straight talk

The Valley of Tears



Posted: Wednesday, August 01, 2007

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How true is this prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary? It is called The Salve Maria.

Now many Christians will say we are placing Mary before Jesus. In my opinion nothing could be further then the truth. Did not Jesus change the water into wine for love and respect of His mother? Does He not honor His Father's commands through a fulfillment of the Commandments to honor thy father and thy mother? Do we humans ask people to “pray for us"? How many times have we asked someone that you can think of when we are in crisis or need help to pray for you?

So what we do in praying is fulfilling what God commands. That is to pray incessantly and to ask for intersession. Sometimes, even though we know we can go to the father, we feel we need a mother’s hand. Does Jesus resent this? I think not. I suspect He welcomes it because it honors Her who bore Him. One has to ask why Christians can not do the same when even Muslims revere her?

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy,

hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

To you we cry, the children of Eve;

to you we send up our sighs,

mourning and weeping in Valley of Tears,

Turn, then, most gracious advocate,

Your eyes of mercy toward us,

And after this our exile,

Show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus:

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us Oh Holy Mother of God,

That we shall be worthy of the promises of Christ, Amen.

When we examine this prayer closely we find much truth of the situation of believers here on earth. The earth is in turmoil and trials afflict us every day. Some small and some major, Sometimes to get through these difficult times we need a friend or someone we know loves us. To that end Mary will never abandon us and we are never alone. She and Her Son will always be by our side when many others flee.

Thus we find the begging and the deploring by people in trial for the help of the Most Holy Mother of God a sign of faith. It expresses the deep sorrow and hurt we feel as we continue our journey here on earth. It asks the Most Holy Mother of God to turn toward us even though we know we are unworthy, we understand her deep love for us. We understand that she knows what a loving mother feels for their children and a loving mother never abandons her children. That is a loving mother and not a physical mother. The significance is that word LOVE. Many have children, yet some have not love.

It also speaks to our exile. It implies we are here and away from God for a period of time until we will either return to Him or be exiled further. Perhaps into Hell and damnation but hopefully paradise? It further asks for Her intersession with Her Son so that we will be able to see Him and be with Him for eternity. It asks for help to make us worthy of Gods promises. To not sin, to be humble, to have Love of Neighbor.

This prayer is the essence of humbleness. It embraces sorrow and contrition and a desire to make amends for the wrongs we have done. It is a most powerful prayer for all believers. Can a son who truly loves his mother turn her away?

So to my entire fellow Christians I say this. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, our Lord, will never turn her back on us. If you need some help, do not place mans hindrance in your path. Turn to Mary if you feel you need help and I am sure she will place Her heavenly arms around you in love and whisper as she did when Jesus was a child into His ear for you.

Following that tradition is another call for help, the Memorare.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known

That any one who fled to your protection, implored your help

Or sought your intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.

To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful;

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,

But in your clemency hear and answer me. Amen.

For anyone in need these prayers are availble to all who would seek Her help. Should we fear any man for asking Her? I think the fear of God is more important.

Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2007 Copyright ©2007 Robert Melaccio



Robert Melaccio Sr. has worked in the computer industry for 40 plus years in a diversified business and managerial environments. He enjoys freelance writing, giving seminars for young adults and teen groups as well as being an accomplished award winning poet of published poetry. He has worked teaching and as a youth minister. He is married and has three children and three grandchildren.

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by David Tanguay
 4 years 193 days ago.
Very well said Mr. Melaccio
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