Germanus: The refuge, ever ready, for all sinners: “Refugium paratissimum
peccatorum;” for the Idiot says, that she cannot reject any sinner,
but as soon as he has recourse to her, Mary receives him.[1904] Hence
St. John Damascene calls Mary not only the refuge of the innocent, but
also of the bad who implore her protection.[1905] And St. Anselm also
says: Thou dost embrace with maternal love the sinner who is despised by
the whole world, neither dost thou leave the wretched until thou hast
reconciled them to their God.[1906] By which he gives us to understand
that the sinner, being hated by God, is rendered odious and abominable
in the eyes of all creatures; but if he has recourse to the refuge of
sinners, Mary not only does not despise him, but affectionately embraces
him, and does not abandon him until he is pardoned by her Son and our
Judge, Jesus Christ. Then, oh my Lady, if thou art the refuge of all
sinners, thou art also my refuge. Thou who dost not despise any one who
has recourse to thee, do not despise me, for to thee I recommend myself:
“Refugium peccatorum, ora pro nobis.” Oh Mary, pray for us, and save us.
NINTH DAY.
1st. “Consolatrix afflictorum:” Comforter of the afflicted. St. Germanus
writes: Oh Mary, who has so great care of our welfare as thou hast? Is
there any one who relieves us in our afflictions as thou dost?[1907] No,
replies St. Antoninus: There is none among the saints who compassionates
our miseries as this most pious Lady.[1908] And because the miseries
which most afflict us are the maladies of the soul, the blessed Henry
Suso calls Mary: The most faithful consoler of sinners: “Consolatrix
fidelissima peccatorum.” We need only show to Mary the wounds of our
souls, and she immediately comes to our aid with her prayers, and
consoles us. Even as Richard of St. Victor teaches, her piety prevents
us and relieves us before we invoke her: “Velocius occurrit quam
invocetur.” Let us say to her, then, with St. Bonaventure: Oh Mary,
always console us, but especially at the hour of our death. Come, then,
and take our souls, and present them to thy Son, who is to be our Judge.
2d. “Auxilium Christianorum:” Help of Christians. St. John of Damascus
calls her: Aid prepared and ready to free us from all dangers.[1909] The
help of Mary is, as St. Cosmas of Jerusalem declares, omnipotent to save
us from sin and from hell. St. Bernard addressed her in these words: Thou
art invincible in the defence of thy servants: “Tu bellatrix egregia,”
doing battle with the demons who assail them. And for this reason Mary
is called in the sacred Canticles: Terrible as an army set in array:
“Terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata.”[1910] Ah, my queen, if I had
always had recourse to thee I should never have been conquered by my
enemies. From henceforth thou must be my strength; in my temptations I
will always invoke thee, and from thee I hope for victory.
3d. “Regina martyrum:” Queen of martyrs. Mary is justly called Queen
of martyrs; for her martyrdom, in the death of her Son on the cross,
exceeded the sufferings of all the martyrs. And there stood by the cross
of Jesus his mother: “Stabat juxta crucem mater ejus.” Mothers fly from
their children when they see them dying before their eyes and cannot
help them; Mary does not fly, but remains with Jesus until she sees him
expire: “Stabat juxta crucem.” And while Jesus is in his agony she is
offering to the eternal Father the life of her Son for our salvation;
but in offering it she also endures the agony of death, and experiences
a suffering greater than that of every death. Oh my afflicted mother, by
the merit of the sufferings thou didst endure at the foot of the cross,
obtain for me a true sorrow for my sins and love for Jesus my Redeemer.
And by that sword which pierced thy heart when thou didst see him bow
his head and expire, I pray thee to assist me at the moment of my death,
and obtain for me then eternal salvation, that I may come to love thee
forever with thy Son Jesus.
MEDITATION
_For the day of the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Jesus._
1st. The time having arrived when Mary was to go, according to the law,
to be purified in the temple and to present Jesus to the divine Father,
she departed with Joseph. Joseph took the two turtle-doves that were to
be offered, and Mary takes her dear infant—she takes the divine Lamb to
offer him to God as a sign of that great sacrifice which this Son was one
day to complete upon the cross. Oh my God, I also unite made man, and
by his merits I pray thee to give me thy grace. I do not merit it, but
Jesus, to obtain it for me, has sacrificed himself to thee. For love then
of Jesus, have pity on me.
2d. Behold, Mary enters into the temple and makes the oblation of her
Son in the name of the whole human race. But especially on this day does
Jesus offer himself to his eternal Father: Behold me, he says, oh my
Father, to thee I consecrate my whole life: thou hast sent me into the
world to save it; behold my blood and my life, I offer all to thee for
the salvation of the world. Unhappy should I be, my dear Redeemer, if
thou hadst not satisfied for me the divine justice. I thank thee for it
with my whole soul, and I love thee with my whole heart. And whom should
I love if I do not love a God who has sacrificed his life for me?
3d. This sacrifice was more dear to God than if all men and all the
angels had offered to him their lives. Yes, because in this offering
alone of Jesus the eternal Father received an infinite honor and an
infinite satisfaction. Jesus Christ once said to the blessed Angela of
Foligno: “I have offered myself for thee that thou mayest offer thyself
to me.” Yes, my Jesus, as thou didst offer to the Father thy life for me,
I offer to thee my life and my whole self. Hitherto I have with so great
ingratitude slighted thee, but thou hast promised to forget the offences
of a sinner who repents of having offended thee; my Jesus, I grieve for
it, and I wish to die of grief. I was dead in sin; from thee I hope for
life, and my life will be to love thee, oh Infinite Good. Grant that I
may love thee, and I will ask of thee nothing more. Dispense the goods of
this earth to those who desire them; I desire nothing but the treasure of
thy love. My Jesus, thou art alone enough for me. Oh my queen and mother
Mary, through thee I hope every good.
MEDITATION
_For the Day of the Annunciation to Mary._
1st. When God wished to send his Son to make himself man that he might
redeem lost man, he chose for him a virgin mother, among all virgins the
most pure, the most holy, and the most humble. And behold, whilst Mary
was in her poor little dwelling praying to God for the coming of the
Redeemer, an angel appears and salutes her, and says to her: “Hail, full
of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.”[1911] And
what does the humble Virgin when she hears such words in her honor? She
is not elated, but is silent and troubled, esteeming herself too unworthy
of these praises. She was troubled at his saying: “Turbata est in sermone
ejus.”[1912] Oh Mary, thou so humble and I so proud, obtain for me holy
humility.
2d. Did not those praises, at least, cause Mary to suspect that she
was the destined mother of the Redeemer? No, they only caused her to
conceive a great fear of herself. Wherefore it was necessary that the
angel should encourage her not to be afraid: “Fear not, Mary, for thou
hast found grace with God.”[1913] And then he announced to her that she
was chosen to be the mother of the Saviour of the world: “Behold, thou
shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a Son, and thou shalt
call his name Jesus.”[1914] Blessed art thou, oh Mary! how dear thou wast
and art to thy God! Have pity on me.
3d. Take courage, says St. Bernard, addressing her; why delay, holy
Virgin, in giving thy consent? The eternal Word awaits it, in order to
clothe himself with flesh, and become thy Son. We, who are all condemned
to eternal death, are waiting for it in misery; if thou dost accept and
consent to be his mother, we shall all be delivered. Quickly, oh Lady,
answer; do not delay giving to the world that salvation which depends
on thy consent. But rejoice, for Mary already answers to the angel:
Behold, she says, the servant of the Lord, bound to do whatever her Lord
commands:[1915] if he chooses a servant for his mother, the servant is
not to be praised, but only the goodness of God, who wishes thus to
honor her. Oh Mary, most humble, thou, by thy humility, hast so enamored
thy God that thou hast constrained him to make himself thy Son and our
Redeemer. I know that thy Son denies thee nothing that thou dost ask; ask
of him to give me his holy love; ask of him to pardon me all the offences
which I have committed against him; ask of him to give me perseverance
until death. In a word, recommend to him my soul, for thy recommendations
are never rejected by a Son who loves thee so much. Oh Mary, thou must
save me; thou art my hope.
MEDITATION FOR THE SECOND DAY OF JULY.
_On the Feast of the Visitation of Mary._
1st. Mary set out from Nazareth to go to the city of Hebron, distant,
according to Broccardo, seventy miles; that is to say, at least seven
days’ journey over rough mountains and with no other companion than
her spouse Joseph. The holy Virgin hastens, as St. Luke informs us:
She went into the mountainous country in haste: “Abiit in montana cum
festinatione.”[1916] Tell us, oh holy Lady, why thou didst undertake this
long and difficult journey, and why thou didst thus hasten on thy way?
I am going, she answers, to exercise my office of charity; I am going
to console a family. If, then, oh great mother of God, thy office is to
console and dispense graces to souls, ah come to console and visit also
my soul. Thy visit then sanctified the house of Elizabeth; come, oh Mary,
and sanctify me also.
2d. And now the holy Virgin has arrived at the house of Elizabeth. She
had been made mother of God, but she is the first to salute her relation.
She entered, and saluted Elizabeth: Intravit et salutavit Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, enlightened by the Lord, already knows that the divine Word
had become man and the Son of Mary; hence she calls her blessed among
women, and blesses that divine fruit that was in her womb: “Blessed art
thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”[1917] And,
filled (at the same time) with confusion and joy, she exclaims: “And
whence is this to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”[1918]
But what does the humble Mary answer to these words? She answers: My soul
doth magnify the Lord: “Magnificat anima mea Dominum.” As if she would
say: Ah, Elizabeth, you praise me; but I praise my God that he has chosen
to exalt me, his poor servant, to be his mother: he hath regarded the
humility of his servant: “Respexit humilitatem ancillæ suæ.” Oh most holy
Mary, since thou dost dispense so many graces to those who ask them of
thee, I pray thee to give me thy humility. Thou dost esteem thyself as
nothing before God; but I am worse than nothing, for I am, at the same
time, nothing and a sinner. Thou canst make me humble. Make me so through
love of that God who has made thee his mother.
3d. But at the first words of Mary, when she salutes Elizabeth, what
happens? The child, John, exults with joy on account of the divine
grace given him before his birth;[1919] Elizabeth is filled with the
Holy Spirit, and Zachary, the father of the Baptist, not long after, is
consoled by recovering his speech. So that it is indeed true, oh my queen
and mother, that through thee the divine graces are dispensed, and souls
are sanctified. Do not forget, then, oh my most dear Lady, me, thy poor
servant, who love thee, and have placed in thee all my hopes. Thy prayers
are all graciously heard by that God who loves thee so much. Pray, then,
for me, oh my mother, and make me holy.
MEDITATION FOR THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF AUGUST.
_On the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven._
1st. Mary dies; but how does she die? She dies entirely detached from any
affection for created things, and dies consumed with that divine love
with which her most holy heart was always and entirely inflamed. Oh holy
mother, thou hast already left the earth; do not forget us, miserable
pilgrims, who remain in this valley of tears struggling against so many
enemies, who desire to see us lost in hell. Ah, by the merits of thy
precious death, obtain for us detachment from earthly things, pardon of
our sins, love to God, and holy perseverance; and, when the hour of our
death shall arrive, assist us from heaven with thy prayers, and obtain
for us to come and kiss thy feet in paradise.
2d. Mary dies, and her most pure body is carried by the holy apostles,
and placed in the sepulchre, and is guarded by angels for three days,
after which it is transported to paradise; but her beautiful soul
entered, as soon as she expired, the kingdom of the blessed, accompanied
by innumerable angels and by her Son himself. Having entered heaven,
she humbly presents herself to God, adores him, and, with unbounded
love, thanks him for all the graces which she has received from him. God
embraces her, blesses her, and constitutes her queen of the universe,
exalting her above all the angels and saints.[1920] Now, if the human
mind, as the apostle says, cannot arrive at the comprehension of the
great glory that God is preparing in heaven for his servants who have
loved him on this earth, what must be the glory that he gave to this his
most holy mother, who on earth has loved him more than all the saints and
angels, and has loved him with all her power! So that Mary alone, when
she entered heaven, could say to God: Oh my Lord, if I have not loved
thee on earth as thou dost merit, at least I have loved thee as much as I
could.
3d. Let us rejoice with Mary in the glory with which her God has enriched
her; and let us also rejoice for ourselves, for Mary, at the same
time was made queen of the world, and appointed our advocate. She is
so merciful an advocate, that she consents to defend all sinners who
recommend themselves to her; and she is so powerful with our Judge that
she gains all the causes which she defends. Oh our queen and advocate, in
thy hand is our salvation; if thou dost pray for us, we shall be saved.
Say to thy Son that thou dost wish us with thee in paradise. He denies
thee nothing that thou dost ask. Oh our life, our sweetness, and our
hope! Mary, pray Jesus for us.
MEDITATION FOR THE EIGHTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER.
_On the Feast of the Nativity of Mary._
1st. Before the birth of Mary the world was lost in the darkness of sin.
Mary was born, and the morning arose: “Nata Maria, surrexit aurora,”
says a holy Father. Already it had been said of Mary: “Who is she that
cometh forth as the morning rising?”[1921] As the earth rejoices when
the day dawns, for the dawn is the precursor of the sun, so Mary at her
birth gave joy to the whole world, for she was the precursor of the sun
of justice, Jesus Christ, who being made her son, came to save us by his
death; therefore the Church sings: “Thy nativity, oh virgin mother of
God, announced joy to the whole world, for from thee the sun of justice
has arisen, who has given us life eternal.”[1922] Thus, when Mary was
born, we received our remedy, our consolation, and our salvation; for
through Mary we have received the Saviour.
