713 the third word its action... Similarly, Mary will not divert her tender gaze even from the most wretched sinner who faithfully calls upon her.”65 And why would she turn away, since each individual sinner was entrusted to her as a son in John: “Woman, behold your son”? Come here, despairing sinner! You, who already are sinking to the bottom of hell under the weight of your sins, and think that your salvation has been lost; come here, hasten to the feet of Mary: “Behold your Mother.” Why do you hesitate? What do you fear? Why do you fall into fright? Do you hear John Baptist Spagnoli, known for his holiness, the Virgil of Mount Carmel, singing of her tenderness? “In adversities she is our common Haven, She grants you the grace even before you ask her. She extends her maternal arms to the miserable.” God, the Father of mercies, desires that — after Him — we place all our hope of eternal life in this Mother of ours. For He has already spoken about this to St. Catherine of Siena, that prodigy of sanctity, the illustrious star of the Dominican Family: “Out of my Goodness and respect for the Incarnate Word, it was granted to Mary, the glorious Mother of my only begotten Son, that no one, whether righteous or sinner, who flies to her in devout veneration would be plundered or devoured by the infernal demon in any manner. For she has been chosen, prepared, and ordained by me as the sweetest bait for catching men and especially sinners.”66 Therefore, I conclude with the words of Fulbert of Chartres:67 “Let sinners come to her, beating their sinful chests with interior weeping; and they also will receive their desired forgiveness if they truly repent.”68 65 Richardus a S. Laurento, op. cit., liber VII, col. 448, F.453, F.454. 66 Cf. Chaterina da Siena, Libro della Divina providentia, Bologna 1475, cap. 139. 67 Cf. Del Re, Niccolo, Fulberto di Chartres (ca. 960-1028), in: ECat V, 17991800. 68 Cf. Fulbertus, Carnotensis Ep., De Nativitate Beatissimae Mariae Virginis, in Sermones ad populum, Sermo IV: PL 141, 324, B.
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