IMITATING THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

 BECOMING LIKE MOTHER MARY AS A CATHOLIC WOMAN

Rev Fr Utazi Prince Maria Benignus Zereuwa

FOR CATHOLIC WOMEN ORGANIZATION (CWO) ST KEVIN CATHOLIC CHURCH OGBAKU, OWERRI ARCHDIOCESE RETREAT SLATED FOR AUGUST 24-25 2021

Catholic women are called to pattern our lives after that of Jesus Christ. When this seems daunting (discouraging, scary), it is helpful to turn to the example of fellow human beings who imitate Him well: the saints.

Ultimately, however, no one has ever imitated Jesus better than His own Mother, Mama Maria. Mama Maria, Mother of God and Mother of Souls, has been given to us as an example which we can strive to imitate. When we draw near to her, she leads us to her Son.

In his book, True Devotion to the Mary, St. Louis Maria de Montfort lists the ten principal virtues of the most Holy Virgin Mary.

They are: Profound humility, Lively faith, Blind obedience, Continual prayer, Universal mortification, Divine purity, Ardent charity, Heroic patience, Angelic sweetness and Divine wisdom.

Bear it in mind that Mama Maria is Mother and Model for the entire Church. “Mary is the Masterpiece of Creation”, in the words of St. Louis de Montfort. She is worthy of imitation. Mama Maria is the Daughter of the Eternal Father; she is the Mother of the Eternal Son and she is the Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit. In other words, Mama Maria is intimately united to the Trinity and she can unite us with God. For that reason, Saint Louis de Montfort says: Mary is the quickest, shortest, and easiest path to Jesus.

If we get to know Mama Maria, then we love her; if we love her, then we want to imitate her; and imitation leads to a desire to make her known. Finally, we become like the one we love. Therefore, let us pray for the grace to imitate Mama Maria in her most sublime (transcendent, inspiring, uplifting, magnificent) virtues; she will lead us to heaven. These virtues may seem overwhelming (awesome, overpowering) at first (that is, they appear to be difficult at first), but there are simple ways to practice them in everyday life with the help of Gods grace.

In all, let us journey with our Mama Maria who is always available to teach us. 

A virtue is an attitude or way of life that will help us to control our action and guide our conduct so that we do the good things that God wants us to do. When we live a virtuous life we receive inner joy, strength and peace. In the following list of the virtues of Mama Maria, there are questions that we can ask ourselves to see if we are living by each of the virtues.

PURITY AND CHASTITY (DIVINE PURITY)

Mama Maria is our model of purity. We say “Divine because it proceeds from God. It exceeds natural human ability. Purity is the state of being free from sin; oneness of heart and mind in seeking God. Purity is being in control of our passions and bodily desires, so that they always move us towards the true following of Jesus Christ in faith and love and never away from Him.

◗ Do I experience the fruit of self-control in my life?

◗ Do I respect myself and others by dressing modestly?

◗ Do I protect the purity of my mind and my heart in the things I read, watch, listen to, think about and talk about?

◗ How does Mama Maria’s example inspire me? (Matthew 1:18, 20, 23) (Luke 1:27,34)

The virtue of chastity is the first of Marys virtues mentioned in the Gospel. For us, chastity is the door through which we are able to gaze into Marys soul. A chaste heart is naturally turned towards the light, towards God, who is the source of all goodness. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matt. 5:8).

In order to love with an undivided heart, the heart must give of itself totally. It looks for ways to please his Beloved the most; it conforms itself to His will. Everything about it is simple: there is no calculation, falsehood, or deception.

We think about chastity as of something unattainable: what a long road lies ahead of us! How helpful it is to turn our gaze to Mary of Nazareth, the Immaculate Virgin! Nothing on earth is as pure as the soul of Mary! It is like a crystalline ocean under the midday sun Br. David (En Calcat)

Mama Maria is completely chaste: being immaculate from her conception, she devoted all of her power for loving towards God. In her virginity, she surrendered her soul, heart, mind, and body to God as His own possession:  I know not man (Luke 1:34). Her chastity is her yes given to God; it was a yes to everything He may expect from her; and the first yes is to her miraculous motherhood: the Child was conceived within her!

