The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 225"And even as children who have much offendedA too indulgent father, in great shame,Penitent, and yet not daring unattendedTo go into his presence, at the gateSpeak to their sister and confiding waitTill she goes in before and intercedes ;So men, repenting of their evil deeds,And yet not venturing rashly to draw nearWith their requests, an angry Father s ear,Offer to her prayers and their confession,And she in heaven for them makes intercession." lDo you ask me, is Mary willing to assist you?Does she really take an interest in your welfare?Or is she so much absorbed by the fruition of Godas to be indifferent to our miseries? "Can a womanforget her infant so as not to have pity on the fruitof her womb?" 2Even so Mary will not forget us.The love she bears us, her children by adoption,can be estimated only by her love for her Son bynature.that nursed the Infant Saviour.It was MaryIt was her hands that clothed Him. It was herbreast that sheltered him from the rude storm andfrom the persecution of Herod. She it was thatwiped the stains from His brow when taken downfrom the cross. Now we are the brothers of Jesus.He is not ashamed, says the Apostle, to call us Hisbrethren. 3 Neither isMary ashamed to call us herchildren by adoption. At the foot of the cross sheadopted us in the person of St. John. She is anx-1Longfellow s"Golden Legend."2Isaiah xlix. 15.3Heb. ii. 11.P