Growth of the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of El Paso

I received this following email update and wish to pass it along.  Praying for this group is a good intention:

 After 1045 days of consecutive prayers, including many rosaries, novenas, penances, sacrifices, letters, tears and petitions to numerous ecclesial authorities (up to and including the Apostolic Signatura), the Diocese of El Paso finally established a Traditional Latin Mass parish in the City of El Paso. The previous bishop had abruptly destroyed our parish life back on September 20, 2011 when he transferred Fr. Michael Rodriguez to the furthest extremity of the diocese, about 250 miles away. On 1 Aug 2014 our current bishop entrusted Immaculate Conception parish downtown to the the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. This is one of the oldest parishes in the city and for a time actually served as the 'cathedral' before St. Patrick was built. It still has its original high altar and a communion rail. It is quite a beautiful with a choir loft, saint statues, and one row of stained glass windows. It seats approximately 275 people. If you wish to see what the Church looks like, you can actually watch the video of a Solemn High Nuptial Mass which Fr. Rodriguez offered there back in Dec 2013 (Video Link Here). The FSSP has since sent two priests, Fr. John Shannon and Fr. Kevin O'Neill, who are offering the TLM daily (twice on most days). The parish is still in its very initial stages of growth. The parish still lacks a lot of the basic liturgical resources to carry out normal parish life (e.g. vestments, monstrance, thurible, processional candles, crucifix, etc...), but over the weeks and months to come this place will surely flourish (with many prayers and sacrifices of course). Nevertheless, the 10AM Sunday Mass has been quite full the past three Sundays, even standing room only on the first Sunday Mass. The priests then added a second to take on some of the overflow.

To my knowledge, Immaculate Conception is the only such diocesan parish in a very large geographical area: from Phoenix to the West, to Albuquerque in the North, and Dallas in the East. On the Feast of the Assumption, I told myself: "Wow, today there will be five Traditional Latin Masses in the City of El Paso, and six within the geographical area of the El Paso Diocese." Then I thought to myself, when is the last time that has happened? Well, I certainly don't know the answer for certain, but I am quite sure that it has never before happened in my lifetime. Thinking in those terms helped me reflect upon how much has been granted by God through many prayers and sacrifices towards the restoration of our Faith. And I was so very grateful to God for it all. I certainly consider this a miracle only possible through great supernatural aid. So I once again profoundly thank all of you who have helped in this effort. Of course, there is still so much work to be done in this recovery and restoration of our Faith in this Diocese and all over the world!

UPDATE REGARDING FR. RODRIGUEZ

Back on 20 Sept 2011, Fr. Rodríguez was assigned as parochial vicar of Santa Teresa in Presidio (El Paso Diocese). This parish also serves three outlying missions: Shafter, Candelaria, and Redford. Sadly, in May 2013, the pastor (administrator) of Santa Teresa announced to his parishioners that he was leaving the priesthood. This left Fr. Rodríguez as the only priest in the area, the closest being about 90 miles away in Alpine, TX. As of 11 July 2014, the bishop assigned another priest as pastor of Santa Teresa and gave Fr. Rodríguez the assignment of Administrator for Sacred Heart Mission in Shafter. Shafter is a "ghost town." It had actually thrived earlier this century when the largest silver mine in Texas was discovered and the town was built to serve the mine. The mine was shut down in 1942 though and now the town has a population of maybe 40 souls. There is no stop sign in the town, no gas station or store of any kind, or any public government building. The Church and cemetery are by far the most notable sites, and there are some old Spanish explorers buried there from the 1600s. Perhaps the most notable historical fact about Shafter is that Venerable Maria de Agreda, a Spanish Conceptionist cloistered nun living in the 17th century, bi-located there and preached the Catholic Faith to the natives before the Spanish missionaries arrived.

Fr. Rodríguez continues to exercise his priestly ministry there and offers the Traditional Latin Mass daily. The nature and circumstances of this mission have thrust him into a quasi-hermetic life, but he enjoys it very much and is very grateful to God and our Blessed Lady for all the graces he has received there over the past three years. He has had more time to study, pray and do penance. Nevertheless, he still finds himself in a difficult situation, since it seems unlikely to me that the bishop will leave him there in that situation for long. In my opinion, the primary source of tension is Father Rodríguez's efforts and commitment to remain fully faithful to our Catholic Tradition in liturgy, doctrine, morals, preaching, and all other aspects of Catholic life. Moreover, the lawsuit filed against him by the previous bishop (very unjustly, even deceitfully, in my view) remains unresolved. Thus, please do keep him very much in your prayers. 

