The sweetness of Mary’s name, Mary: Day 033

The sweetness of Mary’s name

St. Alphonsus tells why those who are devoted to Mary take such great plea- sure in speaking her name.

Among the other privileges of the name of Mary given to it by God is the peculiar sweetness found in it by the servants of this most holy Lady during life and in death. “Name of Mary!” said St. Anthony of Padua. “Joy in the heart, honey in the mouth, melody to the ear of the devout who seek her assistance!”

It’s reported in the life of the Venerable Juvenal Ancina, Bishop of Saluzzo, that in pronouncing the name of Mary his bodily sense of taste experienced so great a sweetness that, after doing so, he licked his lips. We read also that a Lady at Cologne told the Bishop Massilius that as often as she uttered the name of Mary she experienced a taste far sweeter than honey. The bishop imitated her, and he experienced the same thing.

But here I don’t intend to speak of that sweetness of the bodily senses, for it’s not granted to everyone. I speak instead of that healthful sweetness of con- solation, love, joy, confidence, strength, that the name of Mary usually brings to those who pronounce it with devotion.
The Abbot Francone, speaking on this subject, says, “There is no other name after that of the Son, in heaven or on earth, from which pious minds derive so much grace, hope, and sweetness. For there is something so admirable, sweet, and divine in this name of Mary, that when it meets with friendly hearts it breathes into them a fragrance of delightful sweetness. The wonder of this great name is that, even if heard by those who love Mary a thousand times, it’s always heard again with renewed pleasure, for they always experience the same sweet- ness each time it is pronounced.” —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
What comes to mind when I say Mary’s name? Do I take pleasure in talking about her with others?

CLOSING PRAYER
From a prayer of St. Bonaventure: I ask you, O Mary, for the glory of your name, to come and meet my soul when it is departing this world, and take it into your arms.

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