by Fr. Peter
Richard Kenrick
"Be faithful unto
death."—Apocalypse ii.10
We read in the gospel that when
our Saviour was discoursing to the multitude, who listened with admiration to
the divine wisdom that fell from his lips, a woman from the crowd addressed
him, saying: "Blessed is
the womb that bore thee, and the breasts that gave thee suck;"—to whom
Jesus answered: "Yea,
rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it" (Luke xi.28) The holy fathers find in
this reply of Christ an eulogium on Mary; by which she is declared to be more
blessed for having heard the word of God and kept it, than for having even
conceived and brought forth the Saviour of the world. And in fact, the dignity
of Mother of God would not have rendered her pleasing in His sight, if it were
possible that it could be the privilege of a tepid or unfaithful creature. The
virtues by which God prepared her for it, and by which He made her worthy of
that high honour, were the effect of His grace with which she freely co-operated.
But the dignity of being the Mother of God was a gratuitous favour,—a
privilege, in which she had no other part than a submission to the Divine Will.
Hence St. Augustine says: "The
Virgin Mary is pronounced blessed, because she did the will of the Father. This
it was that our Lord extolled in her."
The fidelity of Mary in
corresponding with all the graces she received from God, and with all his
designs upon her, deserves both our attention and admiration, and is well
calculated to give us a high idea of her supereminent sanctity. "The foundations thereof are
in the holy mountains," that
is,—according to the explanation which several of the holy fathers give of this
text, which they apply to the Blessed Virgin, —"Mary's sanctity
commenced where the sanctity of other saints terminated;—their elevation was
but the foundation on which the superstructure of that mysterious house which
the divine 'Wisdom built for itself' was raised." As Mary was always faithful in
corresponding with the divine grace, who can conceive the altitude of that
building which, as St. Gregory the Great says, reaches up to the throne of the
divinity? Yes, Mary is greater, more exalted, and more worthy of Our
admiration, on account of this extraordinary fidelity to God's grace, than even
by the title of Mother of God.
What an important lesson is
afforded us in the fidelity of Mary! Little do we know what great designs God
has on each one of us; little do we know the measure of grace he will impart to
our souls, if we yield a ready compliance with his heavenly inspirations. How
many souls wallow in the mire of human corruption, whom God designed to be
models of heroism and zeal, but who, by being unfaithful to the grace of God,
have become rocks of scandal, and have caused the ruin of innumerable souls!
How many continue all their lives in tepidity and indifference; because they do
not listen to the word of God, impelling them to the practice of perfect
virtue; which is the sacrifice required from them, by that God who will not suffer
any rapine in the holocaust? On the contrary, how many holy souls, imitating
the fidelity of Mary, have fully corresponded with the designs of Heaven, and
have attained that goal, which God has marked out as the point that they should
reach, before being transferred from this probationary state of existence, to
that never-ending happiness, where their fidelity is to be rewarded! Let us often direct our
thoughts to our heavenly home, and behold, in spirit, the bright crown which
rewards the fidelity of Mary, and of those, who, like her, have been "faithful unto death." Let us endeavour to excite ourselves
to renewed vigilance, and profit by all the means of advancing in virtue with
which God may supply us. A faithful correspondence with all the graces we receive
in the sacraments—in prayer—in reading good books—in public instructions—in edifying examples, will be the
best means by which we can secure for ourselves perseverance unto the end;
when, through Mary's intercession, we may hope to be faithful to the last
decisive grace, which will terminate the series of his mercies to us. What a
happiness will it then be to hear from the lips of Jesus Christ the consoling
invitation; "Well done
thou good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over few
things, I will place thee over many things: enter into the joy of the
Lord." (Matthew xxv. 21)
EXAMPLE
St. Dominic was born in Old
Castile in the year 1170, and was chosen by God to diffuse the light of the
gospel throughout the world. He was particularly successful in opposing the
errors of the Albigenses; who at that time afflicted the church by their
impieties, while they desolated the south of France by their seditions. This
great servant of God was untiring in his efforts to promote religion; and his
preaching, was confirmed by the sanctity of his life, and the multitude of
miracles by which God attested, the truth of the doctrine he announced.
Devotion to Mary was, as he himself testifies, the principal weapon he made use
of in this holy warfare with error. Before beginning to preach he always knelt
down, and invoked the assistance of Mary in these words: "Make me worthy, O Sacred
Virgin, to announce thy praise, give me strength against thy enemies." Although the zeal of the holy man was
not without fruit, as many were converted to the true faith, the result did not
correspond with his expectations. Many sinners and heretics remained obstinate
in their errors, and closed their ears to the words of truth. Dominic was
afflicted at their obstinacy, but was comforted by a vision of the Blessed
Virgin, in 1202, by which he learned, that as the angelical salutation was the
means God employed to prepare her for the incarnation of his Son; so the
devotion of the Rosary, in which that prayer is so frequently repeated, would
be the best means of confirming men in its belief. This advice filled Dominic
with the greatest consolation. Instead of wearying himself with long and
tedious controversies, as had been his custom, he recommended the Rosary to the
people in his public discourses; he expounded to them the various mysteries it
commemorates; and taught them, both by work and example, in what manner they
should perform this devotion. He soon saw that more souls were gained to God by
this simple means, than by all his other exertions. It gave strength and
unction to his discourses; it moved the hearts of the most obdurate sinners,
and brought innumerable sectaries back to the church. With reason, then, is
this prayer so strongly recommended to us. In order to promote its adoption
among the faithful, the church imparts many indulgences and other spiritual
advantages to those who practise it with piety and exactness. If we have any
care for our own salvation or the conversion of our brethren, we should have
recourse to it; and accompany the recital of the prayers with reflections on
the mysteries of the life, death and resurrection of our Saviour which they are
intended to commemorate. The, faithful practice of this devotion will be an
efficacious means of recommending us to the protection of the Holy Virgin; who
will obtain for us, as she did for Dominic, counsel in our doubts, and relief
in our difficulties.
PRAYER
O most prudent Virgin! in all
thy actions thou ever hadst the accomplishment of the divine will in view, and
thy holiness was continually receiving additional lustre by the perfect
fidelity with which thou didst correspond with divine grace. I, a poor,
unfaithful servant of God, implore thy intercession in my behalf. The
consciousness of my infidelities terrifies me; especially when I consider how destitute
I am of all real holiness, notwithstanding the special favours I have received
from the divine bounty. Ah, faithful Virgin! how can I hope to obtain pardon
for the neglect with which hitherto I have abused God's grace, or expect to be
hereafter the object of his favour, unless thou dost become my advocate for the
past, and my security for the future. Yes, Holy Virgin! thy fidelity shall be
from this moment, the model which I will endeavour to imitate. I will no longer
resist the Holy Ghost, by refusing to listen to the inspirations which He sends
me, but will henceforward seek, not to do my own will, but the will of my
heavenly Father. Offer this my resolution, O Holy Virgin, to thy divine Son,
and obtain for me the grace necessary for faithfully observing it Amen.
PRACTICE
Resolve to let no day pass
without saying, if possible, the third part of the Rosary. How little do we
think of a quarter of an hour spent in idle conversation! If we were really
devout to Mary, we would find time enough for this most salutary and most consoling
devotion.
ASPIRATION
“Mother and Virgin, make me always mindful of thee.” — St. Philip Neri
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