The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-05-08
MARY OUR STRENGTH IN WEAK.
NESS.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, has al
ways been regarded as the most per-
feet model of all the virtues; new
ertheless on account of her absolute
sinlessness, she has been considered,
more particularly, as the ideal of all
that is pure and chaste, writes Rev.
F. Miller, C. SIS. R., in The Ligu-
orian."
Devotion to Mary is most effective
means of preserving the virtue of
purity, of promoting a high moral
standard in our youth. He who has
allowed the thought of this ideal OF
purity to penetrate deeply into his
soul, whose heart has been captivated
by love for this sinless creature, who
has lovingly and prayerfully dWelt
upon the image of her who is with
out stain, can not lead life of i'm
purity. If, in a moment of weakness
he falls into sin, he will, he must
arise. for he can not feel at home in
darkness and degradation after he has
experienced the JOY and delight which
devotion to her brings with it.
Mary is above all our model of pur-
ity because she is virgin without
spot or stain. We know that no
breath of sin ever tainted her soul,
that no evil inclination ever troubled
her, that not even the shadow of an
unholy thought ever darkened the
bright mirror of her soul. We are
filled with admiration at the sight OF
this incompatible, heavenly purity; it
is so far removed from all things
earthly that malicious tongues can
not darken it's fairness.
Though so far removed from us, so
high above us, this ideal of purity
does not depress or discourage US.
No. it is a light to the eyes, an in
spiration to the soul, comfort to the
weary traveller. Before this picture
all the better, higher, and nobler
thoughts are awakened in us, the dark,
unholy, and unwholesome suggestions
take fight. Now, the soul feels, not
so much compelled as drawn to lead
a purer life; deep in her soul she
feels a yearning for that which is per-
feet. She hears the voice of Him Who
created and Who perfectly understands
the human soul: BE ye perfect as
your heavenly Father is perfect"
From this ideal of purity our young
men and young maidens will learn
that purity is noble, queenly vir
tue, which confers upon man true
inner worth. However, it must be
conceded that Mary, as the ideal OF
purity, would not be practical ano
efficient model for us, if she were
represented to us only as the spotless
untainted virgin, as "a being affair
with heavenly brightness. The sorely
tempted, those who had fallen deeply
: into gross sins, would lose courage al
the sight of a being so high above
them. But Mary is not only an i'm
maculate virgin, she is also our mos
devoted spiritual Mother.
The unholy sin can, by it's constan
appeal, it's unceasing urgency, brini
encouragement to the struggling sin
ner; it paralyzes in peculiar name
the spiritual energies and fosters
spirit of pessimism. However, if tn
purest Virgin is also our devote'
Mother then no one should despair
The weary struggler may rest hi
head on the bosom of this Mothe
when all seems dark and forbiddins
when he knows not where else to turn
when all higher thoughts cease to in
press him and everything seems t
drag him down deeper and deeper
While resting on this bosom the sou
will grow calm, will gather togethe
its forces and will summon new coul
age. Even the last and greatest c
sinners, who has fallen into the gross
est sins and who is on the brink {
despair, must admit that mother wi
never abandon her child, that she sti
has for him loving glance, conso
ing word, that she is ever ready
extend a helping hand; yes, he mus
admit that all the maternal instinct
are awakened and urge her to hel
and to save with greater insistenc!
the greater the danger and misery {
her child. He who has sincerel
sought help from this most POVERTY
Mother will not speak of the impo'
sibility of virtue, of the unconque
able power of the passions.
The lily of purity thrives best wher
sex problems and eugenics are leas
spoken of; it grows strong and bea'
tfful where the soil is prepared
where proper nourishment is supplied
''Mere instruction is no safeguard III
less the power of the lower impulse
is counteracted by general and sy
tematic training of the character, an
above all else, by thorough develo
ment of will-power. To strengthe
the will against temptation is tho
sand times more important than to Ell
tighten the intellect. Of what ava
will be the most accurate knowledg
relating to sex and health if the il
dividual does not possess the power
act according to his knowledge in tn
hour of trial? The protection {
youth from the dangers of sex is
question of power rather than know
edge" (F. w. Foerster.)
Devotion to Mary supplies power,
promotes a high moral standard
our youth. This devotion fosters
genuine sincere piety. Nowhere al
prayers offered up more frequent
and more sincerely than at the shrine
and affairs of our Blessed Lady; Il
deep religious sentiment which it cal
forth is apparent in the celebration
her, feasts, in the devotions of h,