OF THE PRAYER OF MARY.
No soul on this earth has ever followed so perfectly as the blessed
Virgin that great lesson of our Saviour: We ought always to pray, and
not to faint: “Oportet semper orare, et non deficere.”[1712] From no
other, says St. Bonaventure, can we better take example, and learn the
necessity of persevering in prayer, than from Mary. Mary gave an example,
that we ought to follow and not faint.[1713] For the blessed Albertus
Magnus asserts, that after Jesus Christ, the divine mother was the most
perfect in the virtue of prayer, of all who ever have lived or ever will
live: “Virtus orationis in B. Virgine excellentissima fuit.”[1714] First,
because her prayer was continual and persevering. From the first moment
in which she had life, and with life the perfect use of reason, as we
have said above in the Discourse on her Nativity, she began to pray. And,
moreover, that she might devote herself more to prayer, she wished, when
a child of only three years, to shut herself up in the retirement of the
temple; where, as she herself revealed to St. Elizabeth (virgin), among
the other hours that she allotted to prayer, she was accustomed to rise
at midnight and go to pray before the altar of the temple.[1715] And,
in order to meditate on the sufferings of Jesus, according to Odilone,
she also frequently visited the places of our Lord’s nativity, passion,
and burial.[1716] Moreover, her prayer, as St. Denis the Carthusian has
written, was wholly recollected, free from all distractions, and every
irregular inclination.[1717]
Therefore the blessed Virgin, through her love of prayer, had so great
a love of solitude, that, as she said to St. Bridget, when she lived in
the temple she even abstained from intercourse with her holy parents. St.
Jerome, meditating on the words of Isaias—“Behold a Virgin shall conceive
and bear a Son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel”[1718]—says, that
in Hebrew the word _virgin_ properly signifies _a retired virgin_; so
that Mary’s love of solitude was already predicted by the prophet.
Richard says that the angel addressed her in the words, The Lord is with
thee: “Dominus tecum,” on account of her great love of solitude.[1719]
And St. Vincent Ferrer asserts that the divine mother never went
from home, except to go to the temple, and then she went entirely
recollected, having her eyes always cast down.[1720] When going to visit
St. Elizabeth, she went with haste: “Abiit cum festinatione;” and from
this St. Ambrose says virgins should learn to shun the public eye. St.
Bernard teaches that Mary, through her love of prayer and solitude, was
always careful to avoid conversation with men.[1721] Hence she is called
by the Holy Spirit the turtle-dove: Thy cheeks are beautiful as the
turtle-dove’s: “Pulchræ sunt genæ tuæ sicut turturis.”[1722] Which words
Vergellus thus explains: The turtle-dove is a lover of solitude, and is
an emblem of the unitive power of the soul.[1723] So the Virgin always
lived solitary in this world, as in a desert, and therefore it was said
of her: Who is this that goeth up by the desert, as a pillar of smoke?
“Quæ est ista quæ ascendit per desertum, sicut virgula fumi?”[1724] On
which words Rupert the Abbot says: Thus thou didst ascend by the desert,
having a solitary soul: “Talis ascendisti per desertum animam habens
solitariam.”
Philo said that God speaks to souls only in solitude: “Dei sermo amat
deserta.” And God himself declared this by the prophet Osee, when he
said: I will lead her into the wilderness, and I will speak to her heart:
“Ducam eam in solitudinem, et loquar ad cor ejus.”[1725] And hence St.
Jerome exclaims: Oh solitude, in which God familiarly converses with
his servants![1726] Yes, says St. Bernard, because the quiet and the
silence that is enjoyed in solitude, force the soul to leave the earth
in thought, and to meditate on the things of heaven.[1727] Oh, most holy
Virgin, obtain for us a love of prayer and solitude, that detaching
ourselves from the love of creatures, we may aspire only after God and
heaven, where we hope one day to see thee, to praise and love with thee
thy Son, Jesus, forever and ever. Amen. “Come over to me, all ye that
desire me, and be filled with my fruits.”[1728] The fruits of Mary are
her virtues.
None has appeared like unto thee, in all time before or after thee.[1729]
Thou alone, oh woman without equal, hast been pleasing to Christ.
VARIOUS PRACTICES OF DEVOTION TO THE DIVINE MOTHER.
The queen of heaven is so liberal, as St. Andrew of Crete says, that she
makes a large return for the smallest devotions of her servants.[1730]
But two conditions are necessary for this: First, that we offer her
the homage of a soul pure from sin; for otherwise Mary will say to us
what she said to a soldier, a man of vicious habits, who, as St. Peter
Celestine relates,[1731] offered every day a devotion to the Virgin.
One day when he was suffering greatly from hunger, our Lady appeared to
him, and presented him some exquisite viands, but in a vase so filthy
that he did not venture to taste them. “I am the mother of God,” Mary
then said to him, “who has come to relieve thy hunger.” “But I cannot
taste from this vase,” answered the soldier. “And do you wish,” replied
Mary, “that I should accept thy devotions, offered me from a soul so
polluted?” The soldier, at these words, was converted, became a hermit,
lived thirty years in the desert, and at death the Virgin again appeared
to him and conducted him to heaven. We have said, in the first part of
this work, that morally speaking it was impossible that a servant of
Mary should be lost. But this must be understood with the condition,
that he lives without sin, or at least that he wishes to abandon it, for
then our Lady will assist him. But if any one, on the other hand, should
sin, in the hope that our Lady will save him, he would by his sin render
himself unworthy and incapable of the protection of Mary. The second
condition is, that he perseveres in his devotion to Mary. Perseverance
alone shall merit a crown, says St. Bernard: “Perseverantia sola meretur
coronam.”[1732] Thomas à Kempis, when a young man, was accustomed
daily to have recourse to the Virgin with certain prayers; one day he
omitted them, then he omitted them for some weeks, then he gave them up
entirely. One night he saw Mary in a dream, who embraced his companions,
but having come to him, said: “What do you expect, who have given up
your devotions? Depart, for you are unworthy of my favors.” Terrified by
these words, Thomas awoke, and resumed his accustomed prayers. Richard
therefore with reason says: He who is perseveringly devoted to Mary will
be blessed with the hope, that all his desires may be gratified.[1733]
But as no one can be secure of this perseverance, no one can be sure
of salvation before his death. It was a very remarkable document which
brother John Berchmans, of the Company of Jesus, gave to his companions,
when he was requested by them to leave with them in writing, what was the
most pleasing devotion which they could make to our Lady, in order to
obtain her protection, and he answered: Any small thing, but let it be
constant: “Quidquid minimum, dum modo sit constans.” Finally, however, I
add here, simply and in a few words, the different devotions we may offer
to our mother, to obtain for us her favor; a thing which I consider the
most useful that I have written in this little work. But I do not so much
recommend to my reader to practise them all, as to practise those which
he selects, with perseverance, and in fear of losing the protection of
the divine mother, if he neglects to continue them. Oh, how many who are
in hell would have been saved, if they had continued the devotions which
they once commenced to Mary!
DEVOTION I.—OF THE “HAIL MARY.”
This angelical salutation is very pleasing to the most holy Virgin, for
it seems to renew, as it were, the joy which she experienced, when St.
Gabriel announced to her that she was made mother of God; and therefore
we should often salute her with the “Hail Mary.” Salute her with the
angelical salutation, says Thomas à Kempis, for gladly does she hear
this sound.[1734] The divine mother herself said to St. Matilda, that no
one could better salute her than with the “Hail Mary.” He who salutes
Mary will also be saluted by her. St. Bernard heard himself once audibly
saluted from a statue of the Virgin, which said to him, Hail Bernard:
“Ave Bernarde.”[1735] And the salutation of Mary, says St. Bonaventure,
will be some grace, whereby she always responds to those who salute
her.[1736] And Richard adds: If any one comes to the mother of our Lord
saying, “Hail Mary,” could she deny him the favor he asks?[1737] Mary
herself promised St. Gertrude help in death for every “Hail Mary” she
said. The blessed Alanus asserts, that as all heaven rejoices when a
“Hail Mary” is said, so the devil trembles and flees: “Cœlum gaudet,
Satan fugit, cum dico, Ave Maria.” Which Thomas à Kempis also confirms,
for a devil who once appeared to him suddenly fled at hearing the “Hail
Mary.”[1738]
The practice of this devotion is:—1st. To say every morning on rising,
and every evening on going to bed, three “Hail Marys,” prostrate, or
at least kneeling; adding at each that short prayer: “By thy pure and
immaculate conception, oh Mary! make my body pure, and my soul holy.” To
ask the blessing of Mary as our mother, as St. Stanislas always did, and
place ourselves under the mantle of our Lady, praying her that during
the following day or night she may keep us from sin. And it is a great
help to this, to keep near the bed a beautiful image of the Virgin. 2d.
To say the Angelus, &c., with the three “Hail Marys” as usual, in the
morning, at noon, and in the evening. John XXII. was the first Pope who
attached an indulgence to this devotion, on the occasion, as Father
Crasset relates,[1739] when a criminal who was condemned to be burned, by
invoking Mary on the Vigil of her Annunciation remained uninjured, even
to his garments, in the midst of the flames. Benedict XIII. at length
granted a hundred days’ indulgence to those who recite it, and at the
end of the month a plenary indulgence, having made their confession and
received holy communion. Father Crasset also states that there have been
other indulgences granted by Clement X. to those who at the end of each
“Hail Mary” add: Thanks be to God and Mary: “Deo gratias et Mariæ.”[1740]
Formerly, at the sound of the bell, every one knelt to say the Angelus;
now some are ashamed to do so; but St. Charles Borromeo was not ashamed
to descend from his carriage or horse, to recite it in the street,
and sometimes even in the mud. It is related that a certain indolent
religious, who would not kneel at the signal for the “Hail Mary,” saw the
belfry bow three times, and a voice spoke from it which said: Behold,
thou wilt not do what even senseless creatures do. Let it be remembered,
that as Benedict XIV. directed, in the Paschal season, instead of the
Angelus the “Regina Cœli” is said. And from Vespers on Saturday, through
the whole of Sunday, the Angelus Domini is said standing. 3d. To salute
the mother of God with a “Hail Mary,” every time the clock strikes.
Alphonsus Rodriguez saluted Mary every hour, and in the night when the
hour came, the angels awoke him, that he might not omit this devotion.
4th. On quitting and entering the house, to salute the Virgin with a
“Hail Mary,” that at home and abroad she may protect us from sin, and to
kiss her feet as the Carthusian Fathers are accustomed to do. 5th. To pay
reverence with a “Hail Mary” to every image of Mary which we meet, and
let every one who can do so, place some beautiful image of the Virgin
in a niche in the walls of his house, that it may be honored by those
who are passing by. In Naples, and still more in Rome, there are very
beautiful images of our Lady, by the wayside, placed there by her devout
servants. 6th. The holy Church directs that the angelical salutation be
prefixed to all the canonical hours of the office, and that the office
should terminate with it; hence it is well, at the beginning and end of
every action, always to say a “Hail Mary;” I say of every action, whether
it be spiritual, as prayer, confession, communion, spiritual reading,
hearing a sermon, &c.; or temporal, as study, giving counsel, labor,
going to table, to bed, &c. Happy are those actions that are inclosed
between two “Hail Marys!” And thus also on awaking in the morning, on
closing the eyes to sleep, in every temptation and peril, in every burst
of anger, &c., say always a “Hail Mary.” My dear reader, practise this,
and you will see the advantage to be drawn from it; remembering that for
every “Hail Mary” there are twenty days’ indulgence.[1741] Moreover,
Father Auriemma relates,[1742] that the blessed Virgin promised St.
Matilda a good death, if she recited every day three “Hail Marys” in
honor of her power, wisdom, and goodness. And she also said to blessed
Jane of France, that the “Hail Mary” was very pleasing to her, especially
when said ten times in honor of her ten virtues.[1743] Many indulgences
are also attached to these ten “Hail Marys.”
DEVOTION II.—OF NOVENAS.
The servants of Mary are very attentive and fervent in celebrating the
Novenas of her Feasts; and during these the holy Virgin, full of love,
dispenses to them innumerable and special blessings. One day St. Gertrude
saw under the mantle of Mary innumerable souls, whom our Lady was looking
upon with great affection, and she understood them to be those who, on
preceding days, had prepared themselves, by devout exercises, for the
feast of the Assumption. The devotions to be used for the Novenas are the
following: 1st. Mental prayer, morning and evening, with a visit to the
most holy Sacrament, with the addition of an “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,”
and “Glory be to the Father, &c.,” repeated nine times. 2d. Three visits
to some image of Mary, thanking the Lord for the graces granted to her,
and asking of the Virgin every time some special favor; and at one of
these visits the prayer which is placed at the end of each of her feasts
should be read. 3d. Make many acts of love, at least one hundred, or
fifty, to Mary and to Jesus, for we can do nothing more pleasing to her,
as she said to St. Bridget, than to love her Son: If you wish to become
dear to me, love my Son Jesus: “Si te mihi vis devincire, ama filium meum
Jesum.” 4th. Read every day of the Novena, for a quarter of an hour, some
book which treats of her glories. 5th. Make some external mortification
of hair-cloth, discipline, &c., with fasting, or some abstinence at table
from fruits or other agreeable food, at least in part; chewing also some
bitter herb: and on the vigil of the feast fast on bread and water. But
all this must be done always with the permission of a spiritual Father.
But better than all others are the practices in these Novenas of internal
mortifications, as abstaining from the indulgence of curiosity, either
through the eye or the ear; remaining retired and silent; obeying, not
answering with impatience; bearing contradictions, and other things of
the sort, which may be used with less danger of vainglory and greater
merit; and for these, too, the permission of a director is not needed.
The most useful exercise is to propose, at the beginning, the amending
of some fault into which we are most liable to fall. And to this end it
is well, at each of the visits above named, to ask pardon for some past
sin, renew the intention of avoiding it in future, and implore the help
of Mary in keeping this resolution. The honor most dear to the Virgin is
the imitation of her virtues; wherefore it is well in every Novena to
propose to one’s self some special virtue of Mary, particularly adapted
to the mystery; as for example, on the feast of the Conception, purity of
intention; of her Nativity, the renewing of the spirit and the awakening
from tepidity; of her Presentation, detachment from something to which
we are most attached; of the Annunciation, humility in bearing contempt,
&c.; of the Visitation, charity towards the neighbor, alms-giving, &c.,
or at least, the praying for sinners; of the Purification, obedience to
superiors; and finally, of the Assumption, the practice of detachment,
and doing all things as a preparation for death, living as if every day
were to be the last. In this way the Novena will prove of great service.
6th. Besides the communion on the day of the feast, it is well to ask
it more frequently of the spiritual father on the days of the Novena.
Father Segneri said that we cannot honor Mary better than with Jesus. For
she herself, as Father Crasset relates,[1744] revealed to a holy soul
that nothing dearer could be offered to her than the holy communion, for
there Jesus Christ gathers in the soul the fruit of his passion. Hence
it appears that the Virgin desires nothing from her servants more than
the holy communion, saying: “Come, eat the bread and drink the wine that
I have prepared for you.”[1745] Finally, on the day of the feast after
communion we should offer ourselves for the service of this divine mother
by asking of her the grace of the virtue proposed in the Novena, or some
other special favor. And it is well every year to set apart among others
some feasts of the Virgin, to which we have the greatest devotion and
tenderness, and make a particular preparation for this by dedicating
ourselves anew, and in a more especial manner, to her service; choosing
her for our Lady, advocate, and mother.[1746] Then we should ask pardon
for our negligence in her service during the past year, promising her
greater fidelity for the year that is to come. In a word, let us pray her
to accept us as her servants, and obtain for us a holy death.
