Notre Dame de Rouen. The façade of the Gothic Church in France. Photographer: Hippo1947. Licence: SHUTTERSTOCK.

Friday 19 August 2022

Saint Bernard Of Clairvaux Says It All.







English: The Assumption of The Virgin Mary.
Deutsch: Maria Himmelfahrt.
Hochaltar für St. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venedig.
Français: L'Assomption de la Vierge.
Artist: Titian (1490–1576).
Date: 1516-1518.
Current location:
Source/Photographer: The Yorck Project:
10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei.
DVD-ROM, 2002. ISBN 3936122202.
Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.
(Wikimedia Commons)







Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153).
Cistercian Monk and Abbot.
Illustration: BRITANNICA



This Article is taken from, and can be read in full at, 
FR HUNWICKE'S MUTUAL ENRICHMENT

Saint Bernard Says It All.

An unofficial translation of a Reading in both forms of The Divine Office for The Most Holy Name of Mary, Feast Day
12 September.

From the Homilies, in praise of The Virgin Mother, of Saint Bernard the Abbot [Editor: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux].

“And”, the Gospel writer says, “The Virgin’s name was Mary”.


Let us say a few things about this Name, also, which is said to mean Star of the Sea, and very suitably fits The Virgin Mother.

For she is very suitably compared to a star, since, just as without any loss to itself, a star sends out its ray, so, without suffering any loss to her virginity, The Virgin bears a Son.

Nor does the ray lessen the brightness of the star; and neither does The Son lessen the integrity of His Virgin Mother.


So, she is that noble Star risen from Jacob, whose ray pours light upon the whole World, whose splendour shines before all other things in the heavens above and penetrates to the lowest places below, shining also throughout all lands and warming minds rather than bodies; fosters virtues; burns away vices.

She, I say, is the distinguished and special star raised above this great and broad sea, shining with her merits, shedding light by her examples.

Whoever you are who understand that in the floods of this age you are walking among squalls and storms, rather than on land, do not turn your eyes from the brightness of this star, if you do not wish to be overwhelmed by the squalls.


If gales of temptations arise, if you run aground on rocks of tribulations, look upon this star, call upon Mary.

If you are tossed around by waves of pride, or ambition, or depression, or envy, look upon the star, call upon Mary.

If anger or greed or the lure of the flesh strike the poor little ship of your mind, look upon Mary.


If you are thrown into confusion by a great mass of sins, or bewildered by a sense of disgust in your conscience, or terrified by a horror of judgement, and you begin to be sucked down by a whirlpool of grief or an abyss of desperation, think upon Mary.

In dangers, in tight corners, in dubious matters, think upon Mary, call upon Mary.

Let her not leave your lips, let her not leave your heart, and, so that you may win the help of her Prayer, do not abandon the example of her way of life.


As long as you follow her, you have not strayed from the path;

as long as you call upon her, you are not without hope;

as long as you think upon her, you are not lost;


if she holds you fast, you do not fall to the ground; 

as she protects you, you are without fear;

with her as your guide, you are not wearied;

with her favour, you reach your destination and, thus, experience within yourself how fittingly it was said: “And the Virgin’s name was Mary”.


The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

The Feast of The Most Holy Name of The Blessed Virgin Mary is an Optional Memorial Celebrated in the Liturgical Calendar of The Catholic Church on 12 September.

It has been a universal Roman Rite Feast since 1684, when Pope Innocent XI included it in the General Roman Calendar to Commemorate the victory at the Battle of Vienna in 1683.[1]

It was removed from The Church Calendar in the Liturgical reform following Vatican II, but restored by Pope John Paul II in 2002, along with The Feast Of The Holy Name of Jesus.

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