Mary is a fountain of grace, Mary: Day 035

Mary is a fountain of grace

St. Alphonsus encourages us to seek Mary’s help by reminding us that she’s eager to give it.

What the Venerable Sister Mary Villani saw in a heavenly vision is experienced by many. This servant of God once saw the Mother of God as a great fountain. Many went to the fountain, and from it they carried off the waters of grace in great abundance.

But what then happened? Those who had jars without cracks kept the graces they received. But those who brought broken vessels—that is to say, those whose souls were burdened with sin—received graces, but didn’t keep them for long.

In any case, it’s certain that even those who are ungrateful sinners and the most miserable daily obtain innumerable graces from Mary.

As those who are devoted to Mary, then, let’s rouse ourselves to greater and greater confidence each time we turn to her for graces. So that we may do just that, let’s always remember two great powers of this good mother: her great desire to do us good, and the power she has with her Son to obtain what she asks.

As Bernardine de Bustis writes, “Mary desires more earnestly to do us good and grant us graces than we desire to receive them.” For Mary’s desire to enrich everyone with graces is, so to speak, a part of her nature, and she superabun- dantly enriches her servants.
—St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
When I seek Mary’s help in my life, what kind of “jar” do I bring to receive God’s grace from her: a broken one, or one that is whole?
CLOSING PRAYER
From a prayer of St. Augustine: Through you, Mary, the miserable obtain mercy; the ungracious, grace; sinners, pardon; the weak, strength; the worldly, heavenly things; mortals, life; and pilgrims, their country.

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