St Lawrence of Brindisi, O.F.M., Cap.
Translated by James F. Mc Feely, M.A.

The following article is an original translation, from the Latin, of the preaching of this great Franciscan Doctor of the Church. St Lawrence expounds on the appearance of Gabriel and assures us that those who bless Mary will be more greatly blessed in return. What we present here is actually St. Lawrence’s sermon notes and not the full text of the sermon as delivered by the saint.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed are thou among women, and blessed… (1)

In the world light was especially praised by God as a symbol of goodness; in the Church, Mary is a symbol of goodness.
I. God praised all his works, which by the strength of his omnipotence he had created from nothing, and from the deepest abyss of darkness he had brought forth light, for: He saw all things which He had made, and they were exceedingly good, (2) as the works of the best, wisest and most excellent craftsman, produced most wisely and best. But in the first place light, which he caused to make splendid from darkness before all other things, (3) he commended in a singular fashion: God said: Let there be light. And there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good. (4) For God, who by his very nature is the highest good, rather highest and infinite goodness, must be pleased with good things. Goodness itself cannot not be commended.

Many in the Sacred Letters are praised by God, but especially the Virgin Godbearer.
Now light is the symbol of goodness and virtue, for although God praised all his works, he praised light first; so in his Church, which is as another (second) but most exalted and most sacred world, He is the very same God that praises all the Saints very much and proclaims them worthy of great honor because of their virtue. However in the Sacred Letters, the Most Blessed Virgin is especially brought to light by God with many praises and blessings, since she is like that original light, total and most splendid light, whence she shines among the Saints in heaven like the sun among the stars, for therefore she was seen by John clothed with the sun. (5)
We read of many in the Sacred Letters praised by God in a distinguished way; many praises of the Saints on account of their virtue are registered to eternity. Abel is praised, holy, innocent, just and is shown as a pious worshiper of God. (6) Enoch is ennobled with an illustrious fame because he walked with God, that is, he always followed the direction of God, not of Satan, therefore he was snatched into heaven. (7) Noah was honored even more and in a much more illustrious manner: Noah, a just and perfect man… walked with God, and found grace in the presence of the Lord. (8) Abraham because he believed… God, and it was reputed him as justice. (9) Job because he was a man… simple… and upright and fearing God and receding from evil. (10) Moses because he was a man most meek (11) and most faithful in the whole house of God. (12) David because he was a man close to the heart of God. (13) Christ the Lord praised John and extolled him as more than a prophet: Among those born of women there has not risen a prophet greater than John the Baptist; (14) for he it is of whom it is written: Behold I send my messenger who will prepare the way before your face. (15) And so he commended Peter: Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my father who is in heaven. (16) In the Sacred Letters we also find many women adorned with many praises: Sarah, (17) Rebecca, (18) Rachel, (19) Miriam, the sister of Moses, (20) Deborah the prophetess, (21) Anna, the mother of Samuel, (22) Queen Esther, (23) and many others.

But regarding the Virgin Godbearer, although the Divine Scripture seems very moderate and scant, nevertheless, with most honorable paeans of praise Scripture often commends her to us. Moses showed her that she would be the sworn enemy of the ancient enemy, victorious and conqueror: I will put enmities between you and the woman… she will crush your head, (24) certainly by giving birth to Christ, one stronger than Satan and triumphant over the nether world. The Royal Bard indicated her, saying: The queen sits at thy right hand in vesture of gold, surrounded with variety, (25) when he wrote words concerning the glory of Christ. Solomon, filled with divine wisdom and abounding with the celestial Spirit, is copious with this theme. Now he preaches her totally as beautiful and immaculate: Wholly beautiful are you, my lovely friend and there is no spot in you; (26) now the dawn rising, more beautiful than the moon and more splendid than the sun: Who is this who comes forth as the dawn rising, beautiful as the moon, chosen as the sun? To read more...