A prayer to Mary for two graces, Mary: Day 124

A prayer to Mary for two graces

St. Alphonsus asks the Blessed Virgin to grant him two graces. In the end, they are really just one: the grace to love and serve God forever.

Greatest and most sublime of all creatures, most sacred Virgin, I salute you from this earth! I’m a miserable and unfortunate rebel against my God; I who deserve chastisements, not favors; justice, and not mercy.

Lady, I don’t say this because I doubt your compassion. I know that the greater you are, the more you glory in being benevolent. I know that you rejoice that you’re so rich, because in this way you’re enabled to help us poor miserable creatures. I know that the greater the poverty of those who turn to you, the more you exert yourself to protect and save them.

My Mother, it was you who one day wept over your Son who died for me. Offer, I beg you, your tears to God, and by these obtain for me true sorrow for my sins. On that day, sinners afflicted you so much; and I, by my great sins, have done the same.

Obtain for me, Mary, that at least from this day forward I may not continue to afflict you and your Son by my ingratitude. What would your sorrow avail me if I continued to be ungrateful to you? To what purpose would your mercy have been shown me, if again I was unfaithful and lost?

No, my Queen, don’t permit it; you’ve supplied for all my shortcomings. You obtain from God what you wish. You grant the prayers of all.

I ask of you two graces; I expect them from you, and I won’t be satisfied with less. Obtain for me that I may be faithful to God, and no more offend him, and love him during the remainder of my life as much as I have offended him. —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
If I could ask Mary for just two graces, what would they be? If only one, what would it be?

CLOSING PRAYER
From a prayer of St. Alphonsus: Mary, you ask of me that I would love your God, and I ask of you that you would obtain this love for me, to love him always. This is all that I desire.

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