DEVOTION III.—OF THE ROSARY AND OFFICE.
The devotion of the most holy Rosary is known to have been revealed
to St. Dominic by the divine mother herself, when the saint, being in
affliction, and bewailing to his Lady the conduct of the Albigensian
heretics, who at that time were doing great injury to the Church, the
Virgin said to him: “This earth will always be barren, until the rain
falls on it.” St. Dominick was then given to understand that this rain
was to be the devotion of the Rosary, and that he was to publish it. And
indeed the saint preached it everywhere, and this devotion was embraced
by all Catholics, so that, at the present day, there is no devotion
more practised by the faithful of every condition, than that of the
most holy Rosary. What have not modern heretics, as Calvin, Bucer, and
others said, to bring into contempt the use of the Rosary? But the great
good is well known, which this noble devotion has brought to the world.
How many by its means have been freed from sin! How many led to a holy
life! How many have had a good death and are now saved! Let us read the
various books which treat of it; it is enough to know that this devotion
has been approved by the holy Church, and the sovereign Pontiffs have
attached indulgences to it. To him who recites the third part of the
Rosary, the indulgence of seventy thousand years is granted, and to him
who recites it entire, eighty thousand, and yet more to him who recites
it in the chapel of the Rosary. Benedict XIII. at length annexed to the
Rosary (for him at least who recites the third part of the Rosary which
has been blessed by the Dominican Fathers) all the indulgences which are
attached to the Rosaries of St. Bridget, namely, one hundred days for
every “Hail Mary” and “Our Father” that is repeated. And, moreover, those
who recite the Rosary gain the plenary indulgence on all the principal
feasts of Mary and of the holy Church, and also of the Dominican Saints,
if they visit their churches after confession and communion. But let it
be remarked that this is understood of those whose names are inscribed
in the book of the Rosary, to whom a plenary indulgence is also granted
on the day when their names are inscribed, provided they have made their
confession and communion, and one hundred years if they wear the Rosary;
and to those who make mental prayer once a day, seven years each time,
and a plenary indulgence at the end of the month.
In order to gain the indulgences attached to the recitation of the
Rosary, it is necessary to meditate the mysteries which are to be found
recorded in many books; but it is sufficient for those who do not know
them to contemplate any one of the mysteries of the passion of Jesus
Christ, as the scourging, death, &c. The Rosary must be recited with
devotion; and here call to mind what the holy Virgin said to St.
Eulalia, namely, that she was better pleased with five decades said with
pauses and devotion, than with fifteen in haste and with less devotion.
On this account it is well to say the Rosary kneeling, and before some
image of Mary, and at the beginning of every decade to make an act of
love to Jesus and Mary, by asking some favor. And, moreover, let it be
remarked that it is more efficacious to say the Rosary in company with
others, than to say it alone.
Urban II. attached many indulgences to the recitation of the little
office of our Lady, which is said to have been composed by St. Peter
Damian; and the holy Virgin has often made known how pleasing to her
was this devotion, as we learn from Father Auriemma.[1747] The Litanies
are also very pleasing to her, and an indulgence of two hundred days is
granted every time they are recited; also the hymn, “Hail, star of the
sea,” “Ave Maris stella,” which the divine mother ordered St. Bridget to
repeat every day; and more than all, the “Magnificat,” for with this we
praise her in the very words with which she praised God.
DEVOTION IV.—OF FASTING.
Many servants of Mary, on Saturdays and the vigils of her feasts, are
accustomed to honor her by fasting on bread and water. It is well known
that Saturday is a day dedicated by the holy Church to the honor of the
Virgin, because on this day, says St. Bernard, she remained constant
in the faith after the death of her Son.[1748] For this reason the
servants of Mary never fail on this day to offer her some special homage;
and particularly the fast on bread and water, as St. Charles Borromeo,
Cardinal Toledo, and so many others practised it. Rittard, Bishop of
Bamberg, and Father Joseph Arriaga, of the Society of Jesus, did not
even taste food on Saturday. The great graces which the mother of God
afterwards bestowed upon those who practised this devotion, may be read
in the writings of Father Auriemma. It is sufficient for us to mention
the compassion which she showed to that bandit chief, who, on account
of this devotion, was permitted to remain alive, although his head had
been cut off, and although he was under the displeasure of God, and was
enabled to make his confession before dying. He afterwards declared that
the holy Virgin, for this fasting which he had offered her, had preserved
him in life, and he then suddenly expired.[1749] It would not then be a
very extraordinary thing, if any one, especially devoted to Mary, and
particularly if he had already deserved hell, should offer to her this
fast on Saturday. He who practises this devotion, I may say, will hardly
be condemned; not that our Lady will deliver him by a miracle if he dies
in mortal sin, as happened to the bandit; such prodigies of divine mercy
seldom take place, and it would be madness to expect eternal salvation
by them. But I do say that the divine mother will readily obtain
perseverance in divine grace and a good death for him who will practise
this devotion. All the brothers of our little congregation who can do so,
fast on bread and water on Saturday, in honor of Mary. I say those who
can do so, meaning, that if any one is prevented from doing so on account
of ill health, at least on Saturday he may content himself with one dish,
make a common fast, or at least abstain from fruits or other agreeable
food. It is necessary on Saturday to offer special devotions to our Lady,
to receive communion, or, at least, hear mass, visit some image of the
Virgin, wear hair-cloth, and the like. And at least on the vigils of the
seven feasts of Mary, let her servants endeavor to offer this fasting on
bread, or in any other manner they are able.
DEVOTION V.—OF VISITING THE IMAGES OF MARY.
Father Segneri says, that the devil could in no better way console
himself for the losses he has sustained by the overthrow of idolatry,
than by attacking sacred images through the heretics. But the holy Church
has defended them even by the blood of the martyrs; and the divine
mother has also made manifest by miracles, how much she is pleased by
devotion and visits to her images. The hand of St. John of Damascus
was cut off because he defended with his pen the images of Mary; but
our Lady restored it to him in a miraculous manner. Father Spinelli
relates, that in Constantinople, every Friday after vespers, a veil
which hung before the image of Mary was withdrawn of itself, and after
vespers on Saturday it closed of itself. The veil before an image of the
Virgin was seen to withdraw itself, in a similar way, by St. John of
God, whereupon the Sacristan, believing the saint to be a robber, struck
him with his foot, but the foot was withered. All the servants of Mary,
therefore, are accustomed often to visit her images with great devotion,
and also the churches dedicated to her honor. These are, indeed, as St.
John of Damascus teaches, the cities of refuge, where we find safety
from temptations, and from the punishments merited by the sins we have
committed. St. Henry, Emperor, when he entered a city, always visited,
before any thing else, some church of our Lady. Father Thomas Sanchez
never returned home until he had visited some church of Mary. Let us not
be weary then of visiting our queen every day in some church or chapel,
or in our own house, where it would be well for that purpose to have
in some retired place a little oratory, with her image, adorned with
drapery, flowers, tapers, or lamps, and before it also the litanies, the
rosary, &c., may be said. For this purpose I have published a little
book, which has already gone through eight editions, of Visits to the
most Holy Sacrament, as well as to the Virgin, for every day in the
month. Some devout servant of Mary might cause one of her feasts to be
celebrated in some church or chapel, and preceding it by a Novena, with
the exposition of the Sacrament, and also with sermons.
But here it is well to notice the fact which Father Spinelli relates in
the “Miracles of the Madonna.”[1750] In the year 1611, in the celebrated
sanctuary of Mary in Montevergine, it happened that on the vigil of
Pentecost the people who thronged there profaned that feast with balls,
excesses, and immodest conduct, when a fire was suddenly discovered
bursting forth from the house of entertainment where they were feasting,
so that in less than an hour and a half it was consumed, and more than
one thousand five hundred persons were killed.
Five persons who remained alive affirmed upon oath, that they had seen
the mother of God herself, who with two lighted torches set fire to the
inn. After this I entreat the servants of Mary to abstain as far as they
can, and to induce others to abstain from going to such sanctuaries of
our Lady in times of feasting, for hell then received much more fruit
from it, than the divine mother received honor. Let him who practises
this devotion go and visit them at a time when they are not thronged.
DEVOTION VI.—OF THE SCAPULAR.
As men take pride in having others wear their livery, so the most
holy Mary is pleased when her servants wear her scapular, as a mark
that they have dedicated themselves to her service, and are of the
number of the family of the mother of God. Modern heretics, of course,
ridicule this devotion, but the holy Church has approved it by many
bulls and indulgences. And Father Crasset relates,[1751] and also
Father Lezzana,[1752] when speaking of the scapular of Mt. Carmel,
that about the year 1251, the holy Virgin appeared to the blessed St.
Simon Stock, an Englishman, and giving him her scapular, said to him
that those who wore it should be safe from eternal damnation, in these
words: “Receive, oh my very beloved son, this scapular of thy order, the
badge of my confraternity, a privilege granted to thee and to all other
Carmelites; and any one who wears this at death shall be delivered from
eternal flames.”[1753] And Father Crasset still further relates, that
Mary appeared at another time to Pope John XXII., and directed him to
declare to those who wore the above-mentioned scapular, that they should
be released from purgatory on the Saturday after their death; this the
same pontiff announced in his bull, which was afterwards confirmed by
Alexander V., Clement VII., and others, as the above-named Father Crasset
relates in the passage before cited. And as we have remarked in the
first part,[1754] Paul V. mentions the same, and appears to explain the
bulls of the preceding pontiffs, prescribing in his bull the conditions
to be observed in order to gain the indulgences annexed, namely, the
observance of chastity according to the state of life, the recitation of
the little office of the Virgin, and for him who cannot recite that, the
observance, at least, of the fasts of the Church and abstinence from meat
on Wednesday. Thus the indulgences that are attached to this scapular
of our Lady of Mt. Carmel, as well as to the others of the dolors of
Mary, of Mary of Mercy, and particularly to that of the Conception, are
innumerable, daily, and plenary, in life and at the article of death.
For myself, I have taken all the above-mentioned scapulars. And let it
be particularly made known that, besides many particular indulgences,
there are annexed to the scapular of the Immaculate Conception, which is
blessed by the Theatine Fathers, all the indulgences which are granted
to any religious order, pious place, or person. And particularly by
reciting “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” and “Glory be to the Father,” six
times, in honor of the most holy Trinity and of the immaculate Mary, are
gained each time all the indulgences of Rome, Portiuncula, Jerusalem,
Galicia, which reach the number of four hundred and thirty-three plenary
indulgences, besides the temporal, which are innumerable. All this is
transcribed from a sheet printed by the same Theatine Fathers.
DEVOTION VII.—OF ENTERING INTO THE CONFRATERNITIES OF MARY.
Some persons disapprove of confraternities, saying that they give rise
to contention, and that many persons join them for human ends. But as
the Church and the sacraments are not condemned because there are many
who abuse them, neither should we condemn the confraternities. The
sovereign pontiffs, instead of condemning them, have approved and highly
commended them, and enriched them with indulgences. St. Francis of Sales
earnestly exhorts laymen to enter into the confraternities. What did not
St. Charles Borromeo do to establish and multiply these sodalities? And
in his synods he distinctly intimates to confessors that they should
endeavor to induce their penitents to join them.[1755] And with reason,
for these confraternities, especially those of our Lady, are like so many
arks of Noe, in which the poor people of the world may find refuge from
the deluge of temptations and sins which inundate them in it. We well
learn in the course of our missions the utility of these confraternities.
Speaking exactly, there are found more sins in a man who does not
belong to the confraternities than in twenty who frequent them. The
confraternity may be said to be the tower of David: “The tower of David,
a thousand bucklers hang upon it, all the armor of valiant men.”[1756]
And this is the cause of the good obtained from the confraternities,
namely, that their members acquire in them many defences against hell;
and they make use in them of many means to preserve themselves in divine
grace, which it is very difficult for persons in the world, who are not
in confraternities, to practise.
In the first place, one of the means of salvation is meditating on
eternal truths: “Remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin.”[1757]
And so many are lost because they do not think of it: “With desolation is
all the land made desolate, because there is none that considereth in the
heart.”[1758] But those who belong to the confraternity are led to think
by the many meditations, readings, and sermons that are made there. My
sheep hear my voice: “Oves meæ vocem meam audiunt.”[1759] Secondly, In
order to be saved it is necessary to commend one’s self to God: Ask, and
you shall receive: “Petite, et accipietis.”[1760] And the brothers of the
confraternities do this continually; and God hears them more graciously,
because he has himself said, that he will willingly grant great graces to
prayers made in common: “If two of you shall agree upon earth concerning
any thing, whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my
Father who is in heaven.”[1761] Concerning which St. Ambrose says: Many
who are small, if they unite together become great; and the prayers of
many cannot but be heard.[1762] In the third place, in the confraternity
the sacraments are more frequently approached, on account of the rules,
as well as on account of the example of other members. And by this means
perseverance in divine grace is more easily obtained; the holy Council
of Trent having declared the communion to be: “An antidote by which we
are freed from daily sins, and are preserved from mortal sins.”[1763]
Fourthly, Besides the sacraments in the sodalities, there are practised
many exercises of mortification, humility, and charity towards infirm
and poor members; and it would be well if in every confraternity were
introduced the holy custom of assisting the infirm poor of the country.
It would be a still greater advantage if there could be introduced into
them, in honor of the divine mother, the _secret sodality_ of more
fervent members. I will here enumerate the exercises that are usually
practised in these. 1. Half an hour of reading. 2. Vespers and complin
of the Holy Spirit are said. 3. The litanies of the Virgin are repeated,
and then some brothers who are designated, practise mortifications by
bearing the cross upon their shoulders, or others of a similar kind. 4.
For one quarter of an hour a meditation is made on the passion of Jesus
Christ. 5. Each one accuses himself of any violation against the rules
of which he has been guilty, and receives penance for it from the father
of the congregation. 6. The little flowers of mortification made during
the past week are read by one of the brothers who is selected, and then
the Novenas to be said are announced, &c. Finally, the discipline is made
for the space of a Miserere and a Salve, and every one kisses the feet of
the crucifix which is at the foot of the altar. The rules, then, would
be for each brother: 1. To make a meditation every day. 2. A visit to
the most holy Sacrament and to the blessed Virgin. 3. In the evening an
examination of conscience. 4. Spiritual reading. 5. To avoid games and
the conversation of the world. 6. To frequent the communion and practise
some mortification of the chain, discipline, &c. 7. To recommend every
day to God the souls in purgatory, and sinners. 8. If any brother is
sick, to visit him. But let us return to our subject. In the fifth place:
It has already been said how much more sure is our salvation if we serve
the mother of God; and do not the brothers serve her in the congregation?
How much do they praise her there! How many prayers do they offer up to
her! There they consecrate themselves from the beginning to her service,
choosing her, in an especial manner, for their Lady and mother; and they
are inscribed in the book of the children of Mary; hence as they are
distinguished servants and children of the Virgin, she therefore treats
them with distinction, and protects them in life and in death. Thus a
brother of the confraternity may say that, with the confraternity, he has
received every blessing: Now all good things come to me together with
her: “Venerunt mihi omnia bona pariter cum ilia.”[1764]
Every brother should pay particular attention to two things. First, as
to the end; that is, to enter the confraternity for no other end but to
serve God and his holy Mother, and save his own soul. 2d. Not to leave
the congregation on the appointed days, for affairs of the world, since
there the most important business in the world is to be transacted,
namely, eternal salvation. Endeavor also to draw as many as you can to
the confraternity, and especially to induce those brothers who have
left it to return to it again. Oh, what terrible punishments has our
Lord caused those to suffer who have abandoned the confraternity of
our Lady! In Naples a certain brother left the congregation, and being
exhorted to return, he said: I will return when my legs are broken and
my head cut off. And he was a prophet: for very soon after his legs were
broken and his head cut off by some of his enemies.[1765] On the other
hand, the members who persevere are favored by Mary with spiritual and
temporal good: All her domestics are clothed with double garments: “Omnes
domestici ejus vestiti sunt duplicibus.”[1766] We may read in Father
Auriemma[1767] the special graces granted by Mary to the brothers of
the confraternity in life and in death, but especially in death. Father
Crasset relates[1768] that in 1586 there was a youth who, being near
death, fell asleep; but afterwards awaking, he said to his confessor: “Oh
Father, I have been in great danger of hell, but my Lady has rescued me.
The devils have presented my sins before the tribunal of the Lord, and
already they were dragging me to hell, but the holy Virgin came and said
to them: ‘Where are you taking this youth? What have you to do with one
of my servants who has so long served me in the congregation?’ The devils
fled, and thus I have been saved from their hands.” The same author
relates soon after that another brother of the congregation, also at the
point of death, had a great conflict with hell; but he conquered, and
full of joy, exclaimed: “Oh, what blessings come from serving the blessed
mother well in her confraternity!” And thus entirely consoled, he died.
He afterwards adds that the Duke of Popoli being on his death-bed, said
to his son: “My son, know that the little good I have done in life I owe
to the congregation; and therefore I have no greater good to leave thee
than the confraternity of Mary. I am more proud of having been a brother
of the congregation than the Duke of Popoli”.
DEVOTION VIII.—OF ALMS IN HONOR OF MARY.
The servants of Mary are accustomed, especially on Saturday, to give alms
in honor of the divine mother. That holy shoemaker called St. Deusdedit
(God gave), as St. Gregory relates in his Dialogues, dispensed to the
poor on Saturday all that he earned during the week. And another holy
soul saw in a vision a sumptuous palace which God was preparing in heaven
for this servant of Mary, in the building of which nothing was done
except on Saturday. St. Gerard never refused any thing that was asked him
in the name of Mary. Father Martin Guttierez, of the Society of Jesus,
did the same, and he confessed that he had never asked a favor from
Mary that he had not received it. And this servant of hers having been
slain by the Huguenots, the divine mother appeared to his companions,
accompanied by some virgins, whom she directed to wrap the body in a
sheet and carry it away.[1769] St. Eberard of Salisbury practised the
same devotion, and on this account a holy monk saw him, in the form of a
child, in the arms of Mary, who said: “This is my Son Eberard, who never
has refused me any thing.”[1770] Alexander de Hales practised the same,
who, having been requested by a lay-brother of St. Francis, in the name
of Mary, to become a Franciscan, left the world and entered into the
order.[1771] Let not the servants of the Virgin then be weary of giving
daily some little alms in her honor, and increase it every Saturday. And
if they can do nothing else, at least for love of Mary, perform some
other act of charity, as visiting the sick, praying for sinners and for
the souls in purgatory, &c. Works of mercy are very pleasing to this
mother of mercy.
DEVOTION IX.—OF FREQUENT RECOURSE TO MARY.
Of all devotions, none is so pleasing to our mother, as recurring often
to her intercession, by asking help of her in all special necessities, as
in taking or giving counsel, in dangers, afflictions, and temptations,
particularly in temptations against purity. The divine mother will
certainly deliver us if we have recourse to her with the Antiphon: We
fly to thy patronage: “Sub tuum præsidium,” etc., or with a “Hail Mary,”
or only invoking the most holy name of Mary, which has particular power
against demons. The blessed St. Francis, in a temptation against purity,
had recourse to Mary, and she immediately appeared to him, and placing
her hand upon his breast, delivered him. It is useful to kiss or press
the rosary, or the scapular, or even to look on some image of the Virgin.
And be it known that Benedict XIII. granted fifty days’ indulgence to
those who pronounce the name of Jesus and Mary.
TENTH AND LAST DEVOTION.
I unite in this various practices of devotion in honor of Mary. 1.
To celebrate, or cause to be celebrated, or at least to hear Mass in
honor of the holy Virgin. It is true that the holy sacrifice of the
Mass can be offered only to God, to whom it is offered principally in
acknowledgment of his supreme dominion; but as the sacred Council of
Trent declares,[1772] this does not prevent it from being offered to God
in gratitude for the graces bestowed on the saints and his most holy
mother, and in commemoration of them, that they may deign to intercede
for us. And therefore it is said in the Mass: “That it may avail to
their honor, but to our salvation.”[1773] This offering of the Mass, as
also the repeating three “Our Fathers,” “Hail Marys,” and “Glories” to
the most holy Trinity, in gratitude for the graces granted to Mary, she
herself revealed to a soul, were very pleasing to her; for the Virgin not
being able fully to thank the Lord for all the favors bestowed on her,
is pleased when her children help her to thank God. 2d. To reverence the
saints who are most closely united to Mary, as St. Joseph, St. Joachim,
and St. Ann. The Virgin herself recommended to a nobleman the devotion to
St. Ann her mother.[1774] And we should also honor the saints who had the
most special devotion to the divine mother, as St. John the Evangelist,
St. John the Baptist, St. Bernard, St. John of Damascus, the defender of
her images, St. Ildephonsus, the defender of her virginity, &c. 3d. To
read every day some book which treats of the glories of Mary. To preach,
or at least recommend to all, particularly to one’s relatives, devotion
to the divine mother. The Virgin one day said to St. Bridget: “Make thy
children my children.” To pray daily for the living and dead who were
most devoted to Mary.
Let us here enumerate many other indulgences granted by the Pontiffs to
those who, in various ways, honor this queen of heaven: 1st. To those
who say: “Blessed be the holy and immaculate conception of the blessed
Virgin Mary,” an indulgence of one hundred years is granted; and when
after the word “immaculate,” the word “most pure” is added, according to
Father Crasset, other indulgences are granted, applicable to the souls
in purgatory. 2d. For the “Salve Regina,” forty days. 3d. Litanies, two
hundred days. 4th. To those who bow the head at the names of Jesus and
of Mary, twenty days. 5th. To those who repeat five “Our Fathers” and
“Hail Marys” in honor of the passion of Jesus and the dolors of Mary,
ten thousand years. And for the convenience of devout souls, I will here
mention other indulgences, attached by the Sovereign Pontiffs to other
devotions: 1st. To him who hears Mass, three thousand eight hundred
years. 2d. Benedict XIV. granted seven years’ indulgence to those who
make the Christian acts, with the intention of receiving in life and in
death the holy sacraments; and if they are continued for a month, plenary
indulgence applicable to the souls in purgatory, or to themselves at
the article of death. 3d. To those who recite fifteen “Our Fathers” and
“Hail Marys,” for sinners, remission of the third part of their sins.
4th. Pope Benedict XIV. has granted more indulgences to those who make
mental prayer for half an hour every day, and plenary once a month, after
confession and communion. 5th. To those who recite the prayer: Soul of
Christ, “Anima Christi,” etc., three hundred days. 6. Those who accompany
the viaticum, obtain five years’ indulgence, and with lights seven years;
and those who cannot do this, if they accompany it reciting an “Our
Father” and “Hail Mary,” one hundred days. 7th. Those who kneel before
the most holy Sacrament, gain two hundred days. 8th. Those who kiss the
cross, one year and forty days. Those who bow the head at the “Glory be
to the Father,” thirty days. 10th. To priests who before Mass recite: I
wish to celebrate Mass, &c., “Ego volo celebrare missam,” etc., fifty
days are granted. 11th. To those who kiss the regular scapular, five
years. Other indulgences may be found in the works of Father Viva.[1775]
Let every one endeavor, when seeking the above-named indulgences, to make
an act of contrition, that he may be in a disposition to gain them.
I omit other devotions, which are to be found in other books, as the
seven joys, the twelve privileges of Mary, and the like, and let us
terminate this work with the beautiful words of St. Bernardine:[1776] “Oh
woman, blessed among all women, thou art the honor of the human race, the
salvation of our people. Thou hast a merit that has no limits, and an
entire power over all creatures. Thou art the mother of God, the mistress
of the world, the queen of heaven. Thou art the dispenser of all graces,
the glory of the holy Church. Thou art the example of the just, the
consolation of the saints, and the source of our salvation. Thou art the
joy of paradise, the gate of heaven, the glory of God. Behold, we have
published thy praises. We supplicate thee then, oh mother of mercy, to
strengthen our weakness, to pardon our boldness, to accept our service,
to bless our labors, and impress thy love upon the hearts of all, that
after having honored and loved thy Son on earth, we may praise and bless
him eternally in heaven. Amen.”
And with this, my dear reader and brother, lover of our mother Mary, I
leave you, saying to you, continue joyfully to honor and love this good
Lady; endeavor also to promote the love of her wherever you can, and do
not doubt, but securely trust that if you persevere in true devotion
to Mary, even until death, your salvation will be certain. I finish,
not because I have nothing more to say of the glories of this great
queen, but that I may not weary you. The little that I have written may
indeed be enough to charm you with this great treasure of devotion to
the mother of God, with which she will correspond with her powerful
patronage. Accept, then, the desire I have had by this my work, to see
you safe and holy, to see you become a loving and ardently devoted child
of this most amiable queen. And if you know that this book of mine has
aided you somewhat, I pray you of your charity recommend me to Mary, and
ask of her the grace that I ask for you, namely, that we may both meet in
paradise at her feet, together with all her other dear children.
And last of all, I turn to thee, oh mother of my Lord, and my mother
Mary. I pray thee to accept these my poor labors, and the desire I
have had to see thee praised and loved by all. Thou knowest how much I
have desired to complete this my little work on thy glories, before my
life, which is now drawing to a close, should end. I now say that I die
content, leaving on the earth this book of mine, which will continue to
praise and to preach thee, as I have endeavored always to do in these
years since my conversion, which through thee I have obtained from God.
Oh immaculate Mary, I recommend to thee all those who love thee, and
especially those who will read this my book; and most especially those
who will exercise the charity of recommending me to thee; oh Lady, give
them perseverance, make them all saints, and thus bring us all to praise
thee together in heaven. Oh, my most sweet mother, it is true that I am
a poor sinner, but I glory in loving thee, and I hope great things from
thee, among others, that I may die loving thee. I hope in the sufferings
of my death, when the devil will place my sins before me, that first the
passion of Jesus, and next, thy intercession, may give me comfort to quit
this miserable life in the grace of God, to come to love him and thank
thee, oh my mother, through all eternity. Amen. Thus I hope, thus may it
be.
Oh Lady, say for us to thy Son: “They have no wine.” How bright and clear
is the intoxicating cup of this wine! The love of God inebriates us even
to contempt of the world; it warms and strengthens, renders us insensible
to temporal things, and inclined to heavenly things.[1777]
Thou art a fruitful field, full of virtues, full of graces. Thou didst
come forth as a bright and ruddy dawn; for original sin being destroyed
in the womb of thy mother, thou wast born bright in the knowledge of
truth, and ruddy with the love of virtue; no enemy has power against
thee, for a thousand bucklers hang upon thee, all the armor of valiant
men; for there is no virtue which does not shine in thee, and thou in
thyself dost possess all that belongs to every saint.[1778]
Oh our Lady, our mediatrix, our advocate, commend us to thy Son. Oh
blessed one, obtain by the grace which thou didst merit, that he who,
through thy means has deigned to become a partaker of our infirmity and
misery, thou also interceding, may make us partakers of his blessedness
and glory.[1779]
Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
VARIOUS ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES APPERTAINING TO THE MOST HOLY MARY.
MEDITATIONS FOR VARIOUS FESTIVALS, AND DIFFERENT DEVOTIONS IN HER HONOR.
VARIOUS ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES APPERTAINING TO THE MOST HOLY MARY.
Some persons, boasting of being free from prejudices, take great credit
to themselves for believing no miracles but those recorded in the holy
Scriptures, esteeming all others as tales and fables for foolish women.
