Mary, most Holy

by Fr. Peter Richard Kenrick (1840)

"Blessed art thou by thy God in every tabernacle of Jacob, for in every nation that shall hear thy name, the God of Israel shall be magnified on occasion of thee." — Judith xiii. 31

These words were addressed to Judith, when she returned triumphant to Bethulia, bearing the head of Holofernes, the leader of the enemies of God's people. The life of this heroic woman was one of exemplary virtue. Deprived at an early age of her husband, she consecrated the days of her widowhood to the practices of piety and mortification in the retirement of her own house. "She feared the Lord very much," (Judith viii. 8,) and her confidence in his divine protection made her rebuke Ozias, the prince of the people of Israel, for having determined to deliver up to Holofernes the city of Bethulia, unless relief should arrive within five days. Nay, more, she laid aside "the garments of her widowhood," and went forth to the enemy's camp, trusting in the protection, and relying on the assistance of God. She knew that "His power is not in a multitude," but that by her weak arm He could defeat the machinations of the host of warriors who surrounded the city, and that "the mountains should be moved from the foundations with the waters, the rocks should melt before the face" (Judith xvi. 18) of the Lord. The gentile Achior, who also dwelt in Bethulia, was so struck with the proof of the divine power manifested in her success, that falling down at her feet, he reverenced her, and said: "Blessed art thou by thy God in every tabernacle of Jacob, for in every nation that shall hear thy name, the God of Israel shall be magnified on occasion of thee." 

The church recognises in the triumph of Judith over Holofernes, the leader of the enemies of God's people, an expressive type of that triumph by which Mary overcame Lucifer, the leader of the hosts of rebel angels, who sought to involve the human race in his crime of disobedience, and the punishment with which it was followed. Of her it was said by God to the serpent,—the murderer from the beginning: "She shall crush thy head." (Genesis iii. 15) By bringing forth Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, she has, in her divine Son, triumphed over the arch enemy of our race. She was in a much more special manner "blessed among women" (Luke i. 42) than even Judith. This heroic woman did, indeed, save her people from a great temporal calamity; but Mary as "prevented our ruin in the presence of God" (Judith xiii. 25,) by bringing forth Him who blotted out "the handwriting of the decree that was against us—fastening it to the cross." (Colossians ii. 14) Mary, an humble virgin, was the instrument of God's mercy and power; because "He regarded her humility," and saw in her nothing to render her unworthy to cooperate with Him in the great work of man's redemption. 

Holiness of life is the best preparation by which we can render ourselves capable of corresponding with God's designs upon us. Had the piety of Judith been of an ordinary character, would she have ever been chosen to be a type of Mary's triumph? would she have been capable of such an effort of zeal? would God have inspired her with so much courage, and given to her weak arm so much strength? Had the sanctity of Mary been less transcendent, would she have been selected to be the mother of Him who is holiness itself? If, then, we would correspond with the designs of God, we must make holiness of life the first and principal object of our solicitude. God wants not our wealth, for "the earth is His, and the fulness thereof:" He stands not in need of our talents and learning for "He giveth understanding to little ones:" He requires not our services, however important or indispensable they may appear to be: but this he demands; that we do his will, which is "our sanctification." If we aim at the perfection of virtue, and endeavour to become fit instruments in his hands, by unreservedly devoting ourselves to his service;—although poor, like the apostles, we shall, like them, enrich others; although not gifted with great talents, we shall be truly wise, by being wise unto salvation; and, whatever be our station, we shall contribute more effectually to God's glory, than otherwise we could, by the most abundant alms, the most brilliant talents, or the most devoted zeal. Holiness of life is then the one thing necessary. Where shall we find so perfect a model of holiness among mere creatures, as in Mary; or where shall we behold how wonderfully God rewards sanctity better than in her extraordinary dignity of Mother of God? 

EXAMPLE

The venerable John Berchmans was born on the 13th of March, 1599, at Diest, a small town of Brabant. At seven years of age, he was accustomed to rise at a very early hour, that he might thus have more time for study and prayer He usually served many masses ; and the facility with which he learned his lessons, proved that the time he spent in the church was not lost. It might be said of him,—as was said of St. Basil and St. Gregory of Nazianzen, while they were students at Athens,—that he only knew two streets, that which led to the church, and that which conducted to the school. He made his first communion with sentiments of the most lively faith and tender piety, and ever afterwards seemed to live for no other purpose than to love his Divine Saviour and his most Holy Mother. 

On certain days he would go to pay his devotions to Mary in the neighbouring chapel of Montaigu. He preferred to walk there alone, that he might have the opportunity of praying on the way without distraction. On the eve of such pilgrimages, he deprived himself of his breakfast and dessert, which he gave to the poor. So great was his purity, that he did not even know the name of the contrary vice. He avoided the most distant occasions of temptation, and shunned such of his companions as spoke with unbecoming freedom. 

At the close of his school studies, he was admitted into a confraternity of students which was established to honour the Mother of God, and to induce youth to imitate her virtues. At the beginning of each month, he consulted the director of this congregation, to know what were the faults he should correct in himself, and what mortification be should practise, during the month, in honour of his good Mother. Having spent his youth so holily, he quitted the world, and entered into the Society of Jesus. In taking this step, he proposed to aim at perfect sanctity, and the remainder of his life was one . continual effort to attain perfection. On his deathbed, he never ceased to recommend devotion to the mother of God, to those around him, and said that the least sacrifices pleased her, provided they were persevered in. Addressing the Holy Virgin, he said: "Do not abandon me, O Mary! I am thy son. Thou knowest I have vowed obedience to thee." After the recommendation of a departing soul had been read, he began to sing the "Ave Maris Stella," "Bright mother of our Maker, hail!" and at the words, "Exert for us a mother's care," his joy displayed itself in the extraordinary vivacity of his manner. He died on the 13th of August, 1621. He was declared "Venerable" by Benedict XIV, in 1745, and the process of his canonization is at present being promoted with every probability of success. (He was canonized in 1888.)

PRAYER

Yes, Holy Virgin! blessed be the Lord, who has glorified thy name,—who has put it in the mouths of all the faithful,—who has imprinted it in such a manner on our hearts, that, after the holy name of God, and that of Jesus, thine should be that which we most deeply revere, and most frequently repeat Teach me the virtue of this holy name, which is sweet as the odour of the most precious perfumes, and full of unction and consolation for those who invoke it O, Holy Mary, while I pronounce thy sweet name, I bring to mind the entire plan of my redemption, and recall, at the same time, my own duties. May thy holy name teach me to fulfil them punctually: may it protect me in the dangers of this life, and particularly at the hour of my death. Amen. 

PRACTICE

Conceive a great devotion to the name of Mary: pronounce it reverently, and ever accompany your invocation of the adorable name of Jesus with a devout aspiration to Mary, his most Holy Mother. "The name of Mary," says St. Antoninus, "is joy to the heart, honey to the mouth, and music to the ear." 

ASPIRATION

"May thy name, O Mother of God, be the last sound that escapes my lips." — St. Germanus.