2d. This child being then destined for the mother of the eternal Word,
God bestowed on her so much grace, that even from her immaculate
conception her sanctity excelled the sanctity of all the saints
and angels united, for she received a grace of a superior order,
corresponding to the dignity of mother of God. Oh holy infant, oh full
of grace, I, a miserable sinner, salute thee and adore thee. Thou art
the beloved, the delight of God; have pity on me, who through my sins
have been hateful and abominable in the eyes of God. Thou, oh most pure
Virgin, hast so well known even from thy infancy how to gain the heart of
God, that he denies thee nothing, and grants all that thou dost ask of
him. In thee then I place my hopes. Recommend me to thy Son, and I shall
be saved.
3d. At the same time that Mary was destined to be the mother of our
Redeemer, she was also destined to be the mediatrix between God and us
sinners. Hence the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas, says, that Mary received
grace sufficient to save all men; and therefore St. Bernard calls Mary
a channel so full that we can all partake of its fulness.[1923] Oh my
queen, oh mediatrix of sinners, perform thy office and intercede for me!
Let not my sins prevent me from confiding in thee, oh great mother of
God; no, I trust in thee, and trust in thee so much, that if my salvation
were in my own hands, yet I would place it all in thine. Oh Mary, receive
me under thy protection, and this is enough for me.
MEDITATION FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF NOVEMBER.
_On the Feast of the Presentation of Mary._
1st. The holy child Mary, having hardly arrived at the age of three
years, entreated her parents that she might be placed in the temple
according to the promise which they had made. The day appointed having
arrived, the immaculate young Virgin leaves Nazareth with St. Joachim and
St. Anna, accompanied by a host of angels who attend that holy child who
was destined for the mother of their Creator. Go, says St. Germanus, go,
oh blessed Virgin, to the house of the Lord, to await the Holy Spirit,
who is to come to render thee mother of the eternal Word.
2d. The holy company having arrived at the temple in Jerusalem, the
holy child turns to her parents, and kneeling, kisses their hands, asks
their blessing, and then, without looking back, ascends the steps of
the temple. There renouncing entirely the world and all things that the
world could give her, she offers and consecrates herself wholly to God.
Henceforth the life of Mary in the temple was but one continual exercise
of love, and the offering of her whole self to her Lord. She increased
from hour to hour, nay, from moment to moment, in holy virtues, sustained
indeed by divine grace, but always endeavoring, with all her powers, to
correspond with grace. Mary herself revealed this to St. Elizabeth, the
virgin, saying: “Do you think that I obtained the graces and virtues
without an effort? Know that I received from God no grace without great
effort, continual prayer, an ardent desire, and many tears and penances.”
3d. Thus Mary, a young virgin in the temple, did nothing but pray. And
seeing the human race lost and hateful to God, she especially prayed for
the coming of the Messias, desiring then to be the servant of that happy
Virgin who was to be the mother of God. Oh, who would have said to her
then: Oh holy Lady, know that already through thy prayers the Son of
God is hastening to come and redeem the world; and know that thou art
the blessed one chosen to be the mother of thy Creator. Oh beloved of
God, most holy child, thou prayest for all, pray also for me. Thou hast
consecrated thyself wholly, even from infancy, to the love of thy God;
ah, obtain for me at least that during the remaining years of my life
I may live for God alone. To-day, together with thee, I renounce all
creatures, and consecrate myself to the love of my Lord. I also offer
myself to thee, oh my queen, to serve thee forever. Accept me for thy
special servant, and obtain for me the grace to be faithful to thee
and to thy Son, that I may come one day to praise thee and love thee
eternally in paradise.
MEDITATION FOR THE EIGHTH DAY OF DECEMBER.
_On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary._
1st. It was indeed befitting the three divine persons to preserve
Mary from original sin. It was befitting the Father, for Mary was his
first-born daughter. As Jesus was the first-born of God: “Primogenitus
omnis creaturæ,”[1924] so Mary, being destined to become the mother of
Jesus, God always considered her as his adopted first-born daughter, and
therefore always possessed her by his grace: “Dominus possedit me in
initio viarum suarum.”[1925] It was, then, befitting the honor of the Son
that the Father should preserve the mother from every stain of sin. It
was also fitting, because he destined this his daughter to crush the head
of the infernal serpent which had seduced man, as we read: Ipsa conteret
caput tuum. How could he then permit that she should first be his slave?
Moreover, Mary was also destined to be the advocate of sinners; and for
this reason also it was meet that God should preserve her from sin, that
she might not appear guilty of the very sin of those for whom she was to
intercede.
2d. It was befitting the Son that his mother should be immaculate. He
chose her himself for his mother, and it cannot be believed that a son
who has it in his power to choose a queen for his mother, would choose
a slave. How then could we believe that the eternal Word would wish for
his mother one defiled by sin, and once an enemy of God, when it was in
his power to have an immaculate mother and one always the friend of God?
Moreover, St. Augustine says: The flesh of Christ is the flesh of Mary:
“Caro Christi caro est Mariæ.” The Son of God would have felt horror at
taking flesh from St. Agnes, St. Gertrude, or St. Theresa, because those
holy virgins, before baptism, were stained by sin, and the devil would
have been able to reproach him for being clothed with a flesh which once
had been subject to him. But he felt no horror at becoming man in the
womb of Mary: “Non horruisti virginis uterum,” Mary having always been
pure and immaculate. Besides, St. Thomas says that Mary was preserved
from every actual sin, even venial, for otherwise she would not have been
a fitting mother of God; but how much less fit would she have been, if
she had been defiled by original sin, which renders the soul odious to
God!
3d. It was befitting the Holy Spirit that this his most beloved spouse
should be immaculate. The redemption of men who had already fallen into
sin being decreed, he wished that this his spouse should be redeemed in
the most noble manner, namely, by being preserved from falling into sin.
And if God preserved the body of Mary after her death, how much more
ought we to believe that he would preserve her soul from the corruption
of guilt! For this reason the divine spouse called her an inclosed
garden, a sealed fountain (Cant.), for the enemies never entered the
blessed soul of Mary. Therefore he praised her, calling her all fair,
always beloved, and spotless. Ah, my most lovely Lady, it is my delight
to see thee so dear to thy God through thy purity and beauty. I thank
God for having preserved thee from every sin. Ah, my queen, since thou
art so loved by the most Holy Trinity, do not disdain to cast thy eyes
upon my soul so defiled by sin, that thou mayest obtain for me, from God,
pardon and eternal salvation. Look upon me and change me. Thou, by thy
sweetness, hast drawn so many hearts to love thee, draw also my heart,
that henceforth I may love no other than God and thee. Thou knowest that
in thee I have placed all my hopes; my dear mother, do not abandon me.
Assist me always by thy intercession, in life and especially in death;
make me then to die invoking thee, and loving thee, that I may come to
love thee forever in paradise.
PRAYERS TO THE DIVINE MOTHER
FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.
SUNDAY.
_Prayer to the most holy Mary to obtain the pardon of sins._
Behold, oh mother of God, at thy feet a miserable sinner, the slave of
hell, who has recourse to thee, and trusts in thee. I do not even merit
that thou shouldst look upon me, but I know that having seen thy Son die
to save sinners, thou hast the greatest desire to aid them. Oh mother of
mercy, look on my miseries, and have pity on me. I hear thee called by
all: The refuge of sinners, the hope of the desperate, the help of the
abandoned. Then thou art my refuge, my hope, my help. Thou must save me
by thy intercession. Succor me for the love of Jesus Christ, give thy
hand to a poor fallen sinner who recommends himself to thee. I know that
thou dost find consolation in helping the sinner when thou canst; help
me then, for thou canst help me. I, by my sins, have lost the grace of
God and my own soul. Now I place myself in thy hands; tell me what I must
do to return to the favor of my Lord, for I will do it without delay. He
sends me to thee, that thou mayest succor me, and he wishes me to have
recourse to thy mercy, that not only the merits of thy Son, but also
thy prayers may aid in my salvation. To thee then I have recourse; thou
who dost pray for so many others, pray also to Jesus for me. Ask him
to pardon me, and he will pardon me; tell him that thou dost desire my
salvation, and he will save me. Make known the good that thou canst do to
those who confide in thee. Amen; thus I hope, thus may it be.
MONDAY.
_Prayer to the most holy Mary to obtain holy perseverance._
Oh queen of heaven, I who once have been a miserable slave of Lucifer,
now dedicate myself to thee, as thy servant forever, and offer myself
to honor and serve thee for my whole life; accept me, do not refuse me
as I merit. Oh my mother, I have placed in thee all my hopes, from thee
I hope all blessings. I thank and bless God, who in his mercy has given
me this confidence in thee, which I consider as the great earnest of my
salvation. Ah, how have I fallen in my past life, I a miserable sinner,
because I have not had recourse to thee! Now I hope to be pardoned
through the merits of Jesus Christ, and through thy prayers. But I may
again lose the divine grace; the danger is not over; my enemies do not
sleep. How many new temptations remain for me to conquer! Ah, my most
sweet Lady, protect me, and do not permit me again to be their slave;
help me always. I know that thou wilt help me, and with thy help I
shall conquer, if I recommend myself to thee; but this I fear, that in
occasions of falling into sin, I may neglect to call on thee, and thus
may be lost. This grace I ask of thee, obtain for me that in the assaults
of hell, I may always have recourse to thee, saying: Mary, aid me. My
good mother, do not permit me to lose my God.
TUESDAY.
_Prayer to Mary most holy to obtain a good death._
Oh Mary, what will be my death? I tremble and am confounded when I
now consider my sins, and think of that great, decisive moment of my
salvation or eternal damnation, when I shall die and be judged. Oh my
most sweet mother, my hopes are in the blood of Jesus Christ, and in thy
intercession. Oh consoler of the afflicted, do not abandon me then; do
not cease consoling me in that great affliction. If now I am tormented
with remorse on account of past sins, the uncertainty of pardon, the
danger of relapse, and the rigor of divine justice, what will become of
me then? If thou dost not aid me, I am lost. Ah, my Lady, before my death
arrives, obtain for me a great sorrow for my sins, a true amendment, and
fidelity to God for the life that remains to me. And when the last moment
of my life comes, oh Mary my hope, aid me then in my great distress, and
encourage me then that I may not despair at the sight of my sins which
the demon will present to me. Obtain for me the grace to invoke thee then
more constantly, that I may expire with thy sweet name, and that of thy
most holy Son, upon my lips. And now, oh Lady, pardon my boldness: before
I expire come thyself to console me by thy presence. This grace thou hast
granted to so many of thy servants, I also wish and hope for it. I am,
indeed, a sinner, and I do not merit it; but I am thy servant, who loves
thee, and has great confidence in thee. Oh Mary, I wait for thee, do not
leave me disconsolate. At least, if I am not worthy of so great a favor,
assist me from heaven, that I may die in the love of God and of thee, and
come to love God and thee eternally in paradise.
WEDNESDAY.
_Prayer to Mary most holy to obtain deliverance from hell._
Oh my dearest Lady, I thank thee that thou hast so often rescued me
from hell: as often as I have deserved it through my sins. Oh miserable
sinner! I was already condemned to that prison, and that sentence would
perhaps have been executed upon me after my first sin, if thou hadst not
in thy mercy helped me. Thou wast not even invoked by me, but by thy
mercy alone thou hast restrained the divine justice, and then subduing my
hard-heartedness, hast drawn me to take confidence in thee. And oh, into
how many sins I should have fallen in the dangers to which I have been
exposed, if thou, my most loving mother, hadst not preserved me by the
graces which thou hast obtained for me! Ah, my queen, still preserve me
from hell. But of what avail will be thy mercy and the favors that thou
hast bestowed on me, if I should be condemned? If once I loved thee not,
now, after God, I love thee above every thing. Ah, do not permit that
I should turn my back upon thee and upon God, who, through thee, hath
dispensed to me so many mercies. My most amiable Lady, do not permit that
I should hate and curse thee in hell. Wilt thou suffer a servant of thine
who loves thee to be lost? Oh Mary, what dost thou say to me? I shall be
lost if I leave thee. But who could have the heart to leave thee? How
could I forget the love thou hast borne me? My mother, since thou hast
done so much to save me, complete the work; continue to aid me. Dost thou
wish to help me? But what do I say? If thou didst show me so much favor
when I lived forgetful of thee, how much more ought I now to hope, when
I love thee and recommend myself to thee! No, he who has recourse to
thee is never lost; only he who does not recommend himself to thee. Ah,
my mother, do not leave me in my own hands, for I shall be lost; make me
always to have recourse to thee. Save me, my hope, save me from hell; but
first from sin, which alone can condemn me to hell.
THURSDAY.
