6 December 2012 Immaculate Conception Novena Day 7 -- Refuge of sinners Refuge (Latin, ‘fugere’, to flee) often entails escaping from the cold, the dark of night or the approaching storm to warmth, or light, or shelter. In our refuge we find security amidst tumult and defence from our enemies. Our Lady is the best means of protection against every temptation. “All the sins of your life seem to be rising up against you. Don’t give up hope! ... call on your holy Mother Mary, with the faith and abandonment of a child. She will bring peace to your soul.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 498) Mary’s protection in the Sacrament of Penance. “I am the salvation of my people. When they call to me in time of trouble I will listen to their cry.” (‘Entrance Antiphon’, Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary, ‘Mother of Reconciliation’) The Church since early Christianity has usually depicted Our Lady wrapped in a large cloak which she offers as refuge to all people: Popes and kings, businessmen and peasants, men and women from all walks of life. Their common facial expression is profound peace. Refuge of sinners for all Christians. We strive always to beg her assistance especially in times of temptation or difficulties. To instinctively seek her help when we have been fickle to our Lord’s invitations to love or to be more generous. Our Lady is our shortest way to Jesus. After each fall she is always eager to facilitate our beginning again to reconcile us with her Son Jesus. Pope John Paul II affirms: “Mary is truly a cooperator with God in the work of reconciliation through her Divine motherhood.” (John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation, “Reconciliatio et poenitentia”, 56) Theologians often teach Our Lady’s special presence in Sacramental Confession. The grace of redemption in this basis of divine mercy is most fittingly applied to each one of us. Thus the Blessed Mother’s most logical role in it. “If anyone were to separate the co-redemption of Mary from the Sacrament of Penance he would be creating a division between Mary and Christ that never existed. ... Christ himself takes up into his own expiation all the reparatory cooperation of his Mother.” (A Bandera, “Our Lady and the Sacraments”, Madrid 1978) We will always find refuge with our Blessed Mother: “She takes away our fears, enkindles our faith, strengthens our hope and encourages us when we are beset by weaknesses.” (St Bernard, “Homily on the Blessed Virgin Mary”, 7) “Contemplating her spiritual beauty, we renew our effort to free ourselves from the hold of sin. Meditating on her words and example we will hasten to fulfil the commandments of her Son.” (‘Preface’, Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary, ‘Mother of Reconciliation’ ) Holy Mary, ‘Refuge of sinners’ and our strength, grant us the grace to seek your help whenever we stray from the love of your Son. Help us to increase the contrition we have for our own personal sins and for the sins of others. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:324-30 ‘Refuge of sinners. Pray for us.’ On avoiding venial sin Our aim of pleasing our Blessed Lady and of obtaining her special favors, makes us strive for great clarity of conscience primarily by avoiding venial sin which is specially offensive to her. Every venial sin disfigures us in her eyes; it tarnishes the beauty of a soul redeemed by the blood of her Divine Son. Venial sin is in a way cruelty towards our Blessed Lady. An exaggeration? Not so. Sins, mortal or venial, made our Lord suffer. Venial sin can wound His Sacred Heart; and the Mother grieves through the Son. Venial sin separates us from our Blessed Mother. The child who tenderly loves his mother suffers in her absence and longs for the reunion. Thus, St Stanislas and many other saints devoted to Our Lady, sighed to be eternally united to her in heaven after death. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p774 ‘Behold your Mother.’ The cross was raised. The Blessed Mother remained at the feet of her crucified Son, assisting Him during His long agony, with no sign of weakness nor discouragement. Darkness began to extend a dense veil over all nature. Slowly, Calvary was deserted. Soldiers remained with some priests who kept insulting Jesus. Magdalene and St John, beside Mary, shared the agony of her heart. Jesus was crucified between two thieves. What a humiliation for His mother to see Him treated as Dismas and Germas! And yet she, as ‘Refuge of sinners’, was already praying for them. Suddenly, the voice of the dying Jesus broke the silence of Calvary: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34). Seven times Mary heard that voice. For the third time, Jesus broke the silence; it was to make His will of love: “Woman, behold your son; then to His beloved disciple, Behold your mother” (Jn 19:27). Mary’s mission has been proclaimed: she was to be our mother, as we were to be her children. Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p10 St Nicholas, bishop ‘Patron of the poor and of commerce.’ Bishop of Myra (now in Turkey). Martyred under Diocletian, his relics were brought to Bari (Italy). (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1707) His characteristic virtue is charity for the poor. Regarded as the special patron of children; our well-known Santa Claus is a corruption of St Nicholas. The Emperor Justinian built a church in his honor at Constantinople. He has always been honored with great veneration in the Latin and Greek Churches. The Russian Church seems to honor him more than any other saint after the Apostles. Ref: Rev Hugo Hoever, SOCist, PhD, “Lives of the Saints”, p499 • Our Lady of Fouvrière, at Lyons, on the mountain, famous for miracles, and for the extraordinary concourse of the people of that great city, particularly on Saturdays. “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Fouvrière (Lyons, France) (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Notre-Dame de-Fouvrière”. Basilica in Lyons, France. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Seez, built by St. Latuin (5th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Dedication of the church of Our Lady of Seez built by St. Lantuin 5th century. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Notre-Dame de-Séez”. France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)