God created two marvelous melodies-- the father's authority and the mother's piety. And both have distinguishing notes, finely tuned by the Eternal Composer. Countless patriarchs and mothers have passed through this valley of tears and each by their life played the melody of authority and piety uniquely.
We can think of St. Louis IX living in the 13th century. His authority radiated the lightness and tenderness characteristic of the French, yet justice, a harmonic contrast, was his primary virtue. Indeed, justice, he exhorted his son to pay most care. "My beloved son," he writes, "if you come to reign, do what is befitting to a king, that is, be so just as to deviate in nothing from justice, whatever may befall you."(1)
To contrast Phillip II of Spain, living in the 15th century, had an authority marked by gravitas and seriousness. It is said that St. Theresa of Avila trembled before this glorious monarch. And that an architect died of remorse from his gaze after he attempted to prank the king by making a paper mache pillar in a particular edifice only to topple it before him. Thus we see two melodies of authority, both profoundly unique.
The melodies of piety which inundate should inundate the heart with sweetness are that of Marie-Antoinette of France, 18th century, and Doña Buerenguera of Castile, 13th century. Marie-Antoinette, though Austrian, was a graceful swan, a fitting symbol of the French ethos. Hers was a melody of piety with notes of lightness, sweetness, and elegance. A melody that pricked the conscience of the revolutionaries who martyred her.
Doña Buerenguera's piety, on the other hand, is like the castles of Spain whose stability brings to mind her patience and serenity and their strength her security. Indeed, in "The Life of the Very Noble King of Castile and Leon, Saint Ferdinand III" we see these beautiful qualities that compose her melody of piety on display. (2) Indeed, we witness her patience, serenity, and security radiate during Castile's political conflict with León.
St. Louis IX, Phillip II, Marie-Antoinette, and Doña Buerenguera, imagining them in a heavenly court would bring the mind great delight, think of how these fathers with their authority and mothers with their piety of Europe would get along so well. What a beautiful harmony! May we, by the grace of our Lady and St. Joseph's intercession live again in a society where these two noble melodies, the father's authority and the mother's piety reign again.
Sources
(1) Restoring the Family by Marian T. Horvat
(2) The Life of the Very Noble King of Castile and Leon, Saint Ferdinand III by C. Fernandez de Castro A.C.J.
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