_Prayer to the most holy Mary to obtain paradise._
Oh queen of paradise, who sittest above the choirs of angels, nearest to
God; from this vale of misery I, a miserable sinner, salute thee, and
pray thee to turn towards me those kind eyes of thine, that dispense
graces to all those they look upon. See, oh Mary, in how much danger I
now find myself, and must find myself, while I live on this earth, of
losing my soul, paradise, and God. In thee, oh Lady, I have placed all
my hopes. I love thee, and long to come to thee, see thee, and praise
thee in paradise. Ah Mary, when will the day come that I shall see myself
safe at thy feet, and shall behold the mother of my Lord and my mother,
who has been so occupied with my salvation? When shall I kiss that hand
which has so many times delivered me from hell and bestowed on me so many
graces, when, by my sins, I merited to be hated and abandoned by all? Oh
Lady, I have been very ungrateful to thee in my life; but if I come to
paradise I will be no more ungrateful. There I will love thee as much
as I can, every moment through all eternity, and I will make amends for
my ingratitude by blessing thee and thanking thee forever. Above all, I
thank God who gives me such confidence in the blood of Jesus Christ and
in thee; namely, that thou wilt save me, that thou wilt free me from
my sins, and obtain for me light and strength to execute the divine
will, and finally conduct me to the port of paradise. All this have thy
servants hoped, and none have been deceived. Neither shall I be deceived.
Mary, I wish nothing else; thou must save me. Pray thy Son Jesus, as I
also pray him, through the merits of his passion, to preserve in me, and
always more increase this confidence, and I shall be saved.
FRIDAY.
_Prayer to the most holy Mary to obtain love towards her and Jesus
Christ._
Oh Mary, I know that thou art the creature the most noble, the most
sublime, the most pure, the most beautiful, the most merciful, the most
holy; in a word, the most lovely of all creatures. Oh, if all knew thee,
oh my Lady, and loved thee as thou dost merit! But I console myself that
so many happy souls in heaven and on earth live enamored of thy goodness
and beauty. Above all, I rejoice that God himself loves thee alone more
than all men and angels united. My most amiable queen, I, a miserable
sinner, also love thee, but I love thee too little: I desire a love
greater and more tender towards thee; and this thou must obtain for me,
for to love thee is a great sign of predestination, and a grace that God
does not grant except to those whom he wishes to be saved.
I see myself then, oh my mother, greatly indebted to thy Son. I see that
he merits an infinite love. Thou who desirest nothing but to see him
loved, this is the grace that above all others thou must obtain for me;
obtain for me a great love for Jesus Christ. Thou dost obtain from God
whatever thou dost wish; ah, obtain for me this grace, to be so united
with the divine will that I may never more be separated from it. I do not
ask of thee the goods of earth, neither honors nor riches; I ask of thee
what thy heart most desires, I wish to love my God. Is it possible that
thou wilt not aid me in this my desire, which pleases thee so much? No,
for thou dost even now help me, already thou art praying for me; pray,
pray, and never cease to pray until thou seest me in paradise, beyond the
danger of being able any more to lose my Lord, and certain of loving him
forever, together with thee, my dearest mother.
SATURDAY.
_Prayer to the most holy Mary to obtain her patronage._
Oh my most holy mother, I know what graces thou hast obtained for me,
and I see the ingratitude of which I have been guilty towards thee. The
ungrateful are no longer worthy of favors; but I will not on this account
distrust thy mercy, which is greater than my ingratitude. Oh my great
advocate, have pity on me. Thou art the dispenser of all the graces which
God grants to us miserable sinners, and for this end he has made thee so
powerful, so rich, and so merciful, that thou mightest succor us in our
miseries. Ah, mother of mercy, do not leave me in my poverty. Thou art
the advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners who have recourse
to thee, defend me also, who recommend myself to thee. Do not tell me
that it is difficult to gain my cause, for the most desperate causes
are all gained when they are defended by thee. In thy hands, then, I
place my eternal salvation, and to thee I commit my soul. It was lost;
thou, by thy intercession, must save it. I wish to be enrolled among thy
most devoted servants; do not cast me out: thou dost go in search of
the wretched to relieve them; do not abandon a miserable sinner who has
recourse to thee. Speak for me; thy Son does whatever thou dost ask of
him. Take me under thy protection, and this will be enough: yes, for if
thou dost protect me I fear nothing; nothing from my sins, for thou wilt
obtain for me the remedy for the injury I have inflicted upon myself; nor
from the demons, for thou art more powerful than all hell united; nor
from Jesus my Judge himself, for by one prayer of thine he is appeased.
I only fear that through my negligence I may cease to invoke thee, and
shall thus be lost. My mother, obtain for me the pardon of all my sins,
love to Jesus, holy perseverance, a good death, and finally, paradise;
especially obtain for me the grace always to recommend myself to thee.
It is true that these graces are too much for me who do not merit them,
but they are not too much for thee who art so much beloved by God that he
grants thee whatever thou dost ask of him. It is enough that thou dost
begin to speak, and he denies thee nothing. Pray then to Jesus for me,
tell him that thou dost protect me, and he will not fail to have pity on
me. My mother, I trust in thee; in this hope I repose and live, and in
this I wish to die. Amen.
Live alway, Jesus our love and Mary our hope!
LITTLE ROSARY OF THE SEVEN DOLORS OF MARY.
Incline unto mine aid, oh God, &c.
My mother, enable my heart to share thy sorrow for the death of
thy Son.
_First Dolor._—I pity thee, oh my afflicted mother, on account of the
first sword of sorrow that pierced thee, when in the temple, by the
prophecy of St. Simeon, all the cruel sufferings that men would inflict
on thy beloved Jesus were represented to thee, which thou hadst already
learned from the holy Scriptures, even to his death before thy eyes upon
the infamous wood of the cross, exhausted of blood and abandoned by all,
and thou without the power to defend or relieve him. By that bitter
memory, then, which for so many years afflicted thy heart, I pray thee,
oh my queen, to obtain for me the grace that always in life and in death
I may keep impressed upon my heart the passion of Jesus and thy sorrows.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to God, &c., Oh my mother, &c.,
as above. Which strophe must always be repeated at the end of
each dolor.
_Second Dolor._—I pity thee, oh my afflicted mother, on account of the
second sword that pierced thee when thou didst behold thy innocent Son,
so soon after his birth, threatened with death by those very men for
whom he had come into the world; so that thou wast obliged to flee with
him by night secretly into Egypt. By the many hardships, then, that thou,
a delicate young virgin, in company with thy exiled infant, didst endure
in the long and wearisome journey through rough and desert countries, and
in thy sojourn in Egypt, where, being unknown and a stranger, thou didst
live all those years poor and despised, I pray thee, oh my beloved Lady,
to obtain for me the grace to suffer with patience, in thy company till
death, the trials of this miserable life, that I may be able in the next
to be preserved from the eternal sufferings of hell deserved by me. Our
Father, &c.
_Third Dolor._—I pity thee, oh my afflicted mother, on account of the
third sword that pierced thy heart at the loss of thy dear son, Jesus,
who remained absent from thee in Jerusalem for three days, when not
seeing thy beloved one by thy side, and not knowing the cause of his
absence, I conceive, my loving queen, how in these nights thou didst not
repose, and didst naught but sigh for him who was thy only good. By the
sighs, then, of those three days, for thee so long and bitter, I pray
thee to obtain for me the grace never to lose my God; that I may always
live closely united to God, and thus united with him depart from this
world. Our Father, &c.
_Fourth Dolor._—I pity thee, my afflicted mother, on account of the
fourth sword that pierced thy heart, in seeing thy Jesus condemned to
death, bound with ropes and chains, covered with blood and wounds,
crowned with thorns, and falling under the weight of the heavy cross
which he bore on his bleeding back when going like an innocent lamb to
die for love of us. Thine eye then met his eye, and your glances were so
many cruel arrows with which each wounded the loving heart of the other.
By this great grief, then, I pray thee to obtain for me the grace to live
wholly resigned to the will of my God, joyfully bearing my cross with
Jesus to the last moment of my life. Our Father, &c.
_Fifth Dolor._—I pity thee, oh my afflicted mother, on account of the
fifth sword that pierced thy heart, when on Mount Calvary thou didst
behold thy beloved son, Jesus, dying slowly before thy eyes, amid so many
insults, and in anguish, on that hard bed of the cross, without being
able to give him even the least of those comforts which the greatest
criminals receive at the hour of death. And I pray thee by the anguish
which thou, oh my most loving mother, didst suffer together with thy
dying Son, and by the tenderness thou didst feel when, for the last time,
he spoke to thee from the cross, and taking leave of thee, left all of
us to thee in the person of St. John, as thy children; and thou, still
constant, didst behold him bow his head and expire; I pray thee to obtain
for me the grace, by thy crucified love, to live and die crucified to
every thing in this world, in order to live only to God through my whole
life, and thus to enter one day paradise, to enjoy him face to face. Our
Father, &c.
_Sixth Dolor._—I pity thee, oh my afflicted mother, on account of the
sixth sword which pierced thy heart, when thou didst see the kind heart
of thy Son pierced through and through after his death—a death endured
for those ungrateful men, who, even after his death, were not satisfied
with the tortures they had inflicted upon him. By this cruel sorrow,
then, which was wholly thine, I pray thee to obtain for me the grace to
abide in the heart of Jesus, who was wounded and opened for me; in that
heart, I say, which is the beautiful abode of love, where all the souls
who love God repose; and that living there, I may never love or think of
any thing but God. Most holy Virgin, thou canst do it; from thee I hope
for it. Our Father, &c.
_Seventh Dolor._—I pity thee, my afflicted mother, on account of the
seventh sword that pierced thy heart, on seeing in thy arms thy Son who
had just expired, no longer fair and beautiful as thou didst once receive
him in the stable of Bethlehem, but covered with blood, livid, and
lacerated by wounds which exposed his very bones. My Son, thou saidst,
my Son, to what has love brought thee? And when he was borne to the
sepulchre, thou didst wish to accompany him thyself, and help to put him
in the tomb with thy own hands; and, bidding him a last farewell, thou
hast left thy loving heart buried with thy Son. By all the anguish of thy
pure soul, obtain for me, oh mother of fair love, pardon for the offences
that I have committed against my God, whom I love, and of which I repent
with my whole heart. Wilt thou defend me in temptations? Assist me at the
hour of my death, that, being saved by the merits of Jesus and thine, I
may come one day, with thy aid, after this miserable exile, to sing in
paradise the praises of Jesus and thine through all eternity. Amen. Our
Father, &c.
Pray for us, oh most sorrowful Virgin;
That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
_Let us Pray._
Oh God, at whose passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, the sword
of sorrow pierced through the most sweet soul of the glorious virgin and
mother, Mary, grant that we, who commemorate and reverence her dolors,
may experience the blessed effect of thy passion, who livest and reignest
world without end. Amen.
* * * * *
Benedict XIII. granted two hundred days’ indulgence for every “Our
Father” and every “Hail Mary” to those who recite this little crown in
the churches of the Servites of Mary, and has granted the same favor to
those who recite it in any place whatever on Fridays or any day during
Lent; and on other days, one hundred days for every “Our Father,” and
“Hail Mary.” To those who recite it entire, seven years. To those who
recite it for a year, plenary indulgence, applicable to the souls in
purgatory.[1926]
Moreover, let it be observed that there are seven hundred years of
indulgence for the dead granted by Clement XII. to those who say,
kneeling, the De Profundis at the ringing of the bell.
A Little Rosary of the Immaculate Mary,
_Which is recited in some Churches_.
Incline unto mine aid, oh God, &c. Glory, &c. After this, an “Our Father”
is recited in honor of the Eternal Father, in thanksgiving for all the
graces bestowed on Mary; with four “Hail Marys.” The same is repeated in
honor of the Son, and again in honor of the Holy Ghost. After each “Hail
Mary” is recited the following verse:
As ’mid the thorns the lily fair
Art thou, Virgin immaculate,
From sin preserved, by him whose care
Did thee his mother blest create.
At the end:
V. Pray for us, oh immaculate Virgin:
Ora pro nobis, Virgo immaculata;
R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ:
Ut digni officiamur promissionibus Christi.
_Let us Pray._
Grant to thy servants, we pray thee, oh Lord, the gift of divine grace,
that to us, for whom the maternity of the blessed Virgin was the
beginning of salvation, the votive commemoration of her conception may
bring an increase of peace. By our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
VARIOUS PRAYERS TO MARY.
Dedication of oneself to Mary.
Oh most holy virgin mother of God, Mary, I, N., although most unworthy of
being thy servant, yet moved by thy wonderful mercy and by the desire to
serve thee, choose thee to-day, in presence of my guardian angel, and of
the whole celestial court, for my especial Lady, Advocate, and Mother,
and make the firm resolution that I always will love and serve thee for
the future, and do whatever I can to induce others also to love and serve
thee. I pray thee, mother of God, and my most kind and amiable mother, by
the blood of thy divine Son which was shed for me, that thou wilt receive
me into the number of thy servants for thy child and servant forever;
assist me in all my thoughts, words, and actions, at every moment of my
life, that every step and breath may be directed to the greater glory of
my God, and through thy most powerful intercession obtain for me that I
may never more offend my beloved Jesus, that I may glorify and love him
in this life, and that I may also love thee, my most beloved and dear
mother, that I may love thee and enjoy thee through eternity in holy
paradise. Amen.
My mother Mary, I recommend to thee my soul, especially at the hour of my
death.
Dedication of a Family to Mary.
