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 ”In me is all grace of the way and the truth.”

Today is the Carmelite feast of Our Lady, Mother of Divine Grace, which concludes the old octave of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

This feast is full of joy for me, honoring Our Lady as the Mother of Divine Grace; since she is the Mother of the Son of God, the Author of Grace - as Mother of God, she is rightly venerated as Mother of Divine Grace.

Evidence of Protestant influences.

In the West, we continue to suffer the effects of the Protestant Reformation as regards Marian devotion, this despite all that Vatican II said about Our Lady, as well as subsequent Papal encyclicals and various Bishop’s pastoral statements.  Since the Council, theologians and academics are careful to emphasize the Christological character of Marian devotion, which should be a given for any devout Catholic, yet seems to be more directed towards appeasing Protestants and those critical of the veneration given by Catholics to Our Lady.

The Protestant influence is so embedded in the contemporary consciousness, that it seems Marian devotion continues to be de-emphasized to a some degree - especially in the United States.  This despite the example of the profound devotion of Pope John Paull II, various Marian movements in the Church, and even reports of numerous apparitions throughout the world.

Making Mary like ourselves.

In fact, oftentimes when we hear a homily on Our Lady it is usually only in connection with a major solemnity, and it  can sometimes sound more like an apology or “putting Mary in her place” rather than inspiring devotion to Our Lady.  On the other hand, the homily may focus upon feminist issues and how Mary exemplifies the ideal woman, etc..  Perhaps this type of homily is not bad in itself, since it is necessary to inculcate authentic Catholic teaching amongst the faithful.  Although, while previous eras spoke glowingly of the Blessed Virgin’s prerogatives and glories, today we reduce her to mirror ourselves.

If one looks at contemporary representations of Our Lady, one example being the statue above the entrance to the new Los Angeles Cathedral, one can see what I mean.  Our Lady is depicted with shorn hair, more a type of the modern, liberated woman.  A similarly pedestrian, bronze figure stands outside the parish Church I attend.  Neither of these inspire devotion, much less convey the awesome dignity of the Mother of God.  Though an ordinary woman, Our Lady is always elevated somewhat from ourselves, since she is the Immaculate Conception - perfectly preserved from all stain of sin and it’s consequences.  We are not.

The necessity of devotion to Our Lady.

When we contrast these post-Conciliar ”trends” with what the Fathers, the Doctors, and mystics of the Church have written regarding Our Lady, our ‘protestantized’ sensibilities may react as if we are reading doctrines verging on heresy or paganism.  Consequently, devout Catholics often find themselves defending long standing devotions such as the Scapular of Mt. Carmel, the Miraculous Medal, and the Rosary, from fellow Catholics, even priests, who suggest such things are superstitious. 

Such misunderstanding is tragic, since Our Mother of Divine Grace, is indeed the Mediatrix of all Grace - no apologies necessary, no need to explain that Christ, the Author of Grace, is the one Mediator who willed that Divine Grace come through a simple Virgin.  St. Bernard writes, “Let us not imagine that we obscure the glory of the Son by the great praise we lavish on the Mother; for the more she is honored the greater is the glory of her Son.” - ”Salve Regina” - St. Alphonsus Liguori 

St. Alphonsus on Our Lady.

“In the office appointed for feasts of Our Lady, the Church, applying the words of Ecclesiasticus to The Blessed Virgin, gives us to understand that in her we find all hope.  “In me is all hope of life and of virtue”  In Mary is every grace.  “In me is all grace of the way and the truth.”  In Mary, finally, we shall find life and eternal salvation:  “Who finds me finds life, and draws salvation from the Lord.”  Surely, expressions such as these sufficiently prove that we require the intercession of Mary.” - “Salve Regina” - St. Alphonsus