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Vigils Reading – Memorial of the BVM
June 15
IN PRAISE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
From a sermon by Amadeus of Lausanne7
Since we have, at the bidding of God, embarked upon the praises of the Blessed Virgin, it remains for us to complete her praise from the bottom of our heart and with dutiful voice. Let us gaze upon her glory and, entering the depth of so great a light, let us with swelling heart and unspeakable joy hasten through the vivid brightness of the paths, saying with Solomon, ‘Her paths are lovely and all her ways are peaceful’. What if, as the same prophet says, ‘the path of the just, as a shining light, goes forth and grows into the perfect day’? Who will be able to express the light and brightness of her paths? Yet we shall try to explain in part the progress and additions of her paths so that she may be perceived as glorious in her steps and be proclaimed in each of them.
For she possessed progress clearly marked and distinct growth, so that she advanced according to the fairest order of Charity and, going forward from virtue to virtue, she saw the God of gods in Sion, being changed from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Firstly, therefore, she was deemed worthy to be adorned with the beauty of all the virtues. Secondly she was united to the Holy Spirit in a bond of wedlock. Thirdly, she was found the Mother of the Savior. Fourthly, a sword pierced her soul and by the flesh taken of her flesh the ruin of the lost world is restored. Fifthly, she rejoices in her Son arising and ascending above the heaven of heavens to the right hand of the Father. Sixthly, she is caught up from this world and as the Lord hastens to meet her she is placed above the denizens of heaven. Seventh, she will be completed when the fulness of the Gentiles shall have entered and all Israel shall be saved. For beyond what it is right to be said or believed, she rejoices in the general salvation of the elect, knowing that it was for them that the Son of God took flesh from her. Therefore she will then be fulfilled, God providing a better thing, lest without us she should not be made perfect.
7 Amadeus of Lausanne (CF 18: 69-70).