Mary breathes forth her soul in love, Mary: Day 272

Mary breathes forth her soul in love

When Mary died, insists St. Alphonsus, death came not “clothed in mourning and grief . . . but adorned with light and gladness.”

The life of Mary being now at its close, the most delicious music, as St. Jerome tells us, was heard in the room where she lay. According to a revelation of St. Bridget, the room was also filled with a brilliant light. This sweet music, and the unusual splendor, warned the holy apostles that Mary was then departing. This caused them to burst forth in tears and prayers again. Raising their hands, with one voice they exclaimed, “Mother, you’re already going to heaven! You’re leaving us! Give us your final blessing, and never forget us miserable creatures.” Mary, turning her eyes around upon all of them, as if to bid them a last farewell, said: “Goodbye, my children. I bless you. Don’t be afraid: I will never forget you.” Now death came—not, indeed, clothed in mourning and grief, as it does to others, but adorned with light and gladness. But what shall we say? Why speak of death? Let’s say rather that divine love came, and cut the thread of that noble life. Just as a light, before going out, gives a last and brighter flash than ever, so did this beautiful creature, on hearing her Son’s invitation to follow him, wrapped in the flames of love, and in the midst of her loving sighs, give a last sigh

of still more ardent love. Then, breathing forth her soul, she died.

In this way was that great soul, that beautiful dove of the Lord, loosened from the bands of this life. In this way she entered into the glory of the blessed, where she is now seated, and will be seated, as queen of paradise, for all eternity. Mary, then, has left this world; she’s now in heaven. From there, this compassion- ate mother looks down upon us who are still in this valley of tears. She pities us and, if we desire it, she promises to help us. Let’s always beg her, by the merits of her blessed death, to obtain for us a happy death. —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Have I ever been present when the soul of a loved one was “breathed forth” into the arms of God? What lessons did I learn from that poignant experience?

CLOSING PRAYER

From a prayer of St. Germanus: O sovereign Queen! You are our defense and our joy.

Make me worthy to share with you the happiness that you enjoy in heaven.

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