If you walk into the chapel at the Dominican House of Studies either before sunrise or after sunset, you’ll find yourself in a very, very dark space; and, if you’re a friar who is new to the house, you might also find yourself wondering how in the world you’re going to make it from the door to your choir stall when you can’t even make out your own white habit. But then your eyes refocus just enough to perceive a glimmer of light a few feet before you, which you recognize as the brass “Lady Lectern” situated in the center of the chapel. Great! A landmark has been established, and you begin your journey through the darkness.
As you approach this guiding light, you realize that its primary source is the sanctuary lamp, which signifies the true presence of Christ reserved in the tabernacle. You now proceed towards the lamp, confident that you’re heading in the right direction, feeling your way along by the wood of the choir stalls, until at last you reach your destination.
In our lives, there are many ways in which we might feel as if we’re lost in the dark, groping around for any kind of hold, and afraid of stumbling over some unseen obstacle. Maybe you’re not sure about what your next step is in life, or you’ve been struggling with a question about the faith, or you’re weighed down and feel disoriented in your efforts to overcome vice and live virtuously. Countless things may cause us to feel lost on our way to eternal happiness, and yet we have hope, for we “who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isa 9:2), and this light, our Lord Jesus Christ, has not left us without assistance during our pilgrimage here on earth. In fact, he gives us his own mother (John 19:26-27) to constantly lead us to himself.
Because Mary guides us to her Son and makes known his presence, she has been compared to a star in the sky, earning such titles as Stella Maris (“Star of the Sea”) and Stella Matutina (“Morning Star”). Reflecting upon the latter, Saint John Henry Newman writes, “Lastly, it is Mary’s prerogative to be the Morning Star, which heralds in the sun. She does not shine for herself, or from herself, but she is the reflection of her and our Redeemer, and she glorifies Him. When she appears in the darkness, we know that He is close at hand.” Mary, as the Morning Star, magnifies the greatness of the Lord (Luke 1:46), and the brightness of his glory shines forth brilliantly through her soul, which is perfectly conformed to his own will. Both her example and intercession guide us to her Son through the darkness of this world.
The Virgin Mary was the first to make known the presence of our incarnate Lord to her cousin Elizabeth. She preceded and gave birth to Christ, the “dawn from on high” (Luke 1:78). She was also the first to make intercession to her Son on behalf of man (John 2:3-4). Finally, while remaining at the side of Jesus crucified, she was given as a mother to the whole Church (John 19:26-27). Her entire life was ordered to God and sought his glory above all else, and now she continues to assist us by her intercession from heaven. We can be confident therefore that, in looking for her help in whatever darkness we face, we will be protected by her motherly embrace as she leads us to her Son in whom we find all our happiness.
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Republished with gracious permission from Dominicana (January 2025).
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Photo by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P. (used with permission)
