,2,10–11,20,31,72–73,79,82,88,95,110,117,130,132,

180,183,187,189,192,199,222,227,228–229,236–237,271,277,285,296,308,314,330,334–337,351,384,402–403

Beza,Theodore404Binanzio,Francis21Binetti45Blosius,Louis6,28,52,58,61,66,68,126–127,135,167,174Bonaventure,Saintxxiv,xxvii,4,9,11,13,17–18,20,22–23,27–28,38,53,58–60,65–66,

70, 73–75, 78, 81–83, 88–91, 95, 100, 103–104, 109–110, 112, 117–119, 124–126,128,135,137–138,142–143,152,154–156,173,180,188,192,198,202,215,229,236,240–241,251,278,286,289–290,293,300–301,309,313–314,319–320,325–326,339,345,348,350,354,356,362,402

Boniface,Saint287Bonifacio,John405Bovio,S.J.,Carlo28,34,147Brancaccio,S.J.,Francis174Bridget,Saintxxiv,6,12,21,25–26,34,44–45,58–60,73,75,86,96,99,111,116–118,

131,144–145,153–154,173,184,191,216,222,225,230,252,266,284–285,291–292, 296–297, 308–310, 313–316, 319–321, 324, 331–332, 336–337, 339, 349–350,352–354,356,366,369,384

Brocard301Brocardus239Bruno,Saint71,192

CaesariusofHeisterbach106–107,140,389Caiphas295,309Cajetan,Saint88CamillusdeLellis,Saint155Caputo,S.J.,Sertorius155,174Cardoni,Ildephonsus404,407Cartagena198Cassian88,403Catharinus191,283CatherineofGenoa,Saint338CatherineofSaintAugustine,Sister7–8CatherineofSiena,Saint110,126,147,285,337Cecilia,Saint242Cedrenus211,262CharlesBorromeo,Saint363,370,376Clare,Saint47ClareofMontefalco,Saint47ClaudedelaColombière,Blessed198,204,276Clement,Blessed393ClementVII,pope132,374Colette,O.F.M.,Saint302Coriolanus98CorneliusàLapide18–19,38,72–73,189,289,338,344CosmasofJerusalem,Saintxxvii,95Crasset,Father47,123–124,132,386,403Cyprian,Saint71,355Cyril,Saint97,187CyrilofAlexandria,Saint342

Daniel222David3–4,12,27,43,57,89,104,109,116,126,181,186,190,198,200,262,271,275,

284,295,304,344,346,376DenisofAlexandria179DenistheAreopagite230DenistheCarthusian103,132,136,199,227,252,275,283,305,346,356d’Espinoso,S.J.,Augustine21

Diogenes343Dominic,Saintxxv,98,113,133–134,368,388

Eberhard,Saint,bishopofSalzburg380Elias271Elizabeth,Saint53,66,86–87,235–236,239–241,244,265,273,291,330–331,339,341,

347–348,357ElizabethofHungary,Saint18,215,221,258,330,348,356Elphinstone,William13Emingo,Blessed,bishopxxivEmmanuelofJesusMary78Ephrem,Saint51,57,61,90,135,154,160,168,173,179,192,226,402,405–406Epiphanius,Saint109,116,152,212,247,252,347,406Erasmus126,287Ernest,archbishopofPrague4Esau59Esther4–5Eulalia,Saint369EusebiusofEmesa221Eusebius,Saint,pope193Eustochius44Euthymius,Saint54,263Eutychian,Blessed68,91Eve71–72,78,86,179,273,341

Felix,hermit47Fernandez,Benedict57,200Fidelis,Saint16Flodoard127FrancesofRome,Saint90FrancisBorgia,Saint37FrancisdeSales,Saint16,69,225,329,334,337,354,376FrancisofAssisi,Saint258,350FrancisSolano,Saint20FrancisXavier,Saint16,173Franco,abbot226Francone,abbotxxiii,59,153Fulgentius,Saint146,299,324FulgentiusofAscoli155

Gabriel,archangel32,165,202,221–222,235,238,260,262–263,274,330,341,362Garcia,Simon168Gaudio,DonConstantine406GeorgeofNicomedia,Saint212,230

GerardtheMartyr,Saint380Germanus,Saint33,38,52,57,75,79,87–89,95,99,103–104,128,137,146,153,156,