NOVENA UPDATE

Once Immaculate Conception was established as a traditional parish, our continuous novena was concluded (Jul 31) and we also brought to end our praying of the Rosary outside the diocesan chancery (we had done that 3 times a week for the past 1045 days). However, many of the faithful have expressed the desire to continue praying novenas, as this is a very good spiritual practice to develop as a habit. Acknowledging the need for greater flexibility in schedules and prayers, I will only suggest two novenas a month. As part of the spiritual efforts of the St Vincent Ferrer apostolate, we do encourage every one to pray the monthly novena to St. Vincent Ferrer. (The start of the month seems an appropriate enough time to do so, days 1-9 of the month, although any other time is also viable). Please pray it for your particular intentions as well as for the recovery and restoration of the Faith in your diocese and all over the world (as this is the purpose and goal of the St Vincent Ferrer Foundation). 


In the following nine day gap, those who wish to pray another novena on their own may do so easily in that time frame. We have many novenas at our website that you can choose from (http://svfonline.org/archived-novenas/) or from any other good traditional Catholic source.

Each month I will then only suggest one  novena with a particular intention (usually from the 19th through the 27th of the month). Please feel free to add your own intentions as you pray these novenas. These will also be found at the St. Vincent Ferrer website under the main tab PRAYER, and then CURRENT NOVENA.  For this month, I am suggesting a Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help beginning tomorrow (Aug 23-Aug 31).

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Book Review: Peter and the Foreverland

Imagine if Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, and the rest of your favorite characters from the Peter Pan stories were actually actors in an apocalyptic end-of-time saga between God and Satan. Sound interesting? Well, that’s exactly what Jack Sky has done with this first installment of his youth series, Adventures in Peter Pan’s Foreverland - Pirates of the Apocalypse.

You’ll recognize some familiar faces from Catholic history in this fantasy story for children and teens. Peter Pan—actually Saint Peter the Apostle—is aided by a band of angel-fairies, including Prince Michael the Archangel and Tinker Bell, along with a cast of saints in alter egos that you will discover along the journey of this end-times fairy tale.

Three children—Anastasia, Stephen, and Alex—are recruited by Peter to assist in the ongoing battle against Captain Hook (a.k.a., Captain James) and his pirates. Only things are not what they seem to be. Even the pirates don’t realize the true identity of their Captain—the “evil one,” himself.

The story opens with Captain Hook and his band of pirates traveling on the Jolly Roger pirate ship from the “Mainland” to Foreverland Island, the home of Peter Pan. The ship is filled with precious treasure captured from the Mainland, where people no longer believe in the “evil one” and the Captain can apparently capture unwitting souls at will. Captain Hook thinks he can sail right into the heart of Foreverland and take the island from Peter. He has become bold indeed!

But as the story unfolds, it is clear the Captain has more than met his match with Peter, the angels, and their three latest children-recruits. The Captain believes he can kill Peter and secretly bury the pirate treasure in the heart of Foreverland. But his plans are easily defeated by Peter and his friends. Yet, as the novel ends, it is clear this is only the opening salvo in a greater war between God and Satan at the end of time.

Adventures in Peter Pan’s Foreverland is told with a whimsical lightness that younger children will certainly enjoy. It is an interesting read, filled with several humorous scenes. Jack Sky’s clever use of alter egos adds a bit of anticipation as the reader meets several figures from Church history that are sure to please.

Adventures in Peter Pan’s Foreverland - Pirates of the Apocalypse is sure to please young readers, who will easily spot a fun story wherein there is no doubt the good guys will win the day.

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Traditional Mass Propers: 13th Sunday After Pentecost

INTROIT
Ps. 73:20, 19, 23 Advert to Your covenant, O Lord, and forget not forever the lives of the poor. Arise, O Lord, defend Your own cause; and be not unmindful of the cries of those who seek You. Ps. 73:1. O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why is Your anger blazing up against the sheep of Your pasture? V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT - Almighty and Eternal God, deepen our faith, our hope and our charity, so that we may attain what You have promised and love what You have commanded. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE
Gal. 3:16-22
Brethren: To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ. Now this I say: that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise. Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one. Was the law then against the promises of God: God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.