She will live out this mystery of virginal motherhood in her marriage to Joseph: Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her (Mt 1:20). Mary is devoted to God in her entirety, and that makes her open to loving all people.

What about us, then? You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27). If purity of heart is in saying yes to God; then we all know that we have to say no to sinful inclinations, from which we are not free. Loving with a free heart means fighting selfish pleasures and everything else that can stain or disturb our conscience.

In order to continue our struggle for chastity, the Church recommends us to frequently receive the sacraments and to pray often, especially the Rosary. On our own, we cannot resist the many temptations of the world today. Therefore, we invoke the assistance of Mary and the saints. Each of us is at least partly responsible for the chastity of the environment in which we live!

We must strive to be vigilant so as to avoid occasions of sin: shows that ought not to be watched, conversations that must be avoided, proposals that cannot be accepted if we do not want to trouble our own conscience and that of the others. All this simply we must do because we are Christians.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God! Mary, Virgin most pure, lead us to the Light!

How Mary demonstrated divine purity: Everything in Mary was of God. Her mind and heart were pure. She lived her life with unity of purpose, seeking only to love and honor Him with her whole heart, mind, and soul (see Deuteronomy 6:5).

How we can live out this virtue: Live a life of prayer and frequent the Sacraments. Strive to keep your heart and body pure, and your mind pure and focused on heavenly things instead of the things of this world. Seek to purify your intentions. Dont manipulate others, for example, saying something in order to obtain a certain response from them. Instead, act with simplicity and directness with everyone you encounter. Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no (see Matthew 5:37).

Our Lady of Fatima said that most souls are lost for all eternity due to the sins of the fleshthat is to say, due to the sins against the sixth and ninth commandments related to purity. Consecration to Mary and to her most pure and Immaculate Heart is a most powerful means to attain purity, be an example of purity, live modesty, and die with a pure heart. 

Mary most holy, Mary most pure, attain for me purity of heart, mind, body, and soul. Help me to live out the Beatitude: Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.

BLIND OBEDIENCE (OBEDIENCE OF MARY)

Mary is the model of obedience, especially to the will of her Son, Jesus. As she said to the servants at the wedding feast at Cana, Do whatever he tells you. (John 2:5)

◗ Am I a law-keeper or a law-breaker?

◗ Am I loyal to my spouse/friends/parents/children?

◗ Do I obey Jesus’ will?

◗ Am I prepared to follow God with ‘blind obedience’ like Mary? (Luke 1:38; 2:21-2, 27)

Saying it is Blind, it means to fully trust in God’s plan for our lives even when we dont understand it, knowing that He is Truth itself. Obedience is a virtue, it is pleasing to God because it means the sacrifice of ones will out of love for God. Obedience is faithfully carrying out the commandments of God.

How Mary demonstrated blind obedience: Mary was able to confidently give her fiat at the moment of the Annunciation, and also in every circumstance after that.

How we can live out this virtue: We are called to obey God, even when we dont fully understand why He asks for certain things. On a practical, daily basis, we can obey the will of God as taught to us through Holy Mother Church. The Church teaches His ten commandments, gives us the spiritual formation we need, transmits His truth, and gives us clear guidance for our actions through such things as the five precepts of the Church: 1) On Sundays and holy days of obligation, attend Mass and rest from servile labor; 2) Confess your sins at least once a year; 3) Receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least once during the Easter season; 4) Observe the days of fasting and abstinence from meat established by the Church; and 5) Help provide for the needs of the Church.

Jesus was obedient to death, even to death on a cross. (Phil. 2) Like Jesus, Mary treasured and lived out that most demanding virtue of obedience. By pronouncing her Fiat (Yes), Mary was expressing her desire to be totally submissive to the will of God in obedience. Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.

Like a nut whose the shell is hard and bitter while the meat is tasty, obedience may not appear very appealing at first glance. Does it not limit our freedom? On the contrary, obedience to God is, in fact, the path to happiness. God our Father shows us where goodness can be found and how to attain it. Obedience should be our response to His love. Jesus says, I do always what pleases the Father.

After Adams disobedience, our filial relationship with the Father was destroyed: unhappiness descended on the world. Through His obedience unto death, even death on a cross, Jesus rebuilt this relationship: obedience to God is no longer a burden, but the path of freedom, the school for learning true happiness! Mary has been always very obedient to God and to people for the sake of God (The Rule, Ch. 6).

Marys obedience to God: through obedience, she conceived the Son of God. After the birth of Jesus, she, the purest of all, submitted herself to the rite of purification for young mothers, as required by the Law of Moses. Likewise, she fulfilled the custom of dedicating her firstborn to the Lord. A pair of turtledoves or pigeons was offered to fulfill the requirements of the law that were nevertheless not applicable to the Son of the Most High!

Marys obedience to people for the sake of God: Cesar Augustus issued an edict ordering the census; together with Joseph, Mary goes to Bethlehem, Josephs hometown. She does this out of obedience, thus acknowledging herself as a subject of the Roman emperor.

These manifestations of obedience are for Mary an opportunity to live totally dependent upon God. In these events and the people whom she met, she perceived the guiding hand of the Father. Obeying means loving, wrote St. Bernadette. Obedience is lived out in the relationship of mutual love; if it is lacking, then such obedience would be the submission of a slave! The source of obedience is the mystery of the Three Persons of the Trinity who are totally dependent on each other. Let us re-read the Gospel according to St. John and note that for Jesus the fulfillment of the Fathers is true happiness!

Everyday life gives us many opportunities to live in obedience; but do we know how to benefit from them? It may happen in our professional life that we would be called to show obedience to our difficult bosses

We can reflect on Jesus answer to Pilate: You would have no power over me, if it were not given you from above. Perhaps in this light we can begin to look at problems as a call to a life of Christs filial obedience, who  just like His mother  wanted to be obedient to God and people for the sake of God.

The Fathers of the Church emphasize that the Marys obedience wipes out the Eves disobedience.

We may think of the obedience as a cure for the sin of pride: by submitting to the decisions of others, accepting the decision that we do not like or an opinion different from ours. There are so many opportunities to offer to God our obedience and love.

Dear Mary, in a world marked by so much rebellion and disobedience, help me to treasure and live out obedience. With you, Mary, who desired to be a handmaid, may we learn that to obey means to love.

POVERTY

By poverty we mean not just material poverty, but true simplicity of heart, in other words, detachment from all material things. The poor in spirit know that accumulating and enjoying worldly goods is not the purpose of our lives; rather material goods ought to be a "means" not an "end". They are a means to be used for the service of God and the relief of human suffering and need.

◗ Do I have a ‘holy detachment’ from worldly things?

◗ Am I thankful for God’s provision?

◗ Is there a particular worldly thing to which I cling too tightly?

Someone discovered a pearl of great price and then sold all his possessions to buy it. This pearl is poverty in heart! The first beatitude says: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven! Mary teaches us to guard carefully the evangelical pearl poverty. It is a choice to be poor, to live in poverty. It means to not be a slave of possessions; to be satisfied with the necessities; to sacrifice the unnecessary, useless the things. Poverty is the good to be protected, while the destitution is an evil to be exterminated. Our Lord is a perfect model of the poor, as St. Paul stated: For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9).

The Virgin Mary lived a life of poverty: we can see that at the birth of Jesus. When God came into the world, He chose poverty  While they arrived in Bethlehem; the time came for Mary to give birth. Yet, they could not find a place to stay. A manger for animals had to suffice for them, where they laid the baby. But Mary was thankful even for this.

Let us not hesitate, but let us open wide our doors to Jesus: He needs to be welcomed by us, even if all we have to offer is a poor stable. Our desire to welcome Jesus will nurture Him. Our efforts to please will keep Him warm.

