Between the ages 16 and 21, Francis de Sales studied in the late 16th century at the College of Clermont in Paris. There, he experienced tremendous sadness and despair, having difficulty sleeping and maintaining a healthy body weight. He was deeply preoccupied with the fear of predestination, a popular Calvinistic theological belief that prompted young Francis to worry about eternal damnation.
During these student days, Francis visited St. Etienne-des-Gres Church (St. Stephen) and prayed before the statue of Mary, mother of God daily. This particular image, known as Our Lady of Deliverance, grew increasingly important to him, for during one of his visits while praying the Memorare, his painful turmoil was lifted, and he experienced a liberating peace that eased his suffering and ended his anxiety. Francis attributed this grace from God to the prayerful intercession of Mary, Our Lady of Deliverance.
You may not be able to visit this statue, pictured here, on our campus; this is a replica of the one Francis prayed before during his deep struggles while a college student. Yet, you may join him in the same prayer, the Memorare, which he prayed for years.
Walking together through this journey, we may fear infection with COVID-19; the loss of rich experiences in student life, a favorite clinical setting, the classroom, lab, stage, court or field; anxiety for those we love or hold in solidarity; worry about economic and employment challenges for ourselves and others; or recurring doubts and fears for our futures. Let us model the faith of our patron, St. Francis de Sales, who was full of similar and sizeable doubts and fears and still turned to God to pray.
We know that our Christian tradition hails Mary as the mother of God. Our Jewish sisters and brothers acclaim her fidelity to the covenant of Abraham and Sarah, and our Muslim sisters and brothers respect her discipleship, with 15 mentions in their beloved Quran. Together, during this time of great turmoil and anxiety, let us—like the college student Francis de Sales during his crisis—pray to God through the intercession of Mary, or through another favorite prayer, that we will be delivered from this coronavirus experience.
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly to you, O virgin of virgins, my mother.
To you, I come; before you, I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
By Rev. Kevin Nadolski, OSFS
Vice President for Mission, DeSales University
DeSales Weekly: https://oblates.squarespace.com/desales-weekly
DeSales Weekly Editor: Rev. John (Jack) Kolodziej, OSFS
