VIRGIN AND SAINTS. The Blessed Mary. (From the Roman Breviary.) The September Festivals. The Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary. Sermon of the Abbot Saint Lecture 4. SHE is, therefore, that noble star sprung from Jacob, whose ray illuminates the whole world; whose splendour both shines in the heavens and penetrates hell, pervading the earth, and warming our minds rather than our bodies. Lecture 5. O thou, whosoever thou art, who understandest that thou dost rather fluctuate in the stream of this life, amidst storms and tempests, than walk over the earth, turn not thine eyes away from the splendour of this star, if thou desirest not to be overwhelmed with storms. If the winds of temptation rise against thee, if you run upon the rocks of tribulation, look to this star, call upon Mary. If you are cast upon the waves of pride, ambition, detraction, or emulation, look to this star, call upon Mary. If anger, or avarice, or the enticements of the flesh, strike against the vessel of the mind, look to B. MARIA. Festa Septembris. Dominica infra Octavum Nativitatis beatæ Mariæ Virginis. Sermo Sancti Bernardi Abbatis. Lectio 4. IPSA est igitur nobilis illa stella ex Jacobo orta, cujus radius universum orbem illuminat; cujus splendor et præfulget in supernis et inferos penetrat, terras etiam perlustrans, et calefaciens magis mentes, quàm corpora. Lectio 5. O quisquis te intelligis in bujus seculi profluvio magis inter procellas et tempestates fluctuare, quam per terram ambulare, ne avertas oculos a fulgore hujus sideris, si non vis obrui procellis. Si insurgant venti tentationum, si incurras scopulos tribulationum, respice stellam, voca Mariam. Si jactaris superbiæ undis, si ambitionis, si detractionis, si æmulationis, respice stellam, voca Mariam. Si iracundia, aut avaritia, aut carnis illecebra naviculam concusserit mentis, respice ad Mariam. Si criminum immanitate turbatus, conscientiæ fœditate confusus, judicii horrore perterritus, barathro incipias As the adorable heart of Jesus was formed in the chaste womb of the blessed Virgin, and of her blood and substance, so we cannot in a more proper and agreeable manner show our devotion to the sacred heart of the Son, than by dedicating some part of the said devotion to the ever pure heart of the mother. For you have two hearts here united in the most strict alliance and tender conformity of sentiments, so that it is not in nature to please the one, without making yourself agreeable to the other, and acceptable to both. Go, then, devout client, go to the heart of Jesus, but let your way be through the heart of Mary. The sword of grief, which pierced her soul, opens you a passage; enter by the wound love has made; advance to the heart of Jesus, and rest there even to death itself. Presume not to separate and divide two objects so intimately one, or united together, but ask redress in all your exigencies from the heart of Jesus, and ask this redress through the heart of Mary. This form and method of worship is the doctrine and the very spirit of God's church: it is what she teaches us in the unanimous voice and practice of the faithful, who will by no means that Jesus and Mary should be separated from each other in our prayers, praises, and affections. This consideration has engaged the sovereign pontiff's and head pastors of the church to give the selfsame sanction to the pious practices instituted in honour of the sacred heart of Mary, as they give to those of the adorable heart of Jesus, both within their proper limits. They both have equally their feasts and solemnities, both their associations, and those too equally enriched with the treasures of the church, under the liberal dispensation of its governors. Many are the pious and virtuous souls, who have drawn most signal fruit and advantages from these devotions. Come, then, hardened and inveterate sinner, how great soever your crimes may be! come and behold! Mary stretches out her hand, opens her breast to receive you. Though insensible to the great concerns of your salvation, though unfortunately proof against the most engaging invitations and inspirations of the Holy Ghost, fling yourself at the feet of this powerful advocate. Her throne, though so exalted, has nothing forbidding, nothing dreadful; her heart is all love, all tenderness. If you have the least remains of confidence and reliance on her protection, doubt not she will carry you through her own most blessed heart in the most speedy and most favourable manner, to the truly merciful and most sacred heart of her Son Jesus. Section 2. Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Mary. O holy mother of God, glorious queen of heaven and earth! I choose thee this day for my mother, my queen, and my advocate at the throne of thy divine Son. Various Salutations and Benedictions to the honour of our Blessed Lady-p. 205. 9. Hail, Mary, lady and mistress of the world, to whom all has been given, both in heaven and earth. power Hail, Mary, queen of my heart, my mother, my life, my sweetness, and my love. |