Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
SATURDAY, January 23rd Mk. 3: 20–21 “When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’”
Part 1: On Consolation and Desolation… by Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Part 2: SAD, DEPRESSED, IN DESOLATION—TURN TO MARY!!! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
PART 1: On Consolation and Desolation… by Saint Ignatius of Loyola
I shall speak… about two lessons that the Lord is accustomed to give, or at least permit (He gives the one and permits the other). The one He gives is interior consolation, which casts out all disturbance and draws us into total love of the Lord. There are some whom the Lord lights up in such consolation, and there are others to whom He uncovers many secrets, and more later. With this Divine consolation, all hardships are ultimately pleasure, all fatigues, rest. For anyone who proceeds with this interior fervor, warmth, and consolation, there is no load so great that it does not seem light to them, nor any penance or other hardship so great that it is not very sweet. This shows to us and opens the path with the direction we are to follow, and the opposite we are to avoid. This consolation is not always with us, but proceeds always at specific times as arranged. And all this is for our profit.
Then as we are left without this sort of consolation, the other lesson soon comes: I mean that our old enemy places before us every possible obstacle to divert us from what has been begun, attacking us very much. He acts completely counter to the first lesson, often plunging us into sadness without our knowing why we are sad. Nor can we pray with any devotion, or contemplate, or even speak and hear of things about God Our Lord with any interior savor or relish.
And not stopping there, if he finds we are weak and let ourselves be subjected to such tainted thoughts, he brings us to think that we have been completely forgotten by God, and we end up with the impression that we are completely separated from Our Lord. Everything we have done, everything we were wanting to do, none of it counts. In this way, he tries to make us lose trust in everything. But we can see from all this what is the cause of o much fear and weakness on our part: at one stage we spent too long a time with our eyes fixed on our own miseries, and subjected ourselves to his deceptive lines of though
So here the person fighting has to identify the enemy. If it is a time of consolation, we must lower and abase ourselves, and reflect that soon the trial of temptation will come. If temptation, darkness, or sadness come, we must act against them without allowing any bitterness, and wait in patience for the Lord’s consolation, which will evaporate all disturbances and shadows from outside.
PART 2: SAD, DEPRESSED, IN DESOLATION—TURN TO MARY!!!
He was going through a terrible interior storm. There seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Hopeless it seemed; no way out! Loss of appetite, loss of sleep, loss of desire for anyone or anything. Life seemed to be insupportable. As if he was hanging from a steep precipice, his life seemed precarious to say the least! This was the interior state of one of the most known, most loved, and most admired saints in the Catholic Church. Yes! This was the interior state of near despair experienced by the great Saint Francis de Sales!
THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL—THE HELPING HAND! When all seemed bleak, obscure, dark, almost beyond hope, the young man Francis de Sales entered a Church. One of his prayers was: “Lord, even if my destiny is hell, at least grant me the grace to love you even there!” Such was his interior condition! However, neither God nor the Blessed Virgin Mary ever abandon their children, especially in the most bleak and dark of conditions! Dawn grows and the sun breaks through in souls that entrust themselves to Jesus through Mary. One of the beautiful titles for the Blessed Virgin Mary is The Star of the Morning/Morning star!
Though he entered a Church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Notre Dame de la Victoire—Our Lady of Victory, it seemed lost on the young Francis. However, there in this beautiful Church that was dedicated to Our Lady who wins victories, especially in the souls of her beloved children, Francis found a statue of Mary and a prayer dedicated to her.
THE MEMORARE. The prayer dedicated to Mary was titled the Memorare. According to tradition, it is attributed to the Mellifluous Doctor, Saint Bernard. Kneeling down in front of the statue of Mary and the prayer of Saint Bernard, young Francis opened up his mind and heart, and prayed with all the fervor of his soul the Memorare. “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided…”
FREEDOM: LIBERATION THROUGH THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY!!! After reciting this Marian prayer attributed to Saint Bernard, Francis experienced what seemed to be a miracle in his life! That dense, impervious, dark cloud that had totally enveloped him, that had immersed and submerged him in hopelessness, suddenly dissipated! The sun broke through the clouds; light beamed at the end of the tunnel; his gloom and depression were transformed into peace and joy. He could hear the chirping of the birds and smell the fragrant scent of the flowers. God had finally lifted Francis out of what seemed to be a sinking quicksand of hopelessness!
BUT HOW??? THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. God’s plans are not our plans, and God’s designs are very mysterious. The Lord willed to rescue the young Francis through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the prayer of the Memorare!
BEFORE VICTORY COMES TRIAL. God was preparing young Francis for an extremely important role in the Church, as well as the world at large. Priest, Bishop, Founder, writer and author, missionary, Spiritual Director, admired by all—these were the roles that Saint Francis de Sales would assume and occupy in the heart of the Catholic Church. However, first he had to conquer the powerful enemy that tempted him to discouragement and almost despair.
TOOL TO CONQUER SADNESS. Thereafter, when tempted to discouragement, Francis de Sales would pray the Memorare. The devil, the enemy of our salvation, a liar and murderer from the beginning, cannot conquer the power, the presence, and this prayer of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Even the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary causes the enemy mortal fear and panic, and he takes to flight. “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided…”
IF IT WORKS FOR THE SAINTS, THEN IT SHOULD WORK FOR US!!! Having reflected briefly upon an episode in the life of one great saint, Saint Francis de Sales, who was truly rescued through the intercession of Mary, Our Lady of Victory, and the praying of the Memorare, let us strive to walk in the footsteps of the saints, the true friends of Jesus and Mary.
WHAT TO DO IN DESOLATION. Saint Ignatius of Loyola in his Rules for Discernment of Spirits mentions the state of desolation, what we should do in desolation, as well as what we should avoid. Francis de Sales went through a very powerful state of desolation. What is desolation? It is when we have a lack of faith, lack of hope, lack of charity—we feel this! It is when we feel sad, discouraged, depressed, drawn to lowly things, and sensuality. In other words, we want to simply throw in the towel and give up! Life is useless! What is the meaning and purpose of it all!
PRAY THE MEMORARE!!! Therefore, having learned in one short lesson the reality and meaning of desolation, we must counter it, and conquer it through fervent prayer. We suggest and encourage praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We recommend the prayer of Saint Bernard that pulled Saint Francis de Sales out of the near pit of despair, the MEMORARE!!!
DESOLATION WILL COME!!! Therefore, prepare yourself for spiritual battle. We are all called to be soldiers of both Jesus and Mary in this very short life that God has given to us, so as to attain eternal happiness in heaven. When all seems gray, bleak, obscure, dark, and meaningless, without any real hope, then lift up your mind, heart, and soul to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and she will never fail you! She will stretch out her gentle but firm hand and pull you out of the quicksand of your helplessness! “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided…” Like Saint Francis de Sales, God is calling you out of darkness into His wonderful light through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Entrust your whole being to her; she will never fail you in life or in death!
A FINAL INTENTION: PRAY FOR THE END OF ABORTION. Relevant Radio during the course of the year 2018 proposed that together we pray millions of MEMORARES for the purpose of ending abortion. What a most noble intention! Why not valiantly continue praying the Memorare daily for this intention. Therefore, in addition to praying this prayer in our lives when we are going through a state of desolation, let us also pray this powerful Marian prayer to combat and conquer the attacks against human life, especially from the very moment of conception.
MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA
