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THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY — THE WOMAN I LOVE
And The Woman who has been misunderstood by many.
“Tota pulchra es, Maria, et macula originalis non est in te — Thou art all fair, O Mary, and there is no stain of original sin in thee.”
Years ago, when I was a high school student, a well-meaning but unfortunately misguided classmate handed me a book after lessons out of the blue. I was intrigued.
“Read it and you will know what I think about your Catholic devotion,” was the message she somehow got to me before walking off along the school corridor.
What could the book be about? Devotion? What did she mean by that? Why did she pass the book to me?
My curiosity got the better of me and I perused the contents of the book on the bus ride home.
My interest turned into shock and horror. Why, this book was actually insulting and attacking the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ! Initially, I could not believe my eyes. I read and re-read some chapters but my disbelief was justified the more I scrutinized the paragraphs. To say I was scandalized was an understatement.
In dismay, I handed the book to my dad and related to him my grotesque discovery. I also realised that it was also the 8th of September, the Feast Day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And it was on that very day I received that book. Together, my dad and I decided that we should not dwell on the book any longer. After all, making reparation for the dishonor and contempt shown by many in this world towards the Blessed Virgin Mary was of paramount importance.
Years later, that episode is still etched in my memory. It has served as a somber reminder to me on the necessity of being faithful to my Catholic faith, and clearing any misunderstandings my dear friends and readers may have on one of the most crucial elements of being a Catholic — that is, devotion to the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ.
Hence, I intend to share my thoughts, however limited and unworthy they may be, to clear up some doubts regarding who the Blessed Virgin Mary is, and why do we Catholics love and honor her, in order to advance in grace and virtue according to Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.
