Ave Maria

Since this the First Saturday, I thought I'd add something I found concerning Mary, our Blessed Mother.




"Hail, full of grace."--Luke, 1: 28


MARY, FULL OF GRACE FOR HERSELF AND FOR US
by Rev. John Evangelist Zollner, 1884

Of all the eulogies pronounced upon the Blessed Virgin Mary, even during her earthly life, there is scarcely one greater and more significant than that with which God himself saluted her on this day, by the mouth of the Archangel Gabriel: "Hail, full of grace." On account of the incomparable dignity of her divine Maternity Mary received a plenitude of grace; her soul resembles a vessel filled to its utmost capacity with a precious fluid. She enjoys more graces than all the angels and saints, she possesses in an eminent degree faith, hope, charity, humility, chastity, obedience and all other virtues, her memory is full of holy thoughts, her understanding highly enlightened, her will zealous, animated by the most ardent love of God. "Mary in the first moment of her conception received more prerogatives and graces than the souls of all the saints, nay, even more than all the choirs of angels, because she was more loved by God than all the saints and angelic spirits."--Suarez. And why should she not have received a far greater measure of grace than all the angels and saints, since these were only servants of God, whilst we venerate Mary as the Mother of God. We shall to-day place Mary before our eyes, and consider that she is full of grace

I. For herself
II. For us.


Part I.

Mary is full of grace for herself, because she received the fulness of all grace, wherefore the Angel salutes her with the words: "Hail, full of grace." In considering grace we distinguish four kinds: The uncreated grace, sanctifying grace, the grace bestowed gratuitously, and the grace of assistance. Mary possessed these four kinds of grace in the fullest measure.

1. The uncreated grace. By this we understand God himself, who dwells in the soul of the just man, as Christ himself says: "If any man love me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make an abode with him."--John, 14: 23. The Apostle also says: "Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?"--1. Cor. 3: 16. Mary possessed this grace in a wonderful manner, because the Son of God, true God, assumed human flesh of her through the power of the Holy Ghost and dwelt nine months in her womb. This is the great and important day on which the only-begotten Son of God became man in her and remained in her until Christmas, the feast of His blessed Nativity. To this uncreated grace which Mary received on this day, St. Ambrose refers, when he says: It is with justice that Mary alone is called full of grace because she was the only one who obtained that grace, which no other creature had merited, to be filled with the author of all grace, God Himself. This uncreated grace is imparted to us in a similar manner; for faith teaches that in holy Communion we truly and really receive Jesus Christ, with His divinity and humanity. In a certain sense we are more favored than the Blessed Mother of God, for whilst she received Jesus Christ, the Son of God, only once, when he became man, we can receive him in the Most Holy Sacrament as often as our devotion prompts us. What a happiness, what a blessing! Oh, that you would often become participants of this grace. Oh, that you might not do, as those lukewarm Catholics who approach the table of the Lord only once a year, and even then more from compulsion, than from free choice or an interior impulse. Oh. that you would frequently, as often as possible, or as often as your father confessor finds it expedient, approach the holy table and receive Jesus, the author and dispenser of all grace.

2. Sanctifying grace, which sanctifies man, making him a child of God and an heir of heaven. Man receives this grace first in the Sacrament of Baptism; if he lose it he can recover it in the Sacrament of Penance. Mary obtained this sanctifying grace in the very first instant of her conception. She remained, as faith teaches, perfectly free from original sin, and was always holy, a child of grace. But she received sanctifying grace in a more abundant measure than all other men, yea, than all the angels of heaven ; her soul was, as it were, replete with this grace. Hence St. Jerome says: "This grace was imparted to other creatures, as it were, in drops, but the plenitude of grace was infused into Mary. Because Mary has been exalted above angels and men on account of her dignity as Mother of God, it was but proper that the Lord should communicate to her a greater measure of grace than to men and angels."

