When history is complete, it will form a splendid and touching account of God’s desire to communicate with mankind, and its response – or lack thereof – to the divine call. In this sense, the expression in Scripture is poignant:

“O that my people would listen to me! […] I would soon subdue their enemies. […] I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you” (Ps 81:13-14, 16).

This relationship, however, has clearly evolved over time. In the Old Testament, we first notice God’s communication with Israel through thunder, fire and earthquakes; then His voice became more human, as it was echoed by the prophets.

Finally, with the inauguration of the New Covenant, we hear St. Paul proclaim: “In these last days He has spoken to us by a Son” (Heb 1:2). Throughout these progressive stages, we find a recurring characteristic: the Lord manifests Himself to the human race with increasing intimacy.

Now, in recent centuries, Marian apparitions have multiplied, far out of proportion with previous eras. By introducing His Mother into this divine communion with mankind the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity demonstrates His unfailing disposition to consider us as part of His family.

The messages transmitted by her deal, in essence, with the same points; and yet the manner in which Our Lady communicates with us is increasingly intimate, manifesting ever greater levels of forgiveness, mercy, affection and tenderness.

In a certain sense, this new relationship was inaugurated by Our Lady of Good Counsel: although the fresco has a much more remote origin, its history entered the Western Christian world in 1467. However, there is no message here, no manifestations; there was only a prodigy at the beginning, as a harbinger of countless miracles and graces of close contact with the sacred.

Paradoxically, her wordless eloquence is a more precious, personal, intimate communication, unique to each moment. It is her good counsel to each of her children.

In the immortal prayer, the Memorare, we pray: “Never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thine intercession was left unaided.” And therefore it is apropos that Our Lady of Genazzano has become the counsellor of so many Popes. She is God’s counsel to every man, no longer saying only “do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5), but showing us how to be pleasing to Him.

Above all, the Mother of Good Counsel – because She is our Mother – feels special compassion for our weakness and grants us not only her good counsel, but also the strength to put it into practice.

This is why Dr. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira attributed such an important role to her in these days when human weakness has reached a historic peak. It will be from her hands that, in the Reign of Mary, human fidelity to divine appeals will spring forth.

For the Heralds of the Gospel – and for all those who receive their influence – this relationship with the Most Holy Virgin has a palpable reflection in the life example of Dona Lucilia, whose 150th birthday is celebrated this April. Her presence, full of kindness and gratuitous love, so rare in the modern world, invites us to an extraordinary intimacy and a tender reciprocity.