30 August 2022
28 August 2022
The 3 Conversions of St. Mary Magdalene: Learning from Her "Holy Audacity"
+JMJ+
Ad Majorem Deum Gloriam
Ad Jesum per Mariam
The almost humorous phrase "holy audacity" might describe a certain characteristic of St. Mary Magdalene. This characteristic, which I first heard from a famous, pious nun, growing in holiness, was used to describe the saint in connection to how she let love override her fear. Three main examples are given to us regarding St. Mary Magdalene by the Holy Spirit that might help one to acquire this tenacious spirit to love our Lord more greatly and to make him loved by others.
The First Conversion of St. Mary Magdalene was when she was in a fearful moment of being brought to our Lord Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees. Remember, that a penalty for adultery back then would have been stoning to death. We do not know what caused the spiral of bad choices that led this poor sinner down such a path, but God wishes us to learn first of the depth of Christ's compassion.
[1] And Jesus went unto mount Olivet. [2] And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them. [3] And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst, [4] And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery. [5] Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
[6] And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground. [7] When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. [8] And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground. [9] But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst. [10] Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
[11] Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more. [12] Again therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying: I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life. -- John 8:1-12
Jesus could read hearts, and knew that this was a teaching moment for this notorious sinner, who would later, in her tremendous contrition, bathe the Lord's feet with her copious tears and anoint his feet in oil, even in front of others, for she knew the terrific number and gravity of sins which he had wiped from her once unclean heart.
What we might learn: St. Mary Magdalene, was forgiven much and, therefore, she learned by Christ, to love much. For this, by the operation of Christ, Our Lord used the saint as an example, even providentially while he had been teaching in the temple. By this example, countless souls from that point on have been converted to Christ.
And there were there many women afar off, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
[56] Among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. [57] And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus. [58] He went to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the body should be delivered. [59] And Joseph taking the body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth. [60] And laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way. -- Matthew 27:56-59
The Second Conversion of St. Mary Magdalene was when the saint remained with the Blessed Virgin Mother, along with other holy women, after having followed Christ through his Passion and to the Cross on Calvary. Her strength of spirit came from tending to the Blessed Mother and to the other women.
And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him. [28] But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves, and for your children. [29] For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the paps that have not given suck. [30] Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us; and to the hills: Cover us. -- Luke 23:17-30
Here our Lord seeks to give encouragement to the women --- both the mothers and those who had not had the blessing of children, to emphasize that there also exists a spiritual motherhood, also sacrificial in nature. How are either ministry fulfilled when following the Passion of Our Lord? Their strength is found in staying close the Blessed Virgin Mother and in support of one another in this mystical walk of Calvary.
Men, incidentally, can learn from St. Mary Magdalene here, for she whose life was saved by Christ, now risks her life to be associated with through the greatest spiritual suffering. Both the St. Mary Magdalene and St. John the Apostle were given graces of strength of heart and fortitude even protection of their bodies to fulfil their lives' ministries by remaining close to Christ through maintaining close proximity to his Blessed Virgin Mother.
The Third Conversion.
[11] But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, [12] And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid. [13] They say to her: Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them: Because they have taken away my Lord; and I know not where they have laid him. [14] When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing; and she knew not that it was Jesus. [15] Jesus saith to her: Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, thinking it was the gardener, saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. -- John 20:11-15
Ahhhh!!! Holy Audacity! This dear saint, with reason clouded by grief, thinks she can carry the dead body of her Lord, Jesus. After a long week of witnessing the Greatest Suffering known to mankind, she finds that the body of Christ is now missing from the sepulchre. Yet, she sees two angels, and rather than be comforted in the slightest even by the spiritual blessing of seeing them, she responds to their inquiry of the reason for her weeping at the site of the empty tomb, "Because they havve taken nawayy my Lord; and I know not where they have laid him." St. Mary Magdalene then looks at Jesus standing near by, watching her weeping, who then asks, 'Woman, why are you crying? For whom do you seek?" And really, what an ironic question, since St. Mary Magdalene was seen peering into the empty tomb! To which the confused saint responds, "Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away."
John 20 continues:
[16] Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master). [17] Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren, and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God. [18] Mary Magdalen cometh, and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.
