[MaryVitamin] Columbus Day

 

Mary Vitamin for Columbus Day

 

Topic: Columbus and the Salve Regina

 

Quote:

 From Columbus' log:

But the Admiral held it for certain that land was near; for which reason, after they had said the Salve which the seamen are accustomed to repeat and chant after their fashion, the Admiral directed them to keep a strict watch upon the forecastle and look out diligently for land...

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html

 

Meditation:

In today's uneasy environment it might be easier than ever to imagine ourselves like Christopher Columbus traversing the unknown reaches of the Atlantic Ocean . Columbus faced nameless dangers and many days of deprivation.  Who knew how long he would be out at sea? How many days would pass before he saw land again? (if ever)  For companions he had mutinous, simple people who didn’t share his vision.  He not only had to live in close quarters with these people he also had to show them courage and hope while molding them to his vision. How did Columbus accomplish this feat? What can we learn from him?

 

No matter how many different interpretations historians offer on the life of Christopher Columbus, we have to believe the Genoese sailor had courage under trial. If we consult Columbus ’ travel log which he made on the Santa Maria during the famous journey of 1492, the Admiral's words convey a sense of hope because of a prayerful dependence upon God.

 

"I trust in that high God in whose hands are all victories, we very soon shall sight land."

September 17, 1492

 

History also tells us that Christopher Columbus was a Third Order Franciscan. This tells us more about the expression of the explorer’s faith. Marian devotion has always been a hallmark of members belonging to this order. Why would it be any different for Columbus who lived in pre-Protestant Europe ? The Continent had not yet heard of the 95 Thesis or experienced the usurpation of King Henry VIII. We might even expect greater zealousness in practicing  devotion to the Holy Mother of God since no one had called the practice  into doubt.

 

Paolo Emilio Taviani writes, 

"Columbus was particularly devoted to the Virgin Mary and to

Saint Francis.  He knew by heart all of the New Testament and

long passages from the Old."

Five Hundred Magazine, Volume 1/No. 2; Oct/Nov 1989,

  

Each night as the ship which bore the same name as the Queen of Heaven moved closer to the New World , the crew brought the day to a close with the chanting of the Salve Regina. The haunting and powerful melody must have been a balm to spirits shaken by fear and hard labor. Could this practice be an example of Columbus ’s ardent Marian devotion? A devotion which gave support to his intrepid spirit?

 

Resolution:

As a simple way to Marianize this Columbus day, I will sing the Salve Regina to end the Rosary and turn the needs of the world, my country and my family over to Our Lady with this beautiful and ancient hymn.

Sung Salve Regina with the Carmelites of Ars or

 Sung Solemn Salve Regina

 

Marian Vow:

In light of the missionary character of the Marian vow, Fr. Manelli communicates the following to the First Order Franciscans,

"St. Maximilian by passed the restraint placed by the twelfth chapter of the Rule of St. Francis, which said that only the friar moved by ‘divine inspiration’ (that is, who had the gift of a missionary vocation) and is considered qualified by the superiors, may be sent to mission lands. With the Marian vow, every Franciscan Friar of the Immaculate effectively already has the gift of the missionary vocation and can be sent anywhere, at any moment, by the Will of God expressed in obedience."

The Marian Vow of Unlimited Consecration to the Immaculate, (Immaculate Mediatrix Edition: 1996)

 

 I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Thanks be to God for graces received.

 

Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate & AirMaria

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