Refuge of Sinners . . .

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To whom can we, having refused God's love for us, turn to find the strengths which will help us overcome our weakness.  We find in Mary a created person like ourselves, who said, "yes," to God and accepted the consequences, not understanding, but relying upon the word of the angel.  Our offences against God stem from our desire to know and shape the results of the choices we make; whether in conformity with God's will or not.

Mary's love for each of her wayward children is beyond our understanding.  Upon reflection of one's past life so many are the now obvious touches and directions given by her loving hand which, had they not been present, would have resulted in spiritual and even physical disaster.  Oh Mary, open our hearts to accept without demanding to know why, without conditions, the circumstances of our lives.  Show us what true purity really means, and lead us to submit our wills to always say, "yes" to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier of souls.

Most certainly God will not condemn those sinners who have recourse to Mary, and for whom she prays, since he himself gave them to her as her children. (1)  St. Alphonsus Liguori

Oh sinner, be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary in all your necessities.  Call her to your assistance, for such is the divine will that she should help in every kind of necessity. (2)  St. Basil

Let us then cast ourselves at the feet of this good mother, and embracing them, let us not depart until she blesses us, and accepts us for her children. (3)  St. Bernard-abbot of Clairvaux

There is no sinner in the world, however much he may be at odds with God, who does not return to him and recover his grace, if he has recourse to Mary and asks her assistance. (4)  St. Bridget of Sweden

As by Mary heavenly peace was once for all given to the world, so by her are sinners still reconciled to God. (5)  St. Epiphanius

However great a sinner we may have been, if we show ourselves devout to Mary, we will never perish.
  (6)  St. Hilary

O mother of my God, how can one as unworthy as I announce thy praises?  Mary, pray for me, a poor sinner.
  (7)  St. John Neumann

The son of God being ready to punish the sinner is petitioned by Mary who stops the sword, and begs pardon for the poor criminal. (8)  St. John Vianney

There are only three ways to conquer impurity: fasting, flight from occasions of sin, and love for Mary.
 (9)  St. Robert Bellermine

We are exceedingly dear to Mary on account of the suffering we cost her.  Mothers generally love those children most, the preservation of whose lives has cost them the most suffering.  We are those children for whom Mary, in order to obtain for us the life of grace, was obliged to endure the bitter agony of herself offering her beloved Jesus to die before her own eyes, of the most cruel torments.
  (10)  St. Alphonsus Liguori

If you invoke the Blessed Virgin when you are tempted, she will come at once to your help, and Satan will leave you.  (11)  St. John Vianney

O sinner, be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary in all your necessities.  Call her to your assistance, for such is the divine Will that she should help in every kind of necessity. 
 (12)  St. Basil the Great

No matter how sinful one may have been, if he has devotion to Mary, it is impossible that he be lost.  (13)  St. Hilary of Poitiers

Teach me with your motherly concern the way to heaven, according to the teaching of your Son.  Do not allow me ever to be discouraged, for you are my mother, the Advocate and Refuge of all sinners. (14)  St. Vincent Pillotti

Remember that Mary is always the refuge of sinners, no matter what your sins are. (15)  St. Vincent Pillotti

How can it be otherwise than that the salvation of sinners should come from the remembrance of her praises, whose womb was made the way through which the Savior came to save sinners? (16)  St. Anselm

Resolve to sin no more, and I promise that undoubtedly you will find Mary more ready to love you than any earthly mother. (17)  St. Gregory VII, pope

He who does not the works of his mother, gives up his claim to her. (18)  St. Peter Chrysologus

So long, then, as a sinner is obstinate, Mary cannot love him; but if he (finding himself chained by some passion which keeps him a slave of hell) recommends himself to the Blessed Virgin, and implores her, with confidence and perseverance, to withdraw him the state of sin in which he is, there can be no doubt but this good mother will extend her powerful hand to him, will deliver him from his chains and lead him to a state of salvation.  (19)  St. Alphonsus de Liguori

Most certainly God will not condemn those sinners who have recourse to Mary, and for whom she prays since he himself commended them to her as her children. (20)  St. Alphonsus de Liguori