Oh blessed and immaculate Virgin, our queen and mother, refuge and
consolation of all those who are in misery, I, prostrate before thy
throne with all my family, choose thee for my Lady, Mother, and Advocate
with God. I, with all who belong to me, dedicate myself forever to thy
service, and pray thee, oh mother of God, to receive us into the number
of thy servants, taking us all under thy protection, aiding us in life,
and still more, at the hour of our death. Oh mother of mercy, I choose
thee Lady and ruler of my whole house, of my relatives, my interests, and
all my affairs. Do not disdain to take care of them; dispose of them all
as it pleases thee. Bless me, then, and all my family, and do not permit
that any of us should offend thy Son. Do thou defend us in temptations,
deliver us from dangers, provide for us in our necessities, counsel us
in our doubts, console us in afflictions, be with us in sickness, and
especially in the agonies of death. Do not permit the devil to glory in
having in his chains any of us who are now consecrated to thee; but grant
that we may come to thee in heaven to thank thee, and together with thee
to praise and love our Redeemer Jesus for all eternity. Amen, thus may it
be.
Prayer of St. Ephrem to Mary, abbreviated.[1927]
Oh immaculate and wholly pure Virgin Mary, mother of God, queen of the
world, hope of the despairing; thou art the joy of the saints, thou art
the reconciler of sinners to God, thou art the advocate of the abandoned,
the secure haven of the shipwrecked; thou art the consolation of the
world, the ransom of captives, the comforter of the afflicted, the
salvation of the world. Oh great queen, we take refuge in thy protection.
We confide in none but thee, oh most pure Virgin: Non nobis est alia quam
in te fiducia, O Virgo sincerissima. Oh Lady, after God we have no other
hope but in thee. We bear the name of thy servants, do not permit the
enemy to bear us away to hell. Hail, best mediatrix of God and men: Ave,
Dei et hominum mediatrix optima. I salute thee, oh great mediatrix of
peace between men and God; oh mother of Jesus our Lord, the love of all
men and of God; to thee be honor and blessing with the Father and with
the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer of St. Thomas of Aquin.
Oh most blessed and sweet Virgin Mary, full of compassion, I recommend
to thy mercy my soul and my body, my thoughts, my works, my life, and
my death. Oh my Lady, help me and make me strong against the snares of
the devil; obtain for me a true and perfect love, with which I may love
with all my heart thy most beloved Son, and my Lord Jesus Christ; and
after him may I love thee above all things. Oh my queen and mother, with
thy most powerful intercession make this love to remain with me until
death, after which may I be conducted by thee to the country of the
blessed.[1928]
Prayer of St. Blosius to the Blessed Virgin.
Hail, Mary, hope of the despairing, help of the destitute, to whom thy
Son pays so great honor that whatever thou dost ask thou dost at once
obtain, whatever thou dost wish is at once done. To thee are committed
the treasures of the celestial kingdom. Grant, oh Lady, that amid the
storms of this life, I may always turn my eyes to thee. To thy mercy I
commend my soul and my body. Direct and protect me at every hour and
every moment, oh my sweet protectress.
Another Prayer.
Hail, most compassionate mother of mercy; hail, consolation and pardon,
Mary most desired. Who shall not love thee? Thou our light in doubt, our
consolation in sorrow, our relief in distress, our refuge in perils and
temptations, thou, after thy only-begotten Son, art our secure salvation.
Blessed are those who love thee, oh Lady. Incline, I pray thee, thy ear
of mercy to the prayers of this thy servant, this miserable sinner, and
dissipate the darkness of my vices by the rays of thy sanctity, that I
may please thee.[1929]
Ejaculations to the Most Holy Mary.
Mother of God, remember me.—_St. Francis Xavier._
Virgin and mother, make me always to remember thee.—_St. Philip Neri._
Virgin Mary, mother of God, pray to Jesus for me.—_The same Saint._
Oh Lady, obtain that Jesus may not cast me from him.—_St. Ephrem._
Oh Mary, may my heart never cease to love thee nor my tongue to praise
thee.—_St. Bonaventure._
Oh Lady, by the love which thou dost bear to Jesus, help me to love
him.—_St. Bridget._
Oh Mary, deign, to make me thy servant.—_Blessed Jane of France._
Oh Mary, I give myself wholly to thee, do thou accept and preserve
me.—_St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi._
Oh Lady, do not abandon me until death.—_P. Spinelli._
Hail Mary, my mother.—_P. Francis Brancaccio._
Holy Mary, my advocate, pray for me.—_P. Sortorio Caputi._
How sweet, oh my mother, is thy name of Mary!
It gives me peace, and so much pleasure,
That I wish always to repeat it.
* * * * *
The most holy Mary revealed to a soul devoted to her, that it pleased her
much to be honored by her servants with the following devotions.
I thank thee, oh eternal Father, for the power given to Mary thy
daughter. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to God.
I thank thee, oh eternal Son, for the wisdom given to Mary thy mother.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to God.
I thank thee, oh eternal Spirit, for the love given to Mary thy spouse.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to God.
To thee we cry, oh queen of mercy, turn towards us, and let us behold
thee dispensing favors, bestowing remedies, giving strength. Show us thy
compassionate countenance, and we shall be safe.[1930]
Oh mistress of all things, saint of saints, our strength and refuge, God,
as it were, of the world, glory of heaven, accept those who love thee;
hear us, for thy Son honors thee and denies thee nothing.—_Ibid._[1931]
Come, hasten, oh Lady, and aid with thy mercy thy most sinful servant who
invokes thee, and deliver him from the hands of the enemy.—_Ibid._[1932]
Who will not sigh to thee? With love and grief we sigh. How, then, shall
we not sigh to thee, oh solace of the miserable, refuge of outcasts,
deliverer of captives? We are secure that if thou dost see our miseries,
thy compassion will not be slow to relieve us.—_Ibid._[1933]
Oh our Lady and our advocate, recommend us to thy Son. Obtain, oh blessed
one, by the grace thou hast merited, that he who did condescend, with
thy mediation, to become a participator of our infirmity and misery,
may also by thy intercession make us to share in his blessedness and
glory.—_Ibid._[1934]
In thee I have placed the hope of my whole heart.—_St. John Damascene._
It is not possible, oh Lady, that thou shouldst abandon him who places
his hope in thee.—_St. Bernard._
If thou dost only wish for our salvation, it will be impossible that we
should not be saved.—_St. Anselm._
Hail, daughter of God the Father; hail, mother of God the Son; hail,
spouse of God the Holy Ghost; hail, temple of the whole Trinity.—_Simon
Garcia._
Oh Virgin, how beautiful art thou!
Mother of my God, my heart is enamored with thy goodness.
* * * * *
Thanks be to God and to Mary.
May all things be to the eternal glory of the most holy Trinity, and of
the immaculate Mary.
Live always, Jesus our love and Mary our hope, with Joseph and Theresa
our advocates.
ACCLAMATIONS IN PRAISE OF MARY.
Oh most holy Virgin Mary! oh queen of angels! how complete and perfect
heaven has created thee! Oh, that I might appear in the eyes of God,
as thou dost appear to me! Thou art so beautiful and lovely, that with
thy beauty thou dost ravish hearts. When thou dost appear, every thing
appears deformed, every beauty is eclipsed, every grace disappears,
precisely as the stars disappear at the rising of the sun.
Thy great servant, St. John Damascene, contemplated thee; and when he saw
thee so lovely, it appeared to him thou hadst taken the flower and the
best of every creature, and therefore he called thee: The comeliness of
nature: “Naturæ venustatem;” the grace and comeliness of all creatures.
St. Augustine, the brightest light of the Doctors, gazed on thee, and
thou didst appear to him so beautiful and lovely, that he called thee the
form and countenance of God, and it did not seem to him adulation: Thou
art worthy of being called the form of God: “Si formam Dei te appellem
digna existis.” Thy devout servant, Albertus Magnus, contemplated thee,
and it seemed to him that all the graces and gifts that were found in the
most celebrated women of the ancient dispensation were all surpassed in
thee. The golden mouth of Sara, when with thy smile thou makest heaven
and earth joyful; the tender and sweet glance of the fruitful Lia, with
which thou dost soften the heart of God inexorable to sinners; the
splendor of the countenance of the beautiful Rachel, as thou dost obscure
the sun by thy radiant beauty; the grace and the comeliness of the
discreet Abigail, with which thou dost appease the wrath of an angry God;
the fire and strength of the brave Judith, when thou dost powerfully and
graciously subdue the proudest hearts.
In a word, sovereign princess, from the vast ocean of thy beauty flowed
forth, like streams, the beauty and grace of all creatures. The sea
learned to curl its waves, and wave its crystals, from the golden locks
of thy head, which, curling gracefully, floated upon thy shoulders and
ivory neck. The crystal fountains, and their clear depths, learned their
quiet and steady flow from the serenity of thy beautiful brow and thy
placid countenance. The graceful bow, when it is most beautiful, has
carefully learned from thy eyebrow to arch itself gracefully, that it
may better dart forth its rays of light. The morning Dian and the gentle
Hesperus are flashes from thy radiant eyes. The white lily and the ruddy
rose have stolen their colors from thy cheeks. The envious purple and
coral sigh for the ruby of thy lips. The purest milk and sweetest honey
are distillations from the sweet honeycomb of thy mouth. The odorous
jasmin and the fragrant rose of Damascus have stolen their perfumes from
thy breath. The loftiest cedar and the finest and most erect cypress
esteem themselves happy when they see that they are the image of thy
straight and lofty neck, and the palm-tree enviously, and in emulation,
imitates thy stately stature. And thus, oh Lady, every created beauty
is the shadow and copy of thy beauty. Therefore I do not wonder, oh
sovereign princess, that heaven and earth are placed under thy feet; for
they are so small and thou so great, that when thy feet only rest upon
them they are enriched, and they deem themselves happy and blessed when
they can kiss them: so the moon when St. John the Evangelist saw her at
thy feet. And the splendor of the sun was increased, when thou didst
clothe thyself with his rays. The Evangelist, blinded by the greatness
of thy light, was lost in wonder, and beside himself at the sight of so
stupendous a miracle of beauty, in which the beauty of heaven and earth
was contained, and he said: And there appeared a great sign in heaven:
“Signum magnum apparuit in cœlo.” There appeared a great wonder in
heaven, that amazed the angels and terrified the earth. And that miracle
was a woman clothed from head to foot with light and splendor, whom the
resplendent sun chose for his mother, and he placed himself in her womb,
and to her the fair moon serves as a robe encircled with silver, and
innumerable stars crown her temples, and are emulous of encircling her
locks, and adorn her head with a wreath of precious gems: And on her head
a crown of twelve stars: “Et in capite ejus corona duodecim stellarum.”
And thus the saints, oh most sacred Virgin, marvelling at so great
splendor which surpasses the brightness of the sun, and the graceful
loveliness of the moon, though they be the perfect flower and ideal of
all beauty, and considering the acclamations that burst forth from the
heavens, never ceased to admire thy beauty, and do nothing but exclaim,
and extol thee also, with acclamations of wonder and amazement. St. Peter
Damian, paying to thee his homage, says: “Oh holy, and most holy of all
the saints, and the richest treasure of all sanctity!” And St. Bernard:
“Oh admirable Virgin! Oh woman, the glory of all other women! The best
and greatest that the world has ever possessed!” St. Epiphanius: “Oh
heaven more vast and extended than the empyrean! Virgin truly full of
grace!” And the Catholic Church, in the name of all, sings: “Oh most
clement, most merciful, oh always sweet Virgin Mary!”
And I also, oh heavenly princess, with thy leave, although I am the
least of thy servants, I also wish to make my acclamations of wonder and
amazement. Oh gracious and beautiful heaven, more vast than the empyrean!
since in this the immensity of God is not contained, but he was even
concealed in thy womb. Oh richest treasure, in which was deposited the
most rich jewel of our redemption! Oh mother of sinners, beneath thy
mantle we are protected! Oh consolation of the world, in whom all the
afflicted, infirm, and disconsolate find comfort! Oh beautiful eyes, that
ravish hearts! Oh coral lips, that take souls captive! Oh beneficent
hands, filled with hyacinths, that are always dispensing graces! Oh pure
creature, who dost appear so like God, and whom I should have esteemed a
God, if faith had not taught me that thou art not God, although thou hast
a splendor and I know not what of supreme Deity! Oh great Lady, empress
of heaven, enjoy for a thousand eternities the grandeur of thy state, the
immensity of thy graces, and the felicity of thy glory. Only I supplicate
thee, oh compassionate mother, that thou wilt not forget us, who beg to
be thy servants and children. And because thou art the depositary of all
graces, and the best and most privileged of all created things, obtain
for us thy servants, oh Lady, that we may be favored far more than any
others in the world. And may all the world know that the dear children
of Mary are the best of heaven and earth; the beloved children who are
tenderly cared for, and enjoy the best that such a mother has to give;
the well-beloved, who are caressed in the bosom of the queen of heaven,
and are doubly favored and doubly caressed by thy majesty. Thus I hope,
oh most beautiful Rachel! and thus I trust thou wilt do, oh sovereign
princess! In the name of what thou art; do it, for all heaven prostrate
at thy feet, is supplicating and praying thee for this. Consent;
utter but one loving _fiat_; _fiat, fiat_; be it done, be it done. Oh
man, what art thou doing? How dost thou love the creatures of earth,
deceitful and lying creatures, who betray and make thee lose thy soul,
thy body, paradise, and God? And why not love Mary, the most loving,
the most amiable, and the most faithful, who, after enriching thee with
consolations and graces in this life, will obtain for thee, from her
divine Son, the eternal glory of paradise? Oh Mary, Mary, beautiful above
all creatures! lovely, next to Jesus, above all loves! dearer than all
created things! more graceful than all graces! have pity on my miserable
heart. Miserable because it ought to love thee and does not love thee.
