b) Mortification and self-denial. Her husband left her great riches, many servants, and flocks and herds. But although she had such great possessions, and might have led a luxurious and brilliant life, she lived quite retired from the world, in a state of voluntary poverty and chastity, and practised severe penances, wearing hair-cloth, and fasting every day. “Blessed are the poor in spirit!” It was this life of mortification that made Judith a heroine.
c) Heroism, which enabled her to save her people. The more we deny ourselves and resist our natural desires, the more holy and strong will be our wills, and the less shall we shrink from any burden or danger which could advance God’s glory and the good of our neighbour. The High Priest was right when he said to Judith: “Thou hast done manfully, because thou hast loved chastity” (Judith 15, 11).
d) Love of her country. Judith knew that the Temple and her country were in extreme danger, and it was to save them that she went unprotected into the enemy’s camp, and placed herself in what was, apparently, imminent danger of death. She was willing to sacrifice herself for them, out of love for God and His holy Law.
e) Her humility is especially worthy of admiration. She was proud neither of beauty nor riches, and was truly humble of heart. “Let us be penitent, and humble our souls before God”, said she to the elders. After her heroic action she gave all the glory to God. “Praise ye the Lord our God”, said she, “who hath killed the enemies of His people by my hand.”
Type of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Even as the chaste Judith cut off the head of Holofernes, thereby saving her people from captivity and slavery, so did Mary, the Immaculate Mother, through her Divine Son, trample on the head of the infernal Holofernes, and free all mankind from his power. Even as Judith was lauded as “blessed above all women on earth”, so did St. Elizabeth and the angel Gabriel both say to our Lady: “Blessed art thou among women.” Judith gave all the glory to God, as did Mary in the Magnificat (New Test. IV). Judith was devout: Mary is the vessel of singular devotion. Judith was a holy woman: Mary is the Virgin Most Holy, and the Mirror of justice in which all virtues are reflected. Judith was heroic: Mary was the most heroic of women, and the Queen of martyrs. Judith was the glory of Jerusalem: Mary is the Queen of all Saints, the glory of the heavenly Jerusalem, the joy of the elect, and the honour of the whole Church.
The invocation of the Saints. The people of Bethulia recommended themselves to the intercession of Judith, because she was a holy woman, and because on that account her prayers would have great power with God. It is for the same reason that we recommend ourselves to the intercession of the Saints.
