The next item in our “Captain’s Desk” that is essential before embarking on our journey to Everlasting Shores is the sextant. In our quest the sextant is devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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Historically, the sextant was a vital instrument in determining a seafarer’s location on the sea. He would use this tool by measuring angular measurements between celestial bodies and the horizon. The seafarer would take advantage of the numerous navigational stars that would give him the measurements necessary to discover where he was on his nautical chart.
In a similar way to a sailor at sea who uses the stars for guidance, Mary, the Mother of God is often called Star of the Sea. It is she who is one of the most sure guides on the journey to Eternal Beatitude.
Devotion to Our Lady
While many are confused by Catholics’ devotion to the Mother of God, the Church has never ceased to promote devotion to her:
“All generations will call me blessed”[Luke 1:48]: “The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.” The Church rightly honors “the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of ‘Mother of God,’ to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.” The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an “epitome of the whole Gospel,” express this devotion to the Virgin Mary. (CCC 971)
The simplest way to describe our love our the Blessed Virgin Mary is to compare it to the love a child has for his mother. We do not worship her, we venerate her as any child venerates his mother. We love her and pray to her simply because she is our Mother, for Christ gave her to us when He was on the cross:
“When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he said to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he said to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.” (Jn 19:26-27). [For further apologetics on devotion to Our Lady, check out this article]
A Pillar for Our Journey
Saint John Bosco, who lived from 1815 to 1888, had a vision on May 3rd, 1868 which greatly illustrates the necessity of devotion to our Blessed Mother:
“Imagine yourself to be with me on the seashore, or better, on an isolated rock and not to see any patch of land other than that under your feet. On the whole of that vast sheet of water you see an innumerable fleet of ships in battle array.”
“As escorts to that majestic fully equipped ship, there are many smaller ships, which receive commands by signal from it and carry out movements to defend themselves from the opposing fleet. In the midst of the immense expanse of sea, two mighty columns of great height arise a little distance the one from the other. On the top of one, there is the statue of the Immaculate Virgin, from whose feet hangs a large placard with this inscription: Auxilium Christianorum—”Help of Christians”; on the other, which is much higher and bigger, stands a Host of great size proportionate to the column and beneath is another placard with the words: Salus Credentium—Salvation of the Faithful.”
“The supreme commander of the big ship is the Sovereign Pontiff. ”
“The Pope stands at the helm and all his energies are directed to steering the ship towards those two columns from whose summits hang many anchors and strong hooks linked to chains.
“All the enemy ships move to attack it, and they try in every way to stop it and to sink it: some with books and writings or inflammable materials, of which they are full; others with firearms, with rifles and with rams. The battle rages ever more relentlessly. The enemy prows thrust violently, but their efforts and impact prove useless. They make attempts in vain and waste all their labor and ammunition; the big ship goes safely and smoothly on its way. Sometimes it happens that, struck by formidable blows, it gets large, deep gaps in its sides; but no sooner is the harm done that a gentle breeze blows from the two columns and the cracks close up and the gaps are stopped immediately.
(From Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco, compiled and edited by Fr. J. Bacchiarello, S.D.B.) [Emphasis added. For the complete description of the vision, click here]
As Saint John Bosco’s vision affirms, devotion to Our Lady is a sure guide that keeps not only the Church on the right path, but serves as a beacon of hope in our own lives. She will heal us from the attacks from the world and send a gentle breeze to encourage us on the pathway to Everlasting Life. In essence, the closer we draw to Mary, the closer we draw to Christ. Mary can do nothing else but point us to her Son.
The Most Holy Rosary
The Holy Rosary then is a great tool to draw closer to the Blessed Virgin. The word “Rosary,” is derived from the Latin rosarium or “crown of roses.” The Rosary then is simply a way for us to present our mother with a crown of roses by praying to her and praising her obedience to Christ. Are not we supposed to give roses to our own mothers here on earth? Why not give our mother in Heaven roses as well?
The act of giving roses to our mothers is not so much for her own benefit, but for us. She certainly cherishes the roses we give to her, but for us to go out of our way to do it is a great act of love. So too with the Rosary. While Our Lady will always cherish the Rosaries we bring to her, the act of praying the prayers will soften our own hardness of heart and show our love of Christ. [For a great article on the Rosary, click here]
Our Lady Star of the Sea
Lastly, to end our reflection on Our Lady, here is a beautiful rendition of the hymn “Hail Queen of Heaven, the Ocean Star,” which beautifully sums up the role Our Lady has in our journey of faith.
Hail, Queen of Heav’n, the ocean Star,
Guide of the wand’rer here below;
Thrown on life’s surge, we claim thy care;
Save us from peril and from woe.
Mother of Christ, star of the sea,
Pray for the wanderer, pray for me.O gentle, chaste and spotless Maid,
We sinners make our prayers through thee;
Remind thy Son that He has paid
The price of our iniquity.
Virgin most pure, star of the sea,
Pray for the sinner, pray for me.Sojourners in this vale of tears,
To thee, blest advocate, we cry;
Pity our sorrows, calm our fears,
And soothe with hope our misery.
Refuge in grief, star of the sea,
Pray for the mourner, pray for me.And while to Him who reigns above,
In Godhead One, in Persons Three,
The Source of life, of grace, of love,
Homage we pay on bended knee.
Do thou, bright Queen, star of the sea,
Pray for thy children, pray for me.
Read the Entire Series
- The Compass: How to Know if You are Headed for Blessed Shores
- Four Keys to Reading Scripture That Will Lead You to Safe Harbors
- How the Church is Portrayed as a Ship in Theology & Architecture
- One of the Most Ancient Spiritual Analogies