Now and at the hour of our death, Mary: Day 307

Now and at the hour of our death

St. Alphonsus illuminates the last phrase of the Hail Mary.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity,” says the Book of Proverbs (17:17). We can never know our friends and relations in the time of prosperity; it is only in the time of adversity that we see them in their true colors. People of the world never abandon a friend as long as he is in prosperity; but should misfortunes overtake him, and more particularly should he be at the point of death, they immediately forsake him.

But Mary doesn’t act that way with those who turn to her. In their afflic- tions, and more particularly in the sorrows of death, the greatest that can be endured in this world, this good Lady and mother doesn’t abandon her faithful servants. Instead, just as during our exile she is our life, so also is she at our last hour our sweetness, by obtaining for us a calm and happy death.

From the day on which Mary had the privilege and sorrow of being present at the death of Jesus her Son, who was the Head of all those who are predes- tined, it became her privilege to assist at their deaths as well. And for this reason the holy Church teaches us to beg this most Blessed Virgin to assist us, especially at the moment of death: “Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death!” —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . .  .

What would it mean to have a “happy death”? How can I be preparing myself for such a death?

CLOSING PRAYER

From a prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas: Mary, receive me as your servant, and as your servant protect me always, and especially at the time of my death. You with your powerful intercession must save me; this is my hope, thus may it be!

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