Who does not persist in anger forever, but instead delights in mercy, (Micah 7:18)

The custom of devoting each Saturday as Mary’s day has a long history. The Vatican’s Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy tells us: “Saturdays stand out among those days dedicated to the Virgin Mary,” “Not long after the Resurrection and the early days of the Church, honoring Mary in major ways began on each Saturday. As Sunday was the Lord’s Day, Saturday soon became Mary’s day.”

In today’s first reading, we hear “God delights in mercy.” What is mercy? “Mercy is the face of God’s love turned toward sinners, searching them out, and offering them pardon and salvation.” (Pope Francis) As we reflect on God’s mercy, let us also turn to Our Blessed Mother Mary who is the “Mother of Mercy”. In the Hail Holy Queen we pray: “Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb,…”

We call Mary Mother of Mercy because she is the Mother of God who is Divine Mercy, and as Our Mother, she obtains God’s mercy for us through her intercession. Mary is also the greatest example of how to be merciful to others.

St. Pope John Paul II taught that Mary “obtained mercy in a particular and exceptional way as no other person has. At the same time, still in an exceptional way, she made possible with the sacrifice of her heart her own sharing in revealing God’s mercy. This sacrifice is intimately linked with the Cross of her Son, at the foot of which she was to stand on Calvary.”

My hope for all of Her children who live in this “valley of tears” would turn to Mary to find comfort. “In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal.” (St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s sermon on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Hail Mary full of Grace…

St. Clare, pray for us.

Be one and be holy in Christ,

Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church

Houston, TX