Holy Saturday - "Mary's Day" (final stanzas of "Stabat Mater"" - 19 - 20)

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today on this “Holy Saturday”, I’m completing my threads on the hymn “Stabat Mater” with the final stanzas:

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
Be Thy Mother my defense,
Be Thy Cross my victory.

While my body here decays,
May my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee. Amen.

For centuries the Catholic Church has honored Mary our Mother in special ways, on Saturdays. The Church continues “seeing” by Supernatural Faith our Mother Mary’s faith in all Jesus said and did. Mary pondered all in her heart and believed with perfect faith, hope and above all charity, Jesus would rise, just as He said.

By our Baptism we have been infused with the Supernatural gifts of Faith, Hope and Charity and we too are called to believe, as sons and daughters of Mary, Mother of our Faith! The sword that pierced her heart caused such a deep sorrow – we cannot begin to fathom, but we can seek today to remain close to her and every Saturday, especially on the First Saturday of every month we can continue to offer Reparation to her Immaculate Heart for all she suffers with Her Son.

Let us learn from a saint who loved her:

1. Mary will share her faith with you. Her faith on earth was stronger than that of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles and saints. Now that she is reigning in heaven she no longer has this faith, since she sees everything clearly in God by the light of glory. However, with the consent of almighty God she did not lose it when entering heaven. She has preserved it for her faithful servants in the Church militant. Therefore the more you gain the friendship of this noble Queen and faithful Virgin the more you will be inspired by faith in your daily life. It will cause you to depend less upon sensible and extraordinary feelings. For it is a lively faith animated by love enabling you to do everything from no other motive than that of pure love. It is a firm faith, unshakable as a rock, prompting you to remain firm and steadfast in the midst of storms and tempests. It is an active and probing faith which like some mysterious pass-key admits you into the mysteries of Jesus Christ and of man’s final destiny and into the very heart of God himself. It is a courageous faith which inspires you to undertake and carry out without hesitation great things for God and the salvation of souls. Lastly, this faith will be your flaming torch, your very life with God, your secret fund of divine Wisdom, and an all-powerful weapon for you to enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. It inflames those who are lukewarm and need the gold of fervent love. It restores life to those who are dead through sin. It moves and transforms hearts of marble and cedars of Lebanon by gentle and convincing argument. Finally, this faith will strengthen you to resist the devil and the other enemies of salvation. (From: St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion”)