Thou canst kindle it with thy holy love. Turn, oh Mary, thy loving eyes
upon me, look on me, draw me to thyself, and obtain that, next to God, I
may love none but thee, oh most gracious, most amiable Mary, mother of
Jesus, and my mother.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Mater quidem spiritu non capitis nostri, quod est ipse salvator,
ex quo magis illa spiritualiter nata est; quia omnes, qui in eum
crediderint, in quibus et ipsa est, recte filii sponsi appellantur; sed
plane mater membrorum ejus (quæ nos sumus) quia cooperata est charitate,
ut fideles in Ecclesia nascerentur, qui illius capitis membra sunt. Lib.
de Sancta Virginitate, cap. 6.
[2] M. Nicole, Instr. theol. and mor. on the Lord’s Prayer, the Angelical
Salutation, &c., Instr. 5, c. 2.
[3] Part 1, c. 6, § 2, c. 7, 8, § 2, c. 9.
[4] In Christo fuit plenitudo gratiæ, sicut in capite influente; in Maria
vero, sicut in collo transfundente. Theolog. mentis et cordis. Tom. 2,
Lib. 10. Dissert. 6, c. 1. Speculat. 2. in Reflexiones.
[5] Dicitur autem Beata Virgo plena gratiæ, quantum ad tria.... Tertio
quo ad refusionem in omnes homines. Magnum enim est in quolibet sancto,
quando habet tantum de gratia quod sufficit ad salutem multorum; sed
quando haberet tantum, quod sufficeret ad salutem omnium hominum de
mundo, hoc esset maximum; et hoc est in Christo et in Beata Virgine. Nam
in omni periculo potes salutem obtinere ab ipsa Virgine gloriosa. Unde
cantic. 4. _Mille clypei_, id est remedia contra pericula, _pendent ex
ea_. Item in omni opere virtutis potes eam habere in adjutorium; et ideo
dicit ipsa. Eccli. xxiv. 25.
[6] Laus Mariæ fons est indeficiens, qui quanto amplius tenditur, tanto
amplius impletur; quanto amplius impletur, tanto amplius dilatatur.
[7] Etiamsi omnium nostrum membra verterentur in linguas eam laudare
sufficiret nullus. Ap. B. Dion. Carth.
[8] Honorare Mariam est thesaurizare vitam eternam. De Laud. v. c. 2.
[9] Honorificantes se in hoc sæculo honorificabit in futuro.
[10] Qui elucidant me, vitam eternam habebunt. Eccli. xxiv. 31.
[11] Exulta, exulta, anima mea, et lætare in illa; quia multa bona
sunt laudatoribus præparata. Si enim omnes scripturæ loquuntur de ea,
Deiparam perpetuo corde et lingua celebremus, ut ab ipsa ad gaudia eterna
perducamur.
[12] Revel., cap. 14.
[13] Ap. P. Auriem.
[14] Fili, miserere animæ amatoris tui et laudatoris mei. Serm. 20, ad
Nov.
[15] Quomodo fieri potest ut ex memoria laudum ejus salus non proveniat
peccatorum, cujus uterus facta est via ad peccatores salvandos? S. Ans.
Lib. 3, de Exc. V. cap. 1.
[16] Laudamus humilitatem, miramur virginitatem; sed miseris sapit
dulcius misericordia; misericordiam amplectimur carius, recordamur
sæpius, crebrius invocamus. Serm. 4, de Ass.
[17] Jesus et Maria, amores mei dulcissimi, pro vobis patiar, pro vobis
moriar; sim totus vester, sim nihil meus. Ap. Auriem. Aff. sc.
[18] Si ipse Rex est qui natus est de Virgine, mater, quæ eum genuit,
Regina et Domina proprie ac vere censetur. Serm. de Deip.
[19] Hæc autem Virgo in illo consensu meruit primatum orbis, dominium
mundi, sceptrum regni super omnes creaturas. Tom. 2d, cap. 51.
[20] Neque a dominatione filii Mater potest esse sejuncta, una est Mariæ
et Christi caro.
Filii gloriam cum Matre, non tam communem judico, quam eamdem. S. Arnol.
de Laud. Virg.
[21] Regina constituta, totom jure possidet filii regnum. Rupert, abb.
[22] Tot creaturæ serviunt gloriosæ Virgini, quot serviunt Trinitati;
omnes namque creaturæ sive angeli, sive homines, et omnia quæ sunt in
cœlo et in terra, quia omnia sunt divino imperio subjecta, gloriosæ
Virgini sunt subjectæ. Tom. 2, cap. 61.
[23] Perge Maria, perge secura in bonis filii tui; fiducialiter age
tamquam regina, mater regis et sponsa; tibi debetur regnum et potestas.
[24] Hoc reges habent magnificum, prodesse miseris.
[25] Duo hæc audivi, quia potestas Dei est, et tibi, Domine,
misericordia. Psal. lxi. 12.
[26] Regnum Dei consistit in potestate et misericordia; potestate Deo
remanente, cessit quodammodo misericordiæ pars matri regnanti. Psal. iii.
Tr. 4th, S. Magn.
[27] Quando filium Dei in utero concepit, et post modum peperit, dimidiam
partem regni Dei impetravit, ut ipsa sit regina misericordiæ, ut Christus
est rex justitiæ.
[28] Deus judicium tuum regi da; et justitiam tuam filio regis. Psal.
lxxi. 2.
[29] Quia misericordiam tuam dedisti Matri Regis.
[30] Deus judicium tuum regi da, et misericordiam tuam matri ejus.
[31] Pater omne judicium dedit filio, et omne officium misericordiæ dedit
matri.
[32] Unxit te Deus oleo lætitiæ. Psal. xliv. 8.
[33] Maria, plena unctione misericordiæ et oleo pietatis; propterea unxit
te Deus oleo lætitiæ. In spec., cap. 7.
[34] Ne putes quod animam tuam tantum liberes, quia in domo regis es præ
cunctis Judæis. Esth. iv. 15.
[35] Quæ est petitio tua? Si inveni gratiam in oculis tuis o rex, dona
mihi populum meum, pro quo obsecro.
[36] Lex clementiæ in lingua ejus. Prov. xxxi. 26.
[37] Quod divinæ pietatis abyssum cui vult, quando vult et quomodo
vult, creditur aperire; ut nemo tam enormis peccator pereat, cui sancta
sanctorum pratrocinii suffragia præstat. In Salve Regina.
[38] Maria quanto altior et sanctior, tanto clementior et dulcior circa
conversos peccatores. Lib. 1, ep. 47.
[39] Quid ad Mariam accedere trepidat humana fragilitas? Nihil austerum
in ea, nihil terribile; tota suavis est, omnibus offerens lac et lanam.
Super Sign. Magn.
[40] Ita benigna est, ut neminem tristem redire sinat. Lib. 4, c. 12.
[41] Tu es regina misericordiæ, et ego miserrimus peccator, subditorum
maximus. Rege nos ergo, o regina misericordiæ. In Salv. Reg.
[42] Habes vires insuperabiles, ne clementiam tuam superet multitudo
peccatorum. Nihil tuæ resistet potentiæ; tuam enim gloriam Creator
existimat esse propriam, et filius in ea exultans, quasi exsolvens
debitum, implet petitiones tuas. Or. de exitu, B. V.
[43] Ego regina cœli; ego mater misericordiæ; ego justorum gaudium et
aditus peccatorum ad Deum. Nullus est adeo maledictus, qui quamdiu vivit
careat misericordia mea; quia propter me levius tentatur a dæmonibus,
quam alias tentaretur. Nullus est ita abjectus a Deo, nisi fuerit
omnino maledictus, qui si me invocaverit, non revertatur ad Deum, et
habiturus sit misericordiam. Ego vocor ab omnibus mater misericordiæ, et
vere misericordia illius misericordem me fecit. Ideo miser erit qui ad
misericordem, cum possit, non accedit. Rev. Lib. 1, cap. 6.
[44] Veni de Libano, sponsa mea, veni de Libano, veni; coronaberis ... de
cubilibus leonum, de montibus pardorum. Cant. 4, 8.
[45] De talium leonum cubiculis tu coronaberis. Eorum salus corona tua
erit. Rup. Vid. l. 3, in Cant.
[46] Domina, me tuæ dominationi volo committere, ut me plenarie regas et
gubernes. Non mihi me relinquas.
[47] Tuus sum ego, salvum me fac.
[48] Veni, ut vitam habeant, et abundantius habeant. Joan x. 10.
[49] Pater futuri sæculi, princeps pacis. Isa. ix. 6.
[50] Virgo per hunc consensum in incarnatione filii omnium salutem
vigorosissime expetiit et procuravit; et omnium salvationi per hunc
consensum se dedicavit, ita ut ex tunc omnes in suis visceribus bajulat,
tanquam verissima mater filios suos. Tr. de B. V. serm. 6.
[51] Peperit filium suum primogenitum. Luc. cap. ii. 7.
[52] Si primogenitus, ergo alii filii secuti sunt secundogeniti? Carnales
nullos habet B. Virgo, præter Christum; ergo spirituales habeat necesse
est.
[53] Venter tuus sicut acervus tritici, vallatus liliis. Cant. vii. 2.
[54] Unum granum frumenti fuit in utero Virginis, Christus Dominus; et
tamen acervus tritici dicitur, quia granum hoc virtute omnes electos
continet, ut ipse sit primogenitus in multis fratribus. De Instit. Virg.
[55] In illo uno fructu, in uno salvatore omnium Jesu plurimos Maria
peperit ad salutem. Pariendo vitam, multos peperit ad vitam. In Cant. iv.
13.
[56] Illa spiritu mater est membrorum salvatoris, quia cooperata est
charitate, ut fideles in ecclesia nascerentur. De Virg. cap. 6.
[57] Posuit me custodem in vineis; vineam meam non custodivi. Cant. i. 5.
[58] Ut multas animas salvas faceret, animam suam morti exposuit.
[59] Et tuam ipsius animam doloris gladius pertransibit. Luc. ii. 35.
[60] Nullo modo dubitandum est, quia Mariæ animus voluit etiam tradere
filium suum pro salute generis humani, ut mater per omnia conformis
fieret Patri et Filio.
[61] Isa. lxiii. 3.
[62] Joan. xix. 26.
[63] Deinde dicit discipulo: Ecce mater tua. Joan. xix. 27.
[64] In Joanne intelligimus omnes, quorum B. Virgo per dilectionem facta
est mater. Tom. 1, Serm. 55.
[65] Deinde dicit discipulo: Ecce mater tua. Joan. xix. 27.
[66] Joannes est nomen particulare, discipulus commune, ut denotetur quod
Maria omnibus detur in matrem.
[67] Ego sum mater pulchræ dilectionis. Eccli. xxiv. 24.
[68] Quia tota est amor erga nos, quos in filios recepit. Paciucch. de B.
V.
[69] Nonne plus sine comparatione nos diligis, ac bona nostra procuras,
quam mater carnalis?
[70] Salvum fac filium ancillæ tuæ. Psal. lxxxv. 16.
[71] Cujus ancillæ?
[72] Quæ dit; Ecce ancilla Domini. In Psal. lxxxv.
[73] Quam bene nobis erit sub præsidio tantæ matris? Quis detrahere
audebit de sinu ejus? Quæ nos tentatio, aut turbatio superare poterit
confidentes in patrocinio matris Dei et nostræ? Bell. de sept verb.
[74] Fidelium piissima mater, furente tentationum tempestate, materno
affectu eos, velut intra viscera propria receptos protegit, donec in
beatum portum reponat. V. cap. 14, exc. 81.
[75] Ita ego facio, et faciam omnibus peccatoribus misericordiam meam
petentibus. Lib. 4, c. 38.
[76] Sub tuum præsidium confugimus, sancta Dei genitrix.
[77] Dic, anima mea, cum magna fiducia: Exultabo et lætabor, quia
quicquid judicabitur de me pendet ex sententia fratris et matris meæ.
[78] Oh beata fiducia, oh tutum refugium! Mater Dei est mater mea. Qua
certitudine igitur debemus sperare, quoniam salus de boni fratris et piæ
matris pendet arbitrio! In Depr. ad. V.
[79] Si quis est parvulus, veniat ad me. Prov. ix. 4.
[80] Opusc. 60, cap. 4.
[81] Natura hoc bestiis infundit, ut catulos parvulos ament. Lib. 6, Exa.
c. 4.
[82] Nunquid oblivisci potest mulier infantem suum, ut non misereatur
filio uteri sui? Et si illa oblita fuerit ego tamen non obliviscar tui.
Isa. xlix. 15.
[83] Ego mater pulchræ dilectionis. Eccl. xxiv. 24.
[84] Se dilectionis esse matrem gloriatur, quia tota est amor erga nos,
quos in filios recepit. Paciucch.
[85] Flagrabat Virgo æstuante charitate incensa, ut pro humani generis
salute simul cum prole profunderet vitam. Tract. de Verb. Dom.
[86] Pendebat in cruce filius, mater persecutoribus se offerebat. De
Inst. Virg. c. 7.
[87] Hoc mandatum habemus a Deo, ut qui diligit Deum, diligat et fratrem
suum. 1 Joan. iv. 21.
[88] Vita, Lib. 2, cap. 5.
[89] Mulier ecce filius tuus.
[90] “Sic Deus dilexit mundum, ut filium suum unigenitum daret.” Joan.
iii. 16.
[91] Sic Maria dilexit nos, ut filium suum unigenitum daret.
[92] Nulla post eam creatura ita per amorem nostrum exardescet, quæ
filium suum unicum, quem multo plus se amavit, nobis dedit, et pro nobis
obtulit.
[93] Veni salvum facere, quod perierat. Luc. xix. 10.
[94] Factus obediens usque ad mortem. Phil. ii. 8.
[95] Et signum magnum apparuit in cœlo, mulier amicta sole. Apoc. xii. 1.
[96] Non est qui se abscondet a calore ejus. Psal. xviii. 7.
[97] A calore ejus, idest a dilectione Mariæ.
[98] Oh quanta cura est Virgini matri de nobis! Omnibus aperit sinum
misericordiæ suæ.
[99] Constat pro universo genere humano fuisse solicitam. Ho. 2, Mis.
[100] Domine, da mihi, quod pro me postulat Ss. Virgo Maria.
[101] Ipsa enim majora optat, quam nos optare possumus.
[102] Plus ipsa desiderat facere tibi bonum, et largiri gratiam, quam tu
accipere concupiscas. Mar. 1, Serm. 5.
[103] Præoccupat qui se concupiscunt, ut illis se prior ostendat. Sap.
vi. 14.
[104] Prius occurrit, quam invocetur. Ric. in Cant. iv. 5.
[105] Facile invenitur ab his qui diligunt illam. Sap. vi. 13.
[106] Ego diligentes me diligo. Prov. viii. 17.
[107] Inventa Maria Virgine, invenitur omne bonum. Ipsa namque diligit
diligentes se, immo sibi servientibus servit. De contempl. Virgin. in
Prolog.
[108] Semper Maria cum amantibus est amantior. Ep. ad., Ep. aur.
[109] Ave Domina, mater mea; imo cor meum, anima mea.
[110] Raptrix cordium.
[111] Nonne rapuisti cor meum?
[112] Scio, Domina, quia amantissima es et amas nos amore invincibili.
Serm. 1, de Nat. B. V.
[113] Beati quorum corda diligunt Mariam! Beati qui ei famulantur!
[114] Nunquam in hoc certamine a nobis vincitur. Amorem redhibet, et
præterita beneficia semper novis adauget. Paciucch. de B. Virg.
[115] Vestri continuo amore langueat cor meum, liquefiat anima mea. In
Depr. ad V.
[116] Date itaque supplicanti animæ meæ, non propter meritum meum sed
propter meritum vestrum, date illi quantum digni estis amorem vestrum. Oh
amator hominum, tu potuisti reos tuos usque ad mortem amare, et poteris
roganti amorem tui et matris tuæ negare? Loc. cit.
[117] Affett Scamb. tom. 2, cap. 7.
[118] Nunquam quiescam, donec habuero tenerum amorem erga matrem meam
Mariam.
[119] Amor aut similes invenit, aut facit. Aristot.
[120] Ego sum quasi mater omnium peccatorum volentium se emendare. L. 4,
Rev. c. 138.
[121] Pone finem a voluntate peccandi, et invenies Mariam—indubitanter
promitto—promptiorem carnali matre in tui dilectione. L. 4, Ep. 47.
[122] Surrexerunt filii ejus. Prov. xxxi. 28.
[123] Nec dignus est, qui in mortali peccato est, vocari filius tantæ
matris.
[124] Qui genitricis non facit opera, negat genus.
[125] Filii Mariæ imitatores ejus, in castitate, humilitate,
mansuetudine, misericordia.
[126] Monstra te esse matrem.
[127] Monstra te esse filium. Ap. Aur.
[128] Maledictus a Deo qui exasperat matrem suam. Eccli. iii. 18.
[129] Matrem suam, idest Mariam.
[130] Conanti surgere ad Deum tribuis auxilium, et neminem relinquis
vacuum a tua consolatione.
[131] 2, 2, qu. 178, a. 2, ad 1.
[132] Omnis qui petit, accipit. Luc. xi. 10.
[133] Si merita invocantis non merentur, ut exaudiatur; merita tamen
matris intercedunt, ut exaudiatur.
[134] Quia indignus erat, cui donaretur, datum est Mariæ, ut per illam
acciperes quicquid haberes. Serm. 3, in Vig. Nat.
[135] Oh felix Maria, tu mater rei, tu mater judicis; cum sis mater
utriusque, discordias inter tuos filios nequis sustinere. In Depr. ad V.
[136] Quantumcumque homo peccat, statim parata sum recipere revertentem;
nec attendo quantum peccaverit, sed cum quali intentione redit; nam non
dedignor ejus plagas ungere, et sanare, quia vocor et vere sum mater
misericordiæ. Rev. 1. c. 23.
[137] Miserere mei. Domine Fili David, filia mea male a dœmonio vexatur.
Matth. xv. 22.
[138] Miserere mei.
[139] Maria clamat pro anima peccatrice; miserere mei. De Laud. V. n. 6.
[140] Oh Maria peccatorem toti mundo despectum, materno affectu
complecteris! nec deseris, quousque miserum judici reconcilies. In spec.
c. 5.
[141] C. xiv.
[142] Mariæ peccatores in filios commendavi, propterea adeo est sedula,
ut, officio suo satisfaciens neminem eorum, qui sibi commissi sunt,
præcipue illam invocantium, perire sinat, sed quantum valet, omnes mihi
reducat. V. l. 4, Min. Op.
[143] Hujus matris bonitas, misericordia, fidelitas, charitas erga
homines tanta est ut nullis verbis explicari possit.
[144] Beatis illius pedibus persolvamur; teneamus eam, nec di mittamus
donec benedixerit nes. In Sign. Mag.
[145] Etiamsi occiderit me, sperabo in eum; et tutus confidens juxta ejus
imaginem mori desidero, et salvus ero.
[146] Nomen habes quod vivas, et mortuus es. Apoc. iii. 1.
[147] Qui mane vigilant ad me, invenient me. Prov. viii. 17.
[148] Invenient me, invenient gratiam.
[149] Qui me invenerit, inveniet vitam, et hauriet salutem a Domino.
[150] Audite, audite qui cupitis regnum Dei; Virginem Mariam honorate, et
invenietis vitam et salutem eternam.
[151] Omnes indulgentias factas in Veteri Testamento non ambigo Deum
fecisse solum propter hujus benedictæ puellæ Virginis reverentiam, et
amorem. Tom. 4, serm. 61, c. 8.
[152] Quæramus gratiam, et per Mariam quæramus. Serm. de aquæd.
[153] Inventrix gratiæ.
[154] Ne timeas Maria, invenisti gratiam. Luc. i. 30.
[155] Ave gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
[156] Currant ergo, currant peccatores ad Virginem qui gratiam amiserant
peccando, et eam invenient apud ipsam. Secure dicant; Redde nobis rem
nostram, quam invenisti.
[157] Cupientes invenire gratiam quæramus inventricem gratiæ, quæ, quia
semper invenit frustrari non poterit. De Laud. V. l. 2.
[158] Ego murus et ubera mea sicut turris. Cant. viii. 10.
[159] Ex quo facta sum coram eo quasi pacem reperiens. Cant. viii. 10.
[160] Vade ad matrem misericordiæ, et ostende illi tuorum plagas
peccatorum; et ita ostendet pro te ubera. Exaudiet utique matrem filius.
[161] Concede, misericors Deus, fragilitati nostræ præsidium; ut qui
sanctæ Dei Genitricis memoriam agimus, intercessionis ejus auxilio a
nostris iniquitatibus resurgamus.
[162] Tu es spes unica peccatorum, quia per te speramus veniam omnium
delictorum. Serm. 18, de Sanctis.
[163] Per hanc peccatorum veniam consequimur.
[164] Ave igitur mater, Cœlum, Thronus, Ecclesiæ nostræ Decus; assidue
precare Jesum, ut per te misericordiam invenire in die judicii, et quæ
reposita sunt iis qui diligunt Deum bona consequi possimus. In Offic.
Nat. B. M., die 5.
[165] Quæ est ista, quæ progreditur quasi aurora consurgens? Cant. vi. 9.
[166] Cum aurora sit finis noctis, et origo diei, vere per auroram
designatur Maria Virgo, quæ fuit finis vitiorum, et origo virtutum. Serm.
2, de Ass. B. V.
[167] Serm. 3, in Dorm. B. V.
[168] De Zona Virgin.
[169] Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes. Luc. i. 48.
[170] Ex hoc beatam te dicent omnes generationes, quæ omnibus
generationibus vitam et gloriam genuisti. Serm. 2, in Pentec.
[171] In te peccatores veniam, justi gratiam inveniunt in eternum. Serm.
de Nat. B. V.
[172] O peccator ne diffidas, etiamsi commisisti omnia peccata; sed
secure ad istam gloriosissiman Dominam recurras. Invenies eam in manibus
plenam misericordia, et largitate; plus enim ipsa desiderat facere tibi
bonum, et largiri gratiam, quam tu accipere concupiscas. Serm. 5, de N. M.
[173] Fidejussio divinarum reconciliationum, quæ dato pignore fit.
[174] Exultabant autem prænoscentes, quod ipse Dominus ex tua humilitate
et vitæ puritate, O Maria stella præfulgida, placaretur, et quod
reciperet eos in suam gratiam, qui ipsum ad iracundiam provocaverunt.
Serm. Ang. c. 9.
[175] Es. della SS. Virg.
[176] Scis dulcissima Dei mater, quantum placeat benedicto filio tuo
salus nostra. Guill. Paris.
[177] Quotidie petenda est, ut quotidie obtineatur.
[178] Qui operantur in me, non peccabunt; qui elucidant me, vitam eternam
habebunt. Eccli. xxiv. 30, 31.
[179] Prov. viii. 15. In Festo S. Mariæ ad nives.
[180] Sicut turris David collum tuum, quæ edificata est cum
propugnaculis; mille clypei pendent ex ea, omnia armatura fortium. Cant.
iv. 4.
[181] Quasi platanus exaltata sum juxta aquam in plateis. Eccli. xxiv. 19.
[182] Platanus habet folia scutis similia.
[183] Virgo ramorum extensione se ubique expandit, ut filios Adæ ab æstu
et turbine umbra desiderabili protegeret. B. Am. Hom. 8.
[184] Tolle corpus hoc solare, ubi dies? Tolle Mariam, quid nisi tenebræ
relinquentur? Serm. de Aquæd.
[185] Posuisti tenebras, et facta est nox; in ipsa pertransibunt omnes
bestiæ sylvæ. Psal. ciii. 20.
[186] Væ væ eis qui solem istum aversantur!
[187] Sicut respiratio non solum est signum vitæ, sed etiam causa; sic
Mariæ nomen, quod in servorum Dei ore versatur, simul argumentum est quod
vere vivant, simul etiam hanc vitam efficit et conservat; omnemque eis
opem impertitur. Orat. de Deip.
[188] Beatus homo qui audit me, qui vigilat ad fores meas quotidie, et
observat ad postes ostii mei. Prov. viii. 34. In Festo Conc. B. V. M.
[189] Luna in nocte, aurora in diluculo, sol in die. Serm. 2, de Ass.
[190] Vincula illius alligatura salutaris. Eccli. vi. 31.
[191] Quare vinculæ? nisi quia servos ligat, ne discurrant per campos
licentiæ.
[192] In plenitudine sanctorum detentio mea. Eccli. xxiv. 16.
[193] Ipsa quoque non solum in plenitudine sanctorum detinetur, sed etiam
in plenitudine sanctos detinet, ne eorum plenitudo minuatur; detinet
nimirum virtutes, ne fugiant; detinet demones, ne noceant. In spec.
[194] Omnes domestici ejus vestiti sunt duplicibus. Prov. xxxi. 21.
[195] Duplici veste ipsa ornat sibi devotos, quia tam Christi quam suis
virtutibus eos induit.
[196] Si prodigus filius viventem matrem habuisset, vel a paterna domo
nunquam discessisset, vel forte citius rediisset.
[197] In fluctibus maris ambulavi. C. xxiv. 8.
[198] Scilicet cum familiaribus meis, ut ipsos eruerem a naufragio
peccatorum.
[199] Sicut pulli, volitantibus desuper milvis, ad gallinæ alas
occurrunt; ita nos sub velamento alarum tuarum abscondimur. Serm. 3, de
Nat. Virg.
[200] Nescimus aliud refugium nisi te, tu sola es unica spes nostra, tu
sola patrona nostra, ad quem omnes aspicimus.
[201] O quisquis te intelligis in hujus sæculi pro fluvio magis inter
procellas et tempestates fluctuare, quam per terram ambulare; ne avertas
oculos a fulgore hujus sideris, si non vis obrui procellis; respice
stellam, voca Mariam. In periculis, in angustiis, in rebus dubiis Mariam
cogita, Mariam invoca. Non recedat ab ore, non recedat a corde. Ipsam
sequens, non devias. Ipsam rogans, non desperas. Ipsa tenente, non
corruis. Ipsa protegente, non metuis. Ipsa duce, non fatigaris. Ipsa
propitia, pervenis. Sic fac, et vives. Hom. 2, super Missus.
