Little did Marco suspect that another plan was afoot for an altogether different “surprise attack” that would be far more successful.
It was the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, and little Marco was being firmly led by the hand to church, by his aunt. A naturally wilful child, he had grown even more so after becoming an orphan, and today he was in no hurry to reach their destination.
But when they arrived, he suddenly took the lead and rushed to the first empty pew available, for the church was quickly filling up, and he did not wish to remain standing. After Mass, the families with young children began to file up to the altar to receive the usual blessing. Aunt Bianca wanted to go with Marco, but when she turned to take his hand, she saw that he had slipped out of the pew and disappeared among the throng.
After a few moments, the adventurous Marco began to feel lost among all those strangers, and tried to return to his aunt, but was unable to find her. On the verge of tears, he looked up and beheld a statue of the Blessed Virgin, and a special grace made him feel that Mary herself was watching over him. Her compassionate and maternal gaze reminded him of his deceased mother, but he understood that the love of the Queen of Universe was much greater.
The little boy’s soul brimmed with a joy so sweet that he was completely spellbound. At the same time, deep inside, it was as if he could hear Her say to him: “Marco, my child, you have always been in my heart, and there you will always be! Trust in Me, for I will never abandon you. All I ask is that you give Me your heart, and you will find happiness!” That day, Marco truly felt Our Lady’s love, and it marked him deeply. Unfortunately, however, this did not change his unruly ways.
Twelve years passed by and Marco was now eighteen. Bad companions had dragged him into every kind of mischief from a young age. With his rebellious nature, he had overturned every chance for study and honest work, until he finally found himself on the street for good, living off of whatever he could pilfer. Joining a gang, he thought he had found the security and support he needed, and he no longer remembered his heavenly Mother.
It was the eve of the Nativity of Our Lady. Marco’s gang had resolved to break into one of the richest mansions in the city. Plans were carefully made, and the date chosen for the break-in was the great Marian feast, when the unsuspecting family would be at the Cathedral.
But little did Marco suspect that another plan was afoot for an altogether different “surprise attack” that would be far more successful.
Early the next day, as Marco headed to the arranged meeting place to take part in his first major operation, his conscience gave him no peace. It told him clearly that this sin would make him a true criminal, and a fugitive for life, if he were not caught. He also clearly saw the terrible chastisement that he deserved for entering such a wicked path. Disconcerted, he nevertheless stumbled onward.
Coming around a corner, he chanced upon a scene that caught him by surprise and filled him with a natural indignation: two youths were roughly assaulting a feeble elderly man, demanding all his valuables. Marco reacted instinctively, coming to the poor fellow’s defence and driving the unknown boys off with furious blows.
“May the Blessed Virgin reward you for your good deed, and protect you wherever you may go!” said the grateful old man. Marco smiled uneasily. Where he was going, he thought to himself, he certainly could not expect the Blessed Virgin’s protection. With an even heavier conscience, he carried on, now almost willingly…
Arriving at the mansion several minutes late, he was astonished to come upon all his “friends” in handcuffs, lined up against a wall by armed guards. He immediately halted, turned, and fled in terror. One of the guards at the site, noticing his reaction, said “He is obviously one of them!” and set out after him. Marco ran desperately for several blocks without looking back.
Finally, he could go no further. Reaching a church, he entered by a small side door, and was surprised to find himself in the sacristy. There, he found some vestments… Short moments later, he was disguised as a priest and kneeling at a side altar in the church, deep in “prayer”.
As he struggled to catch his breath, he happened to raise his head, and his eyes suddenly met with the same gaze that had enchanted him in his childhood: the Blessed Virgin Mary looking down at him.
Immediately, tears began to flow down his cheeks, as that maternal gaze worked wonders in his soul, making him feel the emptiness in his heart and filling him with the desire to break free from his life of misery and sin. Full of contrition, Marco begged the Celestial Lady to show him her mercy.
After a long time rapt under that gaze which had pursued him since childhood, and realizing that the danger had passed, Marco removed the vestments and went to find a priest to hear his Confession. Then, returning to that side altar, he gave Our Lady his heart, and consecrated his life to Her.
And that is how Marco was transformed from a gangster and thief into a fervent monk.
His conversion serves to remind us that Our Lady also pursues each one of us, wherever we go, with that same loving gaze, asking us to give Her our hearts. Let us heed her request and allow her love to transform us, and She will be our “exceedingly great reward”. ◊
