Go to Mary

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Mary
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Kathryn Jean Lopez“The other day, Mother, I was thinking of what people would say when I’m dead. So, I thought I would leave them a line for my grave. That is, if I have a grave. I don’t care one way or another. But I do wish someone would write these lines about me somewhere.”

These are words from a letter to the Blessed Mother written by Mr. Blue, a fictional character in a book of the same name by Myles Connolly. The book was recently reprinted by Cluny Media, which has revived many treasures lately. The words? “Never was there a worse sinner, and never was God kinder to me.” He continued: “Mother, it’s true. You know how true it is. You are the only explanation of God’s kindness to me.

I read this book on a recent Sunday after a friend told me it had the most beautiful description of Mary he had ever read. And this friend, who is a priest, loves the Blessed Virgin Mother. It had been a long time since I’d read a novel, to be honest — something I’m not proud of. Between spiritual reading and all the reading one needs to write, I had become a little utilitarian about reading. “Mr. Blue” reminded me of the power of the beauty of imagination, especially when desirous of God.

We live at a time when we desperately need fathers, but mothers, too — especially as we approach 50 years of abortion in the United States. I was at a conference in Mexico City sponsored by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the Knights of Columbus in 2013, for which Pope Francis sent a video message.

He implored us — on behalf of the whole Church and the entire world — to go to Mary. The Lord has given us his mother! He was quite ecstatic and insistent on it. He said: “Make the name of Jesus known. If you do this, do not be amazed if the roses of Castille bloom in the dead of winter. For you know, we and Jesus have the same Mother!”

In “Mr. Blue,” Myles Connolly revealed a struggle that some may be afraid to voice. Isn’t fiction a gift for such things? “Mother, you are so real that if you withdrew your support I think I would actually fall down on the floor here like a man in a faint. Dear Mother, how have you endured me all these years! Only for you, I would have long been lost.”

He further testified: “For you it is who took me and led me out of strange ways and darknesses years ago. You it is who takes me by the hand now day by day.” What a beautiful, motherly image! “Only you would not grow tired of the like of me — of anyone so sinful, ungrateful, selfish.” And then he admits something that perhaps more of us would with the help of a friend like Connolly: “I’m afraid, Mother, of your Son. I should be afraid of him. I would not dare to lift my head were it not for you. For it is you who stand between me and his terrible justice.”

The “Mr. Blue” position throughout the book is one of awe and gratitude. Imagine if we lived in such a place. He marvels at creation. He marvels at his lowliness. If we are honest, we could be terrified at our inability to live the Christian life daily.

The “Love is Love” displays in June had me constantly thinking of the cross. I’m quite certain that was not the intention, but it had me forever thinking of the love of Jesus on the cross. Think of all the things that distract and feel like inconveniences at best. Mary can help us with this all because she knows Jesus like no one else. And because she doesn’t get distracted by sin, because she was immaculate.

Kathryn Jean Lopez is a senior fellow at the National Review Institute and editor-at-large of National Review.

Kathryn Jean Lopez

Kathryn Jean Lopez is a senior fellow at the National Review Institute and editor-at-large of National Review.