How can Mary help us as our Heavenly Mother? (8)

She is our Guide

In St Bridget’s revelations, Mary is called ‘the star going before the sun’, which means, when a sinful soul begins her devotion to Our Lady, it is a certain sign that God will soon come to enrich her with His grace. Mary is our mother, and desires our salvation more than we desire it ourselves. Even if he is a sinner, but if he commends himself to this good mother with perseverance and have a desire for amendment, she will take care to obtain light for him to guide him out of his bad state, contrition for his sins, perseverance in goodness, and finally a happy death. Because is there any good mother who would not rescue her child from death, if she could do it by praying to his judge for mercy? Mary is also called ‘Star of the sea’ by the holy Church. Just like navigators are guided to port by means of a star, we Christians are guided to heaven by means of Mary. One day, St Mary Magdalene de Pazzi saw a small ship in the middle of the sea with all the servants of Mary sheltered inside it, Mary was the one who steered the ship and conducted them safely to the port. The saint then understood that those who live under the protection of Mary are rescued, in the midst of all the dangers of this life, from the shipwreck of sin, and from damnation, for by her they are guided in safety to the port of paradise. Let us strive to enter this blessed little ship of Mary’s mantle, and there let us dwell secure of the kingdom of heaven.

‘If the winds of temptation arise, if you run into the reefs of trials, look to the star, call upon Mary. In danger, sorrow, or perplexity, think of Mary, call upon Mary.’ ‘Following Mary, you cannot go astray; if Mary protects you, you cannot fear being lost; if Mary favours you, you will arrive at paradise.’

(St Bernard)

(Reference: ‘The Glories of Mary’ by St Alphonsus Liguori)