Known in his parish for his powerful prayer, this Priest told me that one day a young man who was in big trouble came to see him, and begged to talk to him because he was desperate. He was at the end of his rope. Not only was he physically ill, but he was also in constant mental turmoil. He had become addicted to occult practices that were devastating to his soul, but those practices were only cherry on the cake. He was also into drugs, alcohol and other harmful, addictive things! Unfortunately, this priest was in the middle of another difficult case, and couldn’t interrupt that process. But seeing the young man in so much pain, he didn’t want him to leave with too much disappointment. He then thought of the beautiful statue of the Mother of God that he had placed in his church. This was the statue of the Blessed Mother at the rue du Bac in Paris, the sanctuary of the Miraculous Medal. In this statue, her hands are extended outwards, with rays of light shining forth from the rings on her fingers representing the graces that she gives when they are asked for by her children. In order to make sure that this lost sheep would not be left alone in his horrible darkness, the priest invited him to have great confidence in the Blessed Virgin, saying:
“Go pray before the statue and look at her right in the eye! She is your Mother, she will help you!”
Disappointed at not being able to open his heart to the priest, the young man went to kneel before the Mother of God and poured out all his misery. He focused his gaze on her eyes. Suddenly, he felt a great sense of relief coming from Mary’s eyes. Never in his life had he felt such maternal tenderness. Full of joy, he remained for a long time in front of the statue, transfixed. It was like a balm that penetrated his body, his heart and his soul! When he left he was healed and free! Blessed Mary, chosen by God to crush the head of the serpent, was the perfect person to rescue this lost son, trapped by the false happiness that the world offers our young people today. In her maternal compassion, Mary had obtained this release from God.
Dear friends, it is no coincidence that once again this month Our Lady tells us: “I look at you with immense love and, by the grace of God, I show myself to you. My children, set out with me. May your soul leap with joy!” Let her Motherly gaze penetrate in the innermost depths of our being!