16 May, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations for Every Day

The Refuge of Sinners

1. “Refuge of sinners, pray for us.” This is one of the most beautiful invocations in the Litany of Loreto. In the second half of the Hail Mary the Church, knowing that we are all sinners, teaches us to pray to our heavenly Mother: “Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.” When a mother sees her sons going astray or behaving badly, she does not cease to love them. One might say that she loves them all the more, because in addition to her natural affection she develops a sense of anxious compassion for them when she thinks of the way in which they have risked their eternal salvation by sinning. Mary’s attitude to us is like this. The only difference is that our earthly mothers suffer as a result of our transgressions and ingratitude without being able to do much to change us. Mary, on the other hand, being the Mother of Jesus as well as our Mother, is not only willing but able to help us. No matter how enormous our sins may be, no matter how irresistible our carnal instincts may seem, no matter how hopelessly we may have plunged into the depths of evil, it is enough for us to raise our eyes in confidence towards Mary. Like a merciful Mother, she will obtain for us from God forgiveness and the strength to return to the path of penitence and of peace. “Poor ship-wrecked sinners,” says St. Bonaventure, “have recourse to Mary and she will lead you to the port of salvation.” (In Ps. 8) Our good Mother, St. Bernard tells us, does not shrink in horror from the most wretched of sinners. He need only turn to her for help and she will save him from damnation. (Or. Pan. ad B.V.) How comforting it should be for us to realise that we have such a merciful and powerful Mother. Let us turn to her with trust and humility and she will certainly assist us.

2. Mary is called the Star of the Sea because, as St. Thomas says, “even as sailors are guided into port by means of a star, so Christians are guided towards Heaven by means of Mary.” (Opusc. 7) This absolute guarantee of the protection of our heavenly Mother should increase our trust in her and lead us to turn towards her in every difficulty and temptation. It should not, however, result in an unhealthy attitude of spiritual inactivity, a passive dependence on Mary’s favours without any co-operation on our part. Such behaviour would be the height of filial ingratitude. Mary will certainly save repentant sinners who have recourse to her, but she cannot pay any attention to hardened sinners who pray to her with their lips while their hearts remain willfully steeped in sin. We must have complete confidence in her, but we must also have a sincere intention of raising ourselves under her protection from the slavery of sin to the friendship of God.

3. Mary, my merciful mother, you see how wretched I am and how often I have fallen. I wish to reform and sanctify myself, but I am not able. Without your powerful assistance, the weakness of my nature is an insurmountable obstacle. Come to my aid, O Mother of mercy. Obtain forgiveness for me from your divine Son. Obtain for me also the grace of a complete change of heart, so that I may be truly your son here upon earth and share in your glory in Heaven. Amen.