Page:Withgodbookofpra00las.djvu/83

 short prayer,  if  only  the  three  Hail  Marys faithfully said  every  day  in  honor  of  the Blessed Virgin? Some may  object  and  say, "What great  things  could  be  expected  as  the result  of  such  an  easy  and  short  devotion?" An answer  to  this  may  be  found  in  the  fact that God  is  so  anxious  to  save  all,  that  He seizes  what  we  would  call  a  small  thing,  and, in His  generosity,  makes  it  a  great  thing; also in  the  wondrous  saving  power  of  His blessed Mother,  "the  sweet  bait  by  which He  catches  the  worst  sinners."

Another objection  may  take  the  following form: There  is  something  presumptuous,  if not  superstitious,  in  thinking  that  salvation may be  certainly  secured  by  such  a  form  of devotion. I agree  with  the  objector  if  a person  simply  and  formally  practises  it,  and it alone,  with  this  sole  intention. We read rather amusing  stories  —  I  hope  they  are only stories  —  of  robbers  lighting  candles,  or performing  some  other  form  of  devotion,  in order  to  have  success  in  their  unholy  work. I read  lately  of  a  notorious  brigand  in  the south of  Italy,  whose  hands  were  red  with blood, having  such  a  devotion  to  the  Madonna. This of  course  would  be,  if  true, rank superstition  of  the  worst  kind. It is generally  spoken  of  as  confined  to  the  south