But it will be well to repeat here a just remark of the learned and
pious Father John Crasset,[1780] who says that the bad are as ready to
deride miracles as the good are to believe them; adding, that as it is a
weakness to give credit to all things, so, on the other hand, to reject
miracles which come to us attested by grave and pious men, either savors
of infidelity, which supposes them impossible to God, or of presumption,
which refuses belief to such a class of authors. We give credit to a
Tacitus and a Suetonius, and can we deny it without presumption to
Christian authors of learning and probity? There is less risk, says
Father Canisius, in believing and receiving what is related with some
probability by honest persons, and not rejected by the learned, and which
serves for the edification of our neighbor, than in rejecting it with a
disdainful and presumptuous spirit.[1781]
1st Example.—A certain man in Germany had committed a great sin, and
was ashamed to confess it, yet on the other hand he could not endure
the remorse which he felt, and went to cast himself into the river;
but just as he was on the point of doing so, he stopped, and bursting
into tears, prayed God to pardon him without confession. One night in
his sleep he felt some one waking him, and heard a voice saying: Go and
make your confession. He went to the church, but yet did not make his
confession. He heard the same voice a second night; again he went to the
church, but after he had entered it, said that he would rather die than
confess that sin. He was about to return home, when he thought he would
go and recommend himself to the most holy Mary, before her image which
was in the church. He had hardly kneeled before it, when he felt himself
entirely changed. He immediately arose, called for a confessor, and
weeping bitterly, through grace received from the Virgin, made a sincere
confession; and he afterwards said that he felt greater satisfaction than
if he had gained all the gold in the world.[1782]
2.—A young nobleman was reading one day, while at sea, an obscene book,
in which he took great pleasure. A religious said to him: “Now come,
would you give something to our Lady?” “Yes,” he answered; and the other
said, “I wish that, for love of the holy Virgin, you would tear that book
in pieces and cast it into the sea.” “Here it is, Father,” said the
young man. “No,” said the religious, “I wish that you yourself would make
this offering to Mary.” He did so, and when he returned to Genoa, his
native place, the mother of God so inflamed his heart with the love of
God, that he became a religious.[1783]
3.—A hermit of Mount Olivet had in his cell a holy image of Mary, and
frequently offered up prayers before it. The devil could not endure
such devotion to the holy Virgin, and tormented him continually with
temptations against purity; and the poor old hermit finding himself still
pursued by them, notwithstanding all his prayers and mortifications, said
one day to the enemy: “What have I done to you, that you will not leave
me in peace?” And the demon appeared to him and answered: “You torment me
more than I torment you;” and then he added: “Now come, and swear secrecy
to me, and I will tell you what you must cease to do, if you wish me not
to molest you any more.” The hermit took the oath, and then the devil
said to him: “I wish you never again to approach that image that you
have in your cell.” The hermit was greatly perplexed, and went to take
counsel of the Abbot Theodore, who told him that he was not bound by his
oath, and that he must not cease to recommend himself to Mary before that
image, as he had done before. The hermit obeyed, and the devil was put to
shame and conquered.[1784]
4.—A woman who had been guilty of a criminal connection with two young
men, one of whom had killed the other, came one day in great terror to
Father Onefrio d’Anna, a pious missionary in the kingdom of Naples, to
make her confession. She told the Father that in the same hour in which
that wretched youth had died, he appeared to her, clothed in black,
loaded with chains, and cast fire on every side. He had a sword in his
hand, and raised it to cut her throat. In terror she exclaimed: “What
have I done to you, that you wish to kill me?” And in a rage he answered:
“Wretch, do you ask what you have done to me? You have caused me to lose
God.” Then she invoked the blessed Virgin; and that spectre, on hearing
the most holy name of Mary pronounced, disappeared and was seen no
more.[1785]
5.—When St. Dominic was preaching at Carcassone, in France, an
Albigensian heretic, who was possessed by demons, was brought to him,
because he had publicly spoken against the devotion of the most holy
Rosary. The saint then ordered the demons, in the name of God, to declare
whether those things which he had said concerning the most holy Rosary
were true; and howling with rage they said: “Hear, oh Christians, all
that this our enemy has said of Mary and of the most holy Rosary is
entirely true.” They added, moreover, that they had no power against the
servants of Mary; and that many who at death invoked Mary were saved,
contrary to their deserts. And finally they said: “We are constrained to
declare, that no one is lost who perseveres in devotion to Mary, and in
the devotion of the most holy Rosary, for Mary obtains for sinners a true
repentance before death.” St. Dominick made the people immediately repeat
the Rosary; and, oh miracle! at every “Hail Mary,” many devils went out
from that wretched man, in the shape of burning coals, so that when the
Rosary was finished, he was entirely freed from them, and many heretics
became converted.[1786]
6.—The daughter of a certain prince had entered a monastery, where the
discipline was so relaxed, that, although she was a young person of good
dispositions, she advanced but little in virtue. By the advice of a good
confessor, she began to say the Rosary with the mysteries, and became
so changed that she was an example to all. The other religious, taking
offence at her for withdrawing from them, attacked her on all sides, to
induce her to abandon her newly-begun way of life. One day while she was
repeating the Rosary, and praying Mary to assist her in that persecution,
she saw a letter fall from above. On the outside were written these
words: “Mary, mother of God, to her daughter Jane, greeting;” and within:
“My dear child, continue to say my Rosary; withdraw from intercourse
with those who do not help you to live well; beware of idleness and
vanity; take from thy cell two superfluous things, and I will be your
protectress with God.” The abbot of that monastery soon after visited it,
and attempted to reform it, but he did not succeed; and one day he saw a
great number of demons entering the cells of all the nuns except that
of Jane, for the divine mother, before whose image he saw her praying,
banished them from that. When he heard from her of the devotion of the
Rosary which she practised, and the letter she had received, he ordered
all the others to repeat it, and it is related that this monastery became
a paradise.[1787]
7.—There lived in Rome a woman, called Catherine the beautiful, who led
a very sinful life. Hearing St. Dominick once preach on the devotion
of the most holy Rosary, she had her name inscribed in the book of the
confraternity, and began to recite it, but did not abandon her sinful
life. One evening a youth, apparently a noble, came to her house, whom
she received courteously. When they were at supper, she saw drops of
blood falling from his hands while he was breaking a piece of bread,
and then she observed that all the food he took was tinged with blood.
She asked him what that blood meant? And the youth answered, that a
Christian should take no food that was not tinged with the blood of Jesus
Christ, seasoned with the memory of his passion. Amazed at this, she
asked him who he was. “Soon,” he answered, “I will show you;” and when
they had withdrawn into another apartment, the appearance of the youth
changed, and he showed himself crowned with thorns, his flesh torn, and
said to her: “Do you wish to know who I am? Do you not know me? I am thy
Redeemer. Catherine, when will you cease to offend me? See how much I
have suffered for you. You have grieved me enough, change your life.”
Catherine began to weep bitterly, and Jesus, encouraging her, said: “Now
begin to love me as much as you have offended me; and know that you have
received this grace from me, on account of the Rosary you have been
accustomed to recite in honor of my mother.” And then he disappeared.
Catherine went in the morning to make her confession to St. Dominick;
and giving to the poor all she possessed, led so holy a life, that she
attained to great perfection. The Virgin often appeared to her; and Jesus
himself revealed to St. Dominick, that this penitent had become very dear
to him.[1788]
8.—The blessed Alanus relates of a lady, named Dominica, who was
accustomed to recite the Rosary, that she gave up this devotion, and
afterwards became so poor, that in desperation she stabbed herself in
three different places. But just as she was breathing her last, and the
devils came to take her to hell, the most holy Mary appeared to her, and
said to her: “My daughter, you have forgotten me, but I have not been
willing to forget you, on account of that Rosary which you have for a
time recited in my honor. And now,” she added, “if you will continue to
recite it, I will restore life to you, and also the possessions you have
lost.” Dominica was restored to health, and continuing the practice of
reciting the Rosary, recovered her possessions, and at her death was
again visited by Mary, who commended her fidelity, and she died a holy
death.[1789]
9.—There lived in Saragossa a certain noble, a very bad man; his name was
Peter, and he was a relation of St. Dominick. One day when the saint was
preaching, he saw Peter enter the church, and he prayed the Lord that he
would make known to the audience the condition of that miserable sinner.
And, behold, Peter then appeared like a monster from hell, surrounded
and dragged along by many devils. The congregation fled, even his wife
who was in the church, and the servants who accompanied him. Then St.
Dominick directed him, through one of his companions, to recommend
himself to Mary, and to begin to recite the Rosary which he sent him.
Peter received the message, humbled himself, sent to thank the saint,
and received himself the grace to see the demons that surrounded him. He
afterwards went to make his confession to the saint himself, from whom he
received the assurance that he was already pardoned, and continuing to
recite the Rosary, he attained to so happy a state, that one day the Lord
made him appear in church, in the presence of the whole congregation,
crowned with three crowns of roses.[1790]
10.—In the mountains of Trent lived a notorious robber, who when he was
one day admonished by a religious to change his course of life, answered,
that for him there was no remedy. “Do not say so,” said the religious;
“do what I tell you; fast on Saturday in honor of Mary, and on that day
do no harm to any one, and she will obtain for you the grace of not dying
under the displeasure of God.” The obedient robber followed this advice,
and made a vow to continue to do so. That he might not break it, he from
that time went unarmed on Saturdays. It happened that on a Saturday he
was found by the officers of justice, and that he might not break his
oath, he allowed himself to be taken without resistance. The judge,
when he saw that he was a gray-haired old man, wished to pardon him;
but, through the grace of compunction which he had received from Mary,
he said that he wished to die in punishment of his sins. He also made a
public confession of all the sins of his life in that same judgment-hall,
weeping so bitterly that all present wept with him. He was beheaded, and
buried, with but little ceremony, in a grave dug near by. But afterwards
the mother of God appeared, with four holy virgins, who took the dead
body from that place, wrapped it in a rich cloth, embroidered with gold,
and bore it themselves to the gate of the city; there the blessed Virgin
said to the guards: “Tell the bishop from me, to give an honorable
burial, in such a church, to this dead person, for he was my faithful
servant.” And this was done. All the people of the place thronged to the
spot, where they found the corpse, with the rich pall, and the bier on
which it was placed. And from that time, says Cesarius, all persons in
that region began to fast on Saturdays.[1791]
11.—A devout servant of Mary, who lived in Portugal, fasted on bread
and water every Saturday of his life, in honor of Mary, and chose for
his advocates with the blessed Virgin, St. Michael and St. John the
Evangelist. At the hour of his death the queen of heaven appeared to him,
with those saints, who were praying for him, and the holy Virgin, looking
upon her servant with a joyful countenance, said to those saints: “I will
not depart hence without taking this soul with me.”
12.—In one of our missions, after the sermon on Mary which it is our
custom to preach, a very old man came to one of the Fathers of our
congregation, to make his confession. He was full of consolation, and
said: “Our Lady has done me a favor.” “And what favor has she done
you?” asked the confessor. “For thirty-five years, Father, I have made
sacrilegious confessions, because I was ashamed of one sin, and yet I
have passed through many dangers, and have been several times at the
point of death, and if I had died then I certainly should have been lost;
and now our Lady has done me the favor to touch my heart;” and when he
said this he wept so bitterly, that he seemed to be all tenderness. After
the Father had heard his confession, he asked him what devotion he had
practised, and he answered that he had never failed on Saturday to keep a
strict fast in honor of Mary, and therefore the Virgin had taken pity on
him, and he gave the Father permission to publish the fact in his sermons.
13.—In the country of Normandy a certain robber was beheaded, and his
head was thrown into a trench; but afterwards it was heard crying: “Mary,
give me confession.” A priest went to him and heard his confession; and
questioning him as to his practices of devotion, the robber answered
that he had no other except that of fasting one day of the week in honor
of the holy Virgin, and that for this our Lady had obtained for him the
grace to be delivered from hell by that confession.[1792]
14.—There were two young noblemen living in the city of Madrid who
encouraged each other in their sinful life. One of them saw one night,
in a dream, his companion seized by some Moors and carried to the shore
of a stormy sea. They were about to do the same with him, but he had
recourse to Mary, and made a vow that he would become a religious at
once, and thus he was rescued from these Moors; then he saw Jesus seated
on a throne, and as if in anger, and the holy Virgin supplicating and
obtaining mercy for him. When his friend came to visit him he related
to him the vision, but he laughed at it; and shortly after was stabbed
with a poniard and died. When the other youth saw the vision verified he
made his confession, and was strengthened in his resolution of becoming
a religious. In view of that, he sold all that he had, but instead of
giving the money to the poor, as he had intended, he expended it in
debauchery. He afterwards fell ill, and had another vision; he thought he
saw hell opened and the divine Judge in the act of condemning him. Again
he had recourse to Mary, and Mary again delivered him. He was restored
to health, and led a worse life than before. He went to Lima, in South
America, where he fell ill, and in the hospital of that place was again
touched by the grace of God. He confessed to Father Francis Perlino, a
Jesuit, to whom he promised to change his life, but went back to his evil
courses. At length the same Father, visiting one day another hospital in
a distant place, saw that wretched man extended on the earth, and heard
him exclaim: “Ah, I am lost; and for my greater torment this Father
has come here to witness my punishment. I came here from Lima, and am
brought to this end by my vices, and now I am going to hell.” With these
words on his lips he died, before the Father had time to give him any
assistance.[1793]
15.—There was once in Germany a certain criminal condemned to death; but
he was obstinate and refused to make his confession, though a Jesuit
father did his utmost to convert him. He entreated him, he wept, he
cast himself at his feet; but seeing that all was in vain, he finally
said: “Let us recite a ‘Hail Mary.’” No sooner had the criminal recited
it than he began to cry bitterly, made his confession with much
compunction, and wished to die clasping the image of Mary.[1794]
16.—In a city of Spain there lived a sinful man who had given himself
to the devil, and had never been to confession. He did nothing good but
say a “Hail Mary” every day. Father Eusebius Nierembergh relates, that
when this man was at the point of death the most holy Virgin appeared to
him in a dream and looked on him; her kind eyes so changed him that he
immediately sent for a confessor, made his confession with a voice broken
by sobs, made a vow to become a religious if he should live, and then
died.[1795]
17.—A devout servant of Mary always inculcated it upon her daughter
that she should often recite the “Hail Mary,” especially when she was
in any danger. One day when this girl was resting after a ball, she was
attacked by a demon, who in a visible form, bore her off with him. He
had already seized her, but she began the “Hail Mary,” and the enemy
disappeared.[1796]
18.—A woman of Cologne who had criminal intercourse with an ecclesiastic,
found him one day hanging in her rooms dead. After this she entered into
a monastery, where the devil assailed her in a bodily form, so that
she knew not what to do in order to be delivered from him. A companion
suggested to her to say the “Hail Mary;” and when she did so the demon
said: “Accursed may she be who has taught thee this,” and appeared no
more.[1797]
19.—A certain baron who led a very sinful life was accidentally visited
in his castle by a religious, who, enlightened by God, begged him to
assemble together all his servants. They all came except the chamberlain.
He at last was forced to come in, and the Father said to him: “Now, I
command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to tell who you are.” And he
answered: “I am a devil from hell, who for fourteen years have served
this villain, waiting until some day he should omit those seven ‘Hail
Marys’ which he is in the habit of reciting, that I might then strangle
him and take him to the flames of hell.” The religious then commanded the
devil to depart. He obeyed, and disappeared. The baron then threw himself
at his feet, was converted, and led a holy life.[1798]
20.—The blessed Francis Patrizii, who greatly loved the devotion of the
“Hail Mary,” recited five hundred every day. Mary made known to him the
hour of his death. He died as a saint; and after forty years a most
beautiful lily sprung from his mouth, which was then transported into
France, and on the leaves of it was written the “Hail Mary” in letters of
gold.[1799]
21.—Cesarius relates that a Cistercian lay-brother could say no other
prayer but the “Hail Mary,” and recited it continually with the greatest
devotion. After his death there sprung up from the place where he was
buried a tree, on whose leaves were written these words: Hail Mary, full
of grace: “Ave Maria, gratia plena.”[1800]
22.—Three devout virgins, by the advice of their confessor, recited one
year, for forty days, the whole Rosary, as a preparation for the feast of
the purification of Mary. On the vigil the divine mother appeared to the
first of the three sisters with a rich garment, embroidered with gold,
thanked her, and blessed her. Then she appeared to the second with a
simple garment, and also thanked her. But she said to her: “Oh Lady, why
have you brought my sister a richer garment?” “Because she has clothed
me,” said Mary, “more richly than you have done.” She afterwards appeared
to the third with a canvas garment, and she at once asked pardon for her
tepidity in honoring her. The next year all three fervently prepared for
the same feast, saying the Rosary with great devotion, when behold, on
the evening preceding the festival, Mary appeared to them in glory, and
said to them: “Be prepared, for to-morrow you shall come to paradise.”
And, in fact, the next day they went to church, related to the confessor
what had occurred, and received communion in the morning. At the hour
of complin they saw again the most holy Virgin, who came to take them
with her, and amid the songs of angels, one after the other sweetly
expired.[1801]
23.—Father Crasset relates, that a certain military officer told him,
that after a battle he found a soldier on the battle-ground who held in
his hand a Rosary and the scapular of Mary, and asked for a confessor.
His forehead had been pierced by a musket-ball, which had passed through
the head and come out behind, so that the brain was visible and protruded
through each opening, and he could not live without a miracle. He
however raised himself, made his confession to the chaplain with great
compunction, and after receiving absolution, expired.[1802]
24.—The same author adds, that this very captain told him of being
present when a trumpeter of his company received a pistol-shot from some
one near, and when he examined his breast where he said that he had been
hit, he found that the ball had been stopped by the scapular of the
Virgin, which the man wore, and that it had not even touched the flesh.
