24 October 2011: Our Lady of Mercy

Her shrine in Macerata, Italy has been credited with saving the people from a pestilence in 1447. (Bob and Penny Lord, “Miracles of the Holy Eucharist”, Vol. I, 68)

St Anthony Mary Claret, bishop
He spread devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary
by his preachings and writings. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1675)

Sensuality impels us towards sin
Our extreme need for mortification arises from that evil which original sin has left in our hearts: sensuality. The innate and violent inclination for all that brings enjoyment to the body, and consequently an inherent aversion for all that hurts us. ‘The imagination and thought of man’s heart are prone to evil from his youth.’
From this vicious inclination, which will last till death, springs every kind of disorderly affection which turns us away from God, our last end. He who does not vigorously resist it by a continual mortification will certainly be its miserable victim in time and eternity.
We feel too keenly this vicious inclination within us. It is constantly impelling us towards disorder --
1. ‘Disorder in sight’: We feel inclined to look at everything, read and observe everything in the house, in the conduct of our brethren. Outside, the objects which strike or please the eye; and from there springs a multitude of rash judgments, temptations, and sins.
2. ‘Disorder of hearing’: Curious to know all the news of the day, all that is said and done, gossip, and rather the evil than the good. From this spring useless conversations, loss of precious time. What is worse, criticisms, murmuring, detraction, indiscretion; an impossibility of recollection, prayer, and meditation.
3. ‘Disorder of the taste, sleep, care of the body’: Is it not true that we feel tempted to exceed the bounds of temperance, the time for sleep, the care which we might reasonably take of our body? These are, then, the effects of sensuality, the disorder which it will certainly bring to all who do not fight against it by mortification.
Sensuality is not only that innate and violent inclination for all that pleases the senses, but also an aversion for all that wearies us. From this proceed offenses of the norm and the consequent scandal; so much negligence in fulfilling our temporal and spiritual duties; imperfection in all our actions; finally, lukewarmness.
No great mental effort is necessary to prove these truths. We find it within us. Let us appeal to our conscience and ask why we do not observe such and such a point of our norm while we observe another. In truth, we might say, ‘We do not dislike it, but the other goes against our taste, character, and habits’.
Why have we given up and forgotten the resolutions of our last retreat? They were founded on good motives, and well conceived to assist our spiritual progress. It is true; but they curtailed our liberty of action.
Why are we negligent in doing our mental prayer properly, in rising promptly, in following our norms? This is humiliating; but we should not get discouraged.
Let us rather avail of them to reanimate our ardor and to renew our spirit of mortification and self-denial. The harder the combat the more glorious the victory!
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp660-62

The Mystery of Silent Sacrifice
To become God-like, to be divinized, we must begin by being very human, accepting from God our condition as ordinary men and sanctifying its apparent worthlessness. Thus did Mary live. She who is full of grace, the object of God’s pleasure, exalted above all the angels and the saints, lived an ordinary life.
Mary is as much a creature as we are, with a heart like ours, made for joy and mirth, suffering and tears. Before Gabriel communicates to her God’s plan, our Lady does not know she has been chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Messiah. She sees herself a humble creature. (cf Lk 1:48) That is why she can acknowledge with full humility, “he who is mighty has done great things” (Lk 1:49) in her.
The purity, humility and generosity of Mary are in sharp contrast to our wretchedness and selfishness. To the extent that we realize this, we should feel moved to imitate her.
We, too, are creatures of God; if we strive to imitate her fidelity, God will surely do great things in us. Our little worth is no obstacle; God chooses what is of little value so that the power of his love be more manifest. (cf 1 Cor 1:27-9)
As we meditate on Mary’s life, we come to understand better the logic of God. We come to realize that the supernatural value of our life does not depend on accomplishing great undertakings suggested to us by our overactive imagination. It is to be found in faithful acceptance of God’s will, in welcoming generously opportunities for small, daily sacrifice.
Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 172

The 15th Promise of Mary:
Devotion to my rosary is a great sign of predestination.
(In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p73)

Meditations on the Litany of Loreto
‘Health of the sick’ -- Mary is called by St Simon Stock ‘the medicine of sinners’; and by St Ephrem, not only medicine, but health itself: ‘Robust health for those who have recourse to her.’
Hence, those who have recourse to Mary not only find in her a remedy, but health itself; and this she herself promises to all who seek her.
Neither let us fear that, on account of the bad odor of our wounds, she may refuse to take care of us. She is our Mother; and as a mother does not shrink from dressing the wound of her child, neither does this celestial physician refuse servants who have recourse to her.
Wherefore, St Bernard says, ‘O Mother of God, you do not disdain a sinner, however loathsome he may be: if he sends up his sighs to you, you will deliver him with your own hand from despair.’
Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:326

• Our Lady of the Hermits, in Switzerland, where there was formerly a small hermitage in the midst of woods occupied by St Meinrad till the Emperor Otho built, a church there, in compliance with an order which he received from heaven. This church contains a small chapel of Our Lady, which was consecrated, it is said, in the year 1418, by Our Lord, accompanied by angels and saints, who performed the functions of ordinary ministers of the church, in the presence of the Blessed Virgin. — Triple Couronne, n, 84. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Hermits / Blessed Madonna of Einsiedeln. Swiitzerland. 1418. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Hermits (Viterbo, Italy 1417). (http://www/mariedenazareth.com)