 

Thus Mary, as a child, nay, even in the very first instant of her life, excelled the saints and angels in holiness, and during her life she increased sanctifying grace in her in a measure far exceeding that attained by any saint. There was not a day, nor an hour, no, not even a minute, in which she did not gain merits. If her hands were resting and her mouth did not speak the praise of God, her heart was nevertheless active, for she unceasingly made acts of faith, hope, humility, obedience and love. Thus Mary increased sanctifying grace within her to an almost infinite degree so that in her it resembles the sea, whose waters, although they are not immeasurable, cannot be measured. Sanctifying grace is the most precious treasure to be found on earth. If we possess it, God loves us, regards us as his children, and promises us heaven with its eternal joys for our inheritance. What can be imagined more glorious? In order to merit sanctifying grace for us Christ shed His blood on the cross. Recognize in the price He paid the value of the grace! What are we if we do not possess sanctifying grace? Children of wrath, slaves of Satan, enemies of God and a prey to hell. Can a greater evil be imagined than to be deprived of sanctifying grace? Faith teaches that sanctifying grace is lost by every mortal sin. What then is there that we should shun so much as mortal sin? To forfeit the good opinion of our fellow-men, to lose honor and good name, house, home, our entire substance, health, even life itself--rather than commit a mortal sin. Endeavor also to increase sanctifying grace; practise Christian virtues, conscientiously fulfil the duties of religion and of your state of life, often receive the Sacraments, do and suffer everything for God's sake; these are means by which sanctifying grace is increased.

3. The grace bestowed gratuitously, by which we understand that grace which is given to one, not so much for his own salvation as for the benefit of his fellow-men. To this belong the gifts of miracles, of prophecy, and of tongues. The Apostles received these gifts on WhitSunday, and many other saints, especially missionaries, have received them, and still receive them for the conversion of infidels. Mary also received these gifts in all their fulness. An evident proof of this, not to mention other things, is the numberless miracles which God has wrought by the intercession of Mary, throughout the whole world, for the last eighteen hundred years. Who is the saint or angel, of whom Church history reports so many miracles as of the Blessed Virgin Mary? Through Mary more miracles have probably been wrought than through all the angels and saints together. God does not impart these extraordinary gifts of grace to all men, but only to those who need them for the promotion of His honor and the salvation of souls. We who do not need such gifts must not ask them of God, as they might become injurious to us did we possess them. Thus a certain Franciscan monk, named Justin, whom God had favored with extraordinary graces, especially with the gift of prayer, so that he was often raised from the earth in his devotions, was led astray by pride, thought himself better than his brethren, would not hear of obedience, left the Order, committed great crimes in the world and died an impenitent sinner. Let us not desire gifts which in our imperfection might lead us astray, but let us ask God for those graces only which we need for the salvation of our souls.

4. Finally, the grace of assistance, by which God enlightens our understanding and moves our will to avoid evil and to will and perform that which is good. There is no doubt that God imparted this grace to the Blessed Virgin Mary in a more abundant measure than to all other human beings. As Mother of God she was to surpass the saints in holiness and merits; she was to be the queen of angels and saints, for which a great measure of grace was needed. Mary was never to commit the least venial sin during her whole life, she was to preserve to her last breath, the first grace imparted to her; for this end she needed extraordinary graces, because with ordinary ones it is impossible to avoid venial sins throughout one's whole life. Mary most zealously employed every grace she received for the honor and glory of God and her own salvation; now it is certain that God communicates His graces the more abundantly the better we employ them. From this it is evident that Mary received far more, and greater graces than all other men. God gives us also as many graces as we need to work out our salvation. He wills the salvation of all men; but because this is not possible without the assistance of His grace, it follows that He gives all the graces necessary for salvation. But that grace may be for our salvation, we must diligently co-operate with it, for He who has created us without our assistance will not save us without our co operation. Consider that you must give an account of every grace which you receive. This will be a difficult task. Avail yourself of the graces given you to preserve you from sin, to extirpate evil inclinations, to fulfil your duties, to progress in virtue and to acquire merits for heaven. Pray daily to God to give you the grace of persevering in His love and friendship to the end of your life and of thus saving your souls.

