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How befitting it was that each of the Three Persons should preserve Mary from Original Sin.

STORY

A woman came to a house of our little Congregation in this kingdom to let one of the Fathers know that her husband had not been to confession for many years, and the poor creature could no longer tell by what means to bring him to his duty; for if she named confession to him, he beat her. The Father told her (more…)

The Sweetness of the Name of Mary during Life and Death.

STORY

St Camilla de Lellis urged the members of his community to remind the dying often to utter the holy names of Jesus and Mary.  Such was his custom when assisting people in their last hour.  When he himself came to die he gave an edifying example of confidence in the holy names.  His biographer relates (more…)

How great are the clemency and compassion of Mary.

STORY

In the life of Father Anthony de Colleli we find the following occurrence narrated:  “A certain unfortunate woman was having illicit relations with two young men.  One of these, prompted by jealousy, stabbed (more…)

Mary Leads Her Servants to Heaven.

STORY

The Franciscan Chronicles relate that a certain Brother Leo saw in a vision two ladders the one red, the other white.  On the upper end of the red ladder stood Jesus and on the other stood His holy Mother.  The brother saw that some tried to climb the red ladder; but scarcely had they mounted some rungs when they fell back, they tried again but with no better success.  Then they were advised to try the white ladder (more…)

Mary Succors Her Clients In Purgatory.

STORY

A noble lady, who had an only son, was informed one day that he had been killed.  The murderer had by chance taken refuge in her own palace.  She then (more…)

AND AFTER THIS OUR EXILE SHOW UNTO US THE BLESSED FRUIT OF THY WOMB, JESUS

STORY
In the year 1604, in a city of Belgium, there were two young men, students, but who, instead of attending to their studies, gave themselves up to a life of debauchery.  One night they were both in the house with an evil companion, when one of them, named Richard, returned home, leaving his companion there.  After he had reached home, and had begun to undress, he remembered he had not that day said some “Hail Marys,” that he was in the habit of reciting.  Feeling very sleepy he was loath to say them; he did himself violence, and repeated them, though without devotion, and half asleep.  He then lay down, and had fallen into a sound slumber, when he was suddenly roused by a violent knocking at the door, (more…)

Mary is the Peace-maker between Sinners and God.

STORY
In Braganza there was a young man, who, after giving up the confraternity, abandoned himself to so many crimes that one day, in despair, (more…)

Mary is so tender an Advocate that she does not refuse to defend the Cause even of the most miserable.

STORY
In one of our missions, after the sermon on the Blessed Virgin Mary, which it is always customary in our Congregation to preach, a very old man came to make his confession to one of the Fathers.  Filled with consolation he said, “Father, our Blessed Lady has granted me a grace.”  “What grace has she granted you?”  the confessor asked.  “You must know, Father,” he replied, “that for five-and-thirty years I have made sacrilegious confessions, (more…)

The Necessity of the Intercession of Mary for our Salvation.

STORY
In Germany a man fell into a grievous sin; through shame he was unwilling to confess it; but, on the other hand, unable to endure the remorse of his conscience, he went to throw himself into a river; (more…)

The Necessity of the Intercession of Mary for our Salvation.

STORY

The history of Theophilus, written by Eutychian, patriarch of Constantinople, and who was an eye-witness of the fact he relates, is well known.  It is attested by St Peter Damian, St Bernard, St Bonaventure, St Antonine, and by others quoted by Father Crasset.

Theophilus was archdeacon of the church of Adana, a city of Cilicia, and he was held in such veneration by the people that they wished to have him for their bishop, but he, out of humility, refused the dignity.  It happened that evil-disposed persons accused him falsely of some crime, and for this he was deposed from his archdeaconry.  He took this so much to heart, that, blinded by passion, he went to a Jewish magician, who made him consult Satan, that he might help him in his misfortune. (more…)

To thee do we sigh, mourning and weeping, in this valley of tears.

STORY
A young nobleman who was on a sea-voyage begun to read an obscene book, in which he took much pleasure.  A religious noticed this, and said to him:  “Are you disposed to make a present to our Blessed Lady?”  The young man replied that he was.  “Well,” the other answered, “I wish that, for the love of the most holy Virgin you would give up that book, and throw it into the sea.”  “Here it is, Father,” said the young man.  “No,” replied the religious, “you must yourself make Mary this present.”  He did so; and no sooner had he returned to Genoa, his native place, than the Mother of God so inflamed his heart with divine love that he entered a religious Order. (more…)

Mary is the Hope of Sinners

STORY
St Antonine relates that there was a sinner who was at enmity with God, and who had a vision in which he found himself before the dread tribunal; the devil accused him, (more…)

Ave Maria Meditations

August 1st: St. Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorist Order

SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI Bishop and Doctor of the Church (1696-1787)

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are truly in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart as though You have already come. I embrace You and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from You!

I say that it is the will of God that all graces should come to us by the hands of Mary. Sooner would heaven and earth be destroyed than would Mary fail to assist anyone who asks for her help, provided he does so with a good intention and with confidence in her.

To learn more of this good doctor, continue on…

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