Today the Church celebrates the name of Mary, a name we call on in all of our needs. As the poet Hopkins assures us, Mary has "one work to do - let all God's glory through." Her desire is always to bring us closer to her Son. As Saint Bernard will remind us:
If squalls of temptations arise, or you fall upon the rocks of tribulation, look to the star, call upon Mary.
If you are tossed by the waves of pride or ambition,
detraction or envy, look to the star, call upon Mary.
If anger or avarice or the desires of the flesh dash against the ship of your soul, turn your eyes towards Mary.
If, troubled by the greatness of your sins, ashamed of your guilty conscience, terrified by dread of judgment, you begin to sink into the gulf of sadness or the abyss of despair, think of Mary.
In dangers, in anguish, in doubt, think of Mary; call upon Mary.
Let her be ever on your lips, ever in your heart; and the better to obtain the help of her prayers, imitate the example of her life.
Following her, you will not stray;
invoking her, you will not despair;
thinking of her, you will not wander;
upheld by her, you will not fall;
shielded by her, you will not fear;
guided by her, you will not get weary;
favored by her, you will reach the goal.
And you will experience for yourself how good is that saying: 'And the Virgin's name was Mary'
If anger or avarice or the desires of the flesh dash against the ship of your soul, turn your eyes towards Mary.
If, troubled by the greatness of your sins, ashamed of your guilty conscience, terrified by dread of judgment, you begin to sink into the gulf of sadness or the abyss of despair, think of Mary.
In dangers, in anguish, in doubt, think of Mary; call upon Mary.
Let her be ever on your lips, ever in your heart; and the better to obtain the help of her prayers, imitate the example of her life.
Following her, you will not stray;
invoking her, you will not despair;
thinking of her, you will not wander;
upheld by her, you will not fall;
shielded by her, you will not fear;
guided by her, you will not get weary;
favored by her, you will reach the goal.
And you will experience for yourself how good is that saying: 'And the Virgin's name was Mary'
Drawing by Giuseppe Cesare.