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be (Mt 6:21). Where is the treasure of Mary? Her treasure is Jesus, Emmanuel  God with us. And what about us? Where is our treasure? Is it in financial success, consumerism, or in being a companion of Jesus Christ? The poor in heart do not find happiness in the accumulation of wealth. When we live a life of poverty, we discover other values that give us true joy: trust in Divine providence, generosity, freedom of spirit, openness to others. It is possible to have wealth and still live a life of poverty as long as one doesnt become a slave to ones riches. But this is a dangerous condition. The more we possess, the more we want to possess, and then the heart closes itself off to the one true treasure: the love of God and neighbor. May the Lord heal us from all kinds of greed, gluttony, and covetousness May He have mercy upon the rich of this world and open their eyes to the needs of their brothers.

O Mary, help us discover the treasure of poverty, chosen and willed out of love for our Lord Jesus Christ!

HEROIC PATIENCE

Meaning: Heroic  The performance of extraordinary virtuous actions with readiness and over a period of time. The moral virtues are exercised with ease, while faith, hope, and charity are practiced to an eminent degree (Catholic Dictionary). Patience  [T]o endure present evils without sadness or resentment in conformity with the will of God (Catholic Dictionary).

Mama Maria is our model of patience. Patience is the virtue that enabled Mary to endure all the wrongs and misfortunes of life without discouragement, but with trust in God instead (cf. John 19:25).

◗ Am I easily discouraged by the struggles of life?

◗ Do I trust in God’s providence for me and in His perfect timing?

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, one of the virtues that we need most is that of patience, better yet, heroic patience!

Our Lady patiently waited upon the Lord; she patiently accepted all of the contradictions and sufferings that God allowed her to undergo. She patiently accompanied Jesus on the Way of the Cross. But most especially, Mary patiently stood beneath the cross suffering with Jesus for the salvation of the world. 

How Mary demonstrated heroic patience: Mary gave her fiat, her yes to Christ. Her heroic patience culminated at the foot of the cross, where she truly became a martyr through suffering in union with her Son.

How we can live out this virtue: Unite your sufferings with the sufferings of Our Lord and Our Lady of Sorrows. Pray for the gift of perseverance and cultivate silence in your life and in your heart.

Dear Mother Mary, teach me to grow in patience.

SORROW (COMPASSION) (Luke 2:35)

Whenever we take our pain, grief and sorrow, and offer them up, in union with Christ's passion, then we can share in the saving work of our Saviour. (Colossians 1:24) As Pope Saint John Paul II taught in his apostolic letter on the meaning of human suffering, Salvifici Doloris, our unavoidable sufferings and sorrows can find meaning in Christ, and can be put to good use. He continued that we are not only to do good to the suffering, we are also to be good by our sufferings. In the Temple, Simeon foretold that a sword would pierce Marys heart. (Luke 2:35) Think of Marys suffering at the crucifixion of Jesus, as she stood at the foot of His cross.

◗ What are my sorrows and sufferings?

◗ Contemplate the cross and unite your sorrows and sufferings to Christ.

At the wedding in Cana, Jesus responded to His Mother: “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). The hour of His perfect self-offering, the hour of the sword piercing her soul, had not yet come. The Virgin Mary  according to the witness of the Gospel  stood near the cross of Jesus. She remains silent, contemplating, filled with compassion. This is the secret of crucified love: No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own (John 10:18).

Marys will is united with that of Jesus, nailed to the cross: her compassion and participation in the Passion of her Son, for the salvation of the world. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son Mary is perfectly submissive to the will of the Father through obedience; she is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Yes, Mary also so loved the world, that she gave her only begotten Son, so that the world could be saved. In this way, Mary gives birth to us in pain to life eternal.

Through the contemplation of the mystery of the cross, we discover  through tears and pain  that all our human sufferings are fruitful, if we place them at the foot of the cross. It is precisely Mary who teaches this to us. When we lose someone dear to us, when we remember his last moments, his gaze, his words  we preserve him in our memory as a treasure. Such people are still alive; we think of them, remember those moments anew. Each word and action can still tell us something, and each time our love grows even stronger and awakens gratitude. This is how it was with the Mother of Jesus. After the Resurrection, in the midst of the Apostles and disciples, Mary once again lived through  in silence  the Passion of her Son, walking along in spirit the path along which Jesus walked to Calvary; standing at the foot of the Cross, contemplating the wounds of Jesus, lost in wonder at the power of His love, suffering love, stronger than pain, stronger than death!

