Blasphemy?!

Have you ever committed blasphemy against the Blessed Virgin Mary? I know that might sound like an odd question. Odd, not because it is impossible, but rather because it is rarely thought of in our spiritual lives. Yes, in the strictest sense, blasphemy is always and only against God. That is the definition of the Catholic Encyclopedia (written over a century ago).

So then, how could one commit blasphemy against one of God's creatures? The Catholic Encyclopedia also says that blasphemy against God is committed when someone says or does something that is irreverent or disrespectful "of the saints or of sacred things, because of the relationship they sustain to God and His service". Then what may be a blasphemy against the Blessed Virgin? It would ordinarily be words spoken against her person, or her specific acts of holiness. And you should be aware that it goes much farther than to use the phrase "holy Mother of God" as an exclamation (which, by the way, is breaking the second commandment).

If someone mocks or insults chaste and modest clothing for women, they commit a blasphemy against Mother Mary. This is especially true of women's veils. It is true that the Church does not require women to wear them in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, but you must not have the wrong opinion of them. If someone were to speak against godly chastity they would be speaking a blasphemy against Mother Mary. We could go on and on; words against: virginity, marriage, parenthood, submission, etc. These are all traits and practices of Mother Mary that she performed and encourages in us, and therefore to insult them is to insult her.

This takes a good examination of conscience to root out these evils. We each should consider the gravity of blasphemy, and be willing to dig deeper into our hearts. Here below is an "Act of Reparation for Blasphemies Against the Blessed Virgin Mary":

Most glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, turn thine eyes in pity upon us, miserable sinners; we are sore afflicted by the many evils that surround us in this life, but especially do we feel our hearts break within us upon hearing the dreadful insults and blasphemies uttered against thee, O Virgin Immaculate. O, how these impious sayings offend the infinite Majesty of God and of His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ! How they provoke His indignation and give us cause to fear the terrible effects of His vengeance! Would that the sacrifice of our lives might avail to put an end to such outrages and blasphemies; were it so, how gladly we should make it, for we desire, O most holy Mother, to love thee and to honor thee with all our hearts, since this is the will of God. And just because we love thee, we will do all that is in our power to make thee honored and loved by all men. In the meantime do thou, our merciful Mother, the supreme comforter of the afflicted, accept this our act of reparation which we offer thee for ourselves and for all our families, as well as for all who impiously blaspheme thee, not knowing what they say. Do thou obtain for them from Almighty God the grace of conversion, and thus render more manifest and more glorious thy kindness, thy power and thy great mercy. May they join with us in proclaiming thee blessed among women, the Immaculate Virgin and most compassionate Mother of God. [Finish by saying three Hail Marys]