Hail O sure Refuge of Sinners, whose mercy fails no one …
The blessed John Erolto, who, through humility, called himself The Disciple, relates that there was once a married man who lived in disgrace in the sight of God.
His
wife, a virtuous woman, not being able to induce him to abandon his
vicious courses, entreated him that at least, while he was in so
miserable a condition, he would offer this devotion to the mother of
God, namely, to say a Hail Mary every time he passed before her altar.
He accordingly began to practice this devotion.
One night, when he was about to
commit a sin, he saw a light, and, on closer observation, perceived that
it was a lamp burning before a holy image of the blessed Virgin, who
held the Infant Jesus in her arms. He said a Hail Mary, as usual but
what did he see? He saw the infant covered with wounds, and fresh blood flowing from them. Both terrified and moved in his feelings, he remembered that he himself too had wounded his Redeemer by his sins, and began to weep, but he observed that the Child turned away from him.
In deep confusion, he had recourse to the most holy Virgin, saying:
“Mother of mercy, thy Son rejects me;
I can find no advocate more kind and more powerful than thou, who art
His mother; my queen, aid me, and pray to Him in my behalf.”
The divine mother answered him from that image:
“You
sinners call me mother of mercy, but yet you do not cease to make me the
mother of misery, renewing the passion of my Son, and my sorrows.”
But because Mary never sends away
discontent those who cast themselves at her feet, she began to entreat
her Son that He would pardon that miserable sinner. Jesus continued to show Himself unwilling to grant such a pardon, but the holy Virgin, placing the Infant in the niche, prostrated herself before Him, saying:
“My Son, I will not leave Thy feet until Thou hast pardoned this sinner.
“My Mother,” answered Jesus, “I can deny thee nothing; dost thou wish for his pardon? For love of thee I will pardon him. Let him come and kiss My wounds.”
The sinner approached, weeping
bitterly, and as he kissed the wounds of the Infant, they were healed.
Then Jesus embraced him as a sign of pardon. He [the sinner] changed his conduct, led a holy life, and was ever full of love to the Blessed Virgin, who had obtained for him so great a favor.
“Stories of Mary” are taken from the Glories of Mary, translated from the Italian of St. Alphonsus Liguori; New Revised Edition, P.J. Kennedy & Sons. Copyright 1888 by P.J. Kennedy
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