Devotions to Mary should be joined with holiness, Mary: Day 088

Last updated on: October 17, 2015 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Devotions to Mary should be joined with holiness, Mary: Day 088 2015-10-06T17:28:26-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Devotions to Mary should be joined with holiness

Even lavish devotions to Mary, says St. Alphonsus, are useless if they aren’t joined to personal holiness.

“The Queen of Heaven is so gracious and generous,” says St. Andrew of Crete, “that she rewards her servants with the greatest lavishness for the small- est devotions.” But there are conditions to this generosity. When we offer her our devotions, our souls should be free from sin. Otherwise, she might say to us what she said to a wicked soldier, once spoken of by St. Peter Celestine.

This soldier every day performed some devotion in honor of our Blessed Lady. One day he was suffering greatly from hunger, when Mary appeared to him and offered him some most delicious meats. But they were in such a filthy vessel that he couldn’t bring himself to taste them.

“I am the Mother of God,” the Blessed Virgin then said, “and I have come to satisfy your hunger.”

“But, Lady,” he answered, “I can’t eat out of such a dirty vessel.”

“And how,” replied Mary, “can you expect me to accept your devotions, offered to me with so defiled a soul as yours?”

On hearing this, the soldier was converted, became a hermit, and lived in a desert for thirty years. At his death, the Blessed Virgin again appeared to him, and took him herself to heaven.

It’s been said that it’s morally impossible for someone devoted to Mary to be lost. But this statement must be understood to have the condition that he lives either without sin, or at least lives with the desire to abandon it. For then the Blessed Virgin will help him. But if anyone, on the other hand, should sin in the hope that Mary will save him, he would render himself unworthy and unable to enjoy her protection.
—St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Do I ever find myself practicing exterior devotions to Mary while consciously disobeying God on some matter? What do I hope to gain from such devotions if my heart is in rebellion against God?

CLOSING PRAYER
Mary, help me hide these words in my heart: “The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable;how much more when he brings it with evil intent” (see Prv 21:27).

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Paul Thigpen and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with Mary

Paul Thigpen

Saint Alphonsus Ligouri

Saint Benedict Press

Previous Post

October 16, 2015

Mary knew herself truly, Mary: Day 087

Next Post

October 18, 2015 Through the Holy Spirit, Mary: Day 089

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz