No title has drawn so many to the feet of Mary than that of Refuge of Sinners.Dating back to the time of St. Germanus of Constantinople in the 8th century, this title is associated with the image of Mary as the New Eve. Where Eve was responsible for the suffering of humans since their fall from Heaven, the Virgin Mary is viewed as the source of all healing. She is the new Eve who cannot eliminate the damage created by Eve, but who can limit it. Her fullness of grace, her position among the disciples of Christ, and her title as Mother of God are seen as assurances that the Virgin Mary is a powerful intercessor.
“By asking Mary to pray for us, we acknowledge ourselves to be poor sinners and we address ourselves to the Mother of Mercy, the All-Holy One. We give ourselves to her now, in the today of our lives, and our trust broadens further, already at the present moment, to surrender wholly to her care at ‘the hour of our death.’ May she be there as she was at her Son’s death on the Cross. May she welcome us as our mother at the hour of our passing to lead us to her Son, Jesus, in paradise.” (Catechism No. 2677)
For Reflection:
St. Paul writes that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Unfortunately, as Pope John Paul II reminded the faithful, today man has lost the sense of sin. Go to Our Lady under her title of Refuge of Sinners and ask her to help you see those defects of your soul that most impede your spiritual progress. Then make an act of contrition and go to confession as soon as possible. She will remain your shelter and your refuge.
