Why I love you, Mary!, Mary: Day 256

Why I love you, Mary!

These concluding lines of the last poem of St. Thérèse of Lisieux were writ- ten as she was dying of tuberculosis. Speaking to Mary, she suggests that Jesus himself will tell the saints in heaven the story of her life after his resur- rection. She hopes to be there soon to hear it.

Henceforth your shelter in your woe was John’s most humble dwelling; the son of Zebedee replaced the Son whom heaven adored.

Naught else the Gospels tell us of thy life, in grace excelling; it is the last they say of you, sweet mother of my Lord!

But oh! I think that silence means that, high in heaven’s glory, when time is past, and to their house your children safe are come, the Eternal Word, my Mother dear, himself will tell your story, to charm our souls—your children’s souls—in our eternal home. Soon I shall hear that harmony, that blissful, wondrous singing; soon, unto heaven that waits for us, my soul shall swiftly fly.

O you who came to smile on me at dawn of life’s beginning, come once again to smile on me. Mother! the night is nigh. I fear no more your majesty, so far removed above me,for I have suffered sore with you: now hear me, Mother mild! Oh, let me tell you face to face, dear Mary! how I love you; and say to you for evermore: I am your little child. —St. Thérèse of Lisieux, “Why I Love You, Mary!”

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

What events do I imagine might have taken place in the final years of Mary’s life, after the Day of Pentecost? What relationship do I think she might have had with the Apostles and the other disciples of her Son?

CLOSING PRAYER

From a prayer of St. Vincent Pallotti: Queen of the Apostles, we are confident that through God’s mercy and the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, you who are our mother will

obtain for us the strength of the Holy Spirit as you obtained it for the community of the Apostles gathered in the upper room.

_________________________________________________________________________
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.