We are continuing a five-part series in which we are closely examining each stanza of the Salve Regina. We’ve looked at some of her well-deserved titles, such as Queen and Mother of Mercy, and at how her roles as intercessor and advocate are powerful with her Son. Now, we will reflect on the next two stanzas of the hymn to better understand what we are praying in the Salve Regina.
Turn, then, Thine Eyes of Mercy Towards Us
Mary is a very busy lady. She is continuously descending and ascending. She descends to bring God’s grace down from heaven to us, and she ascends back to heaven with our prayers to obtain favors for us. With so many children in need, it’s nothing short of miraculous that she can handle it all. Mary’s eyes are vigilant, always searching for the needs of her children, especially those in most need, the sinners. Think of it this way: A mother, perhaps on a playground, keeps a watchful eye on her child to prevent him from falling, but when he does fall, she rushes to him to pick him up. Likewise, Mary’s eyes are always on us to help us resist in times of temptation, but she is all the more ready to rush to our aid when we’ve fallen and cry out to her for help.
Last week, we discussed her intercession for the couple at the wedding feast at Cana. Note that the couple did not ask for help. She saw that they were out of wine and anticipated their need. She was moved with compassion for the couple and went to her Son to intercede on their behalf.
Now that Mary is in heaven, rather than forget about us, she is even better able to help us. Her eyes can see even more. She can see into the depths of our hearts. She can see our relationships and where we struggle in our lives. She can see our joys, anxieties, fears, and tears. Most importantly, she can see our temptations and our sins. Mary is a mother who knows us deeply and intimately. Her eyes can see more, so her compassion for us is all the greater. She sees the darkest parts of us, yet remains the Mother of Mercy. Rather than be ashamed in front of our Blessed Mother’s eyes, we should welcome her embrace and her desire to help us.
And After This Our Exile, Show unto Us the Blessed Fruit of thy Womb, Jesus
Before we understand what it is we are asking here, we need to define some terms. In this context, “our exile” is our life here on earth. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden and left outside the gates to labor and toil, dealing with sin. Then, that punishment has been passed down through the ages to where we are today. The term “after” refers to our death. The Fruit of Mary’s womb is Jesus and Jesus resides in heaven. So, what we are asking here is that Mary help us to obtain our salvation so that after our time here on earth, we may reside in heaven with Jesus for eternity.
Mary loves us with a mother’s heart and wants the absolute best for us. The best is heaven, so she wants heaven for us more than we want it for ourselves. Therefore, anyone who turns to her with genuine sorrow for his or her sins, a firm purpose of amendment, and perseverance in virtue will have a good death and will be saved. No soul that is genuinely devoted to her can be lost because she will continue to intercede for the person and her Son will continue to grant her wishes. The caveat is that you cannot persist in mortal sin and reject the graces necessary to resist it, simply because you claim Mary as your mother. This is not real love and devotion. Mary can and will do more for you when you are authentic.
Anyone who is devoted to Mary will eventually be led to heaven. Just as sailors follow the stars to get to their destination, we follow Mary, the Star of the Sea, who guides us to heaven. She won’t lead us anywhere else but to that safe port at the end of our journey here on earth. Mary is also a ladder. It was through Mary that God “came down from heaven…and became man” in the person of Jesus Christ. Likewise she is the means by which we ascend to heaven. The ladder does not bend or split in any other direction, causing us confusion. Mary herself also resides in heaven with her Son. Where she is, so is the fruit of her womb, further demonstrating that devotion to her can only lead us to our eternal salvation with Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father. So, authentic devotion to the Blessed Mother is a good sign of a soul’s predestination.
On a final note, Mary brings comfort to the souls in purgatory who are still on their journey to heaven but are not quite there yet. The souls in purgatory cannot act on their own behalf, so she continues to intercede for them. Likewise, although purification from sin merits the pains of purgatory, those pains are mitigated because of Mary’s prayers. In other words, the pains of purgatory would be much worse without her intercession. Those of us still here on earth can greatly help the souls in purgatory by asking for Our Lady’s intercession for them and most especially by praying the rosary for them.
Like the couple at the wedding at Cana, our Blessed Mother can see our needs, sometimes even before we do, and intercedes for us. We likely don’t even know how many things we’ve been spared due to her intercession. Consider how many souls might not even be in heaven without her intercession? Knowing that devotion to Jesus’ Mother can only lead you to heaven, consider how you might increase your devotion to her or increase your expressions of devotion by way of things like prayers, rosaries, consecration, confraternities, first Saturdays, and so on. Spend some time in prayer expressing gratitude to Jesus for the gift of his mother.
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