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
behold, the door of the church was burst open by a strong wind. Two
youths entered with lighted torches in their hands, and stood on each
side of the high altar. Then two others followed, who spread before the
altar a carpet, and placed upon it two thrones of gold. Another youth,
in military attire, followed, with a sword in his hand, and stopping in
the midst of the church, cried: “Oh ye saints of heaven, whose relics
are preserved in this church, come to assist at the great justice which
the sovereign Judge is about to execute.” At these words many saints
appeared, and also the twelve apostles, as assistants in this judgment.
Lastly, Jesus Christ entered, and seated himself on one of these thrones.
Afterwards Mary appeared, attended by many holy virgins, and seated
herself on the other throne at the side of her Son. The Judge now ordered
that the culprit should be brought forward, and he was the miserable
Udo. St. Maurice spoke, and demanded, in the name of the people whom he
had scandalized, justice for his infamous life. All present raised their
voices and said: “Oh Lord, he merits death.” “Let him die, then,” said
the eternal Judge. But before the sentence was executed (see how great is
the mercy of Mary) she, the kind mother, that she might not be present at
that tremendous act of justice, left the church; and then the heavenly
minister, who entered among the first, with the sword, approaching Udo,
with one blow severed the head from the body, and the vision vanished.
The place was left dark. The canon, trembling, went for a light from a
lamp which was burning under the church; and when he returned, saw the
body of Udo with the head cut off, and the pavement all covered with
blood. When daylight came, the people thronged the church, and the canon
related the whole vision and the circumstances of that fearful tragedy.
And on the same day the wretched Udo, who was condemned to hell, appeared
to one of his chaplains, who knew nothing of what had taken place in the
church. The body of Udo was thrown into a marsh, and his blood remained
for a perpetual memorial on that pavement, which was always covered with
a carpet; and from that time it became the custom to uncover it when a
new bishop took possession of the church, that at the sight of such a
punishment he might be mindful to lead a good life, and not be ungrateful
for the graces of the Lord and of his most holy mother.
PRAYER.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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