He took it and exhibited it to the whole company.[1803]
25.—A noble youth, named Eschylus, being sent by the prince his father to
Hildesheim, a city of Saxony, to study, abandoned himself to a dissolute
life. He fell ill, and was near dying, and while in that state he had a
vision. He saw himself shut up in a furnace of fire, and believed himself
to be already in hell; and then he escaped from it through a hole and
took refuge in a great palace, where he found the most holy Mary in the
hall, and she said to him: “Rash man, dost thou dare to appear before
me? Depart from here, and go to the flames which thou dost merit.” The
young man besought the Virgin to have mercy on him, and then turned to
some persons who were near, and implored them to recommend him to Mary.
They did so, and the divine mother answered: “You do not know the sinful
life he has led, and that he has not even thought of saving a ‘Hail Mary’
in my honor.” But his advocates answered: “Oh Lady, he will change his
life;” and the youth added: “Yes, I promise really to amend, and I will
be thy servant.” Then the Virgin’s anger was appeased, and she said to
him: “Well, I accept thy promise, be faithful to me, and meanwhile, with
my blessing, be delivered from hell and death.” When she had said this,
the Virgin disappeared. Eschylus came to himself, and blessing Mary,
related to others the grace he had received. He led ever after a holy
life, always preserving a great affection towards the blessed Virgin, and
was made Archbishop of the Church of Lude, in Denmark, where he converted
many to the faith. Towards the close of his life, being old, he resigned
the archbishopric and became a monk of Clairvaux, where he lived four
years, and died a holy death. Hence he has been numbered by some writers
among the saints of the Cistercian order.[1804]
26.—A member of the brothers of the confraternity of Mary was invited
one morning by a friend to dine with him. He promised to go, but went
first to the meeting of the confraternity, and after that he forgot
his promise. His friend was so much offended by this, that one day when
he met him he attempted to kill him; but, by a just judgment of God, he
killed himself. His friend was immediately taken before the court, found
guilty of the murder, and was condemned to death. He recommended himself
to the Virgin, and, inspired by her, begged to be led into the presence
of the dead body, and then asked him how he had died. He confessed that
he died by his own hands, and his friend was set at liberty.[1805]
27.—In the year 1604, at Dola, a member of the same confraternity was
very ill. On a feast-day he said to himself: “At this hour my brothers
are assembled and occupied in praising Mary, and am I here”? He rose from
his bed and went to the assembly, when suddenly the fever left him, and
he was restored to health.[1806]
28.—A fisherman, belonging to the same confraternity in Naples, had been
ill for several days through the severe discipline he had practised in
the meeting of the confraternity. Being somewhat better, as he was poor
and had a family, he returned to his fishing, saying to the most holy
Virgin: “Oh, my Lady, for thee I have suffered this evil, do thou help
me”; and our blessed Lady allowed him to take as many fish as he would
have taken in all the time he had lost.[1807]
29.—Another member was going to be imprisoned for debt; he recommended
himself to Mary, and the most holy Virgin inspired his creditors to
release him from his debt, and so they did.[1808]
30.—A young man who had been a member of the confraternity of the Virgin,
left it, and abandoned himself to a dissolute life. One night the devil
appeared to him in a frightful form. He began to invoke the blessed
Virgin. “In vain,” said his enemy to him, “do you invoke her whom you
have abandoned; your sins have made thee mine.” The youth in terror fell
on his knees, and began to recite the formula of the brothers: “Oh most
holy Virgin mother,” &c. Then the mother of God appeared to him, at
whose presence the demon fled, leaving behind him a great stench, and an
opening in the wall. And Mary then turned to the youth, and said: “Thou
didst not merit my help, but I wish to take pity on thee, that thou
mayest change, and return to the confraternity.”[1809]
31.—In Braganza there lived another youth who left the confraternity
and abandoned himself to such vicious courses, that one day in despair,
he was going to throw himself into a river. But first he turned to our
Lady and said: “Oh Mary, I have served thee in the confraternity, wilt
thou help me?” The most holy Virgin appeared to him and said: “What art
thou doing? Dost thou wish to destroy both soul and body? Go, make thy
confession, and return to the confraternity.” The youth, encouraged by
this, thanked the Virgin, and amended his life.[1810]
32.—There was once a religious in Spain, who in a fit of passion killed
his superior. After committing this crime he fled into Barbary, where he
renounced his faith and married, leading afterwards so bad a life that he
did nothing good but say a “Hail, oh Queen,” daily. One day, being alone,
he repeated this devotion, and behold Mary appeared to him, rebuked him,
and encouraged him to amend his life, promising him her assistance. He
then returned to his house, and was so sorrowful that his wife questioned
him as to the cause, and he in tears told her his condition, and the
vision he had seen. She took compassion on him, gave him money to enable
him to return to his own country, and also consented that he should
take one of their children with him. He returned to the monastery,
where he shed so many tears of compunction that he was again received,
together with his son. He persevered in his holy life, and died with the
reputation of a saint.[1811]
33.—A pupil had been instructed by his master to salute the most holy
Virgin in these words: “Hail, oh mother of mercy.” When he was at the
point of death Mary appeared to him, and said: “My son, do you not know
me? I am that mother of mercy whom you have saluted so many times.” Then
this servant of the Virgin extended his arms as if to follow her, and
gently breathed his last.[1812]
34.—There was once a sinner who was so abandoned, that he practised no
other devotion than that of reciting daily: To thy patronage: “Sub
tuum præsidium.” The Virgin one day so greatly enlightened him, that he
abandoned his sins, entered religion, led for fifty years an exemplary
life, and thus died.[1813]
35.—In the year 1610, there lived in Turin an obstinate heretic, who
even on his death-bed would not be converted by all that was said to
him by the various priests who were with him for eight successive days.
At length one of them, almost by force, brought him to have recourse to
Mary, with these words: Mother of Jesus, help me: “Mater Jesu, assiste
mihi.” And the heretic, as if awakened from sleep, exclaimed, “I will die
a Catholic;” and indeed he became reconciled to the Church, and died in
two hours.[1814]
36.—Another infidel, who was living in India, was about to die, abandoned
by all, but as he had heard the Christians so much extol the power of
Mary, he had recourse to her, and the blessed Virgin appeared to him,
and said: “Behold I am she whom you invoke; become a Christian.” He was
immediately restored to health, and baptized, and many were converted by
the prodigy.[1815]
37.—There lived in Madrid, in the year 1610, a very devout servant of
Mary, who had an especial devotion to an image of her called “Mary
of Antioch.” He married a woman, who through suspicion and jealousy,
left him no rest. Every Saturday he went barefoot, and early in the
morning, to visit that image; but his wife, who suspected him of going
elsewhere, once in particular, attacked him so violently, that blinded
by impatience, he took a rope and hung himself. But just as his soul was
departing, when he could no more help himself, he invoked the help of
Mary; and behold a most beautiful lady appeared, who approached him and
cut the rope. The people without saw this, and then he narrated the fact.
By this the wife was so filled with compunction, that ever afterwards
they lived in peace, and devoted to the divine mother.[1816]
38.—Another person, of Valentia, in 1613, committed a great crime, which
he was ashamed to confess, and therefore made sacrilegious confessions.
But, being troubled with great remorse of conscience, he went one day
to visit the altar of Our Lady of Halle, that he might obtain relief.
When he arrived at the door of the church, which stood open, he felt
himself thrust back by an invisible power. Then he determined to make his
confession, and immediately entered. After making a general confession,
he went home entirely consoled.[1817]
39.—The blessed Adam, a Cistercian, went one evening to visit an altar
of the most blessed Virgin in a church; but finding the doors closed, he
knelt outside to make his devotions. He was hardly on his knees when he
saw the door opening of itself, and he entered. There he beheld the Queen
of Heaven, in the midst of great splendor, and she said to him: “Adam,
approach; do you know who I am?” Adam answered: “No, Lady; who art thou?”
“I am,” she said, “the mother of God. Know, that as a reward for thy
devotion to me, I will always take care of thee.” And then she placed
her blessed hand upon his head, and cured him of the great pain he was
suffering there.[1818]
40.—A servant of Mary went one day to visit a church of our blessed Lady,
without the knowledge of her husband, and she was prevented by a severe
storm from returning that night to her own house. She felt a great fear
lest her husband should be very angry with her; but she recommended
herself to Mary, and when she returned home, her husband was very kind
and gracious to her. Upon questioning him, she found that the evening
before, the divine mother had taken her form, and attended to all the
little affairs of the household like a servant. She then related the
occurrence to her husband, and they both afterwards practised great
devotion to the blessed Virgin.[1819]
41.—A certain cavalier, of the city of Doul, in France, named Ansaldo,
received in battle a wound from an arrow, which entered so deep into the
jaw-bone, that it was not possible to extract the iron. After four years
of suffering, the afflicted man could endure the pain no longer, and
being besides very ill, he thought he would again try to have the iron
extracted. He recommended himself to the blessed Virgin, and made a vow
to visit every year a sacred image of her which was in that place, and
make an offering of a certain sum of money upon her altar, if she granted
his request. He had no sooner made the vow than the iron, without being
touched, fell into his mouth. The next day, ill as he was, he went to
visit the image, and scarcely had he placed the promised gift upon the
altar, when he felt himself entirely restored to health.[1820]
42.—There was once a Spaniard who held sinful intercourse with a
relative. A devout virgin, while she was at prayer, saw Jesus on his
throne, who was on the point of sending that criminal to hell; but his
holy mother obtained thirty days’ grace for him, because he once had
honored her. By the command of the divine mother herself, his female
companion told the whole to her confessor, who made it known to the young
man, and he at once made his confession, with many tears and promises
of amendment. But because he did not remove the temptation from him, he
fell again into sin, went again to confession, again made a resolution,
and again relapsed. As he did not go to see the Father again, the Father
went to his house to find him, but was very rudely dismissed. The last of
the thirty days had arrived; the Father went to the house again, but in
vain; he desired the servant, however, to give him notice if there was
any accident; and indeed at night that miserable sinner was attacked with
violent pains. The Father was called, and endeavored to relieve him, but
the unhappy man exclaimed: “My heart has been pierced with a lance, and
I am dying.” Then giving a groan of despair, he expired.[1821]
43.—There lived once in Milan a man named Masaccio, so addicted to
gambling, that one day he lost at play the very clothes he wore. In a
violent rage at his loss, he took a knife and struck an image of the
blessed Virgin, and blood burst forth from it into his face. He was so
much moved that he burst into tears, and offered thanks to the Virgin
that she had obtained for him time for repentance. He afterwards entered
a Cistercian monastery, and led such a holy life that he even received
the gift of prophecy; after being forty years a religious, he died a holy
death.[1822]
44.—A very sinful man, once kneeling in tears at the foot of the cross,
prayed that he might receive a sign of pardon. But when he found that
his prayer was not granted, he turned to an image of the sorrowful Mary,
who then appeared to him, and he saw her present his tears to her Son,
saying: My Son, shall these tears be lost? “Fili, istæ lacrymæ peribunt?”
And then he was given to understand that Christ had already pardoned him,
and from that time he led a holy life.[1823]
45.—A man of advanced age, during one of our missions, after the usual
sermon on the powerful intercession of Mary, which it is our custom
always to preach in the missions, came to make his confession to one of
our Fathers, named D. Cesar Sportelli, who lately died in the fame of
sanctity, and was found uncorrupted many months after his death. Kneeling
at the feet of his confessor, he said: “Father, our Lady has had pity on
me.” “This is her office,” answered the Father. “But you cannot give me
absolution,” said the other, “for I have never made my confession.” And,
in fact, although he was a Catholic, he had never made his confession.
The Father encouraged him, heard his confession, and gave him absolution
with great consolation.
46.—The blessed Bernard Tolomeo, founder of the Olivetan Fathers, who,
from his childhood, had a great devotion to Mary, was one day greatly
tormented in his hermitage at Accona, called Mt. Olivet, with the fear
that he should not be saved, and that God had not yet pardoned him; but
the divine mother appeared to him, and said: “What do you fear, my son?
Take courage; God has already pardoned you, and is pleased with the life
you lead; go on, and I will help and save you.” The blessed religious
continued to lead a holy life till he died a happy death in the arms of
Mary.[1824]
47.—There lived in Germany a young girl, called Agnes, who had been
guilty of incest in the first degree. She fled into a desert, and there
gave birth to a child. The devil, in the form of a religious, appeared to
her, and persuaded her to throw the child into a pond. But afterwards,
when he proposed to her to throw herself in also, she said: “Mary, help
me,” and the devil disappeared.[1825]
48.—A soldier once made a compact with the devil, that he would sell
his wife to him for a certain sum of money. He was taking her to a wood
to fulfil his promise, when he passed before a church dedicated to the
Virgin. His wife begged him to allow her to pay her devotion to Mary in
that church; but as she entered it, Mary came forth from it, and taking
the form of the woman, accompanied the husband. When they reached the
wood, the demon said to the man: “Traitor, why have you brought me,
instead of your wife, my enemy, the mother of God?” “And thou,” said
Mary, “how hast thou dared to think of injuring my servant? Go, flee
to hell.” And then turning to the man, she said: “Amend your life, and
I will aid you.” She disappeared, and that wretched man repented, and
amended his life.[1826]
49.—A very sinful woman who lived in Messico, having fallen ill, repented
of her life, and made a vow to Mary, that if she would restore her to
health she would present her with her hair. She was cured, and she cut
off her hair, making an offering of it to the statue of the Virgin. But
the woman again fell into sin, again fell ill, and died impenitent.
Then Mary one day afterwards spoke from that statue to Father Giammaria
Salvaterra, and said: Take those locks from my head, for they belong to
a lost and sinful soul, and are not befitting the head of the mother of
purity. The Father obeyed her, and threw them himself instantly into the
flames.[1827]
50.—A Saracen, named Petran, made captive several Christians in Spain,
who recommended themselves to the holy Virgin. Mary appeared to the
Saracen, and said to him: “Petran, how dare you to hold my servants
slaves? Release them immediately—obey.” And the Moor answered: “Who are
you whom I am to obey?” “I am,” said she, “the mother of God; and because
they have had recourse to me, I wish you to give them their liberty.”
Then the heart of Petran was changed, he set the Christians free, and
presented himself to the Virgin. She first instructed him, and then she
herself baptized him in a fountain, near which a church was built, and a
Benedictine monastery.[1828]
51.—A certain canon, while he was repeating some devotions in honor of
the divine mother, fell into the river Seine and was drowned, and being
in mortal sin, the devils came to take him to hell. But Mary appeared at
the same time, and said to them: “How have you dared to take possession
of one who died praising me?” Then turning to the sinner, she said:
Repent, and be particularly devout to my Conception. He was restored to
life, became a religious, and never ceased to thank his deliverer, and
everywhere to propagate the devotion to her immaculate Conception.[1829]
52.—Whilst the monks of Clairvaux were reaping in the fields, and
praising the queen of heaven, most holy Mary was seen caressing them, and
two other saints wiping their sweat.[1830]
53.—The brother of the King of Hungary recited every day the office of
Mary. Once when he was very ill, he made a vow of chastity to the Virgin,
if she would restore him to health; and he immediately recovered. But his
brother having died, he was about to be married, and just as the nuptials
were to be celebrated, he retired apart to recite his accustomed office.
