Our Lady provides two friars with lodging, Mary: Day 067

Our Lady provides two friars with lodging

St. Alphonsus tells a story of how the Blessed Virgin rewarded the faithful devotion of two religious who served her.

Two Franciscan friars were going to visit a sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin, when night overtook them in a great forest. They became bewildered and troubled, but they at last discovered a house. They found the door, knocked, and immediately heard someone inside asking who they were. They replied that they were two poor religious brothers who had lost their way in the forest, and they begged at least for shelter, so that they might not be devoured by the wolves. Immediately the doors were thrown open, and two pages richly dressed received them with the greatest courtesy. The religious asked them who resided in that palace. The pages replied that it was a most compassionate Lady. “We would be glad to present her our respects,” the friars said, “and thank her for her charity.”

“She also wishes to see you,” the pages said. They ascended the staircase and entered the Lady’s room. She was majestic and most beautiful. She received them with the greatest friendliness and asked them where they were going. They
said they were going to visit a certain church of the Blessed Virgin.

“I’ll give you a letter before you go,” she replied, “which will be of great service to you.” They then retired for the night. In the morning the Lady gave them the letter, and they departed. But when they got a short distance from the house, they realized that the letter had no addressee, and when they turned around, they could no longer find the house. Finally, they opened the letter and found that it was from the Virgin Mary, addressed to themselves. She was the Lady who had given them lodging. She exhorted them to continue to serve and love her, for she always would amply reward their devotion, and would help them in life and at death. —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
How are Mary’s beauty and hospitality in this story suggestive of her virtues and her role in our redemption?

CLOSING PRAYER
In this life and the next, Blessed Mother, let me make my home with you and your Son.

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