Saints & Marian Devotions
“I loved her almost before I could know her.”
St. John Vianney,
The Curé of Ars
How do we get to know someone? For St. John Vianney the quote above shows us how important Mary is. I don’t remember what feelings were stirred in me the first time I saw my mother after birth, nor the expression she wore when she first looked at me. I can only imagine that, just as Jesus must have experienced, there was a profound love present in her gaze and an excited anticipation in both of them at the beginning of getting to know one another.
"Behold your mother" (John 19:26–27) refers to Jesus' words on the cross, entrusting his mother, Mary, to his beloved disciple John, saying, "Woman, behold your son!" and to John, "Behold, your mother!"
It echoes and confirms the earlier moment to which I referred, carrying the same intimate, commissioning tone as that prior encounter. She is indeed what St. John Vianney refers to as a "Masterpiece." He reverently speaks of our mother, Mary a perfect and radiant work of God's love and mercy. He also observed that devotion to Mary is "sweet, delicious, and nourishing," a phrase that conveys both tender affection and sustaining spiritual nourishment. As a Marian, this truth resonates deeply with me and continually inspires renewed devotion and heartfelt gratitude.
PRAYER OF SAINT JOHN VIANNEY TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
O most Holy Virgin Mary, Thou who dost evermore stand before the most Holy Trinity, and to whom it is granted at all times to pray for us to Thy most beloved Son; pray for us in all our necessities; help us, combat for us, and obtain for us the pardon of all our sins.
Help us especially at our last hour; and when we can no longer give any sign of the use of reason, then do Thou encourage us, make the Sign of the Cross for us, and fight for us against the enemy.
Make in our names a Profession of Faith; favor us with a testimony of our salvation, and never let us despair of the Mercy of God. Help us to overthrow the wicked enemy.
When we can no longer say: "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I place my soul in Thy hands", do Thou say it for us; when we can no longer hear human words of consolation, do Thou comfort us. Leave us not before we have been judged; and if we have to expiate our sins in Purgatory, O pray for us earnestly; and admonish our friends to procure for us a speedy enjoyment of the blessed sight of God.
Sustain us in our sufferings, deliver us speedily, and lead our souls into Heaven with Thee: that, united with all the elect, we may there bless and praise our God and Thee for all eternity.
Amen.
This beautiful prayer exemplifies and teaches us all: just as Mary was entrusted to our care, we must in turn embrace trust, humility, hope, perseverance, and a deeply relational faith rooted in God’s mercy and upheld by Mary’s loving intercession throughout life, in the face of death, and into eternity.
Mama Mary, stay with us and guide our hearts. St. John Vianney, pray for us and intercede on our behalf.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your spiritual journey! Keep at it! Keep praying. Love the Lord.
Peace and Grace.Fran Acosta,OFS
