The Heart of Mary is the divinely-appointed Refuge of sinners. "O God," exclaims St. Alphonsus, "how great shall be the remorse of the damned Christian in thinking that, during life, he could have saved his soul with so much facility be invoking the intercession of this Mother of mercy; that he had not done so; and that there shall be no more time to do it." "Perhaps," says St. Bonaventure, "we are in doubt whether Mary will hear us when we address our prayers to her. No, Mary does not refuse, and never has refused, pity and aid to any sinner who has invoked her intercession."
That section is especially rich in meaning; I have read it a few times and encourage you to do the same. May we never seek to ask often the Mother of God to pray for us and for our salvation. It's easy for us to pray for what we want and need in that moment. But we must remember to 1. pray daily (and often in the day) and 2. to pray for our salvation.
The Propers for Today's Mass:
Introit: Ps lxxxv: 1
Thou, O Lord, art compassionate and merciful, patient and of much mercy, and true. O look upon us and have mercy on us; save the children of Thine handmaid, the Mother of Thy Son, the Queen of all the world. (Ps.) Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and hear me; for I am needy and poor. Glory be.... Thou, O Lord....
Collect:
O God most kind, Who as a salvation for sinners
and a refuge for the miserable, didst will the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the
Mother of Thine only Son and the distributor of His graces; grant, we pray, that
while celebrating the memory of this most loving Mother’s Heart, we may obtain
for sinners the grace of conversion, and for all the faithful an abundance of
heavenly gifts. Through the same our Lord....
Epistle: Ecclesiasticus xxxvi: 1, 13-19
Have mercy upon us, O God of all, and behold us,
and show us the light of Thy mercies. Gather together all the tribes of Jacob:
that they may know that there is no God besides Thee, and may declare Thy great
works: and Thou shalt inherit them as from the beginning. Have mercy on Thy
people, upon whom Thy name is invoked: and upon Israel, whom Thou hast raised up
to be Thy firstborn. Have mercy on Jerusalem, the city which Thou hast
sanctified, the city of Thy rest. Fill Sion with Thine unspeakable words, and
Thy people with Thy glory. Give testimony to them that are Thy creatures from
the beginning, and raise up the prophecies which the former prophets spoke in
Thy name. Reward them that patiently wait for Thee, that Thy prophets may be
found faithful: and hear the prayers of Thy servants, according to the blessing
of Aaron over Thy people, and direct us into the way of justice,
Gradual:
O Virgin Mother, do not forget when in the
presence of the Lord to speak to Him in our favor, so that he may turn from us
His anger. Remember the days of thy lowliness, invoke the Lord, speak to the
King in our favor, and deliver us from death.
Allelúja: Esther vii: 3, 4
Allelúja. Allelúja. If I have found favor in
Thy sight, give me my people for which I request, for they are given up to be
destroyed and to perish.
During Septuagesima and Lent: Tract: Proverbs viii: 32-35
Now therefore, ye children, hear me: Blessed are
they that keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. v.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and
waiteth at the posts of my doors. v. He that
shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord:
During Paschaltide: Allelúja: Esther vii: 3, 4
Allelúja. Allelúja. If I have found favor in
Thy sight, give me my people for which I request, for they are given up to be
destroyed and to perish. Allelúja. (ibid. 2) What
is thy petition that it may be granted thee? and what wilt thou have done:
although thou ask the half of my kingdom, thou shalt have it. Allelúja.
Gospel: John ii: 1-11.
The Continuation of the Holy Gospel
according to John:
And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana
of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and
his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith
to him: “They have no wine.” And Jesus saith to her: “Woman, what is that
to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come.” His mother saith to the waiters:
“Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.” Now there were set there six
waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews,
containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: “Fill the
waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to
them: “Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast.” And they
carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew
not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief
steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to him: “Every man at first setteth
forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But
thou hast kept the good wine until now.” This beginning of miracles did Jesus
in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.The Continuation of the Holy Gospel
according to John:
Offertory:
Out of love for Thy Mother, turn not away from
us, O Lord, Thy mercy: but be pleased with the sacrifice we offer Thee today,
for those who put their trust in Thee are never deceived.
Secret:
O Lord, our Redeemer, Whose death we commemorate
in this sacrifice, by its merits and the prayers of Thy most loving Mother Mary,
look kindly upon those who have offended Thee, that they may be converted from
their wrong paths, serve Thee in penance, and thus be delivered from eternal
damnation: Who livest and reignest...
Preface of the Blessed Virgin
“in veneration.”
Communion:
Queen of the world, most loving Mary ever
Virgin, obtain for us by thy prayers peace and salvation, thou who didst bring
forth Christ the Lord, the Savior of all.
Postcommunion
O God, Who hast left us in this holy Table a
help so precious for our mortal life: forget not Thy mercies, we pray; receive
kindly the prayers which the blessed Virgin Mary with all her heart continually
pours forth for sinners, and deign to bring them back to the path of
righteousness and peace: Who livest and reignest....
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