Mary, Refuge of Sinners, Mary: Day 161

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.

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