the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Father Razzi, of the order of Camaldoli, relates
that a certain youth having lost his father, was
sent by his mother to the court of a prince.
The mother, who had a great devotion to Mary,
when she parted with him made him promise to
recite every day a “Hail Mary,” and add these
words: “Blessed Virgin, help me in the hour of
my death” The youth arrived at court, but
soon began to lead so dissolute a life, that his
master was obliged to send him away. In de
spair, without means of support, he went into the
country and became a highway robber; but even
then he did not omit to recommend himself to
our Lady, as his mother had directed him, At
length he fell into the hands of justice, and was
condemned to death. Being in prison the evening
before his execution, and thinking of his dis
grace, the grief of his mother, and the death
which awaited him, he fell to weeping bitterly.

The devil seeing him so oppressed by melancholy,
appeared to him in the form of a beautiful young
man, and said to him that he would release him
from death and prison, if he would follow his
directions. The convict engaged to do all that
he required. Then the pretended youth made
known to him that he was the devil and had come
to his assistance. In the first place, he ordered
him to renounce Jesus Christ and the holy sacra
ments. The youth consented. He then requir
ed him to renounce the Virgin Mary and her
protection. “This,” exclaimed the young man,
“I will never do,” and turning to Mary, repeat
ed the accustomed prayer that his mother had
taught him: Blessed Virgin, help me in the hour
of my death. At these words the devil disap
peared. The youth remained in great affliction
for the wickedness he had committed in denying
Jesus Christ. He invoked the blessed Virgin,
and she obtained for him, by her prayers, a great
sorrow for all his sins, so that he made his con
fession with much weeping and contrition. On
his way to the gallows, happening to pass before
a statue of Mary, he saluted her with his usual prayer:

Blessed Virgin, help me in the hour of
my death, and the statue, in the presence of all,
inclined its head and saluted him. Deeply moved,
he begged to be allowed to kiss the feet of
the image. The executioners refused, but after
wards consented on account of the clamor of the
people. The youth stooped to kiss her feet,
and Mary extended her arm from that
statue, took him by the hand and held
him so strongly that no power could
move him. At this prodigy the multitude
shouted “Pardon, pardon,” and pardon was grant
ed. Having returned to his country, he led an
exemplary life, and was always most devoted to
Mary, who had delivered him from temporal
and eternal death.

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