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Dear Friends and Benefactors,
"Tell me thy company and
I’ll tell thee what thou art." These words from the famous book, Don
Quixote de la Mancha, by Miguel de Cervantes, could have prevented many a
fall if they had been taken to heart. Indeed the company we keep has a good deal
to say when it comes to the formation of our characters. If our company is good,
our character will be inclined to develop toward virtue; whereas, if our company
is bad, the opposite will be the case.
It is evident, then, that a
devout client of the Blessed Virgin Mary is in a fortunate position, since by
contact with her most virtuous being, the soul of such a one grows day by day
more perfect. Our Savior evidently desired this effect, when He looked down from
the cross and said to St. John and us: "Son behold thy mother."
Thus the Son of God Himself
places Mary before our eyes as a perfect model and most beautiful example. The
wonderful sight of her virtues made the saints of so many different countries
and ways of life sing her praises. The view of her true place in the plan of
salvation made the most learned men of the theological world exhort us to
approach her as our most merciful and compassionate Mother. When we take their
advice and look to her we are forcibly turned away from the wretched picture,
full of sin and ugliness, presented by the world.
Above all, in a world denying
truth, Mary gives testimony to it; as there is no tarnish of sin in her, so is
there no blotch of error. All the saints give testimony to this treasure of
divine truth, and Mary is at their head —she is the saint of saints and the
truth-lover of truth-lovers. In her we see all the truths of Christianity
shining brightly; in this exhibition of truth we have a most wonderful book,
that teaches us all we need to know.
Mary also, as God’s most perfect
human creation (outside of Christ’s humanity, of course), helps us to reach
perfection. If we wish to become perfect in an art or science, we seek a teacher
who knows that art or science thoroughly. By listening to such a teacher’s
words, and thinking and acting in imitation of him, we gradually acquire that
art or science we seek. Mary will not teach us earthly wisdom, but from no other
merely human being will we be able to learn heavenly wisdom so well. Truly, we
can call her "The Divine University."
Therefore, Mary leads us to God
more quickly, more easily, and more thoroughly, than any other agent we can hope
to find in this valley of tears. We must remember, that God, as the Holy
Scripture says, is Love: and when we go to Mary, we are going to a soul whose
love for God is so burning that it seems to be one and the same with God by
participation. The world flies from Christ and His sacraments but those looking
upon Mary are exhorted to come to Him and His saving fountains of grace.
Deep veneration for her spotless
sanctity and a great desire to spread her devotion throughout the world, no
doubt, urged Pope Pius IX to define once and for all the doctrine of her
Immaculate Conception. By likewise holding her virtues up to the gaze of others
we too can further devotion to Mary and do much for the spiritual welfare of
souls. And even though the mockers cry out "Idolatry!" let us pay no attention
to them; for we know their accusation is but calumny. Mary is not divine in
herself; we know that; but she so surely leads us to the divine, that all the
honor we give her is not half of what is her just due.
It is unfortunate for the
Protestant world, that in the course of time, it has drifted farther and farther
from Mary. For just as Mary’s devotion takes us nearer and nearer to God, so her
desertion takes us farther and farther from the divine truth and love. If our
Savior wanted us to become like the Heavenly Father, as He said, how can we do
this better than by imitating Mary, who herself is more like God than any of her
fellow men?
During this Advent, as we begin
the new ecclesiastical year, let us strive to follow our Blessed Mother’s
example. To be like her, we need not work miracles; all we need is to attain the
beauty of her virtues —modesty, charity, faith, and all the other charming
fruits which adorn her beautiful soul. If we follow her, she who is the "Morning
Star", will assuredly lead us to her Divine Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.
Sincerely yours in the Divine Savior and His
Immaculate Mother,
Fr. John D. Fullerton
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