Dom Marmion: Sponsa Verbi - The Virgin Consecrated to Christ

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SPONSA VERBI - THE VIRGIN CONSECRATED TO CHRIST

SPIRITUAL CONFERENCES by The Right Rev. Dom. Columba Marmion, O.S.B., Abbot of Maredsous Abbey.
Translated from the French by Dom. Francis Izard, O.S.B.

Nihil obstat: Patricius Can. McGettigan. Censor Deputatus.
Imprimatur: + Henricus Epûs Tipasit. Edimburgi. die 5 Jan. 1925.

ALMAE DEIPARAE VIRGINI SEMPER INTACTAE


EDITOR’S PREFACE

These pages resemble a wreath laid on a tomb, for Dom Columba Marmion gave up his soul to God on January 30th, 1923, in admirable sentiments of devotion and with utter abandonment to the divine mercy.

A biographical notice is in preparation which will reveal the main characteristics of theologian, monk and apostle combined in his taking personality.

The same spiritual doctrine will be found here, as was revealed in his previous works; teaching impregnated with a living theology, profound knowledge of scripture, penetrating piety, and a profound knowledge of souls.  For souls he had a great passion.  He gave himself entirely for them that they should be all for Christ.

But if his affection embraced all, like his Divine Master, he was specially attracted by two classes: the sinners, and those consecrated by vows of chastity.  One day his zeal for his erring brethren will be known and with what tender compassion his eyes rested on countenances seared with the leprosy of sin.

The following pages show to what heights of perfection he urged the spouses of Christ, who form, as it were, the elite of the flock of the Good Shepherd.

For purposes of health Dom Columba was ordered by the doctors to take some weeks of rest during the summer of 1918, at the time that the chronic trouble which gradually undermined his constitution began to manifest itself.  He went into Luxembourg to recruit his strength, and there he enjoyed to the full the beauties of nature by which he was surrounded.  As a companion for his long, solitary walks in the forests of the Ardennes, he took the Commentary of St. Bernard upon the Canticle of Canticles."  In spite of its length and digressions he was captivated by the subject: its sublimity, the abundant citations from Scripture, the enthusiasm of the holy Doctor narrating the examples of Divine Love: all these were well calculated to move a soul as supernaturally disposed as that of Dom Columba’s.  But more than the beauties of nature, more than the flowing style of the Doctor Mellifluous, Dom Marmion admired the marvels worked by God in these souls.

His lively and penetrating faith showed him during the contemplation in which his reading plunged him, the marvellous condescension of the Word toward his privileged creatures: the theme of the Canticle itself.

Dom Columba generously communicated the spiritual lights he received to souls that were eager for them; consequently, on his return he gave a series of conferences to the nuns at the Abbey of St. Scholastica at Maredret, commenting on a text of St. Bernard that had specially struck him; in this passage the great Doctor indicates the conditions necessary for the soul aspiring to become the spouse of the Word.

Although these conferences were given to Benedictine Nuns, they are not specifically monastic; there is hardly an allusion to the rule of the great Patriarch of the West.

Dom Marmion has outlined his subject in its widest and most exalted aspect, prescinding from any special rule or constitutions; his theme being: The soul consecrated by the vows, becomes by virtue of that consecration the spouse of Christ.

Despite its title, there is nothing here that is essentially mystic in nature.  However advanced the union which the Word wishes to contract with the dedicated soul, that union is derived essentially from the consecration and apostolate, the state of perfection which springs from it; there is no necessity that phenomena of an extraordinary nature shall be added to complete it.

The conferences we publish here were carefully collected and noted down by their hearers.  We believe that these pages reproducing their delicacy of expression and depth of thought will be well received.

May their perusal by the virginal souls for whom they were intended arouse in them an ardent thanksgiving for the great graces they have received, for is it not a sublime privilege to have been chosen quite gratuitously by Christ to be espoused to Him?  May these instructions, whilst they inspire gratitude, at the same time enkindle more intensely in souls the knowledge of their pre-eminent dignity, inspiring them in their daily efforts to attain the high perfection to which they are called.

This was surely the lofty aim which Dom Marmion had in view when he gave these conferences, and poured out into them his priestly and apostolic soul.

Before his death these conferences received his approbation, and now that they are published, we trust that they will prolong the beneficent and supernatural effects of his apostolate.

In attaining a larger circle of influence, may they reach not only the large number of Religious already consecrated to Christ, but also reveal to those still in the world the high ideal they inwardly aspire after.

EDITOR.
Maredsous Abbey,
October 15th, 1924.