The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-08-12
MARY.

How fitting it seems to our deVot-
ed hearts that the Catholic Church
should dedicate two months of the
year-May and October-to Mary.
But why did God select this 1oWly
maiden to be the mother of His Son?
Why did He preserve her from orig
inal sin and, long before she was born,
why did He eXclaim in admiration,
Thou art all fair, My Beloved, there
is no spot in Thee?" 1t was because
He knew from all eternity that she
alone would give Him her entire
heart and of her own free will she
would live purer life than anyone
else on earth.
And well we know how Mary proved
worthy of Gods choice. From the
cradle to the grave her love was
warmer than the royal blood that
coursed in her veins and her only
aspiration that it be done to her ac-
cording to His Word. When worldly
hearts had mo room" for the Saviour
of souls Mary gave Him shelter on
her sinless breast and her life was so
sweet and virtuous that at her knee
even the Christ-Child grew in wis
dom and age and grace before God
and men,"
1t is not strange then that God Who
saw this with the wisdom of His
eternal years would honor her above
all the works of creation and eXclaim:
Thou art all fair, My Beloved" Nor
is it wonderful that Catholics cry out
in loving reverence, Thou art the
pride of thy people, an honor to thy
Church and a glory to God HIMSELF
But to honor Mary rightly it is not
sufficient to bring flowers to her
shrine, but we must practice her per-
fections, for imitation is the stncerest
form of praise. Like the Queen of
Sorrows we must accept sufferings as
pledge of Gods dearest affection
and in our hours of gloom we must
repeat with her, BE it done unto me
according to Thy Word" When
tempted to vanity because of some
charm or gift, we should recall the
modesty of the fairest of woman-kind
who remained lowly and meek though
an angel from heaven had worshipped
at her feet And when lonely and
troubled we should go like the Christ
Child with confidence and love and
! she will lead us, too, in wisdom and
age and grace before God and men.
And how parents should strive to
initiate Mary that they might encour.
age their little ones to be pure in
! heart and soul. Yet when girl
| chooses the better part, when she
yearns to be a Bride of the Crucified
some worldly parents seek to discour
age her by ridicule and mockery. II
is not true love that deprives God of a
virgin heart 1t is the greed of par
ents. They say, "Oh, can't do with.
out her, she is such a companion but
they would gladly give her in marriage
to a base. but wealthy husband. Or
they will say, 1--WE cannot afford tC
give up her wages" yet they don't con
slider the wealth of graces they are
abandoning by keeping this child from
God What is a parents sacrifice com
| pared with the years OF Vigil ana 81
lence this pure one will make fo1
Christ? Let them remember that
Mary gave her Son to death for love OF
souls though it meant a lonely home
a broken heart and years filled with
sorrow and toll while the first voca
ton that was ever lost was spoiled by
the greed of Judas.
We may bring flowers to Mary's
altar, but they will be of no avail un
less they are tokens of hearts purified
by love and sorrow Like Mary al
must suffer until they are safe in
Heaven and it is only by lives of vir
tue that we will be worthy to hear the
praises of Our Heavenly Father, Thou
art all fair, Beloved Soul, there is nc
spot in thee"