St. Bernard: ‘Call upon Mary’

O whosoever you are, who see yourself amid the tides of this world, tossed about by storms and tempests rather than walking on the land, turn not your eyes away from the shining of this Star of the Sea if you would not be overwhelmed by the hurricane.

If squalls of temptations arise, or you fall upon the rocks of tribulation, look to the Star, call upon Mary.

If you are tossed by the waves of pride or ambition, detraction or envy, look to the Star, call upon Mary.

If anger or avarice or the desires of the flesh dash against the ship of your soul, turn your eyes towards Mary.

If, troubled by the enormity of your crimes, ashamed of your guilty conscience, terrified by dread of the judgment, your begin to sink into the gulf of sadness, or the abyss of despair, think of Mary.

In dangers, in anguish, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary.

Let her be ever on your lips, ever in your heart; and the better to obtain the help of her prayers, imitate the example of her life.

Following her, you will stray not; invoking her, you will despair not; thinking of her, you will wander not; upheld by her, you will fall not; shielded by her, you will fear not; guided by her, you will not grow weary; favored by her, you will reach the goal.

And thus you will experience in yourself how good is that saying: And the Virgin’s name was Mary.

Excerpt from Fifth lesson of the 2nd nocturne
of the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary.
Posted on September 12, 2026