It was correspondence to Grace which was Mary's grandest grace. It is her correspondence to grace which interprets and accounts for her immense holiness. It was her correspondence to grace which made her sanctity congruous to her unparalleled exaltation. If we willl be but as faithful to our little graces as she was to her great ones, we shall at last draw near to her, or what we may call near.
-- Father Faber
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Ladder of Heaven
Mary was made the ladder of heaven, for by her God came down to earth, that by her men might merit to mount up to heaven.
-- St. Fulgentius
-- St. Fulgentius
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
First Novena
It was the first novena of the Church on earth. Saints and penitents, rulers and subjects, were gathered in that one room, whose narrow precincts held the best that earth had of faith, hope, and charity.
At length, on the tenth day, the answer came, suddenly, as a mighty rushing wind. One moment the Spirit hung over the head of Mary, His spouse, then broke upon the heads of all present in cloven tongues of fire.
Twice already -- at her conception and at the Annunciation -- the Holy Ghost had descended on Mary's soul; but this third sanctification was for ourselves as well. At Pentecost the living Church was perfected in truth and grace, and Mary offered to her Son the first fruits of His harvest. The apostles were transformed.
-- Miniature Life of Mary
At length, on the tenth day, the answer came, suddenly, as a mighty rushing wind. One moment the Spirit hung over the head of Mary, His spouse, then broke upon the heads of all present in cloven tongues of fire.
Twice already -- at her conception and at the Annunciation -- the Holy Ghost had descended on Mary's soul; but this third sanctification was for ourselves as well. At Pentecost the living Church was perfected in truth and grace, and Mary offered to her Son the first fruits of His harvest. The apostles were transformed.
-- Miniature Life of Mary
