{"id":4179,"date":"2015-10-20T03:30:47","date_gmt":"2015-10-20T08:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicbookblogger\/?p=4179"},"modified":"2015-10-06T18:35:55","modified_gmt":"2015-10-06T23:35:55","slug":"mary-rescues-a-priest-from-sin-mary-day-091","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicbookblogger\/2015\/10\/20\/mary-rescues-a-priest-from-sin-mary-day-091\/","title":{"rendered":"Mary rescues a priest from sin, Mary: Day 091"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"year_with_mary_alphonsus_4\"<\/a>Mary rescues a priest from sin<\/strong><\/p>\n

St. Alphonsus recounts a story from the life of St. Francis Borgia, when a priest who was desperately in need of repentance receives help from Mary.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cFather,\u201d a priest once confessed to an associate of St. Francis Bor- gia, \u201cI\u2019m a priest and a preacher, but I\u2019m living in sin, and I despair of God\u2019s mercy. One day I preached a sermon against those who are obstinate in sin and afterward despair of God\u2019s mercy. Then someone came to me for Confession. Having told me all my own sins, he said he despaired of God\u2019s mercy. As was my duty, I told him he must change his life and trust in God. On hearing this, the penitent stood up and reproved me, saying: \u2018You who preach to others, why don\u2019t you change your life and trust in God? I am an angel who has come to help you. Change your life, and you will be forgiven.\u2019 With these words he disappeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gave up my sins for a few days, but an occasion presented itself, and I fell again. On another day I was saying Mass, and Jesus Christ, in the Sacred Host, audibly said to me: \u2018Why do you mistreat me this way, when I treat you so well?\u2019 After this I resolved to change my ways, but on the next occasion, I fell again.<\/p>\n

\u201cA few hours ago I was in my room when a young man appeared. He drew a chalice from his cloak, and from it a consecrated Host, saying: \u2018Do you know this Lord whom I hold in my hand? Do you remember the many graces he has granted you? But now receive the punishment due to your ingratitude!\u2019 With these words he drew a sword to kill me. I then cried out, \u2018For the love of Mary, don\u2019t kill me, and I will indeed change my life.\u2019 He replied, \u2018This was the only means that could save you. Learn to make a good use of it; it is the last mercy you will receive.\u2019 With these words he left me. I immediately came here to entreat you to receive me into your order.\u201d\u00a0\u2014St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary<\/p>\n

IN GOD\u2019S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .<\/strong>
\nIs there some sin into which I repeatedly fall, which makes me despair of God\u2019s mercy? Have I asked Mary\u2019s assistance to overcome that particular habit of sinning?<\/p>\n

CLOSING PRAYER<\/strong>
\nFrom a \u201cNovena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help\u201d: You are the advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners who turn to you. Come then to my aid, dearest Mother, for I entrust myself to you.<\/p>\n

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