On our part, let us cherish this living through the Passion of the Lord along with Mary by taking out the beads of the Rosary, making the Way of the Cross, and in particular, by participating in the Eucharist. Each holy Mass makes the offering of Jesus on the cross for the salvation of the world present once again. From the open side of Christ flow out the streams of blood and water, giving us life. In each Eucharist, Mary gives us her Son and receives us as her own children.

In this way the compassion of Mary for her crucified Son becomes compassion for all those who suffer: in each one of us Mary finds her own Son, stands by Him, suffers with Him, and gives Him courage. She pours into us her own hope.

Life has conquered death! The cross has conquered hell! Alleluia!

Mary, most sorrowful, teach us to have compassion and to feel the sadness of those around us and give them hope! 

CONTINUAL PRAYER (DEEP AND CONSTANT PRAYER)

Meaning: The Christian practice, advocated by St. Paul, Pray constantly (I Thessalonians 5:17), by which a person always remains united with God. Also called the prayer of the heart, it need not be conscious awareness of Gods presence. It implies that a person is constantly ready to do the will of God (Catholic Dictionary). Continual prayer does not mean praying in a chapel all day, but serving God in our daily duties and seeking to preserve a spirit of prayer and of frequent conversation with Him about anything and everything. In the seminary, we have what it is called Magna Silencia GREAT SILENCE. It is the honour between 10pm and 7am or 8 am; that is, after Compline (Night Prayer) till the time of Breakfast. After compline, some go to their rooms and some to classrooms/library for reading and some still at chapel for private devotions. Those who incurred punishment will be serving it (if it is to wash plates) during the period. All these will be done without noise. Everyone talks in low tone. Then in the morning, we move to Chapel at 5-5:30am, until 7am when people rush to their different functions, and finally 7:30am for breakfast or classroom for lectures. Now, during this period of Magna Silencia, whatever you do, you do it in the Spirit of prayer or meditation. In our families, such will be helpful too.

How Mary demonstrated continual prayer: Marys entire life was a prayer, in which she constantly placed herself in the presence of the Lord at every moment of her life.

How we can live out this virtue: Praise God. Make time for silence, for thanking Him, and for asking help to do His Will. Bring Christ into every little thing, offering up all your thoughts, words, actions, joys, and sorrows. Converse with Him about the things youre thinking of during the day, turning your stream-of-consciousness conversations with yourself into dialogue with Him.

Our Lady had a constant, dynamic, and profound union with God at all times and placesthis is prayer! One of the primary messages of Our Lady is to pray, and to pray constantly.

Marys prayers for us are all-powerful! The first Public Miracle of Jesus, at the Wedding Feast of Cana, came about through the powerful intercession of Mary. 

Mary, I beg you, teach me how to pray and grant me a great desire to pray. Mary, pray and intercede for me always!

PRUDENCE

Prudence is the ability to consider your options carefully and to choose the right course of action in the light of Faith. Remember how Mary carefully considered the angel Gabriel's words to her at the Annunciation.

◗ Do I allow my faith to influence the decisions I make in all aspects of my life?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that prudence enables the practical mind to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it. (CCC, 1806). The virtue of prudence naturally follows the first virtue, because perfect wisdom and prudence consist in knowing how to please God and guarding against every sin that wounds Him (The Rule of the Annunciade Sisters, Ch. 2). Prudence directs all the other virtues. It must also guide our conscience and our actions. It includes foresight and thinks of the future; it also remembers the events of the past and draws conclusions from them. It is realistic, concrete, and uses common sense. All of these qualities are found in the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Consider Marys attitude at the Annunciation: Shepondered, what sort of greeting this might be (Luke 1:29). She is not hasty, she wonders, asks questions, and ascertains whether this greeting is not inconsistent with her choice of virginity. Only afterwards does she give her consent: such is Marys wisdom! During the shepherds visit that followed Jesus birth, Mary listens and says nothing, but she retains in her heart all the events and ponders them in silence for a long time.

