A prayer to the Lady worthy of all love, Mary: Day 025

A prayer to the Lady worthy of all love

St. Alphonsus prays that his love for Mary will become a great flame that consumes his heart.

Queen of Heaven and Earth! Mother of the Lord of the world! Mary, of all creatures the greatest, the most exalted, and the most lovable! It’s true that there are many in this world who neither know you nor love you. But in heaven there are many millions of angels, and blessed spirits, who love and praise you continually. Even in this world, how many happy souls are there who burn with your love, and live enflamed with love for your goodness!

If only I also can love you, Lady worthy of all love! If only I can always remember to serve you, to praise you, to honor you, and to influence everyone to love you! You have attracted the love of God the Son; by your beauty, you have, so to speak, torn him from the bosom of his Eternal Father, and induced him to become Man, and be your Son. If that’s the case, how can I, a lowly creature of the earth, fail to be enflamed with love of you? No, my most sweet mother! I too will love you much, and will do all that I can to make others love you also.

Accept, then, Mary, the desire that I have to love you, and help me to carry it out. I know how favorably those who love you are looked upon by God. After his own glory, he desires nothing more than yours, and to see you honored and loved by all. From you, Lady, I expect all assistance in gaining the remission of my sins and perseverance. You must assist me at death, and deliver me from purgatory; and, finally, you must lead me to heaven. All this, those who love you hope to receive from you, and they are not misled. I love you with so much affection, and after God, I love you above all other things. So I hope for the same favors. —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
What might I say to others that will, as St. Alphonsus says, “influence everyone to love” Mary? What might I do to “make others love” her?

CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, I will speak to you about Mary in your own words: “She is far more precious than jewels. . . . She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. . . . Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates!” (Prv 31:10, 26, 31).

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.