.jpg)
At the moment Jesus says the name of St. Mary Magdalene, a first name which, in itself, when said with devotion, is a sacramental, St. Mary Magdalene recognizes Christ, whom she thought initially was the gardener. He calls her by her name and then tells her to not touch him, then commissions her to witness to the others to see that he has, in fact, resurrected form the dead. Christ tells Mary Magdalene not to touch him because this is the spiritual commission, to witness to Christ's death and resurrection. Jesus tells Mary Magdalene not to act by her emotions to desire to touch him to find consolation. It was not for her faith that she desired to touch our Lord, as it was with St. Thomas, but for her own consolation in the fact that our Lord has resurrected. However, had she touched our Lord, she would have been led by her emotions and not her reason, and missed the point of Jesus's resurrection from the dead, which was to have others witness to his Ascension, which, in turn, would open the gates to Heaven, and bring forth the ability for the supernatural graces to come from the Sacraments of His Bride.
Therefore, St Mary Magdalene's third conversion was the culmination of the first two: firstly, receiving God's mercy through God the Son. Secondly, following the Passion and Death of Christ by remaining close to his Mother. Lastly, she is reminded by Jesus to not allow her devotion to be moved by emotions, but rather, by her spiritual duties, first alluded to in the first two conversions. These conversions might have been revisited in the daily mental prayer of the saint, reminded of the forgiveness of our Lord, the suffering and death of our Lord, and now the commission to rely on hearing his 'voice'* (*if even only in prayer and meditation on scripture), and trusting in Christ's promise of Heaven.
In Conclusion:
We , too, may find "holy audacity" from the example of St. Mary Magdalene. This is useful in our day to day journey with Christ, and also in leading others to Christ, both in prayer and action. Let us not depend on seeing the outcome, or find ourselves attached to temporal joys and passing emotions, but remain trusting in our Lord and his continuing ministry.
And never forget the protection and strength given to we who strive to be the spiritual children of the Blessed Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ. "Behold, thy mother!"
22 August 2022
An Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Mary
An Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Mary
Composed by Saint Alphonsus Liguori
"Holy and spotless Virgin, Daughter of the Heavenly Father, Mother of the Word Incarnate, Spouse of the Holy Ghost, Queen of Angels and of Saints, I acknowledge thee and choose thee for my Sovereign, my Mother, my Advocate with Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son: be thou honoured in Heaven, revered on earth, and feared in Hell. Most holy heart of Mary, inseparably united to that of Jesus, I offer thee my heart, and I consecrate it to thee, wishing that thy place in it may be next to that of Jesus, my God; thou shalt ever be the object of my veneration, love, and trust; I will daily offer thee my sincere homage, and will joyfully celebrate thy festivals; I will publish thy greatness and thy blessings, and will spare no pains to obtain for thee the homage which is so justly due to thee; I will endeavour to conform my sentiments to thine, and I will constantly study how I may imitate thy virtues, especially thy humility and purity.
Deign, O most holy Virgin, to open thy heart to me, and receive me into it, among thy children and faithful servants: obtain for me grace to imitate thee, as thou didst imitate Jesus; help me in all my necessities; assist me in every danger; console me in affliction, and teach me to make a good use of the pleasures and sorrows of this life, but above all help me, most blessed Lady, in the hour of my death. Amen."
17 August 2022
Mary Help of Christians
+JMJ+
Our Lady is the Help of Christians as she continues to bring Christ into the world through obedience to grace.
As true Christians, that is to say, as those who truly follow the teachings of Christ through the what he passed down through his apostles without shadow or alternation that changes its initial meaning, we understand that grace transforms the soul, sometimes building on nature, and other times, transforming it altogether. For this means, the Christian is able to truly obey that which God has commanded. Even the most hardened of heart can be changed if he goes through the Blessed Mother, as she will most certainly pray for those who request her assistance, and our Lord then sees her prayers, which because they come from his Mother, are always worthy of his merciful and generous response.
Mary is the Help of Christians because she looks to save souls, for the purpose of building up the Kingdom of Christ, both in this temporal world, but especially in eternal life.
Since the Apostolic Age, Christians have turned with great confidence to the Blessed Virgin Mary for spiritual and temporal help. Knowing that theMother of God is also our spiritual Mother, Christians have sought her maternal aid and intercession with the Divine Majesty. And Mary Immaculate, being the marvelous Mother that she is, often comes to help her children before they even come to implore her avail, sometimes before they are even aware of their particular need. Our Lady’s solicitude at the Wedding Feast at Cana manifests this maternal trait of anticipating the needs of her children. Remember: Mary notices that the young couple had run out of wine at their marriage feast. No one had said a word about it to her, yet she mentions the plight of the married couple with tact and delicacy to her Son. And Our Lord hears and answers her prayer!
 |
The tradition of this advocation goes back to 1571, when the whole of Christendom was saved by Mary Help of Christians when Catholics throughout Europe prayed the Rosary. The great battle of Lepanto occurred on October 7th 1571. For this reason this date has been chosen as the feast of the Holy Rosary. In 1573 Pope Pius V instituted the feast in thanksgiving for the decisive victory of Christianity over Islamism. Pope St. Pius V inserted the title of Help of Christians in the litany of Loreto in 1571 in thanksgiving to Our Lady for the victory of the inferior Christian fleet over the Muslim Turks at the Battle of Lepanto.
Near the end of the 17th century, Emperor Leopold I of Austria took refuge in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Pasau, when 200,000 Ottoman Turks besieged the capital city of Vienna, but a great victory occurred thanks to Mary Help of Christians: on September 8th, Feast of Our Lady's Birthday, plans were drawn for the battle. On September 12, Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, Vienna was finally freed through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians. All Europe had joined with the Emperor crying out "Mary, Help!" and praying the Holy rosary.
Centuries later Pope Pius VII, held captive by Napoleon’s forces at Savona, organized a Rosary Novena among the faithful to Our Lady Help of Christians for his liberation. In 1815, Pius VII established the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians in gratitude for his release from captivity.
In 1809, Napoleon's men entered the Vatican, arrested Pius VII and brought him in chains to Grenoble, and eventually Fontainbleau. His imprisonment lasted five years. The Holy Father vowed to God that , if he were restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in honor of Mary. Military reverses forced Napoleon to release the Pope, and on May 24th 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later, the Pope decreed that the feast of Mary Help of Christians, be kept on the 24th of May.
St. John Bosco and Our Lady Help of Christians
 |
St. John Bosco (1815 - 1888) was a dynamic priest who founded the Salesian Order in the XIX century in Italy. His many prophetic dreams, beginning atage nine, guided his ministry and gave insights on future events.
On May 14, 1862, Don Bosco dreamed about the battles the Church would face in the latter days. In his dream, the Pope of those days anchors the 'ship' of the Church between two pillars, one with a statue of Mary (Auxilium Christianorum or 'Help of Christians') and the other with a large Eucharistic Host
St. John Bosco wrote about his congregation, the Salesians: "The principal objective is to promote veneration of the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Mary Help of Christians. This title seems to please the august Queen of Heaven very much."
Prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians
Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christian,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you,
your perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth we may love and eternally thank you in heaven.
16 August 2022
15 August 2022
The Feast of the Assumption
“It was fitting that she,
who had kept her virginity in childbirth,
should keep her own body
free from all corruption even after death.
It was fitting that she,
who had carried the Creator as a child at her breast,
should dwell in the divine tabernacles…
it was fitting that God’s Mother
should possess what belongs to her Son
and that she should be honoured by every creature
as the Mother and the Handmaid of God.”
St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church
“As the most glorious Mother of Christ,
our Saviour and our God
and the giver of life and immortality,
has been endowed with life by Him,
she has received an eternal incorruptibility of the body
together with Him who has raised her up from the tomb
and has taken her up to Himself
in a way known only to Him.”
St Modestus of Jerusalem (Died 630)
“And with regard to ourselves,
how deservedly do we keep
the Feast of the Assumption with all solemnity.
What reasons for rejoicing,
what motives for exultation
have we on this most beautiful day!
The presence of Mary illumines the entire world
so that even the holy city above
has now a more dazzling splendour
from the light of this virginal Lamp.
With good reason,
thanksgiving and the voice of praise,
resound today throughout the courts of Heaven…
let us not complain,
for here we do not have a lasting city
but we seek one that is to come,
the same which the blessed Mary entered today.”
St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor
Taken from St Alphonsus’ “The Glories of Mary”:
MARY dies; but how does she die? She dies entirely detached from any affection for created things, and dies consumed with that divine love with which her most holy heart was always and entirely inflamed. Oh holy mother, thou hast already left the earth; do not forget us, miserable pilgrims, who remain in this valley of tears struggling against so many enemies, who desire to see us lost in hell. Ah, by the merits of thy precious death, obtain for us detachment from earthly things, pardon of our sins, love to God, and holy perseverance; and, when the hour of our death shall arrive, assist us from heaven with thy prayers, and obtain for us to come and kiss thy feet in paradise.
13 August 2022
Day 33: Comforter of the Afflicted
Our Lady of Consolation or Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted (Latin Consolatrix Afflictorum) is a Roman Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It dates back to the second century and is one of her earliest Marian titles of honor. The title Comforter of the afflicted is also used as an invocation in the Litany of Loreto.
The origin of this invocation is derived from the Augustinian friars who propagated this particular devotion. In 1436 the Confraternity of the Holy Cincture of Our Lady of Consolation was founded in Bologna. It was based on an Augustinian tradition which holds that Saint Monica in the fourth century, was distraught with anxiety for her wayward son, Augustine, and that Mary gave her a sash which the Virgin wore, with the assurance that whoever wore this belt would receive her special consolation and protection. Along with Saints Augustine, and Monica, Our Lady of Consolation is one of the three patrons of the Augustinian orders. The "Augustinian Rosary" is sometimes called the "crown of our mother of consolation".
c It was based on an Augustinian tradition which holds that Saint Monica in the fourth century, was distraught with anxiety for her wayward son, Augustine, and that Mary gave her a sash which the Virgin wore, with the assurance that whoever wore this belt would receive her special consolation and protection.[2] Along with Saints Augustine, and Monica, Our Lady of Consolation is one of the three patrons of the Augustinian orders. The "Augustinian Rosary" is sometimes called the "crown of our mother of consolation". The traditional depiction of Our Mother of Consolation in Augustinian houses show Mary holding the Christ child on her lap. Both of them hold the Augustinian cincture in their hands, --- from Wikipedia
12 August 2022
11 August 2022
Day 32: Refuge of Sinners
+JMJ+
10 August 2022
Day 31: Health of the Sick
+JMJ+
One of the titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary is Health of the Sick. Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O. P. (b. 1877- d. 1964) writes about this Marian title in his book, The Mother of the Savior. Traditionally, the Catholic faithful have called upon Our Lady to remember them in their needs (a.k.a., their sicknesses) through the prayer of the Memorare; but more on that prayer in a bit. First, here is an excerpt from Fr. Garrigou- Lagrange’s The Mother of the Savior, which explains the assistance Our Lady obtains for us when we ask for her help:
“Mary is Health of the Sick by the many providential or miraculous cures which have been obtained through her intercession in Christian sanctuaries up to our own days. So many have these cures been that it may be said that Mary is a fathomless ocean of miraculous healing. But it is to help the infirmity of the soul that she cures the body. Her most important cures are those of the four spiritual wounds which we have suffered as a result of original sin and our personal sins —- the wounds of concupiscence, of weakness, of ignorance, and of malice.
She heals concupiscence —- a wound of our sensibility—- by diminishing the ardor of our passions and by breaking our sinful habits
. She helps the sinner to begin to will what is right with sufficient firmness to enable him to reject evil desires as well as the appeal of honors and riches. In this way she cures the concupiscence of the flesh and that of the eyes.
She heals the wound of weakness too, our feeble pursuit of the good, our spiritual sloth. She makes the will constant and firm in its practice of virtue and helps it to despise the attractions of this world by throwing itself into the arms of God. she strengthens those who falter and lifts up those who have fallen.
She heals the wound of ignorance by lighting up the darkness of our minds and providing us with the means to escape from error. She calls to our minds the simple and profound truths of the Our Father, thereby lifting our minds up to God. St. Albert the Great, to whom she gave the light to persevere in his vocation and to see through the wiles of Satan, said frequently that she preserves us from losing rightness and firmness of judgment, that she helps us not to grow weary in the pursuit of truth, and that she leads us eventually to a relish of the things of God. He himself speaks of her in his Mariale with a spontaneity , an admiration, a freshness, and a fluency which are rarely found in the works of great students.
She heals us finally of the wounds of malice, by urging our wills Godwards, sometimes by gentle advice, sometimes by stern reproaches. Her sweetness checks anger, her humility lowers pride and restrains the temptations of the evil one. In a word, she heals us of the wounds which we bear as a result of original sin and which our personal sin has made all the more dangerous.
Sometimes this healing power of hers works in a miraculous manner by producing its effects instantaneously. An example is the conversion of the young Alphonse Ratisbonne, at the time a Jew and far removed from the faith, who visited the Church of Sant’ Andrea delle Fratte in Rome through curiosity. Mary appeared to him there, as she is represented on the miraculous medal, with rays of light issuing from her hands. She indicated gently to him to kneel. He obeyed, and while on his knees lost the use of his senses. when he returned to himself he expressed an intense desire for Baptism. He was baptized and later, with his brother who had been converted before him, founded the congregation of the Fathers of Sion and that of the Religious of Sion, to pray, suffer, and work for the conversion of the Jews, saying daily at Holy Mass: ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'”
09 August 2022
Day 29: Gate of Heaven
As taken from, The Glories Of Mary |
"OH, what a signal inark of predestination have the servants of Mary! The holy Church applies to this divine mother the words of Ecolesiasticus, and makes her say for the comfort of her servants: "In all these I sought rest, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord." Cardinal Hugo, commenting on this, remarks; Blessed is lie in whose habitation the holy Virgin found rest : "Beatus in cujus domo beatae Virgo requiem invenerit." Mary, through the love she bears to all, seeks to make devotion to her prevail in all hearts. Many do not receive it or do not preserve it; blessed is he who receives it and preserves it. In the inheritance of the Lord will I abide ; that is, adds the learned Paciucchelli, in those who are the inheritance of the Lord. Devotion to the Virgin abides in all those who are the inheritance of the Lord, that is, who will be in heaven praising him eternally. Mary continues in the passage above cited : "He that made me, rested in my tabernacle, and he said to me : Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in Israel, and take root in my elect "My Creator has condescended to come and rest in my bosom, and has willed that I should inhabit in the hearts of all the elect, whom Jacob prefigured, and who are the inheritance of the Virgin; and he has ordained that devotion to me and confidence in me should take root in the hearts of the elect.
Oh, how many would have failed of being among the blessed in heaven, if Mary, by her powerful intercession, had not conducted them thither! "I made that in the heavens there should rise light that never faileth;" thus Cardinal Hugo putsinto her mouth these words of the same chapter of Ecclesiasticus: I have made to shine in heaven as many eternal lights as I have devoted servants. Whence the same author adds, commenting on this text: Many saints are in heaven by her intercession, whenever would have been there without it. St Bonaventure says, that the gate of heaven will be opened to receive all those who trust in the protection of Mary. Hence St. Ephrem called devotion to the divine mother the opening of paradise. And the devout Blosius, addressing the Virgin, says to her: Lady, to thee are committed the keys and the treasure of the heavenly kingdom. And, therefore, we should continually supplicate her in the words of St. Ambrose: Open to us, oh Virgin, heaven, for thou hast the keys of it. Nay, thou art even the gate of it, as the holy Church names thee, "Janua coeli."
For this reason the great mother is also called by the holy Church: Star of the sea: "Ave, Maris Stella." For as navigators, says the angelic St. Thomas, are guided to port by means of a star, thus Christians are guided to heaven by means of Mary.
She is for this reason, finally, called by St. Peter Damian, the ladder of heaven: "Scala ccelestis;" for, as the saint says, by means of Mary, God has descended from heaven to earth, that by the same, or by her, men might merit to ascend from earth to heaven. And for this reason, oh Lady, says St. Anastasius, thou art full of grace, that thou mightest be made the way of our salvation, and the ascent to the celestial country. St. Bernard calls the blessed Virgin: The vehicle to heaven: "Vehiculum ad coelum." And St. John the Geometrician salutes her: Hail, most noble chariot: "Salve clarissime currus;" by which her servants are con ducted to heaven. And, St Bonaventure addresses her thus: Blessed are those who know thee, oh mother of God! for to know thee is the path to immortal life, and to publish thy virtues is the way to eternal salvation.
In the Franciscan chroniclesf it is related of brother Leo, that he once saw a red ladder, up on which Jesus Christ was standing, and a white one, upon which stood his holy mother. He saw persons attempting to ascend the red ladder; they ascended a few steps and then fell; they ascended again, and again fell. Then they were exhorted to ascend the white ladder, and on that he saw them succeed, for the blessed Virgin offered them her hand, and they arrived in that manner safe in paradise. St. Denis the Carthusian asks: Who will ever be saved? Who will ever reign in heaven? They are saved, and will certainly reign, he himself answers, for whom this queen of mercy offers her prayers. And this Mary herself affirms: By me kings reign: "Per me reges regnant." Through my intercession souls reign first in the mortal life on this earth, by governing their passions, and then they go to reign eternally in heaven, where, as St. Augustine declares, all are kings: "Quot ct tot reges." Mary, in a word, as Richard of St. Laurence says, is the mistress of paradise, since there she commands according to her pleasure, and introduces into it whom she will. Therefore, applying to her the words of Ecclesiasticus, he adds: "My power is in Jerusalem:" I command what I will, and introduce whom I will. And as she is the mother of the Lord of paradise, she is with reason, also, says Rupert, the Lady of paradise. She possesses, by right, the whole kingdom of her Son.
This divine mother, with her powerful prayers and assistance, has obtained for us paradise, if we place no obstacle to our entrance there. Wherefore those who are servants of Mary, and for whom Mary intercedes, are as secure of paradise as if they were already there. To serve Mary and to belong to her court, adds St. John of Damascus, is the greatest honor we can attain; for to serve the queen of heaven is to reign already in heaven, and to live in obedience to her commands is more than to reign. On the other hand, he says that those who do not serve Mary will not be saved; whilst those who are deprived of the support of this great mother, are deprived of the succor of the Son, and of all the celestial court.
Forever praised be the infinite goodness of our God who has constituted Mary our advocate in heaven, that she, as mother of the judge and mother of mercy may efficaciously by her intercession, order the great aifair of our eternal salvation. This sentiment is taken from St. Bernard. And James the Monk, esteemed a doctor among the Greek fathers, says that God has made Mary a bridge of salvation, by which we are enabled to pass over the waves of this world, and reach the blessed port of paradise. Hence St. Bonaventure exclaims: Hear, oh ye people who desire paradise; serve and honor Mary, and you will certainly find life eternal.
Not even those who deserve hell should despair of attaining the kingdom of the blessed, if they faithfully devote themselves to the service of this queen. Sinners, says St. Germanus, have sought to find God by thy means, oh Mary and have been saved! Richard of St. Laurence remarks that Mary is said by St. John to be crowned with stars. On the other hand, in the sacred Canticles, the Virgin is said to be crowned with wild beaste, lions and panthers: "Come from Libanus, my spouse, come from Libanus, come; thou shalt be crowned from the dens of the lions, from the mountains of the leopards." What does this signify? Richard answers that those wild beasts are those sinners, who, through the favor and intercession of Mary, have become stars of paradise, which are a crown more worthy of this queen of mercy, than all the material stars of heaven. The servant of the Lord, sister Seraphina da Capri, as we read in her life, in her prayes to the most holy Virgin during the Novena of her assumption, asked of her the conversion of a thousand sinners; but as she feared that her demands were too extravagant, the Virgin appeared to her, and reproved her for this her vain fear, saying to her: "Why do you fear? am I not powerful enough to obtain for thee from my Son the salvation of a thousand sinners? Be hold them, I have already obtained it." She showed her the soul of innumerable sinners who had merited hell, and had afterwards been saved by her intercession, and were already enjoying eternal bliss.
It is true that in this life no one can be certain of his eternal salvation: "Man knowethnot whether he be worthy of love or hatred, but all things are kept uncertain for the time to come." David asked of God : Oh Lord, who will be saved? "Who shall dwell in thy tabernacle?"f St. Bonaventure, writing on these words, answers: Oh sinners, let us follow the footsteps of Mary, and cast ourselves at her blessed feet, and let us not leave her until she blesses us, for her blessing will secure to us paradise. It is enough, oh Lady, says St. Anselm, that thou dost wish to save us, for then we cannot but be saved. St. Antoninus adds, that souls protected by Mary are necessarily saved; those upon whom she turns her eyes are necessarily justified and glorified.
With reason, says St. Ildephonsus, the most holy Virgin predicted that all generations would call her blessed ; for all the elect by means of Mary obtain eternal blessedness. Thou, oh great mother, art the beginning, the middle, and the end of our felicity, says St. Methodius. The beginning, because Mary obtains for us the pardon of our sins; the middle, because she obtains for us perseverance in divine grace; the end, because she finally obtains for us paradise. By thee, St. Bernard continues, heaven has been opened by thee hell has been emptied by thee paradise has been restored by thee, in a word, eternal life has been given to many sinners who have merited eternal death.
But above all, we should be encouraged in the certain hope of paradise, by the rich promise which Mary has herself made to those who honor her, and especially to those who, by their words and their example, strive to make her known and honored among others: They that work by me shall not sin; they that explain me shall have life everlasting."! Oh happy, then, are they, says St. Bonaventure, who gain the favor of Mary! they will be welcomed by the blessed as being already their companions; and whosoever bears the seal of a servant of Mary, has his name already written in the book of life. Of what avail is it, then, to trouble ourselves with the opinions of the school men, on the question, whether predestination to glory precedes or follows the foreknowledge of merits? Whether or not our names are written in the book of life? If we are true servants of Mary and obtain her protection, we certainly are written there; for, as St. John of Damascus says, God gives the grace of devotion to his holy mother only to those whom he will save ; in conformity with this, as the Lord seems to have declared expressly through St. John: "He that shall over come, I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God." And who is this city of God but Mary? as St. Gregory explains, commenting on this passage of David: "Glorious things are said of thee, oh city of God."!
We may, then, well say with St. Paul: "Hav ing this seal, the Lord knoweth who are his." Whosoever carries the seal of a servant of Mary, is acknowledged by God as his own. We read in St. Bernard, that devotion to the mother of God is the most certain sign that we shall obtain eternal salvation. And the blessed Alarms, speaking of the "Hail Mary," says that he who often invokes the Virgin with this angelical salutation, has a very certain sign of predesti nation.! And again he says of perseverance in the daily recitation of the holy rosary: Let it be to thee a most probable sign of eternal salvation, if thou dost perseveringly honor the blessed Virgin by daily reciting her rosary. Father Kierembergh still further remarks, that the servants of the mother of God not only are more privileged and favored in this world, but also in heaven will be more especially honored. And he adds, that in heaven they will have a peculiarly rich device and livery, by which they will be known as servants of the queen of heaven and as the people of her court, according to those words of Proverbs: "All her domestics are clothed with double garments."
St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi saw a small vessel in the midst of the sea, in which all the servants of Mary had taken shelter; she herself steering it, safely conducted them to port. By this the saint understood that they who live under the protection of Mary, are rescued , in the midst of all the dangers of this life, from the shipwreck of sin, and from damnation, for by her they are guided in safety to the port of paradise. Let us, then, strive to enter this blessed little vessel of the mantle of Mary, and there let us dwell secure of the kingdom of heaven; for the Church sings, "Holy mother of God, all those who are to be partakers of eternal joy dwell with thee, and live under thy protection."
EXAMPLE.
Oesarius relates, that a certain Cistercian monk, who was a devoted servant of our blessed Lady, desired very earnestly a visit from his dear Lady, and was praying her continually to grant him this favor. He went one night into the garden, and while he stood there looking up to heaven, breathing forth to his queen in ardent sighs his desire to see her, a beautiful and radiant virgin descended, and said to him: Thomas, wouldst thou like to hear me sing?" "Certainly," he answered, and then she sang so weetly that it seemed to the devout religious that he was in paradise. Having finished her song, she disappeared, leaving him absorbed with an ardent desire to know who it could have been; and, soon after, another extremely beautiful virgin appeared to him, who, like the first, allowed him the pleasure of hearing her sing. He could not refrain from asking this one who she was, and the virgin answered : < is She whom you saw a little while ago was Catherine, and I am Agnes, both martyrs for Jesus Christ, sent by our Lady to console you. Give thanks to Mary, and prepare for a greater favor." Having said this she disappeared, but left the religious with a greater hope of finally seeing his queen. Nor was he deceived, for shortly after he saw a great light and felt a new joy flowing into his heart, for in the midst of that light the mother of God appeared to him surrounded by angels, and of a beauty far surpassing that of the other two saints who had appeared to him. She said to him: "My dear servant and son, I have been pleased with the devotion which you have offered me, and have graciously heard your prayers: you have desired to see me; look on me, and I will also sing to you." Then the most holy Virgin began to sing with so great sweetness, that the devout religious lost his senses, and fell with his face upon the ground. The matin-bell sounded, the monks assembled, and not seeing Thomas, searched for him in his cell and other parts of the convent, and at last going into the garden they found him there, apparently lifeless. The superior comanded him to tell what had befallen him. And coming to himself, by the power of obedience, he related all the favors which the divine mother had bestowed upon him.
