A cardinal fascinated by the Virgin Mary

The Virgin Mary has been present in my life from the very beginning; probably even before I was born, when my mother, rather when both my parents entrusted to her the budding life about to arrive.

I have always had an uncomplicated relationship with her. Some moments stand out of course, like my first pilgrimage to Lourdes for the 100^th anniversary of the apparitions, the year that the Basilica of Saint Pius X was inaugurated. Also when I discovered Fatima, on the way back from a vacation in Morocco. And the feast of Our Lady of Bouzanne every year on August 15th, in Aigurande, the village where my family is from, in the Berry region of France.

I can’t think of times that can be called out-of-the ordinary …except one, maybe. I was 15 years old. We lived in Joinville then. After going to confession at St Anne of Polangis, while I was doing my penance – I’m sure I had to say some Hail Marys! – when I got to "now and at the hour of our death," I entrusted my life to her in a firm, articulate, and intentional way. Then I thought, "But what will my life be like?” The answer came, in a very clear manner: I will be a priest! In fact, I had been convinced of it for a long time, but at that moment I had the impression that it was sealed, in the presence and under the watchful gaze of Our Lady.

The Rosary is a good companion for all times, especially perhaps in times of sickness. One day I was in Lourdes for a "Frat" conference (1) with one of my friends - we were young priests then - I said, "I have to stop somewhere to buy a rosary, mine is worn out. My good friend exclaimed, "This is the first time I see someone 'wearing out' a rosary!"

In my lifetime I have recited it in French, in Latin, in Spanish, in Malagasy, etc., depending on the situation. Today, to keep track of the Hail Marys, I recite each decade in ten different languages, in a set order; with the Our Father and Glory Be, it makes twelve! In this way I always know where I am.

In fact, I can see Mary watching over my life and others’ lives, over the great family of the Church, and over the world. Her eyes are silent and peaceful. The moments that fascinate me the most in her life—besides her astonishment at the time of the Annunciation and her rushing to the house of Zachariah and Elizabeth where the joy of the Magnificat exploded—are Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Her eyes are riveted to the tomb where they have just placed the body of Jesus. She can’t leave. Very gently, the beloved disciple leads her away and whispers to her: "Let’s go home.” I try to follow their every step: as they leave, when they arrive at the house… Do they even eat that night? Do Mary and John have any strength left to talk to each other? My impression is that after a while, she looks at the disciple and says softly: "Where’s Peter?” And John replies immediately: "I am going to get him."

Soon after that, Peter arrives. The Gospel does say that he is there on Easter morning, since Peter and John are running together to the tomb. I can see him, Peter, stopping in the doorway, extremely embarrassed of course, still hurt by his own cowardice, his triple denial. But as soon as he looks into Mary’s eyes, he realizes that he is understood and truly forgiven; that he is still loved. He must assume his role again! The words and promises of Jesus are still valid even if we sin or betray him.

Mary is already convinced of it. She heard it from Elizabeth once, who greeted her with these words: "Happy is she who believed in the fulfillment of the words spoken to her from the Lord!" (Lk 1:45).

This is what fascinates me the most in Our Lady—how she continues to believe in God’s Word when, before her eyes, the exact opposite of what was promised and announced happens. When Jesus was on the cross, she remembered the words of the angel: "He will be great," "He will be called the Son of the Most High," "The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father," "He will reign forever," ... She continues to believe the truth of these impossible words. And when Peter is in front her, a sorry man and a sorry sight, she knows that he is Peter and that "on this Rock," Jesus will build his Church. How great is Mary’s faith!

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(1) The Frat is an annual gathering of young Catholics from the Île-de-France region. Its full name is Le Fraternel

Philippe, Cardinal Barbarin

Archbishop of Lyon, Primate of Gaul (France)

(We want to thank Cardinal Barbarin for contributing this beautiful text to A Moment with Mary.)