[202] Omni tempore diligit qui amicus est, et frater in angustiis
comprobatur. Prov. xvii. 17.
[203] Ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.
[204] Descendit Diabolus ad vos, habens iram magnam, sciens quodmodicum
tempus habet. Apoc. xii. 12.
[205] Implebuntur domus eorum draconibus. Isa. xiii. 21.
[206] Et si ambulavero in medio umbræ mortis, virga tua, et baculus tuus
ipsa me consolata sunt. Psal. xxii. 4.
[207] Egredietur virga de radice Jesse, et flos de radice ejus ascendet.
Isa. xi. 1.
[208] Hæc est illa virga, qua retunduntur impetus adversantium dœmonum.
Serm. de Ass. B. V.
[209] Si Maria pro nobis, quis contra nos.
[210] Patrig. Menol. alli. 28 Apr.
[211] Patrig. Men. etc.
[212] Michael dux et princeps militiæ cœlestis cum omnibus
administratoriis spiritibus, tuis, virgo, paret præceptis, in
defendendis, et suscipiendis de corpore animabus Fidelium, specialiater
tibi, Domina, die, ac nocte se commendantium. In Spec. B. V. c. 3.
[213] Infernus subter te conturbatus est in occursum adventus tui,
suscitabit sibi gigantes. Isa. xiv. 9.
[214] Quis apud judicem accusare audeat, cui viderit matrem
patrocinantem? Ricc. ap. Pep. to. 5, Lez. 244.
[215] Morientibus beata virgo, non tantum succurrit, sed etiam occurrit.
Epist. 2.
[216] Tunc ego carissima eorum domina et mater occurram eis in morte, ut
ipsi consolationem et refrigerium habeant. Rev. lib. 1, c. 29.
[217] Beata virgo animas morientium suscipit. Serm. de Ass.
[218] Vincula ejus alligatura salutaris, in novissimis invenies requiem
in ea. Eccli. vi. 29, 31.
[219] C. 31.
[220] Opusc. 33, c. 4.
[221] Adolphe mi carissime, mori cur times, meus cum sis?
[222] Ego omnibus qui mihi pie deserviunt, volo in morte fidelissime
tamquam mater piissima adesse eosque consolari ac protegere. Ap. Blos. p.
2, Concl. an. fid. cap. 12.
[223] Div. alla verg. tom. 1, tr. 1, q. 11.
[224] Joannes non est meum, in hac hora meos devotos derelinquere.
[225] Bolland. 8 Martii.
[226] Crisog. Mond. Mar. p. 3, d. 38.
[227] Maledictus homo qui confidit in homine. Jer. xvii. 5.
[228] De Beat. SS. lib. 2, cap. 2.
[229] Ut dignitas intercessoris suppleat inopiam nostram. De Exc. V. c. 6.
[230] Unde Virginem interpellare, non est de divina misericordia
diffidere, sed de propria indignitate formidare. Loc. cit.
[231] Mater sanctæ spei. Cap. xxiv. 24.
[232] Ave animæ spes; ave Christianorum firma salus; ave peccatorum
adjutrix; ave vallum fidelium; et mundi salus. De Laud. Virg.
[233] Nobis non est alia quam a te fiducia, O Virgo sincerissima; sub
alis tuæ pietatis protege et custodi nos. De Laud. Virg.
[234] Tu unicum nostrum refugium, subsidium, et asylum. Con. 3, de Conc.
Virg.
[235] Intuere, homo, consilium Dei, consilium pietatis; redempturus
humanum genus, universum prætium contulit in Maria. Serm. de Nat.
[236] Facies et propitiatorium de auro mundissimo.... Inde præcipiam et
loquar ad te. Exod. c. xxv. v. 17, 22.
[237] Te universus mundus continet commune propitiatorium. Inde
pientissimus Dominus loquitur ad cor; inde responsa dat benignitatis et
veniæ; inde munera largitur; inde nobis omne bonum emanat.
[238] Quid est quod sine Mariæ consensu non perficitur incarnationis
mysterium? quia nempe vult illam Deus omnium bonorum esse principium.
Lib. 3, contr. Valent. c. 33.
[239] Per ipsam habet mundus, et habiturus est omne bonum. In Pref.
Contempl. B. M.
[240] O Maria quis te non amet? Tu in dubiis es lumen, in mœroribus
solatium, in periculis refugium. Tu post unigenitum tuum certa fidelium
salus. Ave desperantium spes, ave destitutorum adjutrix. Cujus honori
tantum tribuit Filius, ut quod vis, mox fiat. Cimeliarch. Embol. 1, ad
Mar.
[241] Oh Domina mea, sola mihi ex Deo solatium, itineris mei directio,
debilitatis meæ potentia, mendicitatis meæ divitiæ, vulnerum meorum
medicina, dolorum meorum revelatio, vinculorum meorum solatio, salutis
meæ spes; exaudi orationes meas, miserere suspiriorum meorum, Domina mea,
refugium, vita, auxilium, spes et robur meum. In Encom. Deip.
[242] Venerunt autem mihi omnia bona pariter cum illa. Cap. vii. v. 11.
[243] Omnium bonorum mater est; et venerunt mihi omnia bona cum illa,
scilicet virgine, potest dicere mundus. S. Anton. Part. 4, tit. 17, c. 20.
[244] Inventa Maria, invenitur omne bonum.
[245] Mecum sunt divitiæ et opes superbæ ... ut ditem diligentes me.
Prov. viii. 18-21.
[246] Oculi omnium nostrum ad manus Mariæ semper debent respicere, ut per
manus ejus aliquid boni accipiamus. In Spec.
[247] Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes. Luc. i. 48.
[248] Ex hoc beatam te dicent omnes generationes, quæ omnibus
generationibus vitam et gloriam genuisti. In te peccatores veniam, justi
gratiam inveniunt in æternum. Serm. 2, in Pentec.
[249] Matrem meam veneratione præcipua venerare; ego enim mundo dedi in
puritatis exemplum, in præsidium tutissimum, ut sit tribulatis asylum,
quam nemo formidet; nemo ad eam accedere trepidet. Propterea namque adeo
feci eam mitem, adeo misericordem ut neminem aspernat, nulli se neget;
omnibus pietatis sinum apertum teneat, neminem a se redire tristem sinat.
Lib. 4, Min. Op.
[250] Quantumcumque me Deus præsciverat, scio quod seipsum negare non
potest. Eum amplexabor, et si mihi non benedixerit, cum non demittam; et
sine me recedere non valebit. In cavernis vulnerum suorum me abscondam,
ibique extra se me invenire non poterit.
[251] Ad matris suæ pedes provolutus stabo, et mihi veniam impetret; ipsa
enim non misereri ignorat; et miseris non satisfacere nunquam scivit.
Ideoque ex compassione mihi ad indulgentiam Filium inclinabit. P. 3,
Stim. Div. Am. c. 13.
[252] Respice, O mater misericordiosissima, respice servos tuos; in te
enim omnem spem nostram collocavimus. Orat. de Deip.
[253] Unica spes mea Jesus, et post Jesum Virgo Maria.
[254] Fecitque Deus duo luminaria magna; luminare majus ut præesset diei,
luminare minus ut præesset nocti. Gen. i. 16.
[255] Luminare majus Christus, qui præest justis; luminare minus, idest
Maria, quæ præest peccatoribus.
[256] Qui jacet in nocte culpæ, respiciat lunam, deprecetur Mariam. Serm.
2, de Ass. B. V.
[257] Mariæ virtute et precibus pene innumeræ peccatorum conversiones
fiunt.
[258] Psal. lxxxvi. 3.
[259] Ego civitas refugii omnium ad me confugientium. Or. 2, de Dorm.
[260] Convenite celeriter et ingrediamur civitatem munitam, et sileamus
ibi. Jerem. viii. 14.
[261] Et sileamus ibi. Quia non audemus deprecari Dominum quem
offendimus, ipsa deprecetur et roget.
[262] Fugite O Adam, O Eva, fugite eorum liberi intra sinum matris Mariæ.
Ipsa est civitas refugii, spes unica peccatorum. B. Fernandez, in c. iv.
Gen.
[263] Serm. 18, de Sanct.
[264] Ave peccatorum refugium et hospitium: ad quam nimirum confugere
possunt peccatores. De. Laud. Virg.
[265] Protexit me in abscondito tabernaculi sui. Psal. xxvi. 5.
[266] Tabernaculum a Deo fabricatum, in quo solus Deus ingressus est
sacris mysteriis operaturus in te pro salute omnium hominum.
[267] Nescimus aliud refugium nisi te. Tu sola es unica spes nostra, in
qua confidimus. Tu sola patrona nostra, ad quam omnes aspicimus. Serm. 3,
de Nat. B. V.
[268] Rev. entr. c. 50.
[269] Respirate ad illam perditi peccatores, et perducet vos ad portum.
In Psal. viii.
[270] Si non vis obrui procellis, respice stellam, voca Mariam. Hom. 2,
sup. Miss.
[271] Ipsa peccantium singulare refugium; ipsa omnium quos tentatio
urget, aut calamitas, aut persecutio, tutissimum asylum.
[272] Tota mitis est et suavis, non solum justis, verum etiam
peccatoribus, et desperatis. Quos, ut ad se ex corde clamare conspexerit,
statim adjuvat, suscipit et Judici reconciliat.
[273] Nullum aspernens, nulli se negat; omnes consolatur, et tenuiter
invocata, præsto adest.
[274] Sua bonitate sæpe eos, qui Deo minus afficiuntur ad sui cultum
blande allicit; potenterque excitat, ut per hujusmodi studium præparentur
ad gratiam, et tandem apti reddantur regno cœlorum.
[275] Talis a Deo facta est, ut nemo ad eam accedere trepidet.
[276] Fieri non potest, ut pereat, qui Mariæ sedulus et humilis cultor
extiterit. In can. Vit. Spir. cap. 18.
[277] Eccli. xxiv. 19.
[278] Ecce tu iratus es, et peccavimus ... non est qui consurgat, et
teneat te. Isa. lxiv. 5, 7.
[279] Ante Mariam non fuit qui sic Deum detinere auderet.
[280] Detinet Filium ne peccatoribus percutiat.
[281] Nemo tam idoneus, qui gladio Domini manus objiciat.
[282] Querebatur Dominus ante Mariam: Non est qui consurgat, et teneat
me. Ezech. xxii. Donec inventa est Maria, quæ tenuit eum, donec
emolliret. De Laud. Virg.
[283] Ne diffidas, peccator, sed in cunctis Mariam sequere et invoca,
quam voluit Deus in cunctis subvenire. De Annunc. B. Virg.
[284] Pergens ad gregem, affer mihi duos hædos. Gen. xxvii. 9.
[285] Part. 4, tit. 15, c. 2.
[286] Vere sapiens mulier, quæ novit sic hædos condire, ut gratiam
cervorum coæquent, aut etiam superent. Tom. 3, de Grat.
[287] Nullus ita abjectus a Deo, qui si me invocaverit, non revertatur ad
Deum.
[288] Etiam diabolo misericordiam exhiberes si humiliter peteret. Rev. l.
1, c. 6.
[289] Quod arca animalia suscepit, animalia servavit. Paciucch. de B. V.
[290] Ap. Blos. Mon. Spir. cap. 1.
[291] Tu peccatorem quantumcumque fœtidum non horres, si ad te
suspiraverit, tu illum a desperationis baratro pia manu retrahis. Orat.
Paneg. ad B. V.
[292] Ruth ii. 3.
[293] Ruth in oculis Booz, Maria in oculis Domini hanc gratiam invenit,
ut ipsa spicas, idest animas a messoribus derelictas, colligere ad veniam
possit. In Spe. cap. 8.
[294] Nullum tam execrabilem peccatorem orbis habet, quem ipsa
abominetur, et a se repellat; quemque dilectissimo nato suo (modo suam
precetur opem) non possit, sciat et velit reconciliare. Blos. de dictis,
P. P. c. 5.
[295] Salve spes desperatorum.
[296] Spes delinquentium. P. P. cap. 5.
[297] Unica spes peccatorum.
[298] Naufragorum portus tutissimus.
[299] Protectrix damnatorum.
[300] Quis non sperabit in te, quæ etiam adjuvas desperatos? Non dubito,
quod si ad te venerimus; habebimus quod volemus. In te ergo speret qui
desperat. Sup. Salv. Reg.
[301] In Promptuar.
[302] Beatus homo, qui audit me, et vigilat ad fores meas quotidie!
Proverbs viii. 34.
[303] Ipsa tales quærit qui ad eam devote et reverenter accedant; hos
enim diligit, hos nutrit, hos in filios suscipit. P. 3, Stim. Div. Am. c.
16.
[304] Videns et festinans. In Spec.
[305] Videns enim nostram miseriam, est et festinans ad impendendam suam
misericordiam.
[306] Nescit nectere moras benefaciendi cupida, nec gratiarum avara
custos est; tardare nescit molimina misericordiæ mater beneficentiæ suæ
thesauros in suos effusura. Nov. Umbr. Virg. c. 10, Exc. 75.
[307] Duo ubera tua sicut duo hinnulli capreæ. Cant. iv. 5.
