The Glories of Mary
28.
Another brother of the confraternity, a fisherman in Naples, was ill
for
several days in consequence of the severity with which he had taken the
discipline. As soon as he was somewhat recovered, being poor and having
a family, he returned to his usual occupation, but at the same time
said
to the most Blessed Virgin, 'Lady, it is on thy account that I have
sustained
this loss: help me.' Mary did so, and caused him to take, on that
occasion,
as much fish as he could have taken during the whole time of his
illness.
30. A young man, who was a member of the confraternity of the Blessed
Virgin,
left it, and abandoned himself to a dissolute life. One. night the
devil
appeared to him in a frightful form. He began to invoke our Blessed
Lady.
'In vain,' said the enemy, 'dost thou invoke her whom thou hast
abandoned;
thy crimes have made thee mine.' The young man, trembling, fell upon
his
knees, and began to recite the formula of the brothers: 'Most holy
Virgin
Mother,' etc. The Mother of God then appeared. At her presence the
devil
took flight, leaving a dreadful stench and a hole in the wall. Mary
then
turned towards the young man and said, 'Thou didst not deserve my help;
but I wish to show thee mercy, that thou mayest change thy life and
rejoin
the confraternity.'
31.
In Braganza there was another young man, who, after giving up the
confraternity,
abandoned himself to so many crimes that one day, in despair, he went
to
drown himself in a river; but before doing so, he addressed Our Blessed
Lady, saying, 'O Mary, I once served thee in the confraternity; help
me.'
The most Blessed Virgin appeared to him, and said: 'Yes, and now what
art
thou going to do? Dost thou wish to lose thyself both in soul and body?
Go, confess thy sins, and rejoin the confraternity.' The young man,
encouraged
hereby, thanked the Blessed Virgin, and changed his life.
33.
A student was taught by his master to salute the most Blessed Virgin
with
these words, , Hail, O Mother of Mercy!' At his death Mary appeared to
him And said, 'Son, dost thou not know me? I am that Mother of Mercy
whom
thou hast so often saluted.' The devout servant of the Blessed Virgin
then
extended his arms, as if to follow her, and sweetly expired.