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MOTHER OF REPENTANT SINNERS

Stories of Mary, Mother of repentant sinners


NEITHER IN HEAVEN, NOR OR EARTH CAN I FIND ONE WHO HAS MORE COMPASSION FOR THE MISERABLE, OR WHO CAN AID ME MORE THAN YOU


Belluacensis narrated that in Ridolio, England, in the year 1430, Ernest, a young nobleman, gave all his patrimony to the poor, and entered a Monastery, where he lived so holy a life that he was greatly esteemed by his superiors, particularly for his special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.


It happened that a pestilence prevailed in that city and the citizens had recourse to that monastery to ask the intercession of the Monks.
The Abbot ordered Ernest to go and pray before the Altar of Our Lady, and not to quit it until she had given him an answer. The youth remained there three days, and received from Mary, in answer, some prayers, which were to be said. These prayers were said, and the plague stopped.

It happened afterwards that this youth became less ardent in his devotion to Mary; the Devil assailed him with many temptations, especially to impurity, and to a desire to flee from the Monastery; and having neglected to recommend himself to Mary, he resolved to take flight by casting himself from the wall of the monastery; but passing before an image of Our Lady, which stood in the corridor, the mother of God spoke to him, and said: “My son, why do you leave me?

Ernest was overwhelmed with surprise, and, filled with compunction, fell on the earth, saying: “My Lady, behold, I have no power to resist, why do you not aid me?” and the Madonna replied: “Why have you not invoked me? If you had sought my protection, you would not have been reduced to this; from this day commend yourself to me, and be confident.”

Ernest returned to his cell; but the temptations were renewed, yet he neglected to call upon Mary for assistance. He finally fled from the Monastery, and leading a bad life, he went on from one sin to another, till he became an Assassin. He rented an inn, where in the night he murdered unfortunate travelers and stripped them of their belongings.
One night he killed, among others, the cousin of the governor of the place, who, after examination and trial, condemned him to the gallows.

But during the examination [court trial], a young traveler arrived at the inn, and the host, as usual, laid his plans and entered his chamber to assassinate him: but on approaching the bed, he finds the young man gone and a Christ on the cross, covered with wounds, in his place.

Our Lord, looking compassionately at him, said: “Is it not enough that I have died once for thee? Dost thou wish to slay me again? Do it, then; lift thy hand and kill me!” Then the poor Ernest, covered with confusion, began to weep, and exclaimed: “Oh Lord, behold me ready to return to thee, who hast shown me so much mercy.”
He immediately left the inn to go back to the monastery to do penance; but the officers of justice overtook him on the way. He was carried before the judge and in his presence confessed all the murders he had committed.

He was at once condemned to death, without even being allowed time for confession. He commended himself to Mary. He was hung upon the gallows, but the Virgin prevented his death.
She herself released him, and said to him: “Return to the monastery; do penance; and when you shall see in my hand a paper containing the pardon of thy sins, then prepare to die. Ernest returned, and having related all to the abbot, did great penance.

After many years, he saw in the hand of Mary the paper containing his pardon; he then prepared for his last end, and died a holy death.

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