Part II.

Mary is also full of grace for us. St. Thomas of Aquin says: "Mary is full of grace not only for herself but also for all men." We must, therefore, have recourse to her in all our necessities with the greatest confidence,

1. In all temporal concerns. 

The history of all Christian times testifies, that through Mary's intercession evils of every kind have been averted, storms calmed, sicknesses healed, hostile armies conquered and whole empires saved. A multitude of churches, chapels, and sanctuaries in cities and villages, are monuments of special favors obtained through the mediation of Mary, of renowed miracles wrought by the invocation of her name. And many of the feasts which we celebrate during the course of the year, are they not solemn testimonies of the gratitude of the Catholic world towards the Queen of Heaven for the frequent wonderful rescue of Christendom from the invasion of barbarous nations, schisms, internal wars and other evils. Therefore we call her in the Litany: The help of Christians, the health of the weak, and the comfortress of the afflicted, expressions which clearly assert that Mary procures for us help in our various necessities. Who could recount the miraculous cures of the most malignant evils and sicknesses which have been effected by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary? Who does not know, that St. Adalbert, bishop of Prague, St. Nicholas Tolentine. St. Philip Neri, and numberless other saints call her their saviour in the greatest sicknesses? If we repair to her holy shrines we shall find a multitude of votive tablets and pictures which testify to the wonderful cures effected through Mary's intercession. How many afflicted with various bodily infirmities and evils, how many lame, blind and sick of various diseases have obtained their health in a miraculous manner at these holy shrines (Lourdes in France, Loretto in Italy)? Since Mary is so powerful and renders us such ready assistance in all corporal necessities, let us have recourse to her with confidence, for, as St. Bonaventure says, that when no human power can help us. Mary comes to our assistance, and will certainly exercise her influence, help and protection if what we desire be conducive to the salvation of our souls.

2. In spiritual concerns.

(a) She obtains the grace of conversion for sinners. As we read in the history of the creation (Gen. i: i6): "God made two great lights: a greater light to rule the day, and a lesser light to rule the night." In the spiritual sense the holy Fathers understand by the greater light, the sun, Jesus Christ, whose light the just enjoy, who walk in the light of grace; by the lesser light, the moon, they understand Mary, because by her, sinners who walk in the darkness of sin are enlightened. Pope Innocent III. asks: "What, therefore, must the sinner do?" And he answers: "Because, having lost grace, he is deprived of the light of the sun, let him turn to the moon, let him invoke Mary; she will surely enlighten him, that he may know his miserable condition, and will obtain for him strength to forsake his evil ways." In the Old Law there were certain cities of refuge in which criminals, who fled thither, were protected against the fury of the avenger. A similar place of refuge the sinner has in Mary, wherefore St. John Damascene calls her the refuge of all who flee to her. St. Methodius assures us that numberless sinners are continually converted through the intercession of Mary. Another spiritual writer says: "Mary rejects no sinner who has recourse to her, no matter how deeply he may be buried in vice. She reconciles to her Son all who ask her intercession, and obtains pardon for them." If you should have the misfortune to fall into a grievous sin, immediately have recourse to Mary and cease not to besiege her with prayers and sighs until she has obtained forgiveness for you. Be on your guard afterwards against any relapse, and as fervent penitents work out your salvation.

