Comforter of the afflicted . . .

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Afflicted means to experience pain and suffering.  We normally do not choose to experience pain and suffering.  It is an unavoidable part of the human condition.  But there is a worth and value to rightly enduring pain.  No one anticipates the experience of pain and we try to avoid it if at all possible.  But each person is given a cross to carry by which he can prove by his actions and words that he loves God and his creatures more than he loves himself.  By joining our daily discomforts, irritants, trials and sufferings, in short, those sufferings which afflict us, with those endured by Christ and offered to his father in his salvific mission, each daily trial contains the opportunity to gain merit for the remission of sin and its punishment.

Mary experienced affliction as did no other human person.  First, she suffered because her Son, her own flesh and blood, was afflicted by and endured the intense pains and humiliations allotted to a rejected criminal.  Second, because his message was not only rejected, but whose life was taken because of wrongful envy.  Mary knows our afflictions and because she is in glory with her Son in heaven, she intercedes to him on our behalf for grace, strength, and insight to understand and accept our condition, through which she desires to draw us ever closer to her son.

O Mary, as we express our love for you, and hope for our eternal reward, comfort us in our afflictions.

The name of Mary is compared to oil because, like oil, it heals wounds, gives off a fragrant perfume, and enkindles a flame. (1)  Blessed Alan de la Roche

Oh, how many who were once proud have become humbled by devotion to Mary.  How many who were passionate have become gentle.  How many in the midst of darkness have found light.  How many who were in despair have found salvation by the same powerful means. (2)  St. Alphonsus Liguori

In dangers of sinning, when assailed by temptations, when doubtful as to how you should act, remember that Mary can help you, and if you but call upon her, she will instantly help you. (3)  St. Alphonsus Liguori

Great was Mary’s mercy toward the poor and miserable while she was on earth, but it is much greater now that she is in heaven.
  (4)  St. Bonaventure

Grant me, O Mary, that I may get to know the cross; not only Jesus’ cross, but whatever cross fits me best.
  (5)  St. Gemma Glagani

The knot tied by Eve’s disobedience, was untied by the obedience of Mary. (6)  St. Irenaeus of Lyons

If you are in danger, she will hasten to free you.  If you are troubled, she will console you.  If you are sick, she will bring you relief.  If you are in need, she will help you.  She does not look to see what kind of a person you have been.  She simply comes to a heart that wants to love her. (7)  St. Gabriel Possenti

If our life were not under Mary’s protection, we might tremble for our perseverance and salvation. (8)  St. Peter Julian Eymard

In dangers of sinning, when assailed by temptations, when doubtful as to how you should act, remember that Mary can help you, and if you but call upon her, she will instantly help you. (9)  St. Alphonsus Liguori

What a joy to remember that Mary is our Mother!  Since she loves us and knows our weakness, what have we to fear?
  (10)  St. Therese of Lisieux

In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear. 
  (11)  St. Therese of Lisieux

When we were little, we kept close to our mother in a dark alley or if dogs barked at us.  Now, when we feel temptations of the flesh, we should run to the side of our Mother in Heaven, by realizing how she is to us, and by means of aspirations. She will defend us and lead us to the light. (12)  St. Josemaria Escriva

O sinner, be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary in all your necessities.  Call her to your assistance, for such is the divine Will that she should help in every kind of necessity. (13)  St. Basil the Great

Children have always on their lips their mother's name, and in every fear, in every danger, they immediately cry out, Mother!  mother!  Ah, most sweet Mary! ah, most loving Mother! this is precisely what you desire: that we should become children, and call on you in every danger, and at all times have recourse to thee, because you desire to help and save us, as you have saved all who have called upon you. (14)  St. Alphonsus de Liguori

In all public calamities, the Church invariably invites all to have recourse to the protection of this divine Mother, by novenas, prayers, processions, by visiting the churches dedicated in her honor, and her images. (15)  St. Alphonsus de Liguori

Mary wishes us always to seek her and invoke her aid; not as if she were begging of us these honors and marks of veneration, for they are in no way proportioned to her merit; but she desires them, that by such means our confidence and devotion may be increased, and that so she may be able to give us greater aid and comfort. (16)  St. Alphonsus de Liguori

She searches for those who approach her devoutly and with reverence, for such she loves, nourishes, and adopts as her children,
  (17)  St. Bonaventure

The compassion of Mary is poured out on every one who asks it, even should it be sought for by no other prayer than a simple "Hail Mary."    (18)  Richard of St. Laurence

Mary has a great desire to console all, and is no sooner petitioned than she accepts the prayers, and assists the one who petitions.
  (19)  Richard of St. Laurence

Since a good mother does not shrink from applying a remedy to her child infected with ulcers, however nauseous and revolting they may be, so also is our good mother unable to abandon us when we ask her, that she may heal the wounds caused by our sins, however loathsome they may have rendered us. (20)  Richard of St. Laurence

When we petition this heavenly Mother, not only we may be sure of her protection, but that often we shall be heard more quickly, and be thus preserved, if we call upon Mary and her holy name. (21)  St. Anselm

She is our kindest Mother, who has shown herself always, in the face of every danger, our powerful helper and channel of grace.
  (22)  Pius XII, pope

She does not discriminate between noble and princely palaces and the lowly thatched cottage.  If she feels at all partial it is toward the poor and miserable, the sorrowful and the unhappy, towards all who in this vale of tears shed also their own; souls whom misfortune casts down, whom sin and remorse humiliate; whom prayer comforts, repentance regenerates and graces make children of May in likeness to her own Son. (23)  Pius XII, pope

Who, O Mother of mercy, who, after your Jesus, is as tenderly solicitous for our welfare you you are? (24)  St. Germanus

Who can ever comprehend the solicitude with which Mary constantly stands before God in our behalf;  She is never weary of defending us. (25)  St. Germanus

O Mary, who, after your Son, is as solicitous for the whole human race as you are?  Who protects us in our trials as you?
  (26)  St. Alphonsus de Liguori

No saint can be found who is as compassionate toward us in our miseries as is this most tender Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
  (27)  St. Atoninus

Mary is the most faithful comfortress of sinners.  We need only show Mary the wounds of our souls, and she immediately helps us by her prayers, and consoles us. (28)  Blessed Henry Suso

Mary's compassion anticipates our wants, and she relieves us before we invoke her. (29)  Richard of St. Victor

O Mary console us always, but especially at the hour of our death: come at that last hour and receive our souls, and present them yourself to your son, who will judge us. (30)  St. Bonaventure

Although Mary relieves all suffering souls in purgatory, yet she always obtains far greater indulgence and relief for her own clients.
  (31)  Novarinus

As a poor sick person, bedridden, suffering, and abandoned, is relieved by words of encouragement and consolation, so are the souls in purgatory consoled and relieved by on hearing the name of Mary. (32)  St. Bridget

The Blessed Virgin has the power of delivering souls from purgatory, but particularly those of her clients by her prayers, and by applying her merits for them. (33)  St. Bernardine of Sienna

On Saturday after a person's death, Mary will deliver from purgatory all who wore the Carmelite scapular. (34)  John XXII, pope

If we wish to relieve the holy souls in purgatory, let us do so by imploring the aid of our Blessed Lady in all our prayers, and especially by offering the Rosary for them, as that relieves them greatly. (35)  St. Alphonsus de Liguori

May you Mary, who reached Calvary, ever-deeply united to your Son who from the Cross gave you as mother to the disciple John, also make us feel you are always close in each moment of our lives, especially in times of darkness and trial. (36)  Benedict XVI, pope

Show yourself as Mother, to those most in need: the defenseless, the marginalized and outcasts, to the victims of a society that all too often sacrifices the human person for other ends and interests. (37)  Benedict XVI, pope

To reflect upon the Immaculate Conception of Mary allows us to be attracted by the "yes" which joined her wonderfully to the mission of Christ, Redeemer of humanity; it is to allow us to be taken and led by her hand to pronounce in one's turn "fiat" to the will of God, with all one's existence interwoven with joys and sadness, hopes and disappointments, in the awareness that tribulations, pain and suffering make rich the meaning of our pilgrimage on the earth. (38)  Benedict XVI, pope

From the Cross you became a mother in a new way: the mother of all those who believe in your Son Jesus and wish to follow him.  The sword of sorrow pierced your heart.  Did hope die?  Did the world remain definitely without light, and life without purpose?  At that moment, deep down, you probably listened again to the word spoken by the angel in answer to your fear at the time of the Annunciation: "Do not be afraid, Mary!" (39)  Benedict XVI, pope

It is Mary who upholds us in our sufferings; she fights for us and makes us partake of the fruit of her victories. (40)  St. Bonaventure

O afflicted Virgin!  O soul great in virtues as in suffering!  O, my Mother, have mercy on me! (41)  St. Alphonsus de Liguori

In dangers and afflictions think of Mary, pray to Mary; let her name be ever on your lips and in your heart; but to obtain the help of her prayers imitate the example of her life. (42)  St. Bernard

When we are weary, downcast, beset with cares, let us look to Mary, let us feel her gaze, which speaks to our heart and says: "Courage, my child, I am here to help you." (43)  Francis I, pope

The Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of Fair Love, will quieten your heart, when it makes you feel that it is of flesh, if you have recourse to Her with confidence.  (44)  St. Josemaria Escriva

Marvel at Mary's steadfastness: at the foot of the Cross, with the greatest of human sorrows - there is no sorrow like her sorrow - filled with fortitude. - And ask her for some of that steadfastness, so that you too may know how to stand beside the Cross. 
  (45)  St. Josemaria Escriva

Mother! - Call her, cry out to her. - She is listening, she sees you in danger.  And she, our Mother Holy Mary, offers you, with her son's grace, the refuge of her arms, the tenderness of her caresses: and you will find yourself with added strength for the struggle ahead. 
  (46)  St. Josemaria Escriva

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