Mary helps us bear our crosses, Mary: Day 059

Mary helps us bear our crosses

St. Alphonsus reminds us that in this world, consolations always come with a cross; but Mary can help us bear the burden.

Our Savior one day appeared to Sister Diomira, a nun in Florence, and said, “Think of me, and love me, and I will think of you and love you.” At the same time he presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a cross, signifying through them that the consolations of the saints in this world are always to be accompanied by the cross. The cross unites souls to God.

When St. Jerome Emiliani was a soldier and loaded down with sins, he was imprisoned by his enemies in a tower. There, moved by his misfortunes and enlightened by God to change his life, he turned to the ever-blessed Virgin. From that time forward, by the help of the Mother of God, he began to lead the life of a saint, so much so that he merited once to see the very high place that God had prepared for him in heaven. He became the founder of a religious order, died as a saint, and was canonized by holy Church.

Mary, my sorrowful mother! By the merit of that grief you felt in seeing your beloved Jesus led to death, obtain for me the grace to bear always with patience the crosses that God sends me. Happy indeed shall I be, if only I know how to accompany you with my cross until death.

You with your Jesus—and you were both innocent—have carried a far heavier cross. Shall I, then, a sinner who has deserved hell, refuse to carry mine? —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Which crosses am I bearing just now? How can Mary’s example help me to bear those crosses with grace?

CLOSING PRAYER
From a prayer of St. Alphonsus: Immaculate Virgin, I hope to gain from you the help to bear all crosses with patience.

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