A couple of years ago a very holy old Dominican priest, a friend of our family was present at the Rosary and led us in it. I was touched at the end of the rosary when he said the Litany of Loreto off by heart. I love the Litany's to Mary because they show us how vast the Immaculate Heart is. It has to be , I suppose. When I was a child there was ten of us children and my own mother had the wisdom to treat each of us differentlly . One of my brothers , Colm , who was I suppose the black sheep and has long since gone to God got very special attention from my mother, much more time, patience and trouble than the rest of us because he very much needed it. In the Litany I think you can see all the virtues and aspects of Mary led out before us in a heap. My favourite has always been the title of 'Mother of God' {Theotokos} defined at the Council of Ephesus was back in 341of which I do not think Mary has any higher title. I read a report from the Council at the time which claims many, many miracles took place when this Doctrine was proclaimed. However the Litany of Loreto is full of Mystical references to May which contain deep truths about her which I believe take great prayer to open up a little to the listening, prayerful heart. Titles such as 'Tower of Ivory' and 'Mystical Rose' contain great truths and are Golden Doorways to the heart of Mary Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us. Mother of Christ, pray for us. Mother of divine grace, pray for us. Mother most pure, pray for us. Mother most chaste, pray for us. Mother inviolate, pray for us. Mother undefiled, pray for us. Mother most amiable, pray for us. Mother most admirable, pray for us. Mother of good counsel, pray for us. Mother of our Creator, pray for us. Mother of our Savior, pray for us. Virgin most prudent, pray for us. Virgin most venerable, pray for us. Virgin most renouned, pray for us. Virgin most powerful, pray for us. Virgin most merciful, pray for us. Virgin most faithful, pray for us. Mirror of justice, pray for us. Seat of wisdom, pray for us. Cause of our joy, pray for us. Spiritual vessel, pray for us. Vessel of honor, pray for us. Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us. Mystical rose, pray for us. Tower of David, pray for us. Tower of ivory, pray for us. House of gold, pray for us. Ark of the covenant, pray for us. Gate of heaven, pray for us. Morning star, pray for us. Health of the sick, pray for us. Refuge of sinners, pray for us. Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us. Help of Christians, pray for us. Queen of Angels, pray for us. Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us. Queen of Prophets, pray for us. Queen of Apostles, pray for us. Queen of Martyrs, pray for us. Queen of Confessors, pray for us. Queen of Virgins, pray for us. Queen of all Saints, pray for us. Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us. Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us. Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us. Queen of Peace, pray for us. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us O Lord Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. LET US PRAY Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. One of my favourite titles for Mary, though is derived from 'The Song of Songs' and is very akin to a title contained in the Litany 'Mystical Rose'. In the Bible there is little enough said about Mary..even less of her words. Yet look with what glory the Church has crowned her. So when we approach her in the rosary in a kind of way we have little enough to go on. But when we enter the rosary we enter a 'Garden enclosed'. Mary 'kept these things in her heart'. I think Mary's children have a spirituality which is very much influenced by this, its like a deep underground river, or an enclosed garden, very deceptive on the outside but inside full of great riches. I think the path alongside Mary is so gentle yet with such huge and rich power and effects. Its only when we are led to enter the enclosed garden we recognise it for what it is ,a heaven-on-earth. I was sitting up in a little chapel up the road the other night dedicated to Saint Therese of Liseaux. There was no one there but there was a beautiful sateue of Our Lady holding the child Jesus in her arms. Candles buring in front of it and a gorgeous spray of lillies alongside it. I just think when I look at something like this, or a rosary, or a Miraculous Medal , of a scapular...you can feel such huge spiritual power coming of them in streams, yet humanly such small simple things..they are all Gardens Enclosed.
