St Bernard's Praises of the Virgin Mother: Homily 2, Part 17

St Bernard. Musée de Cluny [Public domain]

'To this warm love of Jesus Christ was joined a most sweet and tender devotion towards His glorious Mother, whose motherly love he repaid with the affection of a child, and whom he jealously honoured. (from Pope Pius XII's Encyclical 'Dr Mellifluus', on St Bernard, the 'last of the Fathers' - 1953)

Our series on St Bernard's homilies in praise of the Virgin Mother continues with the second homily. The Latin text and an English translation are followed by references and notes on vocabulary. 

In periculis, in angustiis, in rebus dubiis, Mariam cogita, Mariam invoca.
In dangers, in distress, in perplexities, think on Mary, call on Mary.

 Totus tuus ego sum et omnia mea tua sunt. Tecum tutus semper sum. 

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

17. In fine autem versus, Et nomen, inquit, Virginis Maria.[1] Loquamur pauca et super hoc nomine, quod interpretatum maris stella dicitur, et matri Virgini valde convenienter aptatur. Ipsa namque aptissime sideri comparatur; quia, sicut sine sui corruptione sidus suum emittit radium, sic absque sui laesione virgo parturit filium.

The verse ends with the words : And the virgin's name was Mary.[1] Let us say a few words on this name, which is, rightly interpreted to mean, Star of the Sea, and is therefore admirably appropriate to the Virgin. Most fittingly is she compared to a star, which gives forth its light without any waning, just the Virgin brought forth without stain to her virginity.

Nec sideri radius suam minuit claritatem, nec Virgini Filius suam integritatem. Ipsa est igitur nobilis illa stella ex Jacob orta, cujus radius universum orbem illuminat, cujus splendor et praefulget in supernis, et inferos penetrat: terras etiam perlustrans, et calefaciens magis mentes quam corpora, fovet virtutes, excoquit vitia.

As the ray of a star diminishes not its brightness, neither did the Son of the Virgin diminish her integrity. She is therefore that glorious star which arose from Jacob, and which cast its radiance over the whole world;  the star who shines brightly in heaven and penetrates the depths of hell. Her light bathes the earth,  bringing warmth to the mind rather than the body; she nurtures virtue and causes vice to melt away.

Ipsa, inquam, est praeclara et eximia stella, super hoc mare magnum et spatiosum necessario sublevata, micans meritis, illustrans exemplis. O quisquis te intelligis in hujus saeculi profluvio magis inter procellas et tempestates fluctuare, quam per terram ambulare; ne avertas oculos a fulgore hujus sideris, si non vis obrui procellis.

She is that unique bright Star which, of necessity placed on high over the great and vasty oceans, shines forth by the lustre of her merits and example. O you who find yourself more tossed about by the squalls and storms of this tempestuous world than on dry land, turn not your eyes from the brightness of this Star, if you would not be overwhelmed by storms.

Si insurgant venti tentationum, si incurras scopulos tribulationum, respice stellam, voca Mariam. Si jactaris superbiae undis, si ambitionis, si detractionis, si aemulationis; respice stellam, voca Mariam. Si iracundia, aut avaritia, aut carnis illecebra naviculam concusserit mentis, respice ad Mariam. Si criminum immanitate turbatus, conscientiae foeditate confusus, judicii horrore perterritus, barathro incipias absorberi tristitiae, desperationis abysso; cogita Mariam. In periculis, in angustiis, in rebus dubiis, Mariam cogita, Mariam invoca.

If the winds of temptations rise, if you fall among the rocks of tribulations, look up at the Star, call on Mary. If you are thrown into the waves of pride, ambition, detraction, jealousy, look up to the star and call on Mary. If anger, avarice, or the snares of the flesh crash over the ship of your soul, look up to Mary. If rocked by the enormity of crimes, struggling in a befouled conscience, terrified by the dread of judgement, you begin to be swallowed up in an abyss of sorrow and despair, think on Mary. In dangers, in distress, in perplexities, think on Mary, call on Mary.

Non recedat ab ore, non recedat a corde; et ut impetres ejus orationis suffragium, non deseras conversationis exemplum. Ipsam sequens non devias: ipsam rogans non desperas: ipsam cogitans non erras. Ipsa tenente non corruis; ipsa protegente non metuis; ipsa duce non fatigaris; ipsa propitia pervenis: et sic in temetipso experiris quam merito dictum sit, Et nomen Virginis Maria.

Let her not depart from your lips, let her not depart from your heart, and, that you may win the intercession of her prayers, never depart from the example of her life. Following her, you will not go astray ; imploring her aid, you will not despair; thinking on her, you will not err; holding fast to her, you will not fall; under her protection, you will not fear; with her as your guide, you will not weary; with her kindness, you will be welcomed home; and you will experience in yourself how deservedly it was said:  And the virgin's name was Mary.

Sed jam modice pausandum est, ne et nos in transitu claritatem tanti luminis intueamur. Ut enim verbis apostolicis utar, Bonum est nos hic esse [2]: et libet dulciter contemplari in silentio, quod laboriosa non sufficit explicare locutio. Interim autem ex devota scintillantis sideris contemplatione, ferventior reparabitur in his quae secuuntur, disputatio.

But now, let us pause a little while, so that we may may wonder at the brightness of this transcendent luminary. For, if I may cite the words of the Apostle: It is good for us to be here. [2]  and it is pleasant to contemplate sweetly what clumsy speech is powerless to explain. From such devout contemplation of her heavenly scintillation, the words that follow will be understood with greater fervour.

References

[1] [27] ad virginem desponsatam viro, cui nomen erat Joseph, de domo David : et nomen virginis Maria.  
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.[Luke 1]

[2] [4] Respondens autem Petrus, dixit ad Jesum : Domine, bonum est nos hic esse : si vis, faciamus tria tabernacula, tibi unum, Moysi unum, et Eliae unum.
And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.[Matt 17]

Latin vocab

barathrum , ī, n.: an abyss, chasm, gulf
corruō, uī, 3, n.: to fall completely; fall down
ex-cŏquo, xi, ctum, 3, v. a., to boil out, melt out, dry up.
dēserō, uī, tus, 3, a.: to disconnect, loosen one’s self; leave; forsake, abandon, desert,
eximius , a, um: adj. (eximō), exceptional; choice, select; distinguished
foedĭtas, ātis, f. 1. foedus, foulness, filthiness, horridness, hideousness, ugliness, deformity
foveō, fōvī, fōtus, 2, a.: to keep warm; (fig.), foster, protect, cherish; soothe;
illĕcĕbra (inl-), ae, f. illicio, an enticement, in a good or bad sense, an inducement, attraction, charm, allurement, bait, lure 
immānĭtas, ātis, f. immanis. Monstrous size, hugeness, vastness, excess
in-tŭĕor, ĭtus, 2, v. dep to regard with admiration, admire, wonder at
libet , uit or libitum est, 2: (impers.), it pleases, is agreeable to, is one's pleasure, will, mind.
micō, micuī, 1, n.: to vibrate, dart; flash, glitter, gleam
obruō, uī, utus, 3, a.: to cover over; bury; overwhelm, 1.69; overpower
procella , ae, f.: a gale, storm, squall, tempest
prōflŭvĭus, a, um, adj. id.. Flowing; trop., fluctuating, inconstant
scopulus , ī, m.: a projecting ledge of rock; a high cliff or rock
suffrāgĭum, ii, n.a favorable decision, assent, approbation
ūtor, ūsus sum, 3, dep. n.: to use, foll. by the abl.; employ, show, display