Throughout the month of May, this blog has focused on titles
of Mary from the Litany of Loreto. Today, we have the fifth and final installment.
Refuge of Sinners
As with most of the Marian titles we have discussed in this
series, it is easiest to understand this title through the context of
Jesus. God chose Mary to be the mother
of Jesus and created her free from sin from the very instant of her
conception. He made Mary a refuge from
sin to carry his son. But this title is
not Refuge from Sin, but rather
Refuge of Sinners. Why?
Because Mary is our spiritual mother as well. In her, we find a place that is free from
sin, and thus a place where we can seek safety from the temptations of this
world. As the Advent hymn “Rorate Caeli”
says, “We all have sinned and are become like those who are unclean” but “Be
now comforted, O you my people, for most speedily comes salvation.” Our salvation was brought about through Mary,
and thus, she is our refuge.
Comforter of the
Afflicted
Mary herself suffered greatly during her lifetime. Simeon foretold that “you yourself, a sword
shall pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke
2:35). Because Mary suffered, she is
able to understand our suffering. No
matter how great it may be, we can be reassured that Mary understands our pain.
Help of Christians
The final title we shall discuss from the Litany of Loreto,
though not the final title the Litany contains, demonstrates that Mary is our
intercessor to her son, Jesus, and to God the Father. Throughout history, Mary has been deemed a
particularly effective intercessor for us.
Healings have occurred, battles have been won, and countless prayers
have been answered because of her.
Through delving a little deeper into the titles of Mary we
have explored this month, I hope you have found a title that speaks to
you. Each of these titles constitutes a
special devotion to Mary in a specific context.
If there is a title that we discussed you would like to know more about,
Google searches for each title bring up numerous results for you to peruse and
explore.
As the month of May comes to a close, let us pray that Mary,
our mother, will be with us always and intercede for us.
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