by
Fr. Peter Richard Kenrick
“I am the root and stock of David, the
bright and morning star.” - Apocalypse xxii. 16
These words were spoken by our Divine
Saviour to St. John, at the conclusion of that series of wonderful visions
which were exhibited to the beloved disciple, and which are recorded by him in
the book of the Apocalypse. They may be applied to Mary; as we find the same
expression made use of by the inspired writer of the book of Ecclesiasticus, to
designate the virtue of Simon the high priest: — “He shone in his days
as the morning star in the midst of a cloud.” (Ecclesiasticus 1. 6) Christ
says, “that to him
who has overcome, He will give the morning star." (Apocalypse ii. 28)
Hence, as according to St. Paul, “Star differeth from
star in glory,” (1 Corinthians xv. 41) the same epithet may be applied to
two persons in very different senses. Jesus Christ is the root and stock of
David — the bright and morning star; because he arose on men who were buried in
darkness and the shadow of death; and because his coming is the prelude of that
full manifestation of God's glory, which will be made to the faithful soul in
heaven. Mary is called the bright and morning star, because she preceded the
rising of the Sun of Eternal Justice; because her appearance among men was
hailed by all the sons of God, as the pledge that He had not forgotten his
ancient mercies, and that he was about to give the Redeemer, who had been so
long and so anxiously expected. Hence the inspired writer of the Canticle of
Canticles asks: “Who
is she that cometh forth as the morning, rising, fair as the moon, bright as
the sun, terrible as an army set in array?” (Canticle vi. 9)
“Mary,” says St. Thomas of Aquinas, “is called the star
of the sea; for as those who sail on the ocean are directed to the port they
seek, by observing the stars, so Christians are directed to glory by Mary.”
We are, in this world, as mariners on a tempestuous sea. We are steering for
the port of heaven, and are in danger of striking on the hidden rocks with
which the world abounds; and which are most to be feared, when it presents to
us a calm and unruffled appearance, or when we approach the term of our course.
We are exposed, every moment, to perish in the abyss of waters over which we
pass, in which so many of our fellow-creatures have been engulfed, and whose
treacherous surface retains no trace, of the wrecks that have often drifted on
it, but looks as tranquil as if it, had never heard the shrieks of those who
have periled and lost an eternity on its faith. “Mary,” says St
Bernard, “is that
bright star of Jacob, whose ray enlightens the whole world, whose splendour
shines conspicuous in heaven, and penetrates hell. It pervades the earth and
warms — not the body but the soul, banishing vice and maturing virtue. For she
is that bright and splendid star, elevated above this vast and spacious sea,
who glitters by her merits, and enlightens by her example. If you find yourself
tossed about by storms and tempests in the current of this world, turn not away
your eyes from the brightness of this star, unless you wish to be overwhelmed
by its waves. If the winds of temptation arise — if you strike on the rock of
tribulation—look up to this star; call on Mary! If you are tossed about by the
swellings of pride or ambition, of envy or detraction — look up to this star,
call on Mary! If anger, or avarice, or concupiscence, agitate the bark of your
mind — turn to Mary! When affrighted at the enormity of your crimes, or
confounded at the defilements of your conscience, or terrified with the dread
of the future judgment, you feel yourselves about to be involved in the
whirlpool of despondency, or engulfed in the abyss of despair—think on Mary! In
dangers, in difficulties, and doubts; think on Mary, and invoke her. Let her
name never depart from your mouth or heart; and that you may obtain the benefit
of her intercession, forget not to imitate the example of her life. In
following her, you cannot go astray; in appealing to her, you cannot despair;
and in thinking on her, you cannot wander. While she supports you, you cannot
fall; while she protects you, you cannot fear; while she guides you, you cannot
feel fatigue; and if she be propitious, you will arrive in safety.”
The spouse in the Canticles is also
described to be beautiful as the Moon, and this comparison most aptly
represents the Blessed Virgin. As the moon shines by the light which is derived
from the sun, and which she reflects; so Mary is beautiful, because she has
derived from God, the source of all light and beauty, an extraordinary
participation of His divine light. Although the moon of itself is an opaque
body, yet by reflecting the sun's light, it becomes, in some degree, an image
of his glory; so Mary, on account of her dignity of Mother of God, reflects the
divine perfections, and presents to man the most perfect image of His beauty
and holiness that can be found in a creature. As the moon, when seen in its
full glory, obscures the stars, so the glory of Mary surpasses and obscures
that of all other saints. As God made two great lights, the sun to rule the
day, and the moon to rule the night, so, remarks a holy writer, Cardinal Hugo, “Jesus Christ, the
Sun of Justice, shines out on the just with a glorious lustre, and has
appointed his holy Mother to be the mirror of his perfections for sinners;”
that by seeing so much holiness in one of their own race, they might have no
pretext for continuing longer in crime. We cannot gaze, with the naked eye, on
the sun in his meridian splendour; but we can view, without pain, the pale
beauty of the moon. The divine character of Jesus affords us a specious pretext
for our unwillingness to imitate the bright example he has given us; but when
we recollect that Mary is a child of Adam like ourselves, distinguished only by
the plentitude of grace which she received, and the supereminent dignity with
which she was invested—we are encouraged and excited to conceive sentiments
more worthy of the dignity of our nature. Let us, then, attend to the advice of
the holy Pope Innocent III, and if we find ourselves “lying in the
darkness of sin, raise our eyes to this mystic moon, and call on Mary!”
EXAMPLE
In the month of November, 1838, the crew
of a vessel which had just arrived at Paimpol, in France, forty-eight in
number, accomplished a vow they had made in a most perilous voyage from
Newfoundland. A terrific tempest had arisen, their sails were torn, and for
three days they were in continual danger of finding a watery grave. The ship at
length began to fill with water, and all hope of safety seemed lost, when the
crew, by common consent, turned their eyes to the “Star of the sea,”
and called on Mary. They promised that, if she saved them, they would visit in
the most suppliant manner the church at Paimpol, where there is an image of Our
Lady much venerated by the people. They had scarcely ended their prayer, when
the weather became more calm, and the waves began to subside. Profiting by this
providential change, they repaired their sails, and had a favourable wind till
they reached the coasts of Bretagne. They landed in safety at Knod, towards the
decline of day, and their first act was to prostrate themselves on the ground,
and give God thanks for their return. Then they intoned the litany of the
Blessed Virgin, and advanced bare-footed and bare-headed, along the banks, and
through the streets of Paimpol, to the church of the "Bonne
Nouvelle." The people, attracted in crowds by the novelty of the
sight, followed them, among whom were some who were actuated by a stronger and
better feeling than mere curiosity. There were parents who went to give thanks
for the return of their children; and wives to thank Mary for having restored
their husbands to them. The tears streamed down every eye, and this immense
multitude knelt down before the altar of that powerful Virgin, who has received
from her Son the power to command the wind and waves.
The torches shed a dim light on the
recess of the sanctuary, where stood the image of the Blessed Virgin, whose
inclined head and extended arms seemed to say to all the unhappy, “Come to me; I am
your Mother.” These pious mariners with the most touching expression of
sentiment, chanted the hymn, “Ave Maris Stella,”
in which they were joined by the people:
“Bright Mother of our Maker, hail!
Thou Virgin ever blest,
The ocean's star, by which we sail,
And gain the port of rest” (1)
PRAYER
O Virgin Mother! Thou art indeed a joyful
“Morning Star”
because thou didst announce to us Jesus the Sun of justice, the true light of
the world. Thy auspicious birth was the aurora of that bright day, which brought
salvation to the world. Through thy light, has the darkness of error and vice
been dispelled, for thou enlightenest our hearts and makest us know Jesus, in
whom are all treasures of light, and truth and grace. Happy they who follow thy
guidance; thou wilt most certainly bring them to Jesus, the haven of salvation.
O Holy Virgin, be to us light and life, that we may avoid the works of darkness
and walk in the light of faith and innocence; and thus be worthy to see and
admire thy dear Son Jesus, who dwells in light inaccessible. Amen.
PRACTICE
Offer up a prayer for the diffusion of
the Catholic faith.
ASPIRATION
As the eyes of the handmaid are turned
towards her mistress, so are my eyes turned to thee, O Holy Mother of God!
___
NOTES:
(1)
Le Mois de Marie popolaire, Lille, 1889
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