MARY, OUR MOTHER

MOTHER OF MERCY
(Traditional Feast, Saturday before the 4th Sunday of July)

“By me, his handmaid, he hath fulfilled his mercy which he promised to the house of Israel.” Judges 13:18.

For a whole year the town of Calais, France, was besieged by the English, who lost many troops. Starvation finally forced the French to give up. But the English king, Edward III, would not accept their surrender unless six citizens of Calais came before him bare-headed, bare-footed, dressed in rough shirts, and each with a halter about his neck. He demanded the keys of Calais, and that these men accept his pleasure, however severe, before the rest of the citizens would receive mercy.

Imagine the sorrow of the besieged city. No one wanted to give his life in such a way. At length a nobleman by the name of Eustace de Saint Pierre spoke to the assembly:
“I will be one to offer my head to the King of England as a ransom to save this fair town from sack and spoil.”

At once five others volunteered. They put on the rough shirts and halters. Bare-footed and bare-headed, they went before the English king who angrily reminded them of the terrible losses he suffered through their stubbornness. At last he ordered the six citizens to be beheaded. The king’s noblest and bravest warriors pleaded with him to spare. But in vain. Then Queen Philippa arose from her seat beside the king, knelt before him, and with tears streaming down her cheeks, she prayed:
“My lord and husband, I have crossed the sea through many dangers to be with you. Let me now pray you to take pity on these six prisoners.”

After a few minutes of deep thought the king declared:
“Madam, I wish you had been elsewhere this day. I cannot deny the boon you ask of me. Take these men and dispose of them as you will.”

The gracious queen gave the six hostages better clothing, presented each with a certain amount of money, and had them safely brought back through the lines and set at liberty to return home.

There is a picture of Mary, Mother of Mercy. Mary is in every sense a Mother of Mercy because she is the Mother of Christ, who brought mercy to the world. Mary is the Mother of Mercy for three special reasons:
1. She defends the sinner; 2. She tries to convert the sinner; 3. She receives sinners with joy when they repent.

1. Mary shows her mercy towards sinners by shielding them against God’s anger and punishment. We have many types of this in the Old Testament, particularly that of Nabal, who refused aid to King David and his people when they were in need. Abigail, the wife of Nabal, appealed to her husband and did secure the needed aid. (Isaiah Chapter 25) We have many such figures in the Old Testament of a queen or wife appealing on behalf of those who needed mercy.

In the “Hail Holy Queen” Mother Church has taught us to address Mary as Mother of Mercy. We say that prayer with each Rosary we recite. “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope.” Mary appealed for sinners during her life; she still does from heaven. Into her mouth can be put the words of Sacred Scripture:
“I desire not the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Ezekiel, 33: 11.

Defending sinners is Mary’s occupation, as it is the task of every queen to defend those who need mercy. The king takes care of the justice, but the motherly heart of the queen goes out to those who need mercy. Every sinner needs mercy. We need it. Mary has defended us. Otherwise, how could a wicked world continue to exist, or how could sinners continue to live under the wrath of God? Mary shields us by praying to her Divine Son for us, by holding back His avenging hand, by persuading Him to show further patience and mercy. She pleads with Him for us. She even promises that we will repent, that we will amend our lives and make satisfaction for our sins.

2. We call Mary our Mother of Mercy because she tries to convert sinners by sending her servants, particularly her priests, to exhort and guide and direct souls, to bring them back to the Sacraments of Mother Church. She converts sinners by placing in their path a good book, a Catholic paper. pamphlet or magazine. She directs the sinners gaze to a crucifix or to a picture of herself. She even goes to the King Himself, and, like Queen Philippa, begs God for mercy.

We have all heard the story of St. Augustine, who was converted by the prayers and tears of his earthly mother, St. Monica. But St. Augustine himself declared that his conversion was due, not so much to the tears and prayers of his earthly mother, as to the tears and prayers of his heavenly mother, Mary.

Of course must not presume upon that mercy, but betake ourselves to her motherly Heart and make this mercy of God a permanent fact in our lives.

3. Mary is the Mother of Mercy because the conversion of sinners brings her so much joy. We know that there is joy in heaven over one sinner that does penance. Certainly there is joy in the Heart of the Queen of heaven when a sinner repents. The Blessed Virgin once told St. Bridget:
“However much a man sins, if he returns to me with a real purpose of amendment, I am instantly ready to welcome him; neither do I pay attention to the greatness of his sins, but to the intention alone with which he comes. I do not disdain to anoint and heal his wounds, for I am called, and truly am, the Mother of Mercy.”

[Adapted from a sermon by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Arthur Tonne, Didde Printing Company.]