162,212–213,231,237,241,252,336,402Gerson,John3,131,187,275,300,403Gertrude,Saint10,34,60,67–68,119–120,187,362,365Giorgio,Peter405Godfrey,abbot98,104,133Gregory,Saint5,111,139,180,201,343,355,380GregoryNazianzen,Saint339GregoryofNicomedia,Saint6GregoryofNyssa,Saint212,332,347GregoryThaumaturgus,Saint205,236GregoryofTours,Saint348GregoryVII,pope24GregoryXIII,pope132,406Gretscher,S.J.,James404Guerra198Guerric,abbot2,119–120,136,142,224,271,275,278,321Guttierez,S.J.,Martin380

Hayewood,Jasper44Heliodorus212Helvidius347HenryII,Saint,emperor372Herman,Blessed20HermanContractus405Herod299,301–302,309,342Herolt,John,Blessed62,322Hilary,Saint125Hildebert,Saint119,145Hippocrates335Holofernes207Honorius,anchorite152Hospinien404HughofSaintVictor143,146,188Hugo,cardinal32,37,43,56,73,109,135,144,214,285

Ignatius,Saint350IgnatiustheMartyr,Saint20,124,126Ildephonsus,Saint78,83–84,138,165,188–189,192,261,275,289,335,342,384,402InnocentIII,pope33,38,56,67Irenaeus,Saint52,341,351Isaac18,59,296Isaiah43–44,83,108,119,201,225,310,342,357

Jacob59,135,190,222James,Saint77,145,273,303,343JaneFrancesdeChantal,Saint329,365Jansenius98,301JeanneofFrance,Saint173Jeremiah51,77,82,90,283,285,288–289,305,309Jerome,Saint44,71,82,97,99,117,150,189,192,215,225,248,261,266,314,347,357,

402,405JeromeEmiliani,Saint311,394Joachim,Saint211–212,274,383JoannaofJesusandMary,Sister302Job73,306John,evangelistandapostle,Saint11–12,16–18,67,110,137,139,145,206,258,263–265,

283,291,309,316,325,355,383,403JohntheBaptist,Saint184,227,234–235,240–241,274,348,383JohnBerchmans,Saint19,23,39,174,361JohnChrysostom,Saint33,71,97,111,124,217,241,311,314,340JohnDamascene,Saintxxvii,56,61,74,79,87,90,100,126,137,139,144,164,168,179,

182,192,201,212,214,239,242,263–265,347–348,355,372,383JohnGeometra,Saint104,136JohnofGod,Saint47JohnXXII,pope132,363,374JosephofArimathea320Joseph,Saint88,274,300–301,304,330,344–345,347,349,352,382–383JosephofJesusMary,Brother239Josephus211,213Judith273Justin,Saint112JuvenalAncina,bishopofSaluzzo152

Lanspergius27,53,305,316,320Launoy404Lawrence,Saint267,288Lawrence,Giustiniani,Saint33,38–39,61,78,189–190,192,203,225,260,286,309,311Leo,Saint142,193,288,309,342Leo,Brother136LeoX,pope406Lireo,Father156Lopez,S.J.,Jerome118Louis,Bertrand,SaintxxvLouisdePonte,Venerable143Lucifer60,71,160,179–181,184,186,190,237,254,328LudolphofSaxony152,301Luke,Saint10,33,66,94,154,235,239,303,331,347–348

Luther,Martin90

Marcellinus,Saint288Marinus(Martin,S.J.,d’Alberto)333Mark,Saint288Marsilius,bishop152Martinez,S.J.,James21MaryCrucified,Benedictinenun12,16MaryMagdalen,Saint227,325MaryMagdalenofPazzi,Saint139,173MaryofEgypt,Saint40MaryofOignies,Blessed47Matilda,Saint46,294,329,362,364Matthew,Saint84,301,331Mechtilde,Saint231,242Mendoza403Metaphrastes262,321,350MethodiusSaint,56,99,138,152,163,187,339,342Michael,archangel44Moses73Muratori,Louis400,405–407

Nathan295Nicephorus68,211,262,350NicholasofCusa,cardinal188,191Nieremberg,Eusebius16–17,133,139,403Nithard,bishopofBamberg370Noah109Noël,Alexandre403Novarinus12,65,131–132,191,337

