TOWER OF IVORY

(1) MARY, the Church greets you as a Tower of Ivory, for under this symbol you appear in Holy Scripture, where it is said of you: "Thy neck is as a tower of ivory" (Canticle 7,4).

In calling you a Tower of Ivory I indicate your beauty. The Church applies the words of the Canticle to You: "Thou art all fair, O my love; and there is not a spot in thee" (4,7). The great beauty of your soul, your angelic innocence, your perfect sanctity, so rejoiced the Heart of the Holy Trinity that the Father chose you for His Daughter, the Son for His Mother, and the Holy Spirit for His Spouse. While the saints, too, possess beauty of soul, none of them equals you in holiness. You preserved your original innocence throughout life: not the least stain of sin ever disfigured you; you were entirely free from every imperfection.

Tower of Ivory, help me to recognize the vanity of all earthly things. Bodily beauty without beauty of soul is nothing. I desire above all else a beautiful soul, adorned with innocence and Christian virtues, especially humility, chastity, and the love of God. Give me such a soul that God may love me more and give me heaven as my reward, where I shall see your everlasting beauty.

(2) MARY, a tower of ivory has a shining whiteness and wonderful strength. In a spiritual sense, you are like a strong tower of ivory. With a pure white soul you cling firmly to God in joy and in sorrow.

How firm is your faith! When the angel reveals to you that you are to conceive the Son of God and become a Mother without ceasing to be a virgin, you believe and consent. How firm is your confidence in God! Trials of all kinds come upon you, but you put all your hope in God and submit to His adorable will. How strong is your love for God! Nothing in the world is able to captivate your heart; you know no other delight than to serve God, and you are ready to make any sacrifice for His honor. You practice every virtue all your life with the greatest fidelity. Accepting with perfect resignation all that God is pleased to send you, you embrace it with joy for love of Him. Even when you see your Son dragged to execution and crucified, you do not abandon Him. You hide your grief in the depths of your heart. How perfect is your life of prayer! After the Ascension of our Lord you devote yourself to prayer and good works till your very death.

(3) MARY, you are like a tower of ivory, because by your example you make us love virtue, and by your protection you guard us against the attacks of Satan. After your edifying example I wish to lead a virtuous life. I rely on your protection in every temptation because I know that as Mother of God you posses more power than all the angels and saints, and as my own Mother you are ever ready to help me.

Tower of Ivory, make me like a tower of ivory. Help me to serve God with fervor and faithfulness all the days of my life as you did. I have consecrated myself to my Savior in holy Baptism and promised to be always His follower. Let me never become a traitor and associate myself with His and my enemies, Satan and sin. Never permit anything in the world to cause me to waver in my fidelity to God. Let me be diligent in prayer and in receiving the Sacraments for by these powerful aids I can persevere to the end and save my soul.

May the prayer of blessed Mary, Your Mother and our Mediatrix, help us, O Lord; that through the bestowal of Your grace, we may obtain an increase of eternal redemption. Who live and reign forever. Amen. (Feast of Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, May 31)