Saturday, April 22, 2006

Saturday - Day of Our Lady

"Of having frequent recourse to Mary" from "The glories of Mary" by St. Alphonsus of Liquori

Of all devotions, there is none so pleasing to our Mother as that of having frequent recourse to her intercession, seeking her help in all our wants; for example, when we give or ask advice, in dangers, afflictions, and temptations; and particularly in temptations against purity. The Divine Mother will then certainly deliver us, if we have recourse to her with the antiphon, ' We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genetrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. '; or by only invoking the most holy name of Mary, which has particular power against the devils. Blessed Santi, of the order of Saint Francis, being once tempted with an impure thought, had recourse to Mary: she immediately appeared to him, and placing her hand on his breast delivered him. It is also useful on these occasions to kiss or press to our heart our rosary or scapular, or to look at an image of the Blessed Virgin. It is well also to know that Benedict XIII granted fifty days' indulgence to those who pronounce the names of Jesus and Mary.