The Devil is tormented by devotion to Mary St. Alphonsus recalls a story that illustrates yet one more reason for devotion to Mary: It torments the Devil! A hermit on Mount Olivet kept a devout image of Mary in his room, and said many prayers as he knelt before it. The Devil was unable to endure such devotion to the Blessed Virgin. So he continually tormented the man with impure thoughts. The harassment was so severe that the poor old... Read more

Our Lady leads a man to reconciliation St. Alphonsus tells how a simple picture of the Blessed Mother brought a man to repent of a vengeful heart. Our religious Congregation was giving a mission in the diocese of Salerno. There we encountered a man who bore a great hatred toward another man, named Mastrodati, who had offended him. One of our fathers spoke to him to convince him to be reconciled. But he replied: “Father, have you ever seen me... Read more

Mary will never abandon anyone Would a mother refuse to apply medicine to her child’s infected wounds, simply because they are repulsive? Of course, not, insists St. Alphonsus. In the same way, however revolting our sins may be, Mary will come to apply a remedy. The multitude of our sins shouldn’t lessen our confidence that Mary will grant our petitions when we cast ourselves at her feet. She’s the mother of mercy, and mercy wouldn’t be needed if there were no... Read more

Mary helps an infamous sinner St. Alphonsus recalls the story of St. Mary of Egypt, whose conversion was enabled in part by seeing a picture of Mary in a church. At the age of twelve, St. Mary of Egypt ran away from home and went to Alexandria. There she led an infamous life and was a scandal to the whole city. After living for sixteen years in sin, she decided to go to Jerusalem. The Feast of the Holy Cross... Read more

Hospital for sinners St. Alphonsus notes how the healing power God has given Mary has led some to call her a “public infirmary” for the poor. St. Ephraem, addressing the Blessed Virgin, says, “You are the only advocate of sinners, and of all who are unprotected.” Then he salutes her with these words: “Hail, refuge and hospital for sinners!” She is the true refuge, in which alone they can hope for admission and liberty. St. Basil of Seleucia remarks: “God... Read more

The Holy Spirit made his spouse beautiful Mary is called the spouse of the Holy Spirit. If an artist could make his bride look the way he could paint her, he would render her as beautiful as possible. So, then, St. Alphonsus reasons, the Spirit made Mary’s character exquisitely beautiful. Since it was fitting that the Father should preserve Mary from sin as his daughter, and the Son as his mother, it was also fitting that the Holy Spirit should... Read more