A LESSON FOR ALL

Mary is an advocate, who is able to save all

St. Andrew of Crete says, “The Queen of Heaven is so gracious and liberal that she recompenses her servants with the greatest munificence for the most trifling devotion.”

But we need to adhere to Her two important conditions.

·         Our soul should be free from sin and impurity when we offer Her our devotion.  Or else She would address us, as how she dealt with an irreverent soldier, says St. Peter Celestine.

There was this soldier who performed everyday some devotion in honor of our Lady. One day he was very hungry, when Mary appeared to him. She offered him the choicest and delicious meat all in a filthy plate. Though the meat looked appetizing, yet the sight of the filthy plate could not bring him to taste it.

“I am the Mother of God,” She said “and I have come to satisfy your hunger.”

“But, O Lady,” he replied, “I cannot eat from such a dirty plate.”

“And how,” responded Mary, “can you expect Me to acknowledge your devotion, arising from your soul, which is so tarnished with sin.”

The soldier realizing the truth got converted and became a hermit.

Thirty years later, at his death bed, the Blessed Virgin appeared and took him to Heaven.

The condition translates into such as that one must live without sin, or at least have the desire to forsake it then, Blessed Mother will surely help them.

 Whereas, if they continue sinning, on the hope that Mary will save them, he would be considered unfit, unworthy and incapable of Her divine Protection.

·         The second condition: Perseverance in our devotion towards our Mother Mary is essential.

St. Bernard highlights, “Perseverance alone will merit a crown.”

When he was dying, his Jesuit companions crowded the young St. John Bachmans, to solicit him on the most pleasing devotion that they could perform to our Lady; to which the saint replied, “Any devotion, however small, provided it is constant.”

Anyone who is constant in his devotion to Mary, will be Blessed in his confidence and obtain all that he desires.

But as no one is certain of their perseverance, no one before death can be certain of their salvation either.