THE COMPASSIONATE MOTHER

St. Bernard speaking of the great compassion of Mary towards humanity, the poor creatures says that she is the land overflowing with milk and honey promised by God. Hence, St. Leo observes that the Blessed Virgin has so merciful heart that she deserves not only to be called merciful but Mercy itself.  St. Bonaventure considering Mary says, “ O Lady when I behold thee, I can only discern mercy, for thou was made mother of God for the wretched and thou was entrusted with their charge, thou art all solicitude for them: thou art walled in with mercy; thy only wish is to show it.

            The compassion of Mary is so great towards us, that the Abbot Guaric says that her loving heart can never remain a moment without bringing forth its fruits of tenderness. Mary is also called an Olive tree: as a fair Olive tree in the plains. For as the Olive oil alone is extracted, so from the hands of Mary graces and mercy alone proceed. Hence, venerable Fr Louis de Porte says that Mary may properly be called the mother of oil, since she is the mother of mercy. When we go to this good mother for the oil of mercy, we cannot fear that she will deny it us, as the wise virgins in the gospels did it to the foolish ones; lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you.” Oh! No for she is rich in the oil of mercy as St Bonaventure assures us, “Mary is filled with oil of mercy and compassion.”

            Sometimes perhaps we fear that Mary does not see or does not feel for our necessities? She sees and feels them for better than we do ourselves. St Antonuys says who can ever feel for us in our miseries both corporal and spiritual like this woman, the most Blessed Virgin Mary. So much so that there where she sees misery she cannot do otherwise than instantly fly and relieve it with her tender compassion. Our good mother herself protests that she will never cease to fulfil this office of mercy. Emperor Tutus, the great was so desirious of rendering service to those who applied to hem that when a day passed without his being able to grant a favour he used to say with sorrow,’ I have spent the day without benefiting anyone. It is same with our mother of compassion whenever we ask anything with a grateful heart, she never denies and she is always ready to grant any grace.

Every human being should have recourse to this compassionate mother and confidently hope for salvation through her intercession for she according to the encouraging assurance of Bernardino de Bustis, she is our salvation, our hope, our model, our counsel, our life and our refuge.

I conclude with the beautiful and tender exclamation of St Bonaventure, “O Clement, O Pious, and O Sweet Virgin Mary. Mother Mary is clement with the miserable and compassionate with those who pray to her.