DISCOVER THE GREATNESS OF MARY

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW MARY COULD HELP YOU LIVE A HOLY LIFE OR GO TO HEAVEN WHEN YOU DIE? READ HERE ABOUT THE GREATNESS OF MARY



“I am counting the Hail Mary’s that you have said; this is the money with which you can pay your way to Heaven.” -Mary's words to Saint Gertrude 

Embracing the Greatness of Mary: How She Guides Us to a Holy Life and Eternal Salvation

Introduction

Within the Catholic faith, Mary, the mother of Jesus, holds a unique and revered position as a source of guidance, intercession, and inspiration. Her greatness extends beyond her role as the Mother of God, as she continues to guide believers on their journey towards holiness and eternal salvation. In this article, we will explore how Mary's greatness can assist individuals in living a holy life and attaining the ultimate goal of heaven.

A Model of Holiness

Mary's life serves as a profound example of holiness and virtue. Her unwavering faith, humility, obedience, and purity make her an ideal role model for all Christians seeking to grow in holiness. By contemplating and imitating her virtues, individuals can learn valuable lessons about surrendering to God's will, cultivating a deep prayer life, and embracing virtues such as patience, kindness, and selflessness.

Intercession and Prayer

Mary's greatness lies in her powerful intercession on behalf of humanity. As a loving and compassionate mother, she intercedes for her children before the throne of God. Catholics believe that Mary's prayers are particularly efficacious, as she holds a special place in the heart of her Son, Jesus Christ. By seeking Mary's intercession, individuals can find strength, guidance, and the grace needed to live a holy life.

Encouragement in Difficult Times

Throughout history, many individuals have found solace and encouragement through their devotion to Mary. She is known as the Comforter of the Afflicted and the Help of Christians, offering a compassionate and loving presence during times of trial, sorrow, and struggle. Turning to Mary in moments of difficulty can provide comfort, hope, and the assurance that we are not alone in our struggles.

Protection from Evil

Mary's greatness is manifested in her role as the Mother of God and the Queen of Heaven. Catholics believe that she is a powerful protector against evil and a defender of souls. By seeking her intercession and wearing sacramentals such as the Miraculous Medal or the Brown Scapular, individuals can invoke Mary's protection and entrust themselves to her loving care, shielding them from spiritual dangers and helping them resist temptation.

Mediation of God's Graces

Mary, as the Mediatrix of All Graces, is believed to play a significant role in dispensing God's abundant graces to humanity. Through her intercession, she brings us closer to her Son, Jesus Christ, and facilitates the reception of divine blessings. By fostering a personal relationship with Mary and entrusting ourselves to her care, we open ourselves to the outpouring of God's grace, which empowers us to lead holy lives and grow in our spiritual journey. 

The Sinner’s Bouquet to the Blessed Virgin.

It is related in the life of the Curé d’Ars that on one occasion, a lady, a perfect stranger to him, asked him to pray for her husband, a careless Catholic, who had just died suddenly and without receiving the Sacraments. “He was so careless, Father,” she said, weeping; “he did not go to his duties, and whatever will become of him?” “Madam,” replied the saintly Priest, “do you not remember the bouquet of flowers he picked every Saturday to decorate Our Lady’s Altar? In return Our Blessed Lady obtained for him the Grace to make an Act of Perfect Contrition before dying, and he is saved”. This filled the woman with true happiness and love for the Mercy of Our Lord and Lady.

How A Sinful Priest Was Saved From God’s Justice Through Mary.

When St. Francis Borgia was in Rome, an ecclesiastic came to speak with him; but the saint being much occupied, sent Father Acosta to him. The ecclesiastic said to him:
“Father, I am a Priest and a preacher, but I live in sin, and distrust the Divine Mercy. After preaching a sermon one day against the obstinate, who afterwards despair of pardon, a person came to me to make his Confession, who narrated to me all my sins, and at length told me that he despaired of the Divine Mercy. In order to do my duty, I told him that he must change his life, and trust in God; then that penitent rose to his feet and reproached me, saying:
‘And you, who preach thus to others, why do you not amend, and why do you distrust? Know, said he, that I am an Angel come to your aid; amend and you will be pardoned’.
And when he had said this he disappeared. I abstained for several days from my sinful practices, but when temptation came I again returned to my sins. On another day, as I was celebrating Mass, Jesus Christ sensibly spoke to me from the Host, and said:
‘Why do you maltreat Me, when I treat you so well?’
After this I resolved to amend, but at the next temptation fell again into sin. A few hours ago, a youth came to me in my apartment, and drew from under his mantle a chalice, and from this a Consecrated Host, saying:
Do you know this Lord whom I hold in my hand? Do you remember how many favours He has done you? Now behold the punishment of your ingratitude’,
and saying this he drew a sword to kill me. I then cried and said For the love of Mary do not kill me, for I will indeed amend. And then he said:
‘This was the only thing you could have said to save yourself, make a good use of this Grace, for this is the last mercy for you’.
When he had said this he left me, and I came immediately here, praying you to receive me among you.”
Father Acosta consoled him, and the Priest, by the advice also of St. Francis, entered another order of strict observance, where he persevered in Holiness till his death.

The Power of the Stabat Mater.

In the city of Cesena there lived two very bad men who were friends. One of them, named Bartholomew, in the midst of all his vices practised the devotion of reciting every day the *“Stabat Mater” in honor of the Sorrowful Mary.