Odilo356Oecolampadius125Olympia253Origen192,304–306Orsini,O.P.,Magdalene297

Paciucchelli125,135,403Padial,Manuel44PaolaofFoligno,Blessed332Pareus,David404Passino316Paul,Saint77,79,139,145,147,183,191,199,275,277,288,339,341,349

PaulV,pope132,374Paulinus,Saint16Pelbart127,152,283,291,304Pepe,S.J.,Francis198Petavius193,236,403Peter,Saint77,146,265PeterCanisius,Saint207,349,386,404PeterCelestine360PeterChrysologus,Saint24,146,154,222,237,300PeterDamian,Saintxxvii,21,44–45,83,91,95–96,117,132,136,166,185–186,190,192,

198,201,228,236,271,277–278,316,336,369,400,403PeterofAlcántara,Saint47,260,310PeterofCelles,abbot190,227PhilipNeri,Saint20,39,173,196,348,350,352Philo357Pilate17,250,262,295,309,320Pinamonti,Father290PiusV,Saint,pope132,406Plutarch253Poire403Pouget406Pritanius,Lamindus[pseud.]400,406Proclus186

RaymondJordano,Blessed,abbotofCelles18–19,52,79,82,88,102–103,152,163,189,192,225,231,236,240,277,322,403Razzi,Silvanus,Father278Rebecca59Recupito198Reginald,O.P.,Fra242Remigius347Reynaud,S.J.,Theophilus404Rho,Father156Ribera65RichardofSaintLawrencexxiv,24–25,27,32,44,59,65–66,72,74,82,86–88,94–95,103–

104,116,124,136–137,145,152–154,236–237,240,278,283,287,289,328,332,341,351,357,360,362,403,405

RichardofSaintVictor19,67,128,144,202–203,230,289,334–335RobertBellarmine,Saint12,36,51,406Rolli,Abbé404–407Rupert,abbot2,7,39,81,136,214,259,261,271,284,296,329,336,357Ruth65

Sa,Emmanuel,Father267

Sanchez,Thomas,Father372Santi,O.F.M.,Blessed382Satan71,75,126,180,187,291Sedulius358Segneri,Paulxxv,90,198,231,367,372,403Seneca3,294SeraphinaofCapri,Saint137Sigismund,emperor127Simeon,Saint248–249,252–253,273,284–285,294,297,299–300,304,320SimonMagus237SimonofCassia,Blessed290,316SimonStock,Saint374SixtusV,pope406Solomon306,338Sophronius,Saint190,192,202,217,328,335,346,402Spinelli,S.J.174,198Stanislaus,Kostka,Saint20,266–267,363Stephen,Saint77Suarez,S.J.,Francisco36,45,83,86,89,189,198–199,211,227–228,230,310,336,341Suetonius5,144,386Surius127Suso,Henry,Blessed74,128,153Sylveira11

Tacitus386Tauler261,284TeresaofÁvila,Saint47,187,249,294,306,330,343,350,355Tertullian341Theophanes,bishopofNicaea179Theophilus,patriarch91–92,99Theophylact241ThomasAquinas,Saint3,15,25,50,90,94,97,135,168,181–183,185–186,189–190,194,

199–200,206,211,227–228,230,247,275–276,283,297,301,328,334,338,342,347,401,406

ThomasMore,Saint310ThomasàKempisxxiv,74,127,143,153–155,240,360,362ThomasofVillanova, Saint39,51,57,106,114,182,185,206,223,227,229,248,335,

337,342,351Titus,emperor144Tobias305Toledo,cardinal370Tolomei,Bernard,Blessed392Torni,Julius,bishop193Torres,S.J.,Francis404

Trexo,S.J.,John21Trithemius207Tursellino,S.J.404

ValeriusMaximus98Vergello357Verger404VeronicaofBinasco,Blessed291,301Vigilantius405Villani,Mary,Venerable103,239VincentFerrer,Saint44,71,131,198,287,315,357,393

WilliamtheAbbot,Saint10–11,98,110,221,311,314William,bishopofParis35,105,112,114,120,167,289

Zachary,Saint213,236,273Zagnoni,Pudenziana253Zosimus41Zucchi,Nicholas,Father231

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The Glories of Mary - Saint Alphonsus Liguori

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