11 October 2010: Motherhood of Our Lady

(“Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 630)

Our Lady of ‘La Leche’

This devotion dates back to the 16th century in Madrid, Spain where she is known as ‘Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto’ (Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery). Spanish settlers enshrined a replica of the image at St Augustine, Florida, USA. In the Philippines, Jaime Cardinal Sin granted official permission for propagation of the devotion to Our Lady of ‘La Leche’ in 1999 upon suggestion of “Baby” Ticzon Gonzales to Fr N Blanquisco. (“Manila Bulletin”, 21 April 2001, B-5)

Mary, Mother of Peace

‘Implore peace with us.’ Mary’s motherhood is like a final message from the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord.

Birth always speaks of the Mother, of her who gives life ... The first day of the New Year is the day of the Mother. There is no image of the mystery of the birth of the Lord simpler than the image of the Mother with Jesus in her arms.

Is not this image the source of our singular confidence? But there is another image of the Mother with the Son in her arms: the “Pietà”, Mary holding Jesus taken down from the cross. With Jesus, who expired before her eyes ... and, after death, he returned to those arms in which at Bethlehem He was offered as Savior of the world.

I would, therefore, join our prayer for peace with this twofold image: “Mother, you who know what it is to hold the corpse of Your Son in your arms, ... spare all mothers the death of their sons, torments, slavery, the destructions of war, persecutions, ... prison! Preserve the joy of birth to them, of nourishment, of development of man and of his life.

In the name ... of the birth of the Lord, implore peace together with us, with all the beauty and majesty of Your motherhood, which the Church exalts and the world admires. We beg you: be with us at every moment! ... Amen.

Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p45

On Sudden Death

The story of the rich man, especially his sad end, had greatly impressed the crowd. Jesus thus warned them, “Be ready for you know not when the Son of Man will come.” (Lk 12:40)

Nothing is more common than sudden deaths. But are they such a great evil? Certainly not. It is often a grace. Saints have asked it of God as a favor, that they may escape assaults which are common to a long and painful agony. Thus, it is not sudden death which we should fear, but sudden ‘and unprovided’ death. Sudden and in a state of mortal sin.

What is sudden death for the faithful, fervent Christian? An instantaneous passage from this world to the next. What would a sudden restoration of sight be to a blind man? But how feeble a comparison is this to the delight and joy a holy soul must feel at seeing God!

God for whom it has sacrificed so generously, in whose service it has passed so many years, borne so many humiliations, privations, sufferings. That God whom it has always feared to offend, to whom it has constantly referred every affection, every action; whom day and night it has adored, sighing for the time when it should see him face to face. That moment has come.

And shall we dread this moment? Shall we think of sudden death as a calamity, when instantaneously, painlessly, it gives us such unspeakable happiness? To judge by the ordinary course of events, our death will be preceded by a protracted illness. We must, then, learn to be resigned to it, especially to the loneliness we will have to bear; learn to suffer.

Happy is he who, while still healthy, accustoms himself to be left alone; and when in solitude to hold communion with God, with his guardian angel, and the saints. To patiently accept privation and neglect.

If we do not learn this, our lot at the last end will not be a happy one, nor will our conduct be educational.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp634-6

The 15 Promises of Mary: 8. Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.

9. Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.

10. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.

Ref: In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p73

Meditations on the Litany of Loreto

‘Virgin most renowned’ -- The Holy Church proclaims that this divine Mother is ‘most worthy of every praise’. As St Ildephonsus says, ‘all praise given to the Mother redounds to the honor of the Son’.

The Blessed Virgin promises Paradise to him who endeavors to make her known and loved. Thus, Richard of St Laurence writes, ‘all who honor her in this world will be honored by her in the next’.

St Anselm says, ‘that as Mary, by becoming the Mother of God was the means of the salvation of sinners, so are sinners saved by proclaiming her praises’. All cannot be preachers, but all can praise Mary; and speak to relatives and friends in plain words her merits, powers and mercy; thus lead them to devotion towards this divine Mother.

O Queen of heaven, I am determined to do all I can to cause thee to be venerated and loved by all. Accept my desire; help me to execute it. Inscribe me among thy servants; never permit me to become Lucifer’s slave.

Ref: “The Glories of Mary”. In “Documentation Service”, V:321.

Our Lady -- “When you were asked which image of our Lady aroused your devotion most, and you answered with the air of long experience, ‘all of them’, I realized you are a good son. That’s why you are equally moved -- ‘they make me fall in love’, you said -- by all the pictures of your Mother.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 501)

Our Lady the White, in the church of the monastery of the Feuillants, at Ouville, in the district of Caux. This image is much venerated in the country. — Archives of the Monastery. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com).

Our Lady, the White. Ouville, Caux, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html).

Feast: Divine Maternity of Our Lady. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

Our Lady, Mother of the Savior (celebrated by Salvatorians). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm).