 |
| Church of the Dormition, |
Eve of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Alphonsus de Liguori, The Glories of Mary
The life of
Mary being now at its close, the most delicious music, as Saint Jerome relates,
was heard in the apartment where she lay; and, according to a revelation of
Saint Bridget, the room was also filled with a brilliant light. This sweet
music, and the unaccustomed splendour, warned the holy Apostles that Mary was
then departing. This caused them again to burst forth in tears and prayers, and
raising their hands, with one voice they exclaimed: ' O, Mother, thou already
goest to heaven; thou leavest us; give us thy last blessing, and never forget
us miser able creatures.' Mary, turning her eyes around upon all, a3 if to bid
them a last farewell, said, ' Adieu, my children, I bless you; fear not, I will
never forget you.' And now death came, not indeed clothed in mourning and
grief, as it does to others, but adorned with light and gladness. But what do
we say? Why speak of death? Let us rather say that Divine love came, and cut
the thread of that noble life. And as a light before going out, gives a last
and brighter flash than ever ; so did this beautiful creature on hearing her
Son's invitation to follow Him, wrapped in the flames of love, and in the midst
of her amorous sighs, give a last sigh of still more ardent love, and breathing
forth her soul, expired. Thus was that great Soul, that beautiful Dove of the
Lord, loosened from the bands of this life; thus did she enter into the glory
of the blessed, where she is now seated, and will be seated, Queen of paradise
for all eternity.
No comments:
Post a Comment