GRADUAL
Advert to Your covenant, O Lord, and forget not forever the lives of the poor. V. Arise, O Lord, and defend Your own cause; remember the abuse hurled against Your servants.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 89:1 O Lord, You have been our refuge through all generations. Alleluia!

GOSPEL
Luke 17:11-19
At that time, as Jesus was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off. And lifted up their voice, saying: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." Whom when he saw, he said: "Go, shew yourselves to the priests." And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean. And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God. And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks. And this was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering, said: "Were not ten made clean? And where are the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger?" And he said to him: "Arise, go thy way; for thy faith hath made thee whole."

OFFERTORY
Ps. 30:15-16
I have hoped in You, O Lord. I have said, "You are my God; my life is in Your hands."

SECRET O Lord, look with favor upon Your people and their gifts. Let this offering move You to compassion and grant forgiveness for our sins and a speedy answer to our prayers. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION
Sap. 16:20
You have given us Bread from Heaven, o Lord, all delicate and sweet to taste. th.


POST COMMUNION - O Lord, may the reception of Your Sacrament bring us ever nearer to our eternal redemption. Through our Lord . . .

Sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945

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September's First Friday Devotion

Today is the First Friday of September. Because today is the first Friday of the Month, many Catholic parishes will have special Masses today for the First Friday Devotion.

"With foresight, the divine heart of Christ merited and ordered all the favors which we have received, disposing them for each of us in particular. How our hearts would be inflamed with love for so many favors! Consider that they were destined for us by the will of the Father, to be borne in the heart of the Savior, Who earned them for us by His sufferings, above all by His passion." - St. Francis de Sales

Beginning on December 27, 1673, through 1675, Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque asking her to receive Him in Holy Communion on the first Friday of every month and to meditate on His passion from 11:00 PM to 12:00 midnight each Thursday. He also revealed to her twelve promises for all who are devoted to His Sacred Heart; he asked for a Feast of the Sacred Heart to be instituted in the liturgical calendar of the Church. Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque with twelve promises for those devoted to His Most Sacred Heart.

Promises for those devoted to the Sacred Heart:

1. "I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life."
2. "I will establish peace in their homes."
3. "I will comfort them in their afflictions."
4. "I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death."
5. "I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings."
6. "Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy."
7. "Tepid souls shall grow fervent."
8. "Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection."
9. "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored."
10. "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts."
11. "Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out."
12. "I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving the Sacraments; My Divine heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment."

Prayer of Reparation:


O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore thee profoundly. I offer thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of thee the conversion of poor sinners.

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St. Laurence Justinian

Semidouble (1954 Calendar): September 5

Today is the Feast of St. Lawrence Justinian (1381 - 1456), the first Patriarch of Venice. 

Traditional Matins Reading:

Laurence was born at Venice of the illustrious family of the Justiniani, and while still a child was remarkable for the seriousness of his character. He spent his youth in exercises of piety, and then being attracted by divine Wisdom to the chaste espousals of the Word and the soul, he began to think of embracing a religious state. As a prelude to this new warfare, he secretly undertook many bodily austerities, such as sleeping upon bare boards. Sitting, as it were, as judge, he placed the pleasures of the world and the marriage prepared for him by his mother on the one hand, and on the other the austerities of the cloister; then casting his eyes on an image of Christ crucified, he said: ‘Thou, O Lord, art my hope: there thou hast placed thy most secure refuge,’ and he betook himself to the congregation of Canons of St. George in Alga. Here he invented fresh torments, and waged war with even more vehemence than before, against himself, as if against his greatest enemy. So far from allowing himself the least gratification, he would never set foot in the garden belonging to his family nor in his paternal home, except when without a tear he performed the last offices of piety towards his dying mother. He was equally zealous in the practice of obedience, meekness, and especially of humility. He would choose of his own accord the humblest duties of the monastery, and begged his bread in the most crowded parts of the town, seeking rather mockery than alms. He bore insults and calumnies unmoved and in silence. His great support was assiduous prayer, wherein he was often rapt in God in ecstasy. The love of God burnt so brightly in his heart that it kindled a like ardour in the hearts of his companions and encouraged them to perseverance.

Eugenius IV appointed him bishop of his native city. He made great efforts to decline the dignity, but when obliged to accept it, he so discharged its obligations as to win the praise of all. He changed nothing of his former manner of life, practising holy poverty, as he bad ever done, in what regarded his table, his bed, and his furniture. He kept but few persons in his house or service, for he used to say that he had another large family, meaning Christ’s poor. Every one had free access to him at any hour; he helped and consoled all with fatherly charity, even burdening himself with debts in order to relieve the necessitous. When he was asked on whose help he counted in such cases, he answered: ‘On my Lord’s help, and he can easily pay for me.’ And divine Providence always justified his confidence by sending him help in the most unexpected manner. He built many monasteries for nuns, whom he trained with great vigilance to the life of perfection. He devoted himself zealously to withdrawing the ladies of Venice from worldly pomp and vanity of dress, and to the reformation of ecclesiastical discipline and Christian morals. Thus he truly deserved the title of 'honour and glory of prelates,’ which Eugenius IV. applied to him in presence of the cardinals. Nicholas V, the next Pope, translated the Patriarchate from the See of Grado to that of Venice, and proclaimed him first Patriarch.

He was honoured with the gift of tears, and daily offered to almighty God the Victim of propitiation. Once when saying Mass on the night of our Lord’s Nativity he saw Christ Jesus under the form of a most beautiful Infant. Great was his care for the flock entrusted to him; and on one occasion it was revealed by heaven that Venice owed its safety to its pontiff’s prayers and merits. Filled with the Spirit of prophecy, he foretold many events which no human mind could have foreseen; while his prayers often put the devils to flight and healed diseases. Though he had made but little study of letters, he wrote books full of heavenly doctrine and piety. When his last illness came on, his servants prepared a more comfortable bed for him on account of his sickness and old age; but he, shrinking from such a luxury which was too unlike his Lord’s hard death-bed, the cross, bade them lay him on his usual couch. Knowing the end of his life had come, he raised his eyes to heaven, and saying ‘I come to thee, O good Jesus!’ he fell asleep in the Lord on the eighth of January. The holiness of his death was attested by angelic harmonies heard by several Carthusian monks; as also by the state of his body, which during the two months that it lay unburied, remained whole and incorrupt, of a lively colour and breathing a sweet fragrance. Other miracles, worked after his death, also gave proof of his sanctity; on which account, Pope Alexander VIII enrolled him among the saints. Innocent XII assigned for his feast the fifth of September, on which day the holy man had been raised to the pontifical dignity.

Collect: 

O Almighty God, grant that our solemn celebration of the feast of Your confessor bishop Lawrence Justinian may increase our devotion and bring us closer to our salvation. Through our Lord...

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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Feast of Pope St. Pius X

Today is the Feast of His Holiness Pope St. Pius X. This truly exemplary Pontiff is the well chosen patron of the Society of St. Pius X.  May he intercede from heaven in the fight against the modernist heresy.

Visit my prior post dedicated to this champion defender against modernism and pray in a special way for his intercession.  Also read my post on his funeral.

O God, Who to safeguard Catholic faith and to restore all things in Christ, didst fill the Supreme Pontiff, Saint Pius, with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fortitude: grant in Thy mercy: that by striving to fulfill his ordinances and to follow his example, we may reap eternal rewards. Through the same our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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New Website: Catholic365.com

The following story comes to me of this new website.  I did see some articles on the topic of the Traditional Latin Mass - at least from the perspective of someone familiar with the FSSP.  This might be a website to watch

We've launched Catholic365.com and need your help to spread the word.

Catholic365.com is a Catholic focused article and information portal by Catholic writers and bloggers who write about things Catholics are interested in, from a perspective consistent with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. We are striving to spread the word and the Catholic faith by highlighting both the articles and the writers through internet and social marketing campaigns.

We would ask that you take a look at http://www.Catholic365.com and announce the site to your readers and share it with your social media connections. If you see an article that your readers or friends would particularly enjoy, please share that with them too.

