Praises of the Virgin Mother by St Bernard : Homily IV : §8/11

St Bernard, by Juan Correa de Vivar,
c. 1540-45. Museo del Prado.
(Public domain)

The following posts present the text of four homilies by St Bernard (1090-1153) frequently given the title of Missus est but which he himself called Praises of the Virgin Mother.

 

He was the first Cistercian monk to be placed on the calendar of saints and was canonized by Alexander III on the 18th January 1174. Pope Pius VIII bestowed on him the title of Doctor of the Church, “Doctor mellifluus,” on the 20th of August 1830. 

I offer this annotated presentation of St Bernard’s Homilies as a small gift to our gentle Queen and Mother in gratitude for her multitudinous graces and favours, requesting her continued help and protection for the author and his family.

The Latin text and references are based upon De laudibus Virginis Matris (Patrologia latina, vol. 183. J. P. Migne). The English text is based upon the version compiled and translated at St. Mary's Convent, York, and published by Washbourne in 1909.

Homily IV : §8/11

 §8.   You have heard, O Virgin, the annunciation of the deed and the manner of its accomplishment, each wondrous and replete with joy. 

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion, shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem.”[1] 

And because to you has been given to hear joy and gladness, allow us to hear from you the joyful response which we desire, so that the bones that have been humbled may rejoice[2]. You have heard the deed, and have believed; believe also in the means which have been explained to you. You have heard that you are to conceive and bring forth a Son, and that it will not be through a man, but by the power of the Holy Ghost.

The Annunciation, by Nicolas Poussin (1655-57). National Gallery (London).
Public domain.

The Angel is awaiting your reply, for it is now time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for a word of mercy – we, upon whom the sentence of condemnation presses down so heavily. Behold, the price of our salvation is being offered to you; if you consent, we shall at once be delivered. By the Eternal Word of God we were all created and behold we die. By your short answer we shall be refreshed and recalled to life. A tearful Adam, along with all his wretched descendants exiled from from Paradise, implores your assent. Abraham and David beseech you to give your assent. This is the object of the burning desires of the holy fathers, of your fathers, who are still dwelling “in the region of the shadow of death[3].” The whole world is waiting, prostrate at your knees; and rightly, for on your word depends the consolation of the wretched, the redemption of the captive and the deliverance of the condemned: in short, the salvation of all the children of Adam, of your entire race. 

Hasten, then, O Lady, to give your answer; hasten to utter the word so longed for by all on earth, in limbo and in Heaven. The King and Lord of all, who has greatly desired your beauty[4], desires just as eagerly your word of consent which is part of His plan to save the world. He whom you have already pleased by your silence will now be even more gratified by your reply when He Himself calls out to you from Heaven: “O most beautiful among women[5], let thy voice sound in my ears[6].” If you let Him hear your voice, He will enable you to see our salvation, and is not this what you have sought for, what you have prayed for night and day with sighs and tears? Why, then, delay? Are you the blessed one to whom this has been promised, or “look we for another”?[7] Yes, you indeed are that most fortunate one. You are that promised Virgin, expected and much-longed-for, through whom your holy father Jacob when about to die rested his hope of eternal life, saying[8]: 

“I will look for thy salvation, O Lord.” 

You, O Mary, are that Virgin in whom and by whom God Himself, our King before all ages, willed to accomplish our salvation in the midst of the earth. What do you hope for in another that is being offered to you? What do you expect through someone else which will soon be manifested through yourself – if you will but grant your consent and give your word? Answer the Angel promptly – yes, through the Angel give your assent to God. Only say the word and receive the Word. Utter your word and conceive the Divine Word. Speak the word that is transitory, and embrace the Word that is everlasting. Why do you delay? Why are you fearful? Believe, confess and receive. Let humility put on courage, and timidity confidence. It is indeed by no means fitting that virginal simplicity should now be forgetful of prudence. Yet in this one case only, Virgin most prudent, you need not fear presumption because, although modesty in silence is pleasing, devotion expressed in words is now actually more necessary.

O Blessed Virgin, open your heart to faith, your lips to confession of this faith and your inmost being to the Creator. Behold, the “Desired of all nations[9]” stands at the gate and knocks[10]. Oh, if He were to pass by while you delay and then would you begin again with sorrow to seek Him whom your soul loves! Arise, run and open the door! Arise by faith, run by devotion and open with acceptance!

Footnotes

[1] Zach. ix. 9.

[2] To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice: Psalm l. 10.

[3] Isai, ix. 2 & Matt. iv. 16.

[4] Psalm. xliv. 12.

[5] Cant. v. 9.

[6] Cant. ii. 14.

[7] Matt. xi. 13. Luke vii. 19 & 20.

[8] Gen. xlix. 18.

[9] Aggeus (Haggai) ii. 8

[10] Apoc. iii. 20.

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.30-31.