"Though I walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not fear," O Mary, "for thou art with me." - Psalm 22:4"Though I walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not fear," O Mary, "for thou art with me." - Psalm 22:4
There are decisive moments in the life of the soul, attractive and victorious graces, whose influence rules, so to say, her entire existence; every instant brings us nearer to the immortal throne in Heaven, or to the bottomless pit of hell. Nevertheless, it is yet true to say that our eternity is attached and as it were suspended more definitely still on that one moment which will be our last. If the enemy of souls, maddened at the prospect of losing his prey, redoubles his stratagems and efforts to rob Christ of His victory, it is also at this moment of death that Mary displays the manifold resources of her love and power in behalf of her servants. Unlike earthly friends, who desert those dearest to them when they see them in affliction, or poverty, it is in such circumstances she more munificently rewards their past confidence and love towards her. Not content to succour her servants during life, she displays still greater eagerness to soothe their final hour; for, as she assured Saint Bridget, "She never fails to assist, whether visibly or invisibly, at the death-bed of such as have served her faithfully during life. And who could enumerate the friends for whom she has transformed a day so formidable into the fairest and happiest of existence; and who, consoled and sustained by this divine Mother, have cried out with their dying breath - "Ah! I did not think it was so sweet to die." Faithful children of Mary, you, whose •earthly career, nay, whose very devotion to her, may have been fraught with trials and desolation, expect your Mother, expect her even to the end; you have sown in tears, you shall reap at that last hour in transports of joy; it is then that Mary has resolved to make amends for all the consolation denied during life.
A zealous servant of Mary being assisted at death by Father Binetti, said, when about to breathe his last sigh - "O Father, did you but know the comfort I feel for having been devout to the Blessed Virgin. I cannot express the rapture I experience at this moment." Father Manuel Padial lying on his death-bed, Mary appeared to him, and addressed him in these consoling words - "The hour is come at last when the Angels, rejoicing with thee, will say, 'O happy labours! O mortifications amply rewarded!'" Another, being violently tempted against faith, at once recommended himself to Mary, and was heard to cry out - "O Mary, I thank you for coming to my assistance." Saint John of God, on his death-bed .awaited a visit from Mary. Not seeing her appear, he complained to Mary herself with sorrow. The opportune time arrived. She did not fail to come, and making him some gentle reproaches on his want of confidence, she uttered these tender words, which may well rouse the faith of all Mary's servants - "John, I am not the one to desert my servants at their last hour."
Let us then recite, with renewed feelings of faith and confidence, that prayer which the Church puts so frequently on our lips - "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death." Pray for us at that hour, through which all must pass, at that hour which will decide our eternity, and in which you are accustomed to signalize your mercy in favour of your devoted children. Oh, then, at this dread hour, when I shall walk in the shadow of death, be you my guide, forsake me not; for what evil can I fear, if you be with me? "I will fear no evils, for thou art with me."* Frustrate the hopes of my enemies, let me expire in your arms, and from the arms of my Mother be borne into the Heart of my Jesus, in Which, and through Which, O Mary, I will sing thy mercies eternally.
Oh, yes! the chains that attach us to Mary are salutary bands; they shall be our rest at the last day. "Her bands are a healthful binding; in the latter end thou shalt find rest in her." Saint Camillus de Lellis, whose especial vocation it was to assist the agonizing, was accustomed to say to his Religious - "Remind the dying frequently to invoke the names of Jesus and Mary." He experienced the efficacy of this pious practice himself. His biographer relates that in his last moments he pronounced the names of Jesus and Mary in accents so tender that all present felt their hearts moved and inflamed; and with his eyes fixed on their image, his arms extended in the form of a cross, he breathed forth his soul, with a countenance on which the joys of Paradise were already painted. This short prayer, "Jesus, Mary," to which the Church has attached a Plenary Indulgence, in favour of her children at the hour of death, "is easy to retain, pleasant to dwell upon, and all powerful against the enemy," who is then busy laying his last snares against us.
