Talks on the Sacramentals, by Msgr Arthur Tonne - Lilies

"See how the lilies of the field grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these." St. Matthew, 6:28.

Some years ago a young lady from Montreal, Canada, joined the Franciscan Sisters at Assisi, Italy. After some time in the convent there she was sent to America. On arriving at New York she felt a severe pain in her tongue. The pain grew until she had to call a doctor. Examination revealed that the poor nun had cancer of the tongue. A specialist said an operation was necessary. The day was set.

The good sister was frightened about the ordeal. She prayed that she might find relief some other way. She prayed in particular to St. Anthony. While praying she suddenly recalled that she still had a leaf of a lily blessed on the feast of St. Anthony. The night before the operation she knelt for a long time in prayer, and then laid the leaf of the lily on that part of the tongue where she felt the pain.

Next morning her tongue gave no pain. The surgeon, a non- Catholic, said there was no sign of cancer. When the sister told him she was cured through prayer to St. Anthony, the doctor declared:

"You are completely cured; such a cure could be worked only by a miracle."

The blessed lily is a very attractive and appealing sacramental. On account of its spotless whiteness the lily stands for purity. We find it in pictures of the Annunciation to show the purity of our Blessed Mother. Generally St. Joseph is pictured with a lily because legend says his staff blossomed with lilies. Other saints like Aloysius and Anthony are represented holding a lily because of their purity.

St. Anthony lilies are well known. They are blessed in numerous places throughout the world and in the United States, notably in St. Anthony Shrine, Cincinnati, Ohio, the novitiate of the Cincinnati Franciscans. By a special privilege the followers of St. Francis bless lilies--white ones--on the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, June 13, as a tribute to his spotless purity.

Before solemn Mass on his feast the sacred ministers stand at the Epistle side, as the celebrant blesses the lilies placed on a nearby table. The deacon of the Mass sings the Gospel of the birds and lilies, as it is called, in which we read the well-known words:

"See how the lilies of the field grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these." St. Matthew, 6:28.

The priest recites this expressive prayer: "O God, who art the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, the Lover of spotless purity, the Giver of all grace and of everlasting life, sanctify by Thy holy benediction these lilies, which in thanksgiving, and in honor of St. Anthony, Thy Confessor, we humbly present to receive Thy blessing. Pour down upon them by the sacred sign of the Holy Cross, Thy heavenly dew, Thou, who didst so kindly create them for man's use, to spread around the fragrance of their odor, and to drive away all sickness; enrich them with such power, that to whatsoever disease they may be applied, or, in whatsoever home they may be kept, or, on whatsoever person they may be borne with devotion, through the intercession of Thy servant Anthony, they may put to flight the evil one, preserve holy chastity, cure all sickness, and bring peace and grace to all who serve Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Several times the celebrant makes the sign of the cross over the lilies and then distributes them to the religious who march in procession through the church. Upon returning to the high altar, another brief prayer is said, and the solemn Mass begins.

There is a shorter form for the private blessing of lilies to be found in the Franciscan Ritual.

The purpose and use of these lilies is clearly expressed in the prayer I just gave you. We want to honor God and His servant St. Anthony. We ask the Lord that these lilies may cure disease, protect homes and individuals, and help those who carry them to live in purity, peace and God's grace.

Some people carry portions of blessed lilies sewn in a small bag, to recover from sickness and to preserve holy purity. Others keep these sweet-smelling sacramentals in some place of honor at home. Others press them in their Bible or prayer-book.

You are free to use the blessed lily in any reverent way that faith and piety might prompt. Many cures, like that of the nun with cancer of the tongue, are reported every year.

Some prayer should accompany every use of the blessed lily. The Responsory of St. Anthony, beginning with the words, "If miracles thou fain wouldst see," is an ideal prayer.

The blessed lily, remember, is not a charm or sure remedy for every ill and evil. It is a sacramental. The nature of the lily is not changed by the blessing. It is set apart to remind us of the virtues and the wonder-working influence of St. Anthony at the throne of God.

Christ Himself told us to look at the lilies of the field, that we might learn from them. May blessed lilies help us to think of God who made them. May they help us to practice the virtue of purity which they represent. May they help us to overcome evils of body and soul. May they remind us to ask for things which are in line with the holy will of God.

We might repeat the words of the poet Longfellow:

"Bear a lily in thy hand; Gates of brass cannot withstand One touch of that magic wand." Amen.