We are also looking for more contributing writers. If you, or someone you know, are interested in being a contributing writer, and write articles consistent with the teachings of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, we would love to discuss including your writings on this new site.

If you have any questions or need any additional information just let me know.

Thanks
Joe
Catholic365.com

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Vision of Pope John Paul II: Says to Instead Pray to Pope Pius XII

This story was published by Catholic News.  Let us pray for the Canonization of Pope Pius XII:

Rome, Italy, Jan 19, 2010 / 12:21 pm (CNA).- Some details of the case under investigation regarding a possible miracle attributed to Venerable Pope Pius XII have been made public. The story features not just one former Pontiff, but two.

On Tuesday morning, Vatican journalist Andrea Tornielli published an article in Il Giornale describing at length the situation which “mysteriously involves” John Paul II.
Tornielli reported that this case was brought to the attention of Benedict XVI shortly before he approved a measure on Dec. 19, 2009 venerating Pope Pius XII’s life of “heroic virtue,” whose cause had been on-hold for the previous two years.

In 2005, a teacher of 31 years of age was expecting her third child in the city of Castellammare di Stabia. She began to have strong pains, which after many tests and a biopsy, signaled the presence of Burkitt’s lymphoma. The condition is typified by swollen lymph nodes, often starting in the abdominal region, and the cancer can spread to bone marrow and spinal fluid. Not only was her health in danger, but that of her unborn child was also threatened.

The woman’s husband first prayed for the intercession Pope John Paul II, who was then only recently buried in the crypt of St. Peter’s. It wasn’t long before the Holy Father appeared to the woman’s husband in a dream. The spouse described to Tornielli what he saw that night, “He had a serious face. He said to me, ‘I can’t do anything, you must pray to this other priest…’ He showed me the image of a thin, tall, lean priest. I didn’t recognize him; I didn’t know who he might be.”

Several days passed before he, “by chance,” came across a picture of Pope Pius XII in a magazine and recognized him as the man John Paul II had shown him in the dream.

The man wasted no time in bombarding Pius XII with prayers for his wife’s healing and following her very first treatments she was declared free of the cancer, the tumor had disappeared. In fact, she was cured so quickly that her doctors pondered the notion that they may have originally misdiagnosed the pathology.

The tests and charts were reconsulted and the initial diagnosis was confirmed. In the absence of the tumor, she had her baby and returned to work. After some time had gone by, she decided to contact the Vatican regarding her experience.

A local news source, the Sorrento & Dintorni, ran an article on Sunday offering a basic story of the possible miracle and the diocesan response to it. According to their report, a Tribunal has been organized by Archbishop Felice Cece of Sorrento-Castellammare to determine the nature of the occurrence and whether it will move on to the Vatican.

According to Tornielli, if they decide positively, the case will be sent on to Congregation for the Causes of Saints for investigation by a team of doctors to declare whether the event was explicable by natural means. If there is no explanation found for the healing, theologians from the Congregation will debate the issue. Only with their “go-ahead” can a dossier subsequently reach the hands of Pope Benedict XVI for official recognition.

Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, told CNA on Monday that there is no telling how much time the entire process might take.
He also mentioned that if a case arrives to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints it is examined in chronological order based on the date of arrival and there are thousands of cases pending review.

However, he added, “exceptions might be made for Popes, etc.”

There was no mention in Tornielli’s report of where the lymphoma had manifested itself in the woman’s body. According to the National Institute of Health, Burkitt’s lymphoma is treatable and more than half of those diagnosed with the cancer are cured with intensive chemotherapy.

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SSPX Offers Mass in St. Peter's Basilica

Taken from the SSPX Website:

Watch a video of a Society priest offering Mass at St. Pius X's altar in St. Peter's Basilica. 

In conjunction with the ongoing 100th anniversary of our patron, St. Pius X, it gives us immense joy to convey some recent news of an important event that occurred at his very tomb in St. Peter's Basilica. 

On August 9th, a pilgrimage group from the SSPX's chapel in Noisy-le-Grand, France, had the privilege of attending Mass offered by their chaplain, Fr. Michel Sivry, at the altar of St. Pius X. Not only has it been reported that this occurred with the prior knowledge and consent of the basilica's "highest authority", but a video team even filmed the event for the French District's website, LaPorteLatine.org, where it may be watched. 

