The Refuge of Sinners
1. “Refuge of sinners, pray for us.” This is one of the most beautiful
invocations in the Litany of Loreto. In the second half of the Hail Mary
the Church, knowing that we are all sinners, teaches us to pray to our
heavenly Mother: “Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our
death.” When a mother sees her sons going astray or behaving badly, she
does not cease to love them. One might
say that she loves them all the more, because in addition to her natural
affection she develops a sense of anxious compassion for them when she
thinks of the way in which they have risked their eternal salvation by
sinning. Mary’s attitude to us is like this. The only difference is that
our earthly mothers suffer as a result of our transgressions and
ingratitude without being able to do much to change us. Mary, on the
other hand, being the Mother of Jesus as well as our Mother, is not only
willing but able to help us. No matter how enormous our sins may be, no
matter how irresistible our carnal instincts may seem, no matter how
hopelessly we may have plunged into the depths of evil, it is enough for
us to raise our eyes in confidence towards Mary. Like a merciful
Mother, she will obtain for us from God forgiveness and the strength to
return to the path of penitence and of peace. “Poor ship-wrecked
sinners,” says St. Bonaventure, “have recourse to Mary and she will lead
you to the port of salvation.” (In Ps. 8) Our good Mother, St. Bernard
tells us, does not shrink in horror from the most wretched of sinners.
He need only turn to her for help and she will save him from damnation.
(Or. Pan. ad B.V.) How comforting it should be for us to realise that we
have such a merciful and powerful Mother. Let us turn to her with trust
and humility and she will certainly assist us.
2. Mary is
called the Star of the Sea because, as St. Thomas says, “even as sailors
are guided into port by means of a star, so Christians are guided
towards Heaven by means of Mary.” (Opusc. 7) This absolute guarantee of
the protection of our heavenly Mother should increase our trust in her
and lead us to turn towards her in every difficulty and temptation. It
should not, however, result in an unhealthy attitude of spiritual
inactivity, a passive dependence on Mary’s favours without any
co-operation on our part. Such behaviour would be the height of filial
ingratitude. Mary will certainly save repentant sinners who have
recourse to her, but she cannot pay any attention to hardened sinners
who pray to her with their lips while their hearts remain willfully
steeped in sin. We must have complete confidence in her, but we must
also have a sincere intention of raising ourselves under her protection
from the slavery of sin to the friendship of God.
3. Mary, my
merciful mother, you see how wretched I am and how often I have fallen. I
wish to reform and sanctify myself, but I am not able. Without your
powerful assistance, the weakness of my nature is an insurmountable
obstacle. Come to my aid, O Mother of mercy. Obtain forgiveness for me
from your divine Son. Obtain for me also the grace of a complete change
of heart, so that I may be truly your son here upon earth and share in
your glory in Heaven. Amen.
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