Once when he was repeating this hymn, Bartholomew had a vision, in which he seemed to stand with his sinful companion in a lake of fire, and saw the most Holy Virgin, moved to pity, offer Her hand and take him from the flames. She directed him to seek pardon from Jesus Christ, who showed himself willing to pardon him through the prayers of His Mother. The vision ended, and Bartholomew at the moment heard the intelligence that his friend had been mortally wounded and was dead. Then he knew the truth of the vision, and quitting the world, entered the order of Capuchins, where he led a most austere life, and died in the fame of sanctity.
*The Stabat Mater is a 13th-century Christian hymn to Mary, which portrays her suffering as Jesus Christ‘s mother during his crucifixion. Its author may be either the Franciscan friarJacopone da Todi or Pope Innocent III. The title comes from its first line, Stabat Mater dolorosa, which means “the sorrowful mother was standing”

Mary Saves a Man in Mortal Sin.

A certain canon, while he was repeating some devotions in honor of the Divine Mother, fell into the river Seine and was drowned, and being in mortal sin, the devils came to take him to hell. But Mary appeared at the same time, and said to them:
“How have you dared to take possession of one who died praising Me?”
Then turning to the sinner, She said:
“Repent, and be particularly devout to My Conception.”
He was restored to life, became a religious, and never ceased to thank his deliverer, and everywhere to propagate the devotion to Her Immaculate Conception.

Saved From Hell by Mother Mary

A noble youth, named Eschylus, being sent by the prince his Father to Hildesheim, a city of Saxony, to study, abandoned himself to a dissolute life. He fell ill, and was near dying, and while in that state he had a vision. He saw himself shut up in a furnace of fire, and believed himself to be already in hell and then he escaped from it through a hole and took refuge in a great place, where he found the most Holy Mary in the hall, and She said to him:

“Rash man, dost thou dare to appear before Me? Depart from here and go to the flames which Thou dost merit.”
The young man besought the Virgin to have mercy on him, and then turned to some persons who were near, and implored them to recommend him to Mary. They did so, and the divine Mother answered:
“You do not know the sinful life he has led, and that he had not even thought of saying a Hail Mary in My Honor.”
But his advocates answered:
“Oh Lady, he will change his life” and the youth added:
“Yes, I promise really to amend, and I will be Thy servant.”
Then the Virgin’s anger was appeased, and She said to him:
“Well, I accept your promise be faithful to Me, and meanwhile, with My Blessing, be delivered from hell and death.”
When She had said this, the Virgin disappeared. Eschylus came to himself, and blessing Mary, related to others the Grace he had received. He lived ever after a Holy life, always preserving a great affection towards the Blessed Virgin, and was made Archbishop of the Church of Lude, in Denmark, where he converted many to the Faith. Towards the close of his life, being old, he resigned from being the Archbishop and became a Monk of Clairvaux, where he lived four years, and died a Holy death. Hence he has been numbered by some writers among the saints of the Cistercian order.

The Gifts of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In the country of Normandy, a certain robber was beheaded, and his head was thrown into a trench. But afterwards, it was heard crying: “Mary, give me Confession.” A Priest went to him and heard his confession and questioning him as to his practices of devotion, the robber answered that he had no other except that of fasting one day of the week in honor of the Holy Virgin, and that for this our Lady had obtained for him the Grace to be delivered from hell by that Confession.

The Power of a Hail Mary

There was once in Germany, a certain criminal condemned to death, but he was obstinate and refused to make his Confession, though a Jesuit father did his utmost to convert him. He entreated him, he wept, he cast himself at his feet; but seeing that all was in vain, he finally said:
“Let us recite a Hail Mary.”
No sooner had the criminal recited it than he began to cry bitterly, made his confession with much compunction, and wished to die clasping the image of Mary.

The Grace of a Hail Mary

In the city of Spain, there lived a sinful man who had given himself to the devil, and had never been to confession. He did nothing good but say a “Hail Mary” every day. Father Eusebius Nierembergh relates, that when this man was at the point of death the most holy Virgin appeared to him in a dream and looked on him, her kind eyes so changed him that he immediately sent for a Confessor, made his Confession with a voice broken by sobs, made a vow to become a religious if he should live, and then died.

A Letter from Mary

Young Lady Jane was as sweet as she was lovely. Being the daughter of a prince, the whole world lay before her, full of possibilities. At a young age, Jane chose the road less traveled, that of giving her life to her Savior as His bride. With her parents’ blessings, she entered a Monastery, not too distant from her ancestral home. Sadly, the discipline of this monastery was so relaxed, that, although she was a young person of good intentions, she advanced but little in virtue.

But her Divine Spouse watched over Jane and sent her a blessing in the form of a Holy confessor. This devout man of God recognized Jane’s plight, (though she herself did not), and with all seriousness implored her to pray the Rosary every day.

Conclusion

Mary's greatness within the Catholic faith is multifaceted and profound. Through her example, intercession, and mediation of God's graces, she guides us toward a life of holiness and offers assistance in our pursuit of eternal salvation. Embracing her greatness involves seeking her intercession, studying her virtues, and cultivating a personal relationship with her as a loving mother and spiritual guide. By embracing the greatness of Mary, we can find the strength, guidance, and support necessary to live holy lives and ultimately attain the eternal joys of heaven. 

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