Tower of Ivory, pray for us!'Tower of Ivory' is the second addition to 'Seat of Wisdom' invocation used in reverence to Mary so richly endowed with the gift of counsel. When we think about tower we see imaginative picture of a very tall building reaching far up above ground and visible from afar to guide lost man in times of danger. People were coming from all over the world to visit Solomon in his ivory tower. He was widely recognized for his outstanding wisdom. In the same way and for the same purpose we come and pray to Our Lady. It was explained in more detail in previous meditation on 'Mother of good counsel' invocation. Mary is also called 'Tower of Ivory" because of her exceptional purity and the virtue itself is traditionally associated with white colour. Mary's virtue of purity shines brightly, and the Church lovingly addresses Mary with these words: "Thou art all fair, O my love, and there is not a spot in thee". (Canticles 4:7). Our Lady shines with rays of virtue strong and bright like ivory tower. St Thomas Vilanova described her very accurately, as the one who possess Job's patience, Moses' sweetness, Abraham's faith, Joseph's purity, David's humility, Solomon's wisdom and Elias' zeal. Although Our Immaculate Lady was always free from any inward inclination to sin, she nevertheless did all her best to attain perfection and fought zealously to subdue any external temptation to pride. Mary lived her life through faith: "And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them." (Luke 2:50) and "And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. " (Luke 2:33). St Therese of Child Jesus once said referring to these quotes, that Mary's faith required many sacrifices and denials. We should do our best to follow her example and sacrifice something for the sake of faith, for the virtue begins and grows with self-denial. We need, like her, to struggle and perfect the virtue of humble faith, quiet patience, active and understanding charity toward others. We will certainly meet difficulties and fail often on the way, but then we only need to run quickly to Our Lady who calls us: "Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me". (Proverbs 9:4)
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