I have been reading The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis De Montfort. This is an incredible book. This wonderful Saint explains the mysteries of Jesus and Mary by using the symbol of a "Mystical Rose Tree". I want to share with you the Eighteenth Rose:
The Hail Mary - Blessings
This heavenly salutation draws down upon us the blessings of Jesus and Mary in abundance, for it is infallible truth that Jesus and Mary reward in a marvelous way those who glorify them. They repay us a hundredfold for the praises that we give them. "I love them that love me.....that I may enrich them that love me and fill their treasures." (Proverbs 8:17,21). Jesus and Mary have always said: "We love those who love us; we enrich them and fill their treasuries to overflowing." "He who soweth in blessings, shall also reap blessings." (Cor. 9:6).
Now, if we say the Hail Mary properly, is not this a way to love, bless and glorify Jesus and Mary? In each Hail Mary we bless both Jesus and Mary: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of they womb, Jesus."
By each Hail Mary we give Our Lady the same honor that God gave her when He sent the Archangel Gabriel to greet her for Him. How could anyone possibly think that Jesus and Mary, who often do good to those that curse them, could ever curse those that bless and honor them by the Hail Mary?
Both Saint Bernard and Saint Bonaventure say that the Queen of Heaven is certainly no less grateful and conscientious than gracious and well-mannered people of this world. Just as she excels in all other perfections, she surpasses us all in the virtue of gratitude; so she would never let us honor her with love and respect without repaying us one hundredfold. Saint Bonaventure says that Mary will greet us with grace if we greet her with the Hail Mary.
Who could possibly understand the graces and blessings which the greeting and tender regard of Our Lady effect in us? From the very first instant that Saint Elizabeth heard the greeting that the Mother of God gave her, she was filled with the Holy Spirit and the child in her womb leaped for joy. If we make ourselves worthy of the greeting and blessings of Our Lady we shall certainly be filled with graces and a flood of spiritual consolations will come down into our souls.
3 comments:
The discussion about gratitude got my attention as it always does - it's fundamental to advancing in faith and the absence or presence of it is consequential - not to mention so many other points raised in this lovely excerpt...
I also especially love this question, and could get lost in reverent and joyful wonder trying to answer it: "Who could possibly understand the graces and blessings which the greeting and tender regard of Our Lady effect in us?"
A wonder-filled reflection. And a wonderful reflection for me today. Thanks, Nancy <3 .
God bless you and yours now and always, I pray...
I have this book! Isn't it beautiful?! I'll have to read it again!
I enjoyed reading this today. I always learn something new when I come to your blog. Thank you.
Also, I want to let you know that my husband and I are really enjoying the book you sent. We have laughed at it many times together as I read out loud a paragraph or a thought I know he will completely agree with or think is funny as well. Thank you again for that book.
Post a Comment