After the departure of the Magi, having learned that Herod wanted to kill Jesus, His parents fled with the child to Egypt. Why? In order to protect Him. Later  after Herods death  they did not return to Bethlehem to avoid other dangers. This is the prudence of Mary, who teaches us that there are inherent dangers in the spiritual life, which are more easily overcome by escaping than fighting, especially if they are the temptations of the flesh and our ambitions.

Mary teaches us silence and meditation, which allow us to discern the good and choose the appropriate means for obtaining it. Imitating Mary, we should be slow to speak and quick to listen, knowing how to discern in our hearts, even before we open our mouth, what we shall say so as to avoid all negative words and all lies (The Rule, Ch. 2). We will then be able to discover and experience the mysteries of silence, because God speaks to the heart in silence. Let us imitate the triple prudence of Mary: in listening, meditating, and discerning. We must listen with love to the Word of God; discern in order to develop wise judgment; finally, ponder at length all the events within the heart, asking God to illuminate them for us with His light.

Mother most prudent, be our teacher!

PROFOUND HUMILITY

Meaning: Profound  Penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge. Humility  Free from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind.

Humility is the knowledge and acceptance of our dependence on God for everything good, from the gift of life itself, to every natural and supernatural blessing. Mary is the shining example of gospel humility, for even when she was told that she was chosen to be the Mother of God, she referred to herself as the mere "handmaid of the Lord." (Luke 1:48)

◗ What are my achievements?

◗ What are my gifts?

◗ Do I always give the credit back to God?

◗ Does my pride ever get in the way?

How Mary demonstrated profound humility: Mary perfectly conformed herself to God’s Will. She saw herself as God saw her, nothing more and nothing less.

How we can live out this virtue: See yourself as God sees you! Pray the Litany of Humility, accept compliments gracefully and quietly, and dont be embarrassed to make mistakes in front of others. Dont be surprised to find faults and sins in your lifejust turn to God and ask Him to help you with them.

The virtue of humility is cheerful and dynamic; it gives you wings! Why? Because it is based on the truth of our human condition and rejoices in it. We are created by God, who loves us and gives everything in abundance: life, movement, being  In Him we live and move and have our being, as St. Paul stated. We live by His grace; we are in constant relationship with Him; we cannot be independent from Him. Humility gladly agrees to receive everything like a child who receives everything from his parents. Humility declares itself not to be the owner of the gifts and benefits which one may possess: humility receives them, gives thanks for them, and rejoices in them!

In the Gospel of St. Luke, the first sign of humility is confusion and fear. The angel calls Mary full of grace, and she is troubled: such glory belongs to God, not to her! The angel Gabriel reassures her and communicates Gods message. Mary replies: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word (Lk 1:38).

All Marys life is expressed in these few words. She is at the service of the Lord and agrees to everything that He asks of her. She knows how to love the Lord and trust in Him. Marys humility foreshadows the humility of the Son: Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart (Mt 11:29).

Pride came into the world through sin and brought along with it in its retinue: ambition, rivalry, and violence.

We recognize that humility is not natural to us. We want to be successful, to be admired, to attract attention. We are concerned about our well-being; we do not dare to reveal our weaknesses and limitations. Since all this gives false impressions, we are not truly happy.

The truth is far more beautiful: God does not forbid our seeking greatness, but shows us a particular way to achieve it: Whoever wants to be great among you shall be your servant (Mt 20:26). He Himself illustrates it with His own example.

Mary has always been very humble, and the Lord looked upon her humility. Like a tree whose branches bend to the ground under the weight of fruit, so Mary humbles herself the more, the more she is endowed with graces by the Lord. Indeed, humility gives us wings, and Mary sings in her Magnificat: My spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

Mary, joyful in her humility, lead us along the paths of the Lord!