When he came to the words: Thou art fair and comely, &c.: “Quam pulchra
es et decora,” &c., he saw Mary, who said to him: “If I am fair as you
say, why do you leave me for another spouse? Know, that if you leave her,
you shall have me for a spouse, and the kingdom of heaven instead of the
kingdom of Hungary.” After this the prince withdrew into a desert near
Aquileia, where he lived a holy life.[1831]
54.—St. John Climacus relates, that there was a devout religious, named
Carcerio, who was accustomed often to repeat little songs in praise
of Mary, and always saluted her images with a “Hail Mary.” He was
once afflicted with so painful a malady, that in the paroxysms of his
suffering he bit his lips and tongue. He lost his speech, and was at the
point of death. Whilst the religious were recommending his soul to God,
the mother of God appeared to him, and said: “I have come to cure thee,
for I do not wish that mouth should suffer with which thou hast so often
praised me. Arise, thou art healed, continue to praise me.” Having said
this, she sprinkled him with some drops of her milk, and immediately he
was cured, and never ceased to praise her, until, visited again by his
Lady at his death, he sweetly expired in her arms.[1832]
55.—When St. Francis Borgia was in Rome, an ecclesiastic came to speak
with him; but the saint being much occupied, sent Father Acosta to him.
The ecclesiastic said to him: “Father, I am a priest and a preacher, but
I live in sin, and distrust the divine mercy. After preaching a sermon
one day against the obstinate, who afterwards despair of pardon, a person
came to me to make his confession, who narrated to me all my sins, and
at length told me that he despaired of the divine mercy. In order to do
my duty, I told him that he must change his life, and trust in God; then
that penitent rose to his feet and reproached me, saying: ‘And you, who
preach thus to others, why do you not amend, and why do you distrust?
Know,’ said he, ‘that I am an angel come to your aid; amend and you will
be pardoned.’ And when he had said this he disappeared. I abstained for
several days from my sinful practices, but when temptation came I again
returned to my sins. On another day, as I was celebrating Mass, Jesus
Christ sensibly spoke to me from the host, and said: ‘Why dost thou thus
maltreat me, when I treat thee so well?’ After this I resolved to amend,
but at the next temptation fell again into sin. A few hours ago, a youth
came to me in my apartment, and drew from under his mantle a chalice, and
from this a consecrated host, saying: ‘Do you know this Lord whom I hold
in my hand? Do you remember how many favors he has done you? Now behold
the punishment of your ingratitude,’ and saying this he drew a sword to
kill me. I then cried: ‘For the love of Mary do not kill me, for I will
indeed amend.’ And then he said: ‘This was the only thing that could save
you: make a good use of this grace, for this is the last mercy for you.’
When he had said this he left me, and I came immediately here, praying
you to receive me among you.” Father Acosta consoled him, and the priest,
by the advice also of St. Francis, entered another order of strict
observance, where he persevered in holiness till his death.[1833]
56.—In the year 1228, while a priest was celebrating Mass on a Saturday,
in honor of the most holy Mary, some Albigensian heretics came and
cruelly cut out his tongue. In this condition he went to the monastery
of Cluny, where the good religious received him with much charity,
greatly compassionating the suffering he endured from the loss of his
tongue. But what caused the greatest suffering to this devout priest
was, that he could no longer say Mass and recite the divine office, and
that of the blessed Virgin, as he had been accustomed to do. The feast
of Epiphany having arrived, he begged to be carried into the church, and
before the altar of the holy Virgin prayed her to restore the tongue
which he had lost through love of her, that he might sing her praises
as he did before. Then Mary appeared to him with a tongue in her hand,
and said to him: “Since thou hast lost thy tongue for the faith, and for
the honor thou hast paid me, I give thee in return a new one.” Having
said this, with her own hands she placed the tongue in his mouth, and
immediately the priest, raising his voice, recited the “Hail Mary.” The
religious quickly assembled, and the priest wished to remain with them,
and to become himself a religious, that there he might always praise his
benefactress. The mark of the scar was always seen on his tongue.[1834]
57.—It was in 589 that the famous plague prevailed in Rome, when men
were attacked with sneezing, and fell down dead. St. Gregory the Great,
when he was carrying in procession through the city an image belonging
to the church of St. Mary Major, in the place now called the Castle of
St. Angelo, saw an angel in the air, who was replacing in its scabbard a
sword dripping with blood. Then he heard the angels singing: Oh, Queen
of heaven! rejoice, Alleluia; for he whom thou didst deserve to bear,
Alleluia, is risen again, as he said, Alleluia: “Regina cœli, lætare,
Alleluia; quia quem meruisti portare Alleluia; resurrexit, sicut dixit,
Alleluia.” And St. Gregory responded: “Ora pro nobis Deum, Alleluia.”
Immediately the plague ceased, and they then began to celebrate the
greater Litanies every year on the 25th of April.[1835]
58.—A city of France, called Avignon, was once besieged by enemies. The
citizens prayed to Mary to defend them, and placed an image of her,
which they had taken from a church, at the gate of the city. One of the
citizens having concealed himself behind the image, a soldier shot an
arrow at him, saying: “This image shall not save you from death.” But the
image presented her knee, and the arrow remained fixed in it, and may be
seen there even to this day; and thus she saved the life of her servant.
And the enemy, moved by this prodigy, raised the siege.[1836]
59.—There was in Naples a Moor, a slave of Don Octavius del Monaco, who,
although he had often been exhorted to leave his Mahometan sect, remained
obstinate, but yet never failed every evening to keep lighted, at his
own expense, a lamp before an image of Mary which was in the house. And
he said: “I hope that this Lady will grant me some great favor.” One
night the blessed Virgin appeared to him and told him he must become a
Christian. Still the Turk resisted, but she placed her hand upon his
shoulder, and said to him: “Now no longer resist, Abel; be baptized and
called Joseph.” In the morning he immediately went to be instructed,
and was baptized August 10th, 1648, with eleven other Turks. Let it
be observed that when the divine mother appeared to him, after she had
converted him, she was about to depart, but the Moor seized her mantle,
saying: “Oh Lady, when I find myself afflicted, I pray thee to let me
see thee.” In fact she one day promised him this, and when he was in
affliction he invoked her, and Mary appeared again to him, saying: “Have
patience,” and he was consoled.[1837]
60.—A certain parish priest of Asella, named Baldwin, became a Dominican,
and when he was in his novitiate there came to him the temptation that
he could do greater good in the world in his parish, and he resolved to
return. But going to take his leave of the altar of the Rosary, Mary
appeared to him with two vessels of wine; she gave him to drink of the
first, but the novice had hardly tasted it, when he turned away his
mouth, for although the wine was good, yet it was full of dregs; the
second he pronounced good, and free from dregs: “Now,” said the most holy
Virgin, “there is the same difference between the life in the world, and
the life in religion, which is under obedience.” Baldwin persevered, and
died a good religious.[1838]
61.—Another novice, also overcome by temptation, was about to leave his
monastery, but stopping to say a “Hail Mary” before an image of the
Virgin, he felt himself nailed, as it were, to the floor, from which
he could not rise. He repented, and made a vow of persevering. He
then recovered his liberty, asked pardon of the master of novices, and
persevered.[1839]
62.—The blessed Clement, a Franciscan, one morning delayed going to the
common table, that he might stop and recite certain accustomed devotions
to the most holy Virgin; but she spoke from her image, and directed him
to go with the others, because obedience pleased her more than all other
devotions.[1840]
63.—Whilst Angela, a daughter of the King of Bohemia, was in a monastery,
Mary appeared to her, and an angel said to her: “Arise, Angela, and fly
to Jerusalem, for thy father wishes to give thee in marriage to the
prince of Hungary.” The devout virgin immediately set out on her journey,
and again the divine mother appeared to her and encouraged her to
continue her journey. She was received in Jerusalem among the Carmelites,
and afterwards was commanded by the blessed Virgin herself to return to
her own country, where she lived a holy life till her death.[1841]
64.—St. Gregory relates that there was a young woman named Musa, who had
great devotion to the mother of God; but being, through the evil example
of her companions, in danger of losing her innocence, one day Mary
appeared to her with many saints, and said to her: “Musa, do you too wish
to be one of these?” Musa answered, “Yes;” and Mary added: “Withdraw from
your companions, and prepare, for in one month from this you shall come
with me.” Musa retired from her companions, and related the vision. On
the thirtieth day she was at the point of death, and the most holy Virgin
again appeared to her and called her. She answered: “Behold, Lady, I
come,” and sweetly expired.[1842]
65.—Anna Caterina Gonzaga was married to Ferdinand I., Archduke of
Austria, but her husband dying, she entered the religious order of the
Servites, and had a crown made, on the globes of which were carved the
dolors of the Virgin. She said that for this crown she renounced all
the other crowns of earth; and, in fact, refused marriage with the
Emperor Rodolph II. When she heard that her younger sister had been
crowned empress, she said: “Let my sister enjoy her imperial crown; for
these garments with which Mary my queen has clothed me, are to me a
thousand-fold dearer.” The most holy Virgin appeared to her many times
during her life, and at last this good religious died a holy death.[1843]
66.—A young clerical student playing one day at ball with other young
men, and fearing he should lose a ring in his play which had been given
him by a lady, he placed it on the finger of an image of Mary which was
near; and he immediately felt impelled to make a promise to the Virgin to
quit the world and choose her for his spouse. He made the promise, and
Mary pressed his finger in token that she accepted it. But after some
time he wished to marry another, and Mary appeared to him and reproached
him for his infidelity; wherefore he fled into a desert, and led to the
last a holy life.[1844]
67.—About the year 850, Berengarius, Bishop of Verdun, in Lorraine,
having entered a church where a certain priest named Bernerio was saying
the office of Mary prostrate before the choir, stumbled against him, and
in his vexation struck him with his foot. In the night the most holy
Virgin appeared to him, and said: “How is it that you struck with your
foot my servant who was engaged in praising me? Because I love you,” she
added, “you must pay the penalty.” Then his leg became withered, but he
lived and died a saint; and after many years his body, except that leg,
remained uncorrupted.[1845]
68.—A young man who was left wealthy at the death of his parents, by
play and dissipation with his friends, lost all that he had, but always
preserved his chastity. An uncle, who found him reduced to such poverty
by his vices, exhorted him to say every day a part of the Rosary,
promising him that if he would persevere in this devotion he would
procure for him a good marriage. The youth persevered, and having amended
his life, he was married. On the evening of his nuptials he rose from
the table to go and recite his Rosary, and when he had finished it, Mary
appeared to him and said: “Now I will reward thee for the honor thou hast
paid me: I do not wish that thou shouldst lose thy chastity; in three
days thou shalt die, and shalt come to me in paradise.” And this really
happened, for immediately a fever attacked him. He related the vision,
and on the third day died in perfect peace.[1846]
69.—The devout author of the book in honor of the most holy Rosary,
entitled, “The Secret of every Grace,” relates that St. Vincent Ferrer
once said to a man dying in despair: “Why will you ruin yourself when
Jesus Christ wishes to save you?” And he answered, that in spite of
Christ he would be damned. The saint replied: “And you, in spite of
yourself, shall be saved.” He began to recite the Rosary with the persons
of the house, and behold, the sick man asked to make his confession, made
it weeping, and then died.
70.—The same author also relates that a poor woman, who was buried by an
earthquake under the ruins of a house, was found alive and uninjured,
with her children in her arms, by some persons who were employed by a
priest to remove the stones. When she was asked what devotion she had
practised, she said she had never failed to say the Rosary and visit a
chapel of the most holy Mary.
71.—He also relates that another woman who led a wicked life because
she thought it the only means by which she could gain a livelihood, was
counselled to recommend herself to Mary by saying the Rosary; she did so,
and behold one night the divine mother appeared and said to her: “Quit
your sinful life: as for your support, trust in me, and I will think
of that.” The next morning she went to confession, and Mary most holy
provided for her wants.
72.—A person of impure life who had not the courage to quit his sins,
began to say the Rosary, and was delivered from his vices.
73.—Another person who maintained a sinful friendship was seized
with abhorrence of his sin by saying the Rosary. He yielded again to
temptation, but by means of the Rosary finally freed himself from it.
74.—A good priest who was attending a woman on her death-bed, who
bitterly hated her husband, not knowing by what means to convert her,
withdrew to say the Rosary, and at the last moment that woman saw her
sinfulness, repented, and forgave her husband.
75.—Finally, the same author relates, that once making a mission to the
convicts in the galleys of Naples, he found some who obstinately refused
to make their confession. He suggested to them that at least they should
have themselves enrolled in the confraternity of the Rosary, and begin to
recite it. They consented to do so, and they had no sooner recited one
than they desired to make their confession, and did so, the first time
for many years. These modern examples serve to revive our confidence in
Mary, seeing that she is at the present time the same that she always has
been towards those who have recourse to her.
76.—St. Gregory relates that a holy prelate, Bishop of Ferento, was
from childhood devoted to relieving the poor. It happened one day that
a certain priest, his nephew, sold a horse for ten crowns of gold, and
took the money and locked it up. The bishop not having any thing to give
when some poor persons came to beg of him, broke open the chest and
distributed the money to them. His nephew made such a disturbance when
he discovered it, that the holy prelate, not knowing what to do, went
for help to a church dedicated to Mary. When behold, he saw ten crowns
lying on the drapery of the statue; he took them and gave them to his
nephew.[1847]
77.—A Lutheran lady of Augsburg in Germany, who was a very obstinate
heretic, happening to pass one day a small Catholic chapel, went in
through curiosity. She saw there an image of Mary with the infant Jesus
in her arms, and felt moved to make an offering to it. She accordingly
went home, took a silk cloth, and brought it to the altar of the Virgin.
When she had returned home the most holy Virgin enlightened her to see
the errors of her sect, and she went immediately to seek some Catholics,
abjured heresy, and was converted to God.[1848]
78.—In the city of Cesena there lived two very bad men who were friends.
One of them, named Bartholomew, in the midst of all his vices practised
the devotion of reciting every day the “Stabat Mater” in honor of the
sorrowful Mary. Once when he was repeating this hymn, Bartholomew had a
vision, in which he seemed to stand with his sinful companion in a lake
of fire, and saw the most holy Virgin, moved to pity, offer her hand and
take him from the flames. She directed him to seek pardon from Jesus
Christ, who showed himself willing to pardon him through the prayers of
his mother. The vision ended, and Bartholomew at the same moment heard
the intelligence that his friend had been mortally wounded and was dead.
Then he knew the truth of the vision, and quitting the world, entered the
order of Capuchins, where he led a most austere life, and died in the
fame of sanctity.[1849]
79.—The blessed Jerome, founder of the Sommaschian Fathers, being
governor of a certain place, was taken by the enemy, and confined in
the dungeon of a tower. He recommended himself to Mary, and made a vow
to make a pilgrimage to Treviso in her honor, if she would rescue him.
Then the most holy Virgin appeared to him surrounded by a great light,
and with her own hands loosed his chains, and gave him the keys of the
prison. He fled from the prison, and, setting out for Treviso to fulfil
his vow, he found himself immediately surrounded by the enemy. Again
he had recourse to his deliverer, and she again appeared to him, took
him by the hand, and led him safely through the midst of his enemies,
accompanying him even to the gates of Treviso, where she disappeared.
