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 to give him a picture of Mary Immaculate. In the evening the woman once more begged her husband to go to confession; but he as usual turned a deaf ear to her entreaties. She gave him the picture. Behold! He had scarcely received it, when he said, “Well, when will you take me to confession, for I am willing to go?” The wife, on seeing this instantaneous change, began to weep for joy. In the morning he really came to our church, and when the Father asked him how long it was since he had been to confession, he answered, “Twenty-eight years.” The Father again asked him what had induced him to come that morning. “Father,” he said, “I was obstinate; but last night my wife gave me a picture of our Blessed Lady, and in the same moment I felt my heart changed, so much so, that during the whole night every moment seemed a thousand years, so great was my desire to go to confession.” He then confessed his sins with great contrition, changed his life, and continued for a long time to go frequently to confession to the same Father.
In another place, in the diocese of Salerno, in which we were giving a mission, there was a man who bore a great hatred to another who had offended him. One of our Fathers spoke to him, that he might be reconciled; but he answered: “Father, did you ever see me at the sermons? No, and for this very reason, I do not go. I know that I am damned; but nothing else will satisfy me, I must have revenge;” The Father did all that he could to convert him; but seeing that he lost his time, he said, “Here, take this picture of our Blessed Lady.” The man at first replied, “But what is the use of this picture?” But no sooner had he taken it, than, as if he had never refused to be reconciled, he said to the missionary, “Father, is anything else required besides reconciliation? – I am willing.” The following morning was fixed for it. When, however, the time came, he had again changed, and would do nothing. The Father offered him another picture, but he refused it; but at length, with great reluctance, took it, when, behold! He scarcely had possession of it than he immediately said, “Now let us be quick; where is Mastrodati?” and he was instantly reconciled with him, and then went to confession.
PRAYER
Ah my Immaculate Lady! I rejoice with you on seeing you enriched with so great purity. I thank, and resolve always to thank, our common Creator for having preserved you from every stain of sin; and I firmly believe this doctrine, and am prepared and swear even to lay down my life, should this be necessary, in defence of this your so great and singular privilege of being conceived immaculate. I would that the whole world knew you and acknowledged you as being that beautiful “Dawn” which was always illumined with divine light; as that chosen “Ark” of salvation, free from the common shipwreck of sin; that perfect and immaculate “Dove” which your divine Spouse declared you to be; that “enclosed Garden” which was the delight of God; that “sealed Fountain” whose waters were never troubled by an enemy; and finally, as that “white Lily,” which you are, and who, though born in the midst of the thorns of the children of Adam, all of whom are conceived in sin, and the enemies of God, was alone conceived pure and spotless, and in all things the beloved of your Creator. Permit me, then, to praise you also as your God himself has praised you: You are all fair, and there is not a spot in you. O most pure Dove, all fair, all beautiful, always the friend of God. O how beautiful are you, my beloved! How beautiful are you! Ah, most sweet, most amiable, immaculate Mary, you who are so beautiful in the eyes of the Lord, – ah, disdain not to cast your compassionate eyes on the wounds of my soul, loathsome as they are. Behold me, pity me, heal me. O beautiful loadstone of hearts, draw also my miserable heart to yourself. O you, who from the first moment of your life did appear pure and beautiful before God, pity me, who not only was born in sin, but have again since baptism stained my soul with crimes. What grace will God ever refuse you, who chose you for his daughter, his Mother, and Spouse, and therefore preserved you from every stain, and in his love preferred you to all other creatures? I will say, in the words of St Philip Neri, “Immaculate Virgin, you have to save me”. Grant that I may always remember you; and you, do you never forget me. The happy day, when I shall go to behold your beauty in Paradise, seems a thousand years off; so much do I long to praise and love you more than I can now do, my Mother, my Queen my beloved, most beautiful, most sweet, most pure, Immaculate Mary. Amen.
