19 May, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations For Each Day

The Power of Mary

1. “Virgin most powerful, pray for us.” This is one of the invocations to Our Lady in her Litany. Mary’s power derives from her divine Motherhood. The Eternal Word was made man in her most chaste womb. By assuming our human nature in the Hypostatic Union, He became her Son. In the same way as a mother can give instructions to her son, Mary can pray to Jesus with full confidence that she will be answered. Not only has she the power of love over Him, but also the power of a mother. Her prayers have the force of a command and it is impossible for them to go unheeded. When Mary seeks a favour from her divine Son for us who are her adopted sons, says St. Peter Damian, she commands rather than prays; she is more like the mistress than the handmaid of the Lord (Serm. 41 de Nativ.) Some ecclesiastical writers go as far as describing Mary as being omnipotent in grace and in intercession even as God is omnipotent by reason of His nature. “O Mother of God,” writes St. Gregory of Nicomedia, “you have such invincible power that the multitude of our sins can never exhaust your mercy. Nothing can resist your power, for your Creator regards your glory as His own.” (Orat. de Exitu B. Virg.) This doctrine should console even the most hopeless sinners. It is enough to have loving recourse to Mary and we shall be sure of salvation.

2. We should turn confidently to Mary especially when we are tempted. She cannot allow us to offend her Jesus and to fall into the toils of the devil as long as we pray to her with faith in her intercession. “The devil, as a roaring lion,” says St. Peter, “goes about seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) But our mother Mary is always by our side seeking to protect us. Let us entrust ourselves to her maternal care. Not only does Mary wish to help us, declares St. Bonaventure, but those who do not pray to her commit almost as great an offence as those who openly insult her. (In Spec. Virg.)

3. O Mary, my powerful and merciful Mother, my soul is constantly troubled by temptations. I am standing on the edge of the chasm. I promise to place myself at once under your maternal protection. Grant that I may never fall into sin again. Cast your merciful eyes upon me and save me when I am tempted. Grant that temptations may never again endanger the purity of my soul by obtaining for me from God a lively spirit of faith, a burning love for Him and for you, a constant watchfulness over my senses and over worldly dangers, and the gift of fervent and persevering prayers in union with you and your divine Son, Jesus. Amen.