PRAYER.
Oh queen of paradise! mother of holy love! for thou art of all creatures the most lovely, the most beloved of God and his first lover; ah, suffer the vilest and most ungrateful sinner on the earth to love thee, who sees himself released from hell by thy intercession, and without any merit of his own so blessed by thee, that he is enamored of thy goodness. I would wish if I could, to make known to all men who do not know thee, how worthy thou art to be loved, that all might love and honor thee. I would willingly die for love of thee, in defending thy virginity, thy dignity as mother of God, and thy immaculate conception; if it were ever needful for me to die in defence of these thy great privileges. Oh my most beloved mother, graciously accept this my affection, and do not permit that one of thy servants, who loves thee, should ever become an enemy of thy God, whom thou lovest so much. Ah, unhappy me, such once was I when I offended my Lord. But then, oh Mary, I did not love thee, and I sought little to be loved by thee. Now, after the grace of God, I desire nothing else than but to love thee, and to be loved by thee. I do not despair of this on account of my past offences, for I know that thou, oh most benign and grateful Lady, dost not disdain to love even the most miserable sinners who love thee, never dost allow thyself to be outdone in love by any one. Oh most lovely queen, I wish to go to thee in paradise, there to love thee. There, at thy feet, I shall better know how amiable thou art, and how much thou hast done to save me; therefore I shall love thee there with greater love, and shall love thee eternally, without the fear that I shall ever cease to love thee. Oh Mary, I have the certain hope of being saved through thee. Pray to Jesus for me. I have no other wish. It is thine to save me; thou art my hope. I will always exclaim, Oh Mary, my hope, thou must save me."
08 August 2022
Day 28: Tower of Ivory, House of Gold, Arc of the Covenant
+JMJ+
"Thy neck as a tower of ivory. Thy eyes like the fishpools in Hesebon, which are in the gate of the daughter of the multitude. Thy nose is as the tower of Libanus, that looketh toward Damascus."
[Canticles (Solomon) 7:4]
"Thy neck, is as the tower of David, which is built with bulwarks: a thousand bucklers hang upon it, all the armour of valiant men."
[Canticles (Solomon) 4:4]
"And pots, and fleshhooks, and bowls, and mortars, and censers, of most pure gold: and the hinges for the doors of the inner house of the holy of holies, and for the doors of the house of the temple were of gold."
[3 Kings (1 Kings) 7:50]St. Alphonsus Liguori, from, The Glories of Mary:
1st. "Domus aurea:" House of gold. Gold is the symbol of love. Hence the blessed Albertus Magnus calls Mary, The golden temple of charity: "Templum aureum charitatis." And with reason; for St. Thomas says, that as everything in the temple was covered with gold, so the beautiful soul of Mary was filled with sanctity. Mary was that house of gold which the Eternal Wisdom, that is the divine Word, chose for his habitation on this earth: Wisdom hath built herself a house: "Sapientia sedificavit sibi domum." Now this house of God, says Richard of St. Lawrence, is so rich that it can relieve all our miseries. Oh Mary, thou dost love God so much that thou dost desire to see him beloved by all. This is the grace that above all others I ask of thee, and hope from thee; obtain from me a great love to God.
2d. "Foederis arca:" Ark of the covenant. Iscfcio calls Mary: An ark more spacious than that of Noe: "Area Noe largior:" for in that only two animals of each kind were received, but under the mantle of Mary all find room both just and sinners. This was one day revealed to St. Gertrude, who saw a multitude of wild beast, lions, leopards, &c., who took refuge under the mantle of Mary; and she did not drive them away, but with kind hand caressed them, so that they might not fly away. The brutes who entered into the ark remained brutes; but sinners, who take shelter under the mantle of Mary, do not remain sinners. She will certainly change their hearts and render them dear to God. The Virgin herself revealed to St. Bridget: "However a man may have sinned, if with a true purpose of amendment, he returns to me, I am ready at once to receive him; neither do I look upon the sins with which he is laden, but only whether he comes with good dispositions; and then I do not disdain to bind up and heal his wounds, for I am called, and truly am, the mother of mercy." Oh mother of mercy, I will then say to thee with St. Augustine, remember that it has never been known that a sinner was rejected by thee, who had recourse to thee for help; I, a miserable sinner, invoke and trust in thee.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)