Mary died certain of her salvation, Mary: Day 266

Mary died certain of her salvation

Mary knew that she was full of grace, St. Alphonsus observes, and that she belonged to God. Imagine, then, her joyful confidence that death would take her to heaven!

The certainty of eternal salvation renders death sweet. Death is called a

passage, because by death we pass from a short life to an eternal life. Those who die in doubt of their salvation, and who approach the solemn moment with a well-grounded fear of passing into eternal death, have a great dread indeed. But on the other hand, the joy of the saints is indeed great at the close of life, for they hope with some confidence to go and possess God in heaven.

A doctor announced to a nun in St. Teresa’s order that her death was approaching. She was so filled with joy that she exclaimed, “How is it, Sir, that you announce to me such welcome news, and demand no fee?” St. Lawrence Justinian was at the point of death and saw his servants weeping round him. He said: “Away, away with your tears! This is no time to mourn.” Go elsewhere to weep; if you want to stay here with me, rejoice, as I rejoice, in seeing the gates of heaven open to me, so that I may be united to my God.

In the same way, St. Peter of Alcántara, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, and so many other saints, when they heard that death was at hand, burst forth into exclama- tions of joy and gladness. Yet even they weren’t as certain of possessing divine grace, nor as secure in their own holiness, as Mary was. So imagine what joy the Mother of God must have felt in receiving the news of her approaching death!

She had the fullest certainty of possessing divine grace—especially after the angel Gabriel had assured her that she was full of that grace—and that she already possessed God: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”(Lk 1:28). —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

I can’t presume to know my eternal destiny infallibly. But does my life provide strong evidence that if I continue my present path, I will die in friendship with God?

CLOSING PRAYER

From “The Seven Dolors of Mary at the Death of Jesus”: Mary, in my last hour, when my heart is full of anxiety and pain, strengthen me and console me by your presence, and preserve me from falling into discouragement!

________________________________________________________________________
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.