(b) She assists us in temptation. How powerful the Blessed Virgin is over Satan, the holy Scripture testifies. Therein God says to the serpent, which is the devil: "I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head."--Gen. 3: 15. Mary, the Blessed Mother of God, is continually crushing his head, frustrating all the designs of the devil and his associates to captivate souls by sin and to plunge them into perdition. Instead of capturing men he is captured by this powerful Queen, and like a chained slave must obey the commands of the Blessed Virgin. We read in the Old Testament that God conducted the children of Israel out of Egypt into the Land of Promise by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In this wonderful pillar the Fathers again recognize a type of Mary; they find that it symbolizes the two offices of Mary which she continually exercises for our salvation; for she shields us like a cloud from the fire of divine justice, and like a fire from the power of the devil. Therefore the holy Fathers and spiritual writers exhort us to have recourse to Mary in all temptations. "If the wind of temptation assail you, if you run upon the rocks of adversity, lift up your eyes toward that star--invoke the Blessed Virgin. In dangers, in extremities, in matters of doubt, think of the Blessed Virgin; let her not depart from your mouth, nor from your heart, and that you may obtain the assistance of her intercession, fail not to follow her example."--St. Bernard. In all temptations have recourse to the powerful Virgin and Mother of God, invoke her name with confidence, and you also will experience how powerful Mary is, and how much hell and its associates tremble at the mention of her name.

(c) She comes to our assitance in the hour of death. The most important of hours is the hour of death; it may be, that then we shall be engaged in the most vehement struggles. Then the words of Holy Writ are applicable: "The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time." In this important hour the devil will not be satisfied to tempt us by himself alone, he will also call his associates to his assistance, in order with increased power to attack and ruin the soul. In our dying hour we need extraordinary succor, and Mary will afford it to us. We daily pray to her for it when we say: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us now, and at the hour of our death." Oh! how many reverers of Mary have already experienced the powerful assistance of the Queen of heaven in the hour of death! Many would have despaired, if Mary had not come to their assistance. St. Vincent Ferrer says: "The exalted queen of heaven receives the souls of her faithful servants under her mantle; she accompanies them to the judgment-seat of her Son and becomes there their advocate." If we fervently venerate Mary we may hope to experience her powerful help at our death. She will raise us up, console, comfort and strengthen us, that we may overcome the temptations and suggestions of the evil spirit, and depart this life in peace. "This good Mother," says St. Alphonsus Liguori, "does not forsake her faithful servants in their sufferings, and above all in the struggle of death, when the greatest sufferings that we have to endure upon earth come upon us; for since Mary wishes to be our life, as long as we are in exile upon earth, so will she be our sweetness in the hour of our death, obtaining for us a sweet and holy end."

PERORATION  (conclusion)

Thus Mary is full of grace both for herself and for us. She is full of grace for herself, for God, in view of her high dignity, has communicated to her a greater measure of grace than to all the angels and saints. Let us, therefore, venerate her more than all the angels and saints. Let us celebrate her feasts with a holy joy, let us daily say some prayer in her honor, especially the "Angelus Domini," three times a day, and the Rosary on Saturday. Mary is also full of grace for us; she is our powerful and merciful mother, always inclined to assist us in corporal and spiritual necessities. Let us, therefore, place our confidence in Mary and never fail to recommend ourselves daily to her maternal protection. I conclude with the prayer of the Church: "Holy Mary! succor the miserable, help the pusillanimous, comfort the mournful, pray for the people, intercede for the clergy, pray for the devout female sex, and let all experience thy intercession who celebrate the feast of thy Annunciation." Amen.

Hymn from the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Remember, O Creator Lord,
That in the Virgin's sacred womb
Thou wast conceived, and of her flesh
Didst our mortality assume.

Mother of grace! O Mary blest!
To thee, sweet fount of life, we fly;
Shield us through life, and take us hence,
To thy dear bosom, when we die.

O Jesu! born of Virgin bright!
Immortal glory be to Thee,
Praise to the Father infinite,
And Holy Ghost eternally. Amen.

The Angelus: V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. Hail, Mary etc.

V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us. Hail, Mary etc.

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

(The Faithful who at dawn, at noon and in the evening, or as soon thereafter as possible, devoutly recite the Angelus, with the appropriate versicles, and prayer, may gain an indulgence of 10 years each time for themselves or the Holy Souls in Purgatory.)