Saturday, December 8, 2007

Hold on to Mary's Hand

Fr. Mark Kirby shares some profound but simple reflections from one of his favorite authors.

If it is possible for you, never neglect to say your beads every day, and if you find time, even the whole fifteen decades. Be not afraid of distractions, provided you are willing to struggle against them. Our heavenly Mother understands so well our weakness, our tired feelings, our weariness at times. Hail Mary's multiplied never displease her. She appreciates your murmurings of faith, hope, and love.

Do your best. But, never give up your beads.

To carry them on your person . . . is that not as if you were saying them all day, all night secretly? Keep them, at times, especially in time of trial, in the hollow of your hand. That is to clasp Mary's hand.

To conclude, keep this in mind, at least: do not neglect to say three Hail Mary's morning and night to Mary, Mother of God and your Mother, to thank the Most Blessed Trinity for having given us her.

We can report marvelous results from faithfulness to that practice, among those who suffer, who labor, who undergo pain of any kind, in body, in soul, in the midst of cares, to safeguard their interests for time and eternity.

When we love someone, we cease not to remind him of our love, and always we love him more. In saying Hail Mary, you will never disappoint your heart, and above all the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She is your Mother . . . Does not that say it all?

Amen! So be it! Yes, altogether, right, sweet, and good that it be so.

(Hail Mary, by Dom Eugène Vandeur, translated by John H. Collins, S.J., The Newman Press, Westminster, Maryland, 1954)

Share

3 comments:

Enbrethiliel said...

+JMJ+

That's so lovely! =)

Ann Murray said...

My mother refuses to leave the house without her beads in her pocket.

elena maria vidal said...

Thank you both, and yes, Veritas, I know some people like that!!!