Our Lady of Sorrows at the Hour of our Death

(picture source)

This right here, the picture above - this is precisely what I hope and pray for with all my being to take place at the hour of my death. A rosary in my hand, her scapular around my neck, Mary helping me to press the cross of Jesus to my dying lips that I may breathe forth my soul in her blessed presence. There is no grace greater than that of a happy death.

DO NOT FORGET: One of the promises of devotion to Mary's Sorrows is what this picture depicts! She will come to you, right to your side and you will SEE HER FACE and be personally assisted by her at your death. To better know how great a grace this is, read the following:

"Three awful thoughts cross the mind of a dying sinner: the vision of his past life with all its sins; the vision of the future and the inevitable punishment to come; the vision of the present and the divine justice from which he cannot escape. The judgment commences on the death bed. It is the opinion of theologians that man is judged in the actual spot where he dies. Ah! if the day of death were the day of divine justice only, it would too often be a dreadful day. But it is also Mary’s day and for that reason it is a day of mercy and rejoicing. To counteract discouragement, Mary places three consoling visions before the eyes of the dying: the thought of the past and all the favors received from her; the vision of Paradise where she reigns as Queen; and even, as has frequently occurred, her presence at death beds. No matter what temptation assails the child of Mary, he is strengthened and consoled by his heavenly Mother."

Sanctity Through the Rosary by Edouard Hougon, O.P.

Save Us From the Fires of Hell...

Mother of the Dying

"He who is devoted to the Virgin Mother will certainly never be lost" ~St. Ignatius, Third Bishop of Antioch (50-107)

The bedroom of death is Our Lady's special arena, for all those who are in the throes of death are her beloved children. The Blessed Mother's special gift to the dying is perfect contrition for sin. This grace is granted particularly to those devoted to her during thier lifetime. Our sweet Mother does often comfort and assist the dying from the final struggle with the powers of darkness. Blessed is the soul assisted by the Queen of Heaven. This assistance is a specific promise made for those devoted to Mary's Seven Sorrows: "I will visibly help them at the moment of their death - they will see the face of their Mother."

Mary has rescured uncountable numbers of souls from Hell, unto the very last moment. How you have lived your life greatly influences the state of mind and soul at the time of death, but it is the moment of death - the disposition of the soul at that time that determines your "state" for all eternity. The moment of death is the most important moment of our lives. Let us all decide here and now to think frequently and kindly on our dear Mother's sorrows, for we need all the help of heaven to keep us from the flames of Hell.

The Offering of the Merits of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Appease Divine Justice

In order to appease Thy Divine Justice, we offer Thee, O Lord, the merits acquired by Mary, Thy Mother and ours, when she stood at the foot of the Cross.

If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord who can stand?

Amen+