FAITHFULNESS (GREAT OR LIVELY FAITH)

Lively here, means “Full of life and alertness. Faith is the infused theological virtue whereby a person is enabled to believe that what God has revealed is true  not because its intrinsic truth is seen with the rational light of reasonbut because of the authority of God who reveals it, of God who can neither deceive nor be deceived (First Vatican Council, Denzinger 3008) (Catholic Dictionary). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that first of all faith is a virtue given by God, by which we believe in God and all that He have said and revealed, because God is truth itself. By faith man entrusts himself to God. We speak about the obedience of faith, because faith is expressed through our actions.

Being faithful means to surrender ourselves, our minds and our hearts to God. Mary showed that she had surrendered herself completely to God, trusting Him to fulfill all His promises. (Luke 1:45) (John 2:5)

◗Are there areas of my life that I struggle to surrender to God, to fully trust in Him?

◗ Take a moment to pray for the gift of supernatural faith.

◗ “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.”

How Mary demonstrated lively faith: Mary eagerly and wholeheartedly submitted herself to God. She joyfully surrendered herself to the Lord and put absolute faith in His word and in His promises.

How we can live out this virtue: Faith is a gift from God. We receive itwe do not manufacture it out of our own hearts. To receive this gift, we must seek communion with the Giver. Choose to trust Him and practice receiving His gifts with open hands.

Mary was truly a woman of great faith. At the death of Jesus, the faith of the Apostles was deeply shaken, shaken to its very foundation. Our Lady suffered intensely, but her faith never wavered. So let us turn to Mary in the midst of the storms, tempests, and intense trials of life to have faith. Mary, strengthen my faith! Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, specifies that Mary was the first disciple of Jesus  indeed the most faithful disciple!

Mary was strong in her faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (The Rule, Ch. 4).

Do we want to be sure that our faith is pleasing to God? Lets look at Abraham, the father of believers. God puts his faith to the test: He tells him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Abraham obeys. But the moment he picks up the knife, God stops him: Do not lay your hand on the boy. [] Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son (Gen 22:12). Because you acted as you did  I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars in the sky and as the sand of the seashore (Gen 22:16.17). God rejoices in the total trust that Abraham displayed toward Him!

The Virgin Mary is often called the daughter of Abraham. She fulfills in the most perfect way the obedience of faith, inaugurated by her distant ancestor. What does the Gospel state? That Mary has accepted with faith the message and promise brought by the angel Gabriel. She believed that nothing would be impossible for God (Luke 1:37). Through faith she conceived the Son of God.

Led by faith, she travelled to the hill country to see her cousin Elizabeth, who  although advanced in years  also conceived a son. Mary greeted her, and Elizabeth cried out and said: Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled (Luke 1:45).

Looking at the Scriptures, one notices that faith is often shown against the background of mountains. Abraham must go to a mount in the land of Moriah to sacrifice his son; Mary goes to the hill country to visit her cousin. The Rule of the Annunciades says that through faith we can climb to the top of the mountain of perfection, which is indeed a challenging mountain! Let us then follow the path of Mary. She precedes us on the pilgrimage of faith, as St. John Paul II said, in faithfulness until the end of our days.

The Gospel account of the Annunciation concludes with these words: Then the angel departed from her (Luke 1:38): the light was extinguished. From that moment on, Mary continues along her path through the night  Throughout her life and until her last ordeal when Jesus her son died on the cross, Marys faith never wavered. She never ceased to believe in the fulfillment of Gods word (CCC 149). The next day, after the body of Jesus was laid in the tomb, all hope of the world was focused on the only flame that rose to Heaven: Marys faith waiting in silence for the promised resurrection.

Mary, protect us in the midst of our trials and doubts. Share with us your confidence!

DEVOTION

The English word "devotion" has several possible meanings, but here we use it to mean the virtue of using to the full all the means of grace that our Lord has given to us to draw closer to Him, especially prayer and the Sacraments. Mary showed herself a truly devout woman of prayer when she offered, in praise and thanksgiving, her Magnificat, My soul glorifies the Lord. (Luke 1:46)

◗ How often do I draw close to God through prayer and the Sacraments?

◗ Is God asking me for a renewed commitment in this area?

