The glories of MaryLiguori, Alfonso Maria de', Saint
Religion
The glories of Mary
Liguori, Alfonso Maria de', Saint
Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint -- Early works to 1800
But I do not here speak of this sensible sweetness, since it is not
commonly granted to all, but I speak of the salutary sweetness of
consolation, love, joy, confidence, and strength, which the name of Mary
universally gives to those who, with devotion, pronounce it. Speaking
on this subject, Francone the Abbot says, that next to the holy name of
Jesus, the name of Mary is so rich in blessings, that no other name is
uttered on earth or in heaven from which devout souls receive so much
grace, hope, and sweetness.[832] For the name of Mary, he goes on to say,
contains in itself something admirable, sweet, and divine, which, when
it meets a friendly heart, breathes into it an odor of holy sweetness.
And the wonder of this great name is, he concludes, that if heard a
thousand times by the lovers of Mary, it is always heard as new, the
sweetness they experience in hearing it spoken being always the same.[833]
The blessed Henry Suso, also speaking of this sweetness, says, that in
pronouncing the name of Mary, he felt his confidence so much increased,
and his love so joyfully enkindled, that amidst the joy and tears with
which he pronounced the beloved name, he thought his heart would have
leaped from his mouth; and he affirmed that this most sweet name, as
honeycomb, melted into the depths of his soul. Whereat he exclaims: Oh
most sweet name! oh Mary, what must thou thyself be, if thy name alone is
so lovely and sweet?
The enamored St. Bernard, too, addressing his good mother with
tenderness, says to her: Oh great, oh merciful Mary, most holy Virgin,
worthy of all praise, thy name is so sweet and lovely that it cannot be
spoken without enkindling love to thee and to God in the heart of him who
pronounces it; the thought of it alone is enough to console thy lovers,
and inflame them with a far greater love to thee.[834] If riches are
a consolation to the poor, because by them they are relieved of their
miseries, oh how much more, says Richard of St. Laurence, does thy
name console us sinners, oh Mary; far more than the riches of earth it
relieves us in the troubles of the present life.[835]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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