O Mary! will I say to you with Saint Bonaventure, for the glory of your name, when my soul shall have departed this life, hasten to meet and welcome it. Comfort it with the view of your benign countenance, be its ladder, its path to Heaven. Obtain pardon for it, procure a place for it in the kingdom of eternal light. "Ah, may the last movement of my lips be to pronounce your sweet name, O Mother of God!" "O sweet death, happy death, which is protected by this saving name, for it is only those whom God intends to save, to whom He gives the power to invoke it." O Mary! I will repeat your admirable name so often during life, that familiarity will place it on my lips even when consciousness shall have abandoned me; bearing this olive branch in my mouth, when I present myself before your Divine Son, I cannot but be favourably received.
Practice
This special grace of protection towards her dying servants, Mary has in some sort merited by submitting to death herself, after her Divine Son's example, and in exercising at this supreme moment the most heroic acts of humility and love. One of the surest means of meriting her assistance at the dread instant, is to treasure up the memory of that holy death, pondering thereon, and beseeching her to render our last end like to hers. The Church commemorates the decease of the Blessed Virgin on the 12th of August, three days before the Feast of her glorious Assumption.
Aspiration
May my soul die the death of the just, the death of your devoted servant, O Mary!
Example
There dwelt at Reisburg, a Canon Regular named Arnaud, who was extremely devout to the Blessed Virgin. This Canon, feeling the approach of his last hour, received the last Sacraments, and summoning his Religious, besought them not to abandon him on this momentous occasion. The request would seem to proceed from a secret presentiment of what was to follow, for hardly had it been made, than in their presence a most terrible combat began. Arnaud trembled in all his mem- bers, a cold perspiration bathed his face, he cast terrified glances towards some object invisible to all eyes save his own. "Do you not see," he said, in an altered tone, "the devils who surround me? they wish to carry me off to hell. My brethren, invoke Mary's aid for me; it is in her I put my trust."
Forthwith the Religious began the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, and when they came to the words - "Holy Mary, pray for him," the dying man interrupted them, saying - "Repeat the name of Mary, for I am now before the tribunal of God."
Then, after a short pause, he resumed, as if in answer to his accuser, "Yes, I did all that, but I have done penance for it." Then, addressing the Holy Virgin, he cried out - "O Mary, I shall conquer my enemies, if you but come to my assistance." The night passed in these frightful assaults to which he ceased not to oppose his crucifix and the holy name of Mary; but with the day, calm returned, and Arnaud, with a serene countenance, joyfully announced that Mary, his refuge, had obtained his eternal salvation. Then turning towards the Blessed Virgin, who invited him to follow her, he said - "I come, my Mistress, I come," and making an effort to rise, he expired. His soul, we may hope, following Mary, in default of his body, into the kingdom of eternal glory.
Visit to the Blessed Sacrament
And Himself alone on the land. - Mark 6:47
Bound, embarrassed, drawn away by all the vain creatures that surround me, I take refuge with You, my Jesus, hidden in this Sacrament; in You, Whose regards alone should attract mine, Whose sole approbation should satisfy my heart, Whose conversation alone should be my solace in the weariness of this world, as it shall be the reward of my labours in Heaven. I come to rest from my vain pursuits, from my childish human respects in this peaceful thought- There is but You "alone on the land." What is all beside? The grain of sand in the balance, the trace of a ship on the waters, an empty sound, a shadow; to Your eyes all things are as if they were not. O my God, there is but You and I "on the land." O profound, extensive, delightful solitude! May I ever dwell therein. You alone are mine, are for me. All seek their own interests, their own satisfaction - You alone have loved me even before my existence. Who could have done so but You? You alone have followed every movement of mine with loving and jealous eyes, without a moment's forgetfulness of Your wretched creature. You alone will love me and perpetuate my life with Yourself in Heaven. O my Jesus, there is but You; I am nothing, can be nothing but in You. I have long known this, yet acted as if I were ignorant of it. Through this love, hidden for me in the depths of the tabernacle, pardon me; and as there is but You alone to defend me, You alone Who truly love me, grant also that there may be but You alone for me, but You alone in my heart.
Mary, O you, for whom Jesus was really all in all, come to my aid, hasten to assist me; for ever, for ever close my eyes, my ears, my heart to all that is not God.
- taken from The Month of May Consecrated to the Glory of the Mother of God, The Queen of Heaven