A TRIBUTE TO MARY
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a
Protestant American poet reminds all America:
"This is indeed the Blessed Mary's Land,
Virgin and Mother of
our dear Redeemer!
All Hearts are
touched and softened at her name:
The priest, the
prince, the scholar, and the peasant
Alike the bandit with
the bloody hand,
Pay homage to her as
one ever present!
And even as children who have much offended
A too-indulgent
father, in great shame,
Penitent, and yet not
daring unattended
To go into his
presence, at the gate
Speak to their
sister, and confiding wait
Till she goes in
before and intercedes.
So men, repenting of their evil deeds
And yet not venturing
rashly to draw near,
With their requests,
an angry Father's ear
Offer to Mary prayers
and their confession
And she in Heaven for
them makes intercession.
And if our faith had given us nothing more
Than this example of
all womanhood,
So mild, so merciful,
so strong, so good
So patient, peaceful,
loyal, loving, pure
These were enough to
prove it higher and truer
Than all the creeds
the world has known before."
(08-12-02)
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