Episode 2535: The Power of Grace and the Intercession of Mary - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received
from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have
committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed
Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear
Guardian Angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor
sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen.”
The Power of Grace and the Intercession of Mary
We we’ll explore two profound aspects of our Catholic faith: the role of grace in drawing us closer to God and the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in times of temptation and struggle. The saints, especially St. Augustine and St. John Vianney, have shared timeless wisdom on these topics, reminding us that grace is a gift from God, and Our Lady is a sure refuge in spiritual warfare.
In our reflection today, we will turn to these two themes and examine how they can guide us in our everyday spiritual life helping us grow closer to God and stay steadfast in the face of temptation.
Let’s begin with a profound statement from St. John Vianney:
"If you invoke the Blessed Virgin when you are tempted, she will come at once to your help, and Satan will leave you."
The role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our lives cannot be underestimated. As our heavenly mother, she continually watches over us and intercedes for us, especially in our moments of greatest need. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms her maternal role, stating that "the Virgin Mary…continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation" (CCC 969). St. John Vianney beautifully illustrates this maternal protection in times of temptation.
When we face temptation, it can often feel overwhelming. We know that the devil prowls like a roaring lion, seeking to devour our souls (1 Peter 5:8). But we are not alone in this fight. Mary, our advocate, is always ready to come to our aid when we call upon her. As Catholics, we are blessed to have this powerful help in our battle against evil. Her simple presence dispels the enemy, because she is full of grace, filled with the Holy Spirit, and carries with her the authority of being the Mother of God.
But why is it that sometimes we struggle so much, or fail to call upon her, even though we know she can help us? St. Augustine provides a key insight into this in his Soliloquies:
"Our Lord said: 'No one can come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws that person.' This is a great commendation of grace!"
St. Augustine reminds us that it is by the grace of God that we are drawn closer to Him. Grace is a free, unmerited gift that God offers to each of us. Without His grace, we cannot even desire to come to Him, much less live a life of holiness. As Augustine points out, sometimes we may not feel "drawn" to God, or we may not see His will clearly. But in these moments, we must pray for the grace to be drawn to Him.
Grace, like Mary’s intercession, is something we must be open to. We cannot force ourselves to love God or to have the strength to resist temptation on our own; it is God who gives us this strength. But we must ask for it. St. Augustine prays:
"Lord, heal and open my eyes that I may recognize Your will… Show me the road I must travel that I may see You."
This prayer is a powerful reminder that we must continually ask God to lead us, open our hearts, and fill us with His grace. When we feel far from Him, or when we face temptations that seem too strong to resist, we must turn to Him in humility, acknowledging our need for His grace.
Grace and Mary’s intercession are inseparable because she is the Mediatrix of all graces. Every grace that God gives us passes through the hands of Mary. So, when we invoke her in times of temptation, we are also asking her to dispense the graces we need to resist sin and grow in holiness.
Invoke Mary in Times of Temptation
Develop the habit of calling upon the Blessed Virgin whenever you are tempted. Whether through a simple prayer like the Hail Mary, or just whispering her name, trust that she will come to your aid and drive away the devil.

Pray for Grace:
Like St. Augustine, pray often for the grace to see God’s will and to be drawn closer to Him. We must humbly acknowledge that without His grace, we cannot come to Him, resist temptation, or persevere in faith. Ask daily for the grace to do His will.
Use Sacramentals:
The Church offers us many sacramentals to help us in spiritual warfare, and many of these are connected to Mary, such as the Miraculous Medal or the Brown Scapular. These are physical reminders of her presence and protection. Wearing these sacramentals with devotion can help you feel her closeness in times of need.
Frequent the Sacraments:
Grace flows abundantly through the Sacraments. Regularly receiving the Eucharist and going to Confession not only cleanses us from sin but strengthens us to resist future temptations. Make these sacraments a regular part of your spiritual life.
Conclusion:
The Blessed Virgin Mary and the grace of God are powerful gifts given to us in our journey toward heaven. St. John Vianney’s counsel to invoke Mary in times of temptation, coupled with St. Augustine’s reflection on grace, provides us with a clear path to follow in our spiritual struggles.
Let us never forget that we are not alone in the battle against sin. God is always pouring out His grace upon us, and Our Lady is always by our side, ready to intercede. When we feel weak, when temptations overwhelm us, let us call upon her, confident that she will drive away the evil one and wrap us in her mantle of protection.

In the words of the great Marian prayer, Sub Tuum Praesidium:
"We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin."
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of Your grace, which draws us closer to You and sustains us in times of trial. We thank You for the Blessed Virgin Mary, our mother, who intercedes for us and protects us in our battles against sin.
Lord, we ask that You pour out Your grace upon us, heal our hearts, and open our eyes to Your will. Give us the strength to resist temptation and the humility to turn to You in our weakness. Through the intercession of Mary, may we always remain close to You and walk in the light of Your grace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.