Mary, Refuge of Sinners, Mary: Day 161

Last updated on: December 29, 2015 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Mary, Refuge of Sinners, Mary: Day 161 2015-12-19T16:18:19-05:00 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.

Mary, Refuge of Sinners

St. Alphonsus explains the ancient origins of the Marian title “Refuge of Sinners.”

One of the titles of Mary that is the most encouraging to poor sinners, under which the Church teaches us to invoke Mary in the Litany of Loreto, is that of “Refuge of Sinners.” In Judea in ancient times there were cities of refuge, in which criminals who fled there for protection were exempt from the punish- ments that they had deserved. Today these cities are not so numerous; there is but one, and that is Mary, of whom the psalmist says, “Glorious things are spo- ken of you, O city of God!” (Ps 87:3).

But this city differs from the ancient ones in this respect: In the ancient cities, not all kinds of criminals could find refuge, nor was the protection extended to every class of crime. But under the mantle of Mary all sinners, without excep- tion, find refuge for every sin that they may have committed, provided only that they go there to seek for this protection.

“To all who fly to me,” says St. John of Damascus, speaking in the name of our queen, “I am the city of refuge.”

A devout author exhorts all sinners to take refuge under the mantle of Mary, exclaiming, “Flee, Adam and Eve, and all you their children, who have outraged God! Flee, and take refuge in the bosom of this good mother. Don’t you know that she is our only city of refuge?”
—St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Am I willing to admit the depth and breadth of my own sin and weakness?
Am I willing to run to Mary as a refuge God has given for my healing?

CLOSING PRAYER
“Prayer in Honor of Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners”: Almighty and merciful God, who appointed the blessed, ever-virgin Mary to be the refuge and help of sinners, grant that under her protection we may be delivered from all guilt, and obtain the happiness that your mercy brings.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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

December 28, 2015

O Stella Maris!, Mary: Day 160

Next Post

December 30, 2015 Mary, Mirror of Virtue, Mary: Day 162

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