“For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come.” Heb. 13:14
With a mighty effort the apostles pulled the minds of men heavenwards. They tried to convince men that the joys of this earth were to be trampled upon so as to obtain the eternal goods in heaven. They said that we groan on earth looking forward to the “building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven.” (II Cor 5:1) They commended the lives of the saints who underwent great labors because they “looked for a city that hath foundations whose builder and maker is God.” (Heb. 11:10).
And their preaching was effective: it produced armies of Bishop Martyrs and Confessors, lay Martyrs, Virgins and Virgin Martyrs, who despised the earth to gain heaven. Historians, on the other hand, tell us that the Apostles had one small advantage: the pagan world of their time was sick and tired of the world itself and was looking for a real solution. The advent of Christ was what it desired.
We on the other hand, live in a world that is sick and tired of the Catholic Faith. Instead of turning to the Faith for answers to today’s problems, men turn to ecosystems, denying their Christian roots and dogmas. The average man, pulled between scientists and ecologists, abandoned by confused pastors, is lost in a great forest of dull ideas.
Whereas today’s leaders –both the civil and the ecclesiastical – cannot be trusted, Mary, the Queen of all the Saints can. She made the Saints who rose above every worldly idea, trampled on every worldly pleasure and made the most of every worldly good. To Her alone every Saint ascribes his victories. This victorious Queen, who suffered in the greatest ignominy the world has ever witnessed, has every human and divine right to victory over all the mis-leading powers of Hell. She possesses the power of prayer behind every sanctifying and actual grace and She knows the secrets of the imitation of Christ. For Her fervent devotees She guides them to victory over Satan in a convincing manner. But even for Her less fortunate servants, She has the grace of a special Mercy to snatch them from Satan’s clutches at right moment – even if it be the very last.
How then can we follow the Queen of all Saints? Firstly, we must realize that above all, the world needs Saints. Only Saints have the inspiration to understand the dignity of Divine things and enduring importance of Tradition. They alone have the perseverance to make a trek far longer the Amazon itself. Secondly, we must realize that Saints are meant to be in every walk of life, at every level of man’s social existence – for, if they are not, that whole social life becomes a fetid and toxic river winding its way downhill. Thirdly, sanctity is built not on human talents, but grace-inspired desires that are great and long-lasting. Fourthly, the easiest and surest path to sanctity is devotion to Mary. Fifthly, we must realize that Mary, Our Queen, really desires that we become Saints, and that She prays ardently for this very purpose. Finally, we must make the first step with the firm resolution of never looking back. This first step is not only a resolution to destroy my biggest or my most frequent sin in an effort to acquire the very opposite virtue, but in an act of devotion to Mary, to do a small act each day for this purpose. Ave Maria!