This video of Low Mass is unique in that it was shot at up-close angles so the celebrant's actions could be clearly seen, whereas usually the faithful are unable to view these sacerdotal gestures. Thus one of the striking features of this recording is the great reverence accorded to the Sacred Species throughout the ceremonies. 

We hope that this video will help Latin Rite Catholics everywhere to better appreciate the beauty, reverence and sacredness integral to the traditional Roman Mass, aspects that are visible signs of the true and unmitigated doctrines of the Faith, thus fulfilling the liturgical axiom: lex orandi, lex credendi (the law of prayer is the law of belief). 

Perhaps too, this example from certain authorities in Rome (as also occurred during the SSPX's Jubilee Pilgrimage in 2000) will influence those who have authority over certain pilgrimage shrines here in the States to modify their injunctions against our devout pilgrims and their chaplains.

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Is There a Mediator with the "One Mediator Between God and Man"?

This spiritual gem is taken from "True Devotion" by St. Louis De Montfort:

83. It is more perfect, because it is more humble, not to approach God of ourselves without taking a mediator. Our nature, as I have just shown, is so corrupted that if we rely on our own works, efforts and preparations in order to reach God and please Him, it is certain that our good works will be defiled or be of little weight before God in inducing Him to unite Himself to us and to hear us. It is not without reason that God has given us mediators with His Majesty. He has seen our unworthiness and our incapacity; He has had pity on us; and in order to give us access to His mercies, He has provided us with powerful intercessors with His Grandeur, so that to neglect these mediators, and to draw near to His Holiness directly, and without any recommendation, is to fail in humility. It is to fail in respect toward God, so high and so holy. It is to make less account of that King of Kings than we should make of a king or prince of this earth, whom we would not willingly approach without some friend to speak for us.

84. Our Lord is our advocate and Mediator of redemption with God the Father. It is through Him that we ought to pray, in union with the whole Church, Triumphant and Militant. It is through Him that we have access to the Majesty of the Father, before whom we ought never to appear except sustained and clothed with the merits of His Son, just as the young Jacob came before his father Isaac in the skins of the kids to receive his blessing.

85. But have we not need of a mediator with the Mediator Himself? Is our purity great enough to unite us directly to Him, and by ourselves? Is He not God, in all things equal to His Father, and consequently the Holy of Holies, as worthy of respect as His Father? If through His infinite charity He has made Himself our bail and our Mediator with God His Father, in order to appease Him and to pay Him what we owed Him, are we, on that account, to have less respect and less fear for His Majesty and His Sanctity?

Let us say boldly with St. Bernard (2) that we have need of a mediator with the Mediator Himself, and that it is the divine Mary who is the most capable of filling that charitable office. It was through her that Jesus Christ came to us, and it is through her that we must go to Him. If we fear to go directly to Jesus Christ, our God, whether because of His infinite greatness or because of our vileness or because of our sins, let us boldly implore the aid and intercession of Mary, our Mother. She is good, she is tender, she has nothing in her austere and forbidding, nothing too sublime and too brilliant. In seeing her, we see our pure nature. She is not the sun, which by the brightness of its rays blinds us because of our weakness; but she is fair and gentle as the moon (Cant. 6:9), which receives the light of the sun, and tempers it to make it more suitable to our capacity. She is so charitable that she repels none of those who ask her intercession, no matter how great sinners they have been; for, as the saints say, never has it been heard since the world was the world that anyone has confidently and perseveringly had recourse to our Blessed Lady and yet has been repelled. (3)

She is so powerful that none of her petitions has ever been refused. She has but to show herself before her Son to pray to Him, and straightaway He grants her desires, straightaway He receives her prayers. He is always lovingly vanquished by the prayers of His dearest Mother, who bore Him and nourished Him. (4)

86. All this is taken from St. Bernard and St. Bonaventure, so that according to them, we have three steps to mount to go to God: the first, which is nearest to us and the most suited to our capacity, is Mary; the second is Jesus Christ; and the third is God the Father. To go to Jesus, we must go to Mary; she is our mediatrix of intercession. To go to God the Father, we must go to Jesus; for He is our Mediator of redemption. Now the devotion that I am about to bring forward observes this order perfectly.

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