[308] Compressione levissima angelicæ salutationis larga stillabunt
stillicidiæ.
[309] Petite et accipietis.
[310] Alis utitur Deus; ut suis opituletur, statim advolat; alas sumit et
Virgo, in nostri auxilium advolatura. Nov. c. 10, Excurs. 73.
[311] Et datæ sunt mulieri alæ duæ aquilæ magnæ ut volaret in desertum.
Apoc. xii. 14.
[312] Pennas habet aquilæ, quia amore Dei volat.
[313] Motu celerrimo seraphin alas excedens, ubique suis ut mater
occurrit. Hom. 8, de Laud. Virg.
[314] Exurgens Maria abiit in montana cum festinatione. Luc. ii. 1-39.
[315] Manus illius tornatiles. Cant. v. 14.
[316] Sicut ars tornandi promptior est aliis artibus, sic Maria ad
benefaciendum promptior est aliis sanctis. De Laud. Virg. l. 5.
[317] Omnes consolatur, et tenuiter invocata præsto adest. Blosius in
Cant. Vit. Spir. c. 18.
[318] Inveniens semper paratam auxiliari.
[319] Plus vult illa facere tibi bonum, quam tu accipere concupiscas.
Mar. 1, Serm. 5, de Nom. Mar.
[320] Non enim mater hæc dedignatur peccatorem sicut nec bona mater
filium scabiosum. Quia propter hoc factam se recolit misericordiæ
genitricem. Ubi enim non est miseria, misericordia non habet locum. De
Laud. Virg. lib. 4.
[321] Rev. lib. 4, cap. 49.
[322] Præoccupat, qui se concupiscunt, ut illis se prius ostendat. C. vi.
4.
[323] In Cant. c. 23.
[324] Velocitate præstat.
[325] Velocius occurrit ejus pietas, quam invocetur, et causas miserorum
anticipat. Loc. cit.
[326] Adeo replentur ubera tua misericordia, ut alterius miseriæ notitia
tacta, lac fundant misericordiæ. Nec possis miserias scire, et non
subvenire. In Cant. c. 23.
[327] Luc. ii.
[328] Joan. ii. 3.
[329] Si tam prompta ad auxilium currit non quæsita, quid quæsita
præstitura est. C. 10, Ex. 27.
[330] Quis invocavit eam et non est auditus ab ipsa? Serm. 2, de Ass. B.
V.
[331] Quis unquam, O Beata, fideliter omnipotentem tuam rogavit opem, et
fuit derelictus? Revera nullus unquam. In vita S. Theoph.
[332] Sileat misericordiam tuam, Virgo beata, qui in necessitatibus te
invocatam meminerit defuisse. Serm. 1, de Ass.
[333] Citius cœlum cum terra perierint, quam Maria aliquem serio se
implorantem sua ope destituat. In Spec. c. 12.
[334] Velocior nonnunquam est nostra salus, invocato nomine Mariæ, quam
invocato nomine Jesu. De Exc. V. c. 6.
[335] Quia ad Christum, tanquam judicem, pertinet etiam punire; ad
Virginem tanquam patronam nonnisi misereri. Loc. cit.
[336] Multa petuntur a Deo, et non obtinentur; multa petuntur a Maria et
obtinentur; non quia potentior sed quia Deus eam decrevit sic honorare.
Ap. P. Pep. Grandez, etc.
[337] Nulla erit petitio tua in me, quæ non audiatur. Lib. 1, 80.
[338] Et per te omnes, qui per te petunt misericordiam, cum voluntate se
emendandi, gratiam habebunt. Loc. cit.
[339] Ex omnipotentia mea, Mater, tibi concessi propitiationem omnium
peccatorum, qui devote invocant tuæ pietatis auxilium, qualicumque modo
placeat tibi. Ap. Pep. loc. cit.
[340] Memorare piissima Maria, a sæculo non esse auditum, quemquam ad tua
præsidia confugientem esse derelictum.
[341] Quem ipsa vis salvus erit.
[342] O salus te invocantium.
[343] Inimicitias ponam inter te et mulierem; ipsa conteret caput tuum.
Gen. iii. 15.
[344] Mater Domini Jesu Christi in illa muliere promissa est.
[345] Non pono, sed ponam ne ad Evam pertinere videatur.
[346] Parentibus primis Virginem ab ipsis processuram; quæ afferret majus
bonum quam ipsi perdiderunt. Serm. 2, de Nat. Virg.
[347] Ipsa conteret caput tuum.
[348] Ipse conteret caput tuum.
[349] Sub Mariæ pedibus conculcatus et contritus miseram patitur
servitutem. Serm. in Sign. Magn.
[350] In Eva mors, et caligo; in Maria vita consistit, et lux. Illa a
diabolo victa est; hæc diabolum vicit et ligavit. Ap. Scala Franc. p. 4,
c. 10.
[351] Confidit in ea cor viri sui, et spoliis non indigebit. Prov. xxxi.
11.
[352] Confidit in ea cor viri sui, scilicet Christi. Et spoliis non
indigebit; ipsa enim quasi ditat sponsum suum, quibus spoliat diabolum.
[353] Quasi palma exaltata sum in Cades. Eccli. xxiv. 18.
[354] Scilicet ad defendendum.
[355] Beata Virgo dominatur in regno inferni. Dicitur igitur domina
dæmonum, quasi domans dæmones. Serm. 3, de Glor. Nom. Mar.
[356] Terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata. Cant. vi. 3.
[357] Ego quasi vitis fructificavi suavitatem odoris. Eccli. xxiv. 23.
[358] Aiunt de florescentibus vitibus omne reptile venantium excedere
loco. Serm. 60, in Cant.
[359] Quasi cedrus exaltata sum in Libano. Eccli. xxiv. 17.
[360] Cedrus odore suo fugat serpentes, et beata Virgo dæmones.
[361] Cum elevaretur arca, dicebat Moyses; Surge Domine, et dissipentur
inimici tui. Num. x. 33.
[362] Erat enim ibi arca Dei. 1, Reg. xiv. 18.
[363] Arca continens manna, idest Christum, est B. Virgo, quæ victoriam
contra homines et dæmones largitur. Cornel. à Lap.
[364] Quando elevata fuit Virgo gloriosa a celestia regna, dæmonis
potentia imminuta est et dissipata. Tom. 3, de B. V. Serm. 11.
[365] O quam tremenda est Maria dæmonibus. Spec. Virg. c. 3.
[366] Perfodit in tenebris domos.... Si subito apparuerit aurora;
arbitrantur umbram mortis. Job xxiv. 16, 17.
[367] Perfodiunt in tenebris ignorantiæ domos mentium nostrarum. Si
subito supervenerit aurora, idest Mariæ gratia, et misericordia, sic
fugiunt, sicut omnes fugiunt mortem. In Spec. Virg.
[368] Super omnes etiam malignos spiritus ipsam sic potentem effecit,
quod quotiescumque ipsi hominem Virginis auxilium implorantem
impugnaverint, ad ipsius Virginis nutum illico pavidi procul diffugiunt;
volentes potius suas pœnas multiplicari, quam ejusdem Virginis potentiam
super se taliter dominari. Serm. Ang. c. 20.
[369] Sicut lilium inter spinas, sic amica mea inter filias. Cant. ii. 2.
[370] Sicut lilium valet inter serpentes et venena, sic beatæ Virginis
invocatio singulare est remedium in omni tentatione, præsertim libidinis,
ut experientia constat.
[371] Insuperabilem spem tuam habens, O Deipara, servabor, Persequar
inimicos meos, solam habens ut thoracem protectionem tuam, et omnipotens
auxilium tuum. In Annunc. Dei Gen.
[372] Tu arma omni vi belli potentiora, trophæumque invictum præstitisti.
[373] Per diem in columna nubis, et per noctem in columna ignis. Exod.
xiii. 21.
[374] Ecce duo officia, ad quæ data est nobis Maria, scilicet, ut nos
protegat a calore solis justitiæ, tamquam nubes, et tamquam ignis; ut
omnes nos protegat contra diabolum. Lib. 7, de Laud. Virg.
[375] Fluunt sicut cera a facie ignis, ubi inveniunt crebram hujus
nominis recordationem, devotam invocationem, solicitam imitationem. In
Spec.
[376] In nomine Mariæ omne genuflectitur, et dæmones non solum
pertimescunt, sed, audita hac voce, contremiscunt. Serm. sup. Miss.
[377] Expavescunt cœli reginam spiritus maligni et diffugiunt, audito
nomine ejus, velut ab igne, tamquam tonitru de cœlo factum sit,
prosternuntur ad sanctæ Mariæ vocabulum. L. 4, ad Nov.
[378] Sæpe vidimus et audivimus plurimos homines in suis periculis
nominis recordari Mariæ, et illico omnis periculi malum evasisse. S. Ans.
de Exc. Virg. c. 6.
[379] Gloriosum et admirabile est nomen tuum O Maria; qui illud retinent
non expavescunt in puncto mortis; nam dæmones audientes hoc nomen Mariæ
statim relinquunt animam. In Psalt. B. V.
[380] Non sic timent hostes visibiles castrorum multitudinem copiosam,
sicut æreæ potestates Mariæ vocabulum, et patrocinium. Loc. cit.
[381] Tu servos tuos contra hostis invasiones, sola tui nominis
invocatione tutos servas. Serm. de Zona. Virg.
[382] Satan fugit, infernus contremiscit, cum dico Ave Maria.
[383] Omnes dæmones audientes hoc nomen, Maria, statim relinquunt animam
quasi territi. L. 1, Rev. c. 9.
[384] Et revertuntur ad eam, nisi aliqua emendatio subsequatur. Lib. 1,
Rev. c. 9.
[385] Father Auriemma, Affetti Scambiev. Tom. i. c. 7.
[386] Mach. xv. 14.
[387] Thess. 1, c. v. 25.
[388] Orate pro invicem ut salvemini. C. v. 16.
[389] Gloria filiorum Patres eorum. Prov. xvii. 6.
[390] Non est dubium, quicquid in laudibus matris proferimus, ad filium
pertinere. Hom. 4, Sup. Miss.
[391] Refunditur in filium quod impenditur matri, transfunditur honor in
regem, qui defertur in famulatum reginæ.
[392] Maria fidelissima mediatrix nostræ salutis.
[393] Quomodo non est plena gratia, quæ effecta est paradisi scala, cœli
janua, Dei atque hominum verissima mediatrix? Serm. de Annunc.
[394] Ut dignitas intercessoris suppleat inopiam nostram. Unde Virginem
interpellare, non est de divina misericordia diffidere, sed de propria
indignitate formidare. De Exc. V. c. 6.
[395] Qui vult ut omnia bona ab ipso expectemus, potentissima Virginis
matris intercessione impetranda, cum eam, ut par est, invocamus. Epist.
76, in calce tom. 4, Moral.
[396] Sic est voluntas ejus, qui totum nos habere voluit per Mariam.
[397] Quasi diceret, Nullus sanguinis mei particeps erit, nisi
intercessione matris meæ. Vulnera gratiarum fontes sunt, sed ad nullos
derivabuntur rivi, nisi per Mariæ canalem. Joannes discipule, tantum a me
amaberis, quantum eam amaveris. Theol. mentis, et cord. tom. 2, l. 10, D.
4, c. 1.
[398] 1 Tim. ii. 5.
[399] In me omnis spes vitæ et virtutis.
[400] In me omnis gratia vitæ et veritatis.
[401] Qui me invenerit, inveniet vitam, et hauriet salutem a Domino.
[402] Qui operantur in me, non peccabunt. Qui elucidant me, vitam æternam
habebunt.
[403] Ejus magnalia firmiter credere. Laud. Virg.
[404] Felix namque es, sacra Virgo Maria, et omni laude dignissima.
[405] Plenus aquæductus, ut accipiant cæteri de plenitudine. Serm. de
Aquæd.
[406] Propterea tempore humano generi fluenta gratiæ defuerunt, quod
necdum intercederet is de quo loquimur, tam desiderabilis aquæductus.
Serm. de Aquæd.
[407] Descendit per aquæductum vena illa cœlestis stillicidia gratiæ
arentibus cordibus nostris infundens. Loc. cit.
[408] Intueamini quanto devotionis affectu a nobis eam voluit honorari,
qui totius boni plenitudinem posuit in Maria; ut proinde si quid spei
nobis est, si quid gratiæ, si quid salutis, ab ea noverimus redundare.
Serm. de Nat. Virg.
[409] Per eam de cœlis exivit quidquid gratiæ venit in mundum. P. 4, tit.
15, c. 20.
[410] Quia sicut luna inter corpora cœlestia et terrena est media, et
quod ab illis accipit ad inferiora refundit; sic et Virgo regina inter
nos et Deum est media, et gratiam ipsa nobis refundit. Serm. 74, de Nat.
Dom.
[411] Datum est Mariæ, ut per illam acciperes quicquid haberes. Serm. 3,
in Virg. Nat.
[412] Nullus potest cœlum intrare, nisi per Mariam transeat tamquam per
portam.
[413] In Christo fuit plenitudo gratiæ sicut in capite influente, in
Maria sicut in collo transfundente. Serm. de Ass. B. V.
[414] Per Virginem a capite Christi vitales gratiæ in ejus corpus
mysticum transfunduntur. Serm. 61, de Nat. Virg. c. 8.