Mary prepares for death, Mary: Day 258

Mary prepares for death

St. Alphonsus summarizes the account of some ancient writers of the events leading up to her death.

Some ancient historians report that, some days before Mary’s death, our Lord sent to her the archangel Gabriel, the same angel who had announced to her that she was that blessed woman chosen to be the Mother of God: “My Lady and Queen,” said the angel, “God has already graciously heard your holy desires. He has sent me to tell you to prepare yourself to leave the earth, for he wants you in heaven. Come, then, to take possession of your kingdom. For I and all its holy inhabitants await and desire you.”

At this happy announcement, our most humble and most holy Virgin could only reply, with the most profound humility, with the same words she had spoken to St. Gabriel when he announced to her that she was to become the Mother of God: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38). Behold, she answered again, the slave of the Lord. He in his pure goodness chose me and made me his mother; he now calls me to paradise. I didn’t deserve that honor, nor do I deserve this. But since he’s pleased to show in my person his infinite generosity, I’m ready to go where he pleases. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” May the will of my God and Lord be always accomplished in me! After receiving this welcome information, she passed it on to St. John.

We may well imagine with what grief and tender feelings he heard the news. It was he who for so many years had cared for her as a son, and had enjoyed the heavenly conversation of this most holy mother. Mary then once more visited the holy places of Jerusalem, tenderly taking her leave of them, and especially of Mount Calvary, where her beloved Son had died. At last she retired into her poor cottage, there to prepare for death. During this time the angels didn’t cease their visits to their beloved queen, consoling themselves with the thought that they would soon see her crowned in heaven.

—St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Why would Mary have welcomed death, instead of fearing it as most people do? How can I imitate her faith in this regard?

CLOSING PRAYER

From a prayer of Blessed Raymond Jordano: Mary, you assist the dying, protecting them against the snares of the Devil; and you help them also after death, receiving their souls and conducting them to the kingdom of the blessed.

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