He made the visit, deposited his chains at the foot of the altar of
Mary, and then devoted himself to a holy life, by which he has merited
recently to be ranked by the holy Church among the number of the
blessed.[1850]
80.—A priest who had a special devotion to the sorrows of Mary, often
remained alone in a chapel to commiserate the dolors of his Lady, and,
moved by compassion, was accustomed with a little cloth to wipe, as it
were, the tears of a statue of the sorrowful Virgin which was in that
place. Now this good priest, in a severe illness, when he was given up by
his physicians, and was going to breathe his last, saw a beautiful lady
by his side, who consoled him with her words, and with a handkerchief
gently wiped the sweat from his brow, and with this cured him. When
he found himself well, he said: “But, my Lady, who art thou who dost
practise such charity towards me?” “I am she,” answered Mary, “whose
tears thou hast so often dried,” and she disappeared.[1851]
81.—A noble lady, who had an only son, was informed one day that he was
killed, and that his murderer had by chance taken refuge in her own
palace; but when she called to mind that Mary pardoned the executioners
of her Son, she wished also to pardon that criminal for love of the
sorrowful Mary; and not only did she pardon him, but provided him with
a horse, money, and clothes, that he might make his escape. Then her
son appeared to her, and told her that he was saved, and that for her
generous act done towards his enemy, the divine mother had delivered him
from purgatory, where he should otherwise have had to suffer for a long
time, but that he was then already entering paradise.[1852]
82.—The blessed Bionda performed a similar heroic act. Some enemies also
killed her only son, though he was innocent, solely by reason of the
hatred they bore to his father, who was dead; and with unheard-of cruelty
gave the heart of the murdered youth to his mother to eat. Now she,
according to the example of the most holy Mary, began to pray for her
murderers, and to do them all the good she could. These acts so pleased
the divine mother, that she called her to join the third order of the
Servites, where she merited to lead so holy a life, that both before and
after her death many miracles were wrought through her.[1853]
83.—St. Thomas of Canterbury, when he was a young man, found himself one
day in conversation with several other youths, each of whom boasted of
some foolish love affair. The holy youth declared that he, too, loved
a great lady, and was beloved by her, meaning the most holy Virgin.
Afterwards, he felt some remorse at having made this boast; but behold,
Mary appeared to him in his trouble, and with a gracious sweetness said
to him: “Thomas, what do you fear? You had reason to say that you loved
me, and that you are beloved by me. Assure your companions of this, and
as a pledge of the love I bear you, show them this gift that I make you.”
The gift was a small box, containing a chasuble, of a blood-red color,
as a sign that Mary, for the love she bore him, had obtained for him
the grace to be a priest and a martyr, which indeed happened, for he was
first made priest and afterwards Bishop of Canterbury, in England, where
he was at one time persecuted by the king, and fled to the Cistercian
monastery, at Pontignac, in France. While he was there, wishing one day
to mend his hair-cloth shirt that he usually wore, which was ripped, and
not being able to do it well, his beloved queen appeared to him, and,
with especial kindness, took the hair-cloth from his hand, and repaired
it as it should be done. After this he returned to Canterbury, and
died a martyr, having been put to death on account of his zeal for the
Church.[1854]
84.—A young woman in the Papal States, who was very devout towards
Mary, met in a certain place a chief of banditti. Fearing some outrage,
she implored him, for love of the most holy Virgin, not to molest her.
“Do not fear,” he answered, “for you have prayed me in the name of the
mother of God; and I only ask you to recommend me to her.” And, in fact,
he accompanied her himself along the road to a place of safety. The
following night Mary appeared in a dream to the bandit, and thanking him
for the act he had performed for love of her, told him she would remember
it, and would one day reward him. The robber, at length, was arrested,
and condemned to death; but behold, the night previous to his execution,
the blessed Virgin visited him again in a dream, and first asked him:
“Do you know who I am?” He answered, “It seems to me I have seen you
before.” “I am the Virgin Mary,” she continued, “who have come to reward
you for what you have done for me. You will die to-morrow, but you will
die with so much contrition that you will come at once to paradise.” The
convict awoke, and felt such contrition for his sins that he began to
weep bitterly, all the while giving thanks aloud to our blessed Lady. He
sent immediately for a confessor, to whom he made his confession with
many tears, relating the vision he had seen, and begged him to make
public this grace that had been bestowed on him by Mary. He went joyfully
to execution, after which, as it is related, his countenance was so
peaceful and happy that all who saw him believed that the promise of the
divine mother was fulfilled.[1855]
85.—The blessed Joachim Piccolomini, who had a very great devotion to
Mary, even from childhood, used to visit three times a day an image of
the sorrowful mother, which was in a neighboring church, and abstained
from all food on Saturday in her honor. Moreover, he rose at midnight to
meditate upon her dolors. But let us see how Mary rewarded him. At first
she appeared to him when he was young, and directed him to enter into
religion in the order of her Servants, which he did. Towards the close of
his life, she again appeared to him, with two crowns in her hand: one of
rubies, as the reward of the compassion he had cherished for her sorrows;
and the other of pearls, as the reward of his chastity which he had
consecrated to her. Finally, at death she appeared to him again, when he
asked of her the favor to die on the day on which Jesus Christ died, and
the most holy Virgin consoled him by telling him: “Make ready now, for
to-morrow (Friday) you will die suddenly, as you desire, and to-morrow
you shall be with me in paradise.” And thus it happened, for while they
were chanting in the church the passion according to St. John, at the
words: There stood near the cross of Jesus his mother: “Stabat juxta
crucem Jesu mater ejus,” he was attacked with the faintness of death; and
at the words: And bowing his head he gave up the ghost: “Et inclinato
capite tradidit spiritum,” this blessed one also gave up his spirit to
God; and at the same moment the church was filled with a great splendor,
and a most sweet fragrance.[1856]
86.—Father Alphonso Salmerone, of the Society of Jesus, being a most
devout servant of the blessed Virgin, died saying: “To paradise, to
paradise; blessed be the hour that I have served Mary! Blessed the
sermons, the toils, the thoughts that I have had for thee, oh my Lady! To
paradise.”[1857]
87.—A youth named Guido, who wished to join the order of Camaldoli,
was presented to St. Romuald by the prince, his father, whose name was
Farnulf. The holy founder received him with pleasure. One day Mary
appeared to this good youth, her servant, with the infant Jesus in her
arms. Esteeming himself unworthy of such a favor, he stood trembling,
but the divine mother drawing near to him, said: “Why do you doubt? What
do you fear, Guido? I am the mother of God; this is my son Jesus, who
wishes to come to you;” and saying this, she placed him in her arms.
Guido had not yet been three years in religion when he fell dangerously
ill. St. Romuald saw the poor youth writhing and trembling, and heard
him saying: “Oh Father, do you see all the Moors in this cell?” “My
son,” said the saint to him, “do you remember any thing you have not
confessed?” “Yes, Father,” he answered, “I remember having disobeyed
the prior, by not picking up certain brooms, and now I confess it.” St.
Romuald absolved him, and then the scene changed; the devils fled, and
the Virgin again appeared, with Jesus, at the sight of whom Guido died in
perfect peace.[1858]
88.—A Cistercian nun in Toledo, called Mary, being at the point of death,
the divine mother appeared to her, and Mary said to her: “Oh Lady, the
favor you do me of visiting me, emboldens me to ask you another favor,
namely, that I may die at the same hour that you died and entered into
heaven.” “Yes,” answered Mary. “I will satisfy you; you shall die at that
hour, and you shall hear the songs and praises with which the blessed
accompanied my entrance into heaven; and now prepare.” When she had said
this she disappeared. The religious who heard the nun talking to herself,
believed her wandering in mind, but she related to them the vision and
the promised grace, and awaited the desired hour; and when she knew it
had arrived, by the striking of the clock (the writer does not tell us
what hour it was), she said: “Behold, the predicted hour has come; I hear
the music of the angels; at this hour my queen ascended to heaven; rest
in peace, for I am going now to see her;” and saying this she expired,
while her eyes became bright as two stars, and her face glowed with a
beautiful color.[1859]
89.—In the city of Sens, in France, there lived, towards the eighth
century, St. Opportuna, the daughter of a prince of royal blood. This
holy virgin, who had a great devotion to Mary, became a religious in
a neighboring monastery, and being at the point of death, she saw St.
Cecilia and St. Lucia standing beside her in the dawn of the morning. “My
sisters, be welcome,” she said to them; “what message do you bring me
from my queen?” And they answered: “She is waiting for thee in paradise.”
After this the devil appeared to her, and the saint boldly sent him away,
saying: “Brute beast, what hast thou to do with me who am the servant of
Jesus?” The hour of her death, which she herself had predicted, having
arrived, after receiving the holy viaticum, she turned towards the door,
and said: “Behold the mother of God who comes to take me. Sisters, I
commend you to her. Adieu, we shall see each other no more.” Thus saying,
she raised her arms, as if to embrace her Lady, and gently expired.[1860]
NOVENA OF MEDITATIONS
FOR THE NINE DAYS PRECEDING THE FEAST OF THE PURIFICATION OF MARY, WHICH
COMMENCES ON THE 24TH OF JANUARY.
The above-mentioned meditations are upon the Litany of Loretto, and can
be used for all the Novenas preceding the principal festivals of the
Divine Mother.
FIRST DAY.
1st. “Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis:” Holy Mary, pray for us. Since in the
Litanies of our Lady the Church instructs us to repeat so many times the
petition that she will pray for us, “Ora pro nobis,” it is well before
meditating upon the titles by which the holy Virgin is invoked, to
consider of how great value with God are the prayers of Mary. Blessed is
that person for whom Mary prays! Jesus is pleased when his most beloved
mother prays to him, and grants all she asks. One day St. Bridget heard
Jesus speaking with Mary, and thus saying to her: “My mother, ask what
thou wilt of me, for thy petition cannot be in vain.”[1861] And then he
added: “Thou didst deny me nothing on earth, I will deny thee nothing
in heaven.” St. Bernard says: To be heard by the Son is to be graciously
heard: “A Filio audiri est exaudiri.” It is enough that Mary speaks, her
Son grants whatever she asks. Therefore let us always pray to this divine
mother if we wish to obtain eternal salvation, and let us say with St.
Andrew of Candia, or perhaps of Jerusalem: We, then, supplicate thee, oh
most holy Virgin, to grant us the aid of thy prayers with God; prayers
that are more precious than all the treasures of the earth; prayers that
obtain for us a great abundance of graces; prayers that confound our
enemies, and triumph over their forces.
2d. “Sancta Maria:” Holy Mary. The name of Mary is a name of salvation.
This name came not from earth, but from heaven; and therefore St.
Epiphanius says, that it was not given to Mary by her parents, but was
bestowed upon her by the express will of God. Hence it is that after
the name of Jesus, the name of Mary is superior to every name, for God
has filled it with grace and sweetness in order that through it every
blessing may be obtained by him who names it. St. Bernard said: Oh Mary,
thy name cannot be pronounced without inflaming the heart of him who
utters it with love to thee. And the blessed Henry Suso exclaimed: Oh
Mary, what must thou thyself be if thy name is so amiable and gracious!
Name full of blessings. St. Bonaventure said that the name of Mary cannot
be invoked without profit to him who invokes it. But more than all, this
name has the power to overcome the temptations of hell. Ah, my Lady, if
I had always invoked thee in my temptations, I should never have fallen.
For the future I shall never cease to invoke thee, saying: “Mary, help
me; Mary, succor me.” And do thou obtain for me the grace always to
invoke thee in the perils of my soul.
3d. “Sancta Dei genitrix:” Holy mother of God. If the prayers of the
saints avail much with God, how much more will the prayers of Mary avail!
The former are the prayers of servants, but the latter are the prayers of
a mother. St. Antoninus says that the prayer of Mary has the force of a
command with Jesus Christ: “Oratio Virginis habet rationem imperii;” and
hence he adds, that it is impossible for this mother to ask a favor of
the Son that the Son will not grant her: “Impossibile est Deiparam non
exaudiri.” Therefore St. Bernard exhorts us to ask through Mary for every
grace that we wish from God: “Quæramus gratiam, et per Mariam quæramus;”
for she is the mother, and is always graciously heard: “Quia mater est,
et frustrari non potest.” Oh great mother of God, pray to Jesus for me.
Look upon the miseries of my soul, and have pity on me. Pray, and never
cease to pray for me until thou seest me safe in paradise. Oh Mary, thou
art my hope; do not abandon me. Holy mother of God, pray for us: “Sancta
Dei genitrix, ora pro nobis.”
SECOND DAY.
1st. “Mater divinæ gratiæ:” Mother of divine grace. Mary is called by
St. Anselm: Mother of all graces: “Mater omnium gratiarum.” And by the
Idiot: Treasurer of divine grace: “Thesauraria gratiarum.” Hence St.
Bernardine of Sienna writes: All the graces which we receive from God
are dispensed by the hand of Mary, and are dispensed to whom Mary will,
when she will, and as she will.[1862] This she herself says: “With me
are riches and glory ... that I may enrich them that love me.”[1863]
The Lord has placed in my hand all the riches of his graces, that I may
enrich those who love me. Then, oh my queen, if I love thee, I shall be
no longer poor as I am now. After my God, I love thee above all things;
do thou obtain for me greater tenderness and love for thy goodness. St.
Bonaventure tells me that every one will be saved if thou wilt have him
saved: “Quem ipsa vis salvus erit.” And therefore will I say to thee with
the same saint: Oh salvation of those who invoke thee, save me: “O salus
te invocantium, salva me.” Save me from hell, and first save me from sin,
which alone can bring me to hell.
2d. “Mater purissima:” Mother most pure. This fair and pure virgin
mother renders all her servants chaste and pure. St. Ambrose writes
that even when Mary was on the earth, by her presence she inspired with
the love of purity all those who looked upon her.[1864] She was called
the lily among thorns: “Sicut lilium inter spinas sic amica mea inter
filias.”[1865] All other virgins, says St. Denis the Carthusian, are
thorns either to themselves or to others; but the blessed Virgin was
neither a thorn to herself nor to others, for she inspired with pure and
holy affections all those who beheld her. Moreover, Frigenius, author of
the life of St. Thomas Aquinas, writes, that this saint said that even
the image of this chaste turtle-dove extinguishes the sensual emotions
of him who looks upon it with devotion. And the venerable John of Avila
relates that many persons, who were suffering from temptations against
purity, were preserved pure through the devotion to our Lady. Oh, how
especially powerful is the name of Mary in conquering all temptations to
this vice! Oh Mary, most pure, free me from this vice; make me always
to have recourse to thee in temptations, and invoke thee so long as the
temptation continues.
3d. “Mater inviolata:” Mother inviolate. Mary was that immaculate
woman who appeared in the eyes of God all pure and spotless: “Tota
pulchra es, amica mea, et macula non est in te.”[1866] Wherefore she
was called the reconciler of sinners, as St. Ephrem salutes her: Hail,
conciliatrix of the world: “Ave conciliatrix orbis.” And as she herself
said in the Canticles: “Since I am become in his presence as one finding
peace.”[1867] St. Gregory says that if a rebel should appear before
the offended king to appease him, it would only provoke him the more to
anger. But Mary being destined to treat of peace between God and men,
it was not fitting that she should appear as a partaker in the crime of
Adam, and therefore the Lord preserved Mary from every stain of sin. Ah,
my immaculate queen; oh spotless dove, so dear to God; ah, do not disdain
to look upon the many stains and wounds of my soul; look on me and help
me. That God who loves thee so much, denies thee nothing, neither dost
thou know how to deny thyself to him who invokes thee. Oh Mary, to thee
I have recourse; have pity on me. Mother inviolate, pray for us: “Mater
inviolata, ora pro nobis.”
THIRD DAY.
1st. “Mater amabilis:” Amiable mother. Richard of St. Lawrence says that
the blessed Virgin was amiable in the eyes of God himself: “Fuit beata
Virgo amabilis oculis ipsius Dei.” Mary was so beautiful in the eyes of
God, that God was enamored of her beauty. How beautiful art thou, my
love! how beautiful art thou! “Quam pulchra es, amica mea, quam pulchra
es.”[1868] Hence he called her his only dove, his only perfect one: One
is my dove; my perfect one is but one: “Una est columba mea, una est
perfecta mea.”[1869] It is certain, as Father Suarez says, that God loves
Mary more than all the other saints together, and justly, for she alone
loved God more than all men and all the angels. Oh Mary, most pure; oh
Mary, most lovely, thou didst gain the heart of God; take possession of
my poor heart also, and make me holy. I love thee, and I confide in thee.
Amiable mother, pray for us: “Mater amabilis, ora pro nobis.”
2d. “Mater Salvatoris:” Mother of the Saviour. St. Bonaventure calls Mary
the mediatrix of our salvation: “Maria mediatrix nostræ salutis;” and St.
John Damascene: The deliverer of the world: “Salvatrix mundi suo modo.”
For two reasons, Mary may be called the deliverer of the world and our
mediatrix; that is, mediatrix of grace, as Jesus Christ is the mediator
of justice. First, by the consent she gave to the incarnation of the
Word; for by such a consent, says St. Bernardine, she procured for us
salvation: “Per hunc consensum omnium salutem procuravit.” Secondly, by
the consent which Mary gave to the death of her Son, being willing that
for our salvation, he should be sacrificed on the cross. I will say to
thee then, oh mother of my Saviour, thou who once didst offer to God the
life of thy Son, save me now by thy intercession.
3d. “Virgo veneranda:” Virgin most venerable. St. Anselm declares, that
when we say of Mary that she is mother of God, we say that she surpasses
in greatness, after God, every thing that can be conceived or expressed;
whence he says to her: Oh Lady, nothing is equal to thee; for every
thing is either above thee, and that is God; or it is beneath thee, and
that is every thing that is not God. In a word, St. Bernardine says
that God alone can know the greatness of Mary;[1870] and the blessed
Albertus Magnus affirms that Mary could not be more united to God except
by becoming God: “Magis Deo conjungi non potuit, nisi fieret Deus.”
Truly worthy then of our veneration is this great mother of God, for God
himself could not make her greater than he has done, by making her his
mother. Oh, mother of God, and my mother, Mary, I adore thee, and would
wish thee to be adored by all hearts, as that exalted Lady thou art. Have
mercy on a poor sinner, who loves thee and trusts in thee. Virgin most
venerable, pray for us: “Virgo veneranda, ora pro nobis.”
FOURTH DAY.
1st. “Virgo prædicanda:” Virgin to be praised. The holy Church sings that
this divine mother is worthy of all praise: “Omni laude dignissima;” for
according to St. Ildephonsus, all praise that is given to the blessed
Virgin is an honor paid to her Son: “Refunditur in filium quod impenditur
matri.” With reason, then, did St. George of Nicomedia declare that the
praises given to Mary God accepts, as if offered to himself.[1871] The
holy Virgin promises paradise to him who endeavors to make her known
and loved.[1872] Richard of St. Lawrence says that Mary will honor in
eternity those who honor her in this life.[1873] St. Anselm says, that
as Mary, by being mother of God, was the means of saving sinners, so
sinners receive salvation by proclaiming the praises of Mary. Not all
can be preachers; but all can praise her, and tell others, when speaking
familiarly with relatives and friends, of the merits of Mary, of her
power and her mercy, and thus induce them to become servants of this
divine mother. Oh queen of heaven, from this day I wish to do all that I
can to make thee venerated and loved by all. Accept this my desire, and
help me to fulfil it; in the mean time admit me among the number of thy
servants, and no longer permit me to be a slave of Lucifer.
2d. “Virgo potens:” Virgin most powerful. And who among the saints is
so powerful with God as his most holy mother? She obtains whatever she
wishes, as St. Bernard has said: It is enough that thou dost wish, and
all things are done: “Velis tu et omnia fient.” St. Peter Damian even
says that when Mary asks graces from God she does not pray, but in a
certain manner commands.[1874] Thus the Son honors this mother whom
he loves so much, by granting her whatever she asks, even favors for
sinners. Hence St. Germanus says: Thou art the mother of God, omnipotent
to save sinners, and thou hast no need of any other recommendation with
God, for thou art the mother of true life. Oh, Mary thou canst make me
holy; in thee I trust.
3d. “Virgo clemens:” Most clement Virgin. As Mary is powerful with God,
so is she clement and merciful towards those who have recourse to her
intercession. Neither the power nor the will is wanting to her, as St.
Bernard says: “Nec facultas, nec voluntas illi deesse potest.” The power
to save us cannot be wanting to Mary, for she is mother of God; neither
can the will be wanting to aid us, for she is our mother. And who has
ever had recourse to Mary and been abandoned? Let him cease to praise
thy mercy, says again St. Bernard, who remembers having ever invoked
thee without being heard.[1875] St. Bonaventure asserts that the desire
of Mary to be invoked by us, in order that she may dispense to us her
favors more abundantly, is so great, that she not only considers herself
offended by those who injure her, but also by those who do not ask favors
of her.[1876] Thus it is not needful to pray long to this mother of
mercy, in order to obtain her aid; it is enough to ask it of her with
confidence. Her clemency comes to our aid before we invoke it, as Richard
of St. Victor says: “Velocius occurrit ejus pietas, quam invocetur;” and
he gives us the reason, saying: She cannot see our miseries, and not be
moved by them: “Non potest miserias scire, et non subvenire.” Behold,
then, oh Mary, behold my miseries, and succor me: “Virgo clemens, ora pro
nobis.”
FIFTH DAY.
1st. “Virgo fidelis:” Virgin most faithful. Blessed is he who, with his
prayers, watches at the gates of Mary, as the poor wait at the gates of
the rich to obtain relief! “Blessed is the man,” as she herself says,
“that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates!”[1877] Oh, that
we were faithful in serving this divine mother, as she is faithful in
succoring us when we pray to her! Mary promises to those who serve and
honor her, that they shall be freed from sins, and shall obtain eternal
salvation. “They that work by me shall not sin.... They that explain me
shall have life everlasting.”[1878] She invites all to come to her, and
promises them every grace that they hope for. “In me is all grace of
the way and of the truth; in me is all hope of life and of virtue ...
come over to me all.”[1879] St. Lawrence Justinian applies to Mary that
other text of Ecclesiasticus: Her bands are a healthful binding: “Vincula
illius alligatura salutaris;”[1880] and then adds: “Wherefore bands?
unless to bind her servants, that they may not go astray into unlawful
fields.”[1881] Mary binds her servants that they may not take too much
liberty, and thus cause their own ruin. Oh mother of God, in thee I place
all my hopes: thou must save me from falling again into sin. Oh my Lady,
do not abandon me; obtain for me the grace to die rather than to lose the
grace of God.
2d. “Causa nostræ latitiæ:” Cause of our joy. As after the darkness and
gloom of night, the dawn is the cause of joy, thus after the darkness
of sin, which for four thousand years before the coming of Jesus Christ
had prevailed on earth, the birth of Mary, our Aurora, brought joy to
the world. When Mary was born, the morning rose, says a holy Father:
“Nata Maria, surrexit Aurora.” The dawn is the precursor of the sun,
and Mary was the precursor of the incarnate Word, the Sun of Justice
and our Redeemer, who by his death, freed us from eternal death. With
reason does the Church sing of the nativity of Mary: “Thy birth, oh holy
mother of God, announced joy to the whole world.”[1882] And as Mary was
the beginning of our joy, so is she also the completion of it; for St.
Bernard says that Jesus Christ has placed the whole treasure of his
merits in the hands of his mother, so that every good we receive we may
receive through Mary.[1883] Oh mother of God, thou art my joy and my
hope, for thou dost refuse thy favor to none, and thou dost obtain from
God whatever thou dost wish.
3d. “Vas insigne devotionis:” Vessel of singular devotion. Devotion, as
St. Thomas teaches, consists in the readiness of our will to conform to
the will of God. This readiness was the principal virtue that rendered
his most holy mother so dear to God. And this we are given to understand
by the answer of our Lord to the woman who called blessed the womb that
bore him: “Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God and
keep it.”[1884] By this, according to Bede, the Lord intended to say,
that Mary was more happy by the union of her will with that of God,
than by being his mother. That flower which always turns towards the
sun is a true type of Mary. The divine will alone was the only aim and
satisfaction of the heart of Mary, as she herself sang: “My spirit hath
rejoiced in God my Saviour.”[1885] Oh, blessed art thou, my Lady, who
wast always and entirely united to the divine will! Obtain for me the
grace to live, for the remainder of my life, always in uniformity with
the will of God.
SIXTH DAY.
1st. “Rosa mystica:” Mystical rose. It is said of Mary, in the holy
Canticles, that she was the inclosed garden of God: “Hortus conclusus
soror mea sponsa.”[1886] And St. Bernard, explaining this passage, says
that the Lord planted in this garden all the flowers that adorn the
Church, and among others the violet of humility, the lily of purity, and
the rose of charity. The rose is red; and therefore Mary is called the
rose, according to the Idiot, on account of the ardent charity with which
her heart was always inflamed towards God, and towards us.[1887] And
where can we find an advocate who is more occupied with our salvation,
and who loves us more than Mary? We acknowledge that one alone in heaven
is solicitous for us, as St. Augustine says of her.[1888] Oh my dear
mother, if I could love thee as thou lovest me! I will not, however, fail
of doing what I can to honor and love thee; my sweet Lady, obtain for me
the grace to be faithful to thee.
2d. “Turris Davidica:” Tower of David. Mary is called, in the holy
Canticles, Tower of David: “Thy neck is as the tower of David; a
thousand bucklers hang upon it, all the armor of valiant men.”[1889]
St. Bernardine says, that the tower of David stood on high, that is,
on Sion; and therefore Mary is called “The Tower of David,” to denote
the elevation of this great creature: as Sion was a most lofty place,
so the blessed Virgin was most exalted.[1890] Hence, of Mary it is said
in the Psalms, that her sanctity in the beginning was more exalted than
the mountains: “Fundamenta ejus in montibus sanctis.”[1891] St. Gregory
explains it by saying, that the divine mother was more holy in the first
moments of her life than the saints have been at the moment of their
death. Oh my queen and mother, I rejoice in thy greatness, and am ready
to give my life that thy glory should not be diminished in the least
degree, if it were possible that it could be diminished. Oh, that I might
give all my blood to cause all the nations of the earth to honor and love
thee as the Lady thou art!
3d. “Turris eburnea:” Tower of ivory. Thus Mary is also called: Thy neck
is as a tower of ivory: “Collum tuum sicut turris eburnea.”[1892] Mary is
called the neck, for she is the mystic neck through whom from the head,
Jesus Christ, are transmitted to us the faithful, who are the members of
the mystic body of the Church, the vital spirits, namely, the divine help
which preserves in us the life of grace. In the words of St. Bernardine:
Through the Virgin, the life-giving graces flow from Christ, the head,
into his mystic body.[1893] The saint adds, that from the time when Mary
conceived in her womb the incarnate Word, she received from God such
honor, that no one could receive any grace except through her hands.
Ivory, in a word, is smooth and strong, hence Rupert the Abbot writes
of Mary: As a tower of ivory, beautiful in the eye of God, terrible to
the devil.[1894] Thou, then, oh my Lady, because thou art so beloved by
God, canst obtain for us every blessing; and because thou art terrible to
demons, thou canst liberate us from all their snares. Have pity on us,
for we glory in living under thy protection.
SEVENTH DAY.
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 every thing in the temple was covered with gold, so the beautiful soul
of Mary was filled with sanctity.[1895] 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 ædificavit sibi
domum.”[1896] Now this house of God, says Richard of St. Lawrence, is so
rich that it can relieve all our miseries.[1897] 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. “Fœderis arca:” Ark of the covenant. Ischio calls Mary: An ark more
spacious than that of Noe: “Arca 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 beasts, 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 thee and trust in thee.
3d. “Janua cœli:” Gate of heaven. Mary is called the gate of heaven,
because no one can enter into heaven, as St. Bonaventure declares, except
through Mary.[1898] In Jerusalem is my power: “In Jerusalem potestas
mea,” says our queen.[1899] And Richard of St. Lawrence adds: Commanding
what I will, and introducing whom I will: “Imperando quod volo, et
quos volo introducendo.” I can obtain whatever I wish for my servants,
and introduce whom I will into paradise. Therefore St. Bonaventure
says: Those who enjoy the favor of Mary, are recognized as citizens of
paradise; and those who are like her, that is, have the grace to be her
servants, are written in the book of life. For this reason Bernardine de
Bustis calls Mary the book of life, and says that he who through devotion
to her finds himself written in this book, will certainly be saved. Ah,
my mother, in thee I place the hopes of my eternal salvation. I love
thee, save thou me; do not permit a servant of thine who loves thee to go
to blaspheme thee in hell.
EIGHTH DAY.
1st. “Stella matutina:” Morning star. Mary is called by St. John
Damascene: The star that precedes the sun: “Stella demonstrans solem.”
As the morning star precedes the sun, so devotion to the holy Virgin
precedes the sun of divine grace; and St. Germanus says, that devotion
towards Mary in a soul, is a sign that it is, or soon will be, in the
state of grace. By the Church our Lady is also called: “The star of
the sea;” for, as St. Thomas explains it, as in the time of tempest
mariners are guided into port by the star, so by Mary we are guided over
the sea of this world to paradise.[1900] Therefore St. Bernard gives
us this advice: If you do not wish to be overwhelmed by the tempest of
temptations, do not turn your eyes from this star of salvation.[1901]
And then he adds: Following Mary, you cannot go astray; if Mary protects
you, you cannot fear being lost; if Mary favors you, you will arrive at
paradise.
2d. “Salus infirmorum:” Health of the weak. Mary is called by St. Simon
Stock: The medicine of sinners: “Peccatorum medicina;” and by St. Ephrem,
not only medicine, but health itself: Firm health for those who have
recourse to her: “Salus firma recurrentium ad eam.”[1902] For he who has
recourse to Mary not only finds medicine, but he finds health, as she
herself promises to him who seeks her: “He that shall find me shall find
life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.”[1903] Neither should we
fear that on account of the loathsomeness of our wounds she will refuse
to take care of us. She is our mother, and as a mother does not shrink
from taking care of a child covered with wounds, so this celestial
physician does not refuse to cure her servants who have recourse to her.
Wherefore St. Bernard says: Oh mother of God, thou hast no horror of a
sinner, however loathsome he may be; if he sighs for thee, thou wilt
rescue him with thine own hand from despair.