◗ Can I find a way to ‘pray constantly’? One suggestion could be learning a verse of scripture by heart, ‘O God come to my aid, O Lord make haste to help me or simply Come, Holy Spirit!

The Magnificat is the first prayer uttered by Mary (according to the Gospel of St. Luke). Mary sings her gratitude in immense joy and recollection.

To express her praise, she chooses scriptural passages that she knows by heart. In her song, she interprets her own history and that of her people, recalling the benefits and promises made to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever (Luke 1:55). Mary is the pure worship of the God of Israel.

Every year, together with Joseph, Mary participates in the great liturgy at the Temple, fulfills the provisions of the Law, and presents her offerings to the Lord. This is the second manifestation of her prayers. St. Luke mentions three times that Marys returns to Nazareth. She does not pray only during major celebrations and holy days. When the celebration ends, everyone returns to their home. Mary finds her everyday life in intimacy to Jesus, whom she contemplates, serves, and loves.

Together with the apostles, Mary is also present in the Upper Room. All devoted themselves to prayer in anticipation of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Mary begins her great maternal mission; she remains in prayer with the Church until the end of time. Let us go to her school: she can teach us so much! It is good to listen to Jesus words together with Mary: Who is my mother and who are my brothers? [] For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother (Mt 12:48.50). To listen to the Lord in silence  that is already prayer. To relish a Gospel passage before going to bed is a prayer pleasing to God!

We sing of Gods glory and thank Him with the words of the Magnificat. We uncover with Mary the wealth of Psalms, which both she and Jesus prayed. Together with Mary, we read anew our own history and find in it the signs of the Fathers love. Perhaps we can compose our own personal Magnificat, starting with verses from the Psalms that speak to us in a special way  this is a prayer pleasing to God!

The sacrifices and offerings made in the Temple find their fulfillment in the one sacrifice of Christ on Calvary.

Mary is united to the sacrifice of the true paschal lamb: Jesus, her Son. Thenceforth, after the resurrection of the Lord, Marys praise reaches its summit through her participation in the Eucharistic liturgies. We too, after the example of Mary, dedicate ourselves to Christ in every Eucharist and draw joy from the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, as if thus prolonging Marys intimacy with Jesus in Nazareth.

Praying is thinking about Jesus and loving Him, said Bl. Charles de Foucauld.

Mary, joyful in the praise of God, share with us your joy and perseverance!

MERCY

See how merciful Mary was to her cousin, Elizabeth. No sooner had Mary heard from the angel Gabriel that her elderly cousin was pregnant, that she journeyed quickly through the hill-country to visit her, and stayed with her for three months to help her. (Luke 1:36-56)

◗ Am I willing to put the needs of others before myself, to come to their aid?

◗ Is there a particular person or situation that God is calling me to reach out to?

Our Blessed Mother knew how to receive and have mercy on everyone: the spouses of the wedding feast at Cana, the fearful Apostles after Jesus death, all of us when we sin, etc. She is always there to embrace us, never judging us and interceding for us continually. Mary believes all things, endures all things and bears all things. Lets ask her to teach us to always do good and to be compassionate towards those who suffer.

Mercy is the love of God, poured into your hearts by the Holy Spirit, who was given to us. It is grafted onto ones natural goodness and radiates with the love of God. Mary, full of grace, is filled, permeated with this love and radiates it in all of her actions, words, smiles, and tears. Mary radiates love, compassion, goodness, and mercy for all, beginning with the Infant whom she carries in her womb and nourishes. It is known what a great exchange of love there is between a mother and her child nourished by her breast. When we realize that that mother is the Virgin Mary, and the child is the Son of God  at that moment we stand at the threshold of the mystery and God rejoices in this!

Unfortunately, they must soon flee to Egypt! To defend the Child from Herods anger, to protect His life, bearing the discomfort: this is Marys love  so full of concern.

Mary concerns herself even with this: They have no more wine (Jn 2:3), as she said to her Son. Then to the servants she said, with her calming smile: Do whatever He tells you (Jn 2:5).

How can we incarnate the mercy of Mary in our lives? First, by loving Jesus with all our heart; nourishing Jesus by loving Him; thinking about