"Saint Athanasius mentions how proper this is...: "If he who was born of the virgin is king, then the one who bore him is rightly called a lady and a queen." Ever since the moment that Mary gave her consent to be the Mother of the Eternal Word, adds Saint Bernardine of Siena, she deserved to be called queen of the whole world and of every creature in it. If Jesus took his flesh from Mary, how can Mary be disjoined from the royal dignity of her son?...We conclude...that not only the kingdom's glory, but the very kingdom itself, belongs to both the Son and the Mother."
From: "The Glories of Mary" by St. Alphonsus Liguori
I just started reading this wonderful book. I can't wait to share it.
The irony is that I was introduced to this work by an anti-Catholic bigot on one of the discussion forums in which I participate. I am sure that was not his intention when he mentioned this book, as he was trying to say that St. Alphonsus was going against Catholic teaching on Mary with his words. It just showed me how very little that person knows about the Church or Mary's role therein.
St. Alphonsus wrote this work as a series of sermons on the Salve Regina or 'Hail Holy Queen' plus other writings on Marian prayers, feasts, and other aspects of the devotions to Mary. So far, I can find absolutely nothing that goes against any ancient or modern Church Teaching or practice. I can also absolutely see how an anti-Catholic who abhors any honor given to Mary could read the wrong things into the context of St. Alphonsus' works. I was one of those people once upon a time...
More on this work later.
Let us pray:
Hail holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope, to you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Most gracious advocate, turn then, your eyes of mercy toward us and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of your womb, Jesus. O Clement! O loving! O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Holy Card image courtesy of 'Holy Cards for your Inspiration' at http://thewindowshowsitall.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment