“All those who place themselves under my green mantle of mercy I will protect.”
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High and abides in the shade of the Almighty says to the Lord: My refuge, my stronghold, my God in whom I trust” (Ps 90: 1-2)
Meditation:
Our Lady is often invoked in the Church using the great titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress or Mediatrix (cfr. CCC 696). However, at Tre Fontane, she gives us the image of children seeking protection under her “green mantle”. Just as small children often hide in the folds of their mother’s clothes when the feel insecure, Our Lady invites us to do the same to her. To hide under her mantle of protection knowing she will protect us in all our difficulties. A mantle can protect a person from a raging storms, it can be a shelter, a place to hide or a refuge in difficulties. Our Lady is all of these things to her children that seek her merciful help.
Today, let us place all our loved ones, our family and friends, under Our Lady’s mantle of protection asking her to extend her maternal protection over them.
Teaching of the Church
“Insistent prayer to the Mother of God is based on confidence that her maternal intercession can obtain all things from the heart of her Son. She is “all-powerful by grace”, to use the bold expression, which needs to be properly understood… This is a conviction which, beginning with the Gospel, has grown ever more firm in the experience of the Christian people. The supreme poet Dante expresses it marvellously in the lines sung by Saint Bernard: “Lady, thou art so great and so powerful, that whoever desires grace yet does not turn to thee, would have his desire fly without wings”.” (RVM n16)