By the prayers of Mary almost innumerable sinners are converted. (21)  St. Methodius

I am the city of refuge to all who fly to me. (22)  St. John Damascene

You are the only advocate of sinners, and of all who are unprotected. (23)  St. Ephrem

O Mary, we poor sinners know no other refuge than you, for you are our only hope, and on you we rely for our salvation.      (24)  St. Ephrem

Mary is a tabernacle made by God, in which he alone entered to accomplish the great work of the redemption of man.  (25)  St. Germanus

It is true, O Lord, that at the time there was none to raise up sinners and withhold your wrath, for Mary was not yet born and so, no one can be found more fit for this office than Mary, who seizes the sword of divine justice with her own hands to prevent it from falling upon and punishing the sinner. (26)  St. Bonaventure

Thou, O Lady, do not reject any sinner who approaches you, however loathsome and repugnant he may be.  If he asks your assistance, you do not hesitate to extend your compassionate hand to him, to extricate him from the gulf of despair. (27)  St. Bernard

You are the Mother of God, and all-powerful to save sinners, and with God you need no other recommendation; for you are the Mother of true life. (28)  St. Germanus

No creature can obtain so many and so great favors as you obtain for poor sinners; and so without doubt God honors you not only as a handmaid, but as his most true Mother. (29)  William of Paris

Far be it from this divine Mother, who brought the source itself of tender compassion into the world, to think that she should ever deny her mercy to any sinner who has recourse to her. (30)  St. Alphonsus de Liguori

They imagine him rigorous, who is all compassion; terrible, who is all love.  What do you fear, O ye of little faith?  With his own hands he has fastened your sins to the cross.  But if by chance, you fear to have recourse to Jesus Christ because the majesty of God in him overawes you - for though he became man, he did not cease to be God - and you desire another advocate with this divine mediator, go to Mary, for she will intercede for you with the son, who will most certainly hear her; and then he will intercede with the Father, who can deny nothing to such a son. (31)  St. Bernard

If then Mary, was made Mother of God on account of sinners, how can I, however great my sins may be, despair of pardon?
  (32)  St. Anselm

Mary can despise no sinner, but receives all, and welcomes all, the moment they have recourse to her. (33)  Abbot of Celles

Mary is not only the refuge of the innocent, but also of the wicked, who implore her protection: "I am a city of refuge to all who fly to me." (34)  St. John Damascene

You embrace with maternal affection a sinner who is even despised by the whole world, nor do you cease your embrace until you have reconciled him with his judge. (35)  St. Bonaventure.

Since, O  my Lady, you are the refuge of all sinners, you are also my refuge.  As you despise no one who has recourse to you, despise me not, who gives myself to you. (36)  St. Alphonsus de Liguori

I know that you are so dear to God that he denies you nothing.  I know also that your pleasure is to use your greatness for the relief of miserable sinners.  Then, show how great is the favor that you enjoy with God, by obtaining for me a divine light and flame so powerful that I may be changed from a sinner into a saint; and detaching myself from every earthly affection, divine love may be enkindled in me.  Do this, O Lady, for you can do it.  Do it for the love of God, who has made you so great, so powerful, and so compassionate.
  (37)  St. Alphonsus de Liguori

Although the experience of sin is a sad one since it disfigures the dignity of God's children, anyone who turns to Mary discovers the beauty of truth and love and finds the path that leads to the Father's house. (38)  Benedict XVI, pope

O Mother of Sorrows, Queen of martyrs and of sufferings, you have wept for your Son who died for my salvation; but of what use will your tears be to me if I am lost eternally?  By the merits of your sorrows obtain for me true repentance for my sins and a real change of life.
  (39)  St. Alphonsus Liguori

All the sins of your life seem to be rising up against you.  Don't lose heart.  Rather, call on your Mother, Holy Mary, with the faith and abandonment of a child.  She will bring peace to your soul.  (40)  St. Josemaria Escrivá

Have confidence.  Return.  Invoke Our Lady and you will be faithful. (41)  St. Josemaria Escrivá

No matter how sinful one may have been, if he has devotion to Mary, it is impossible that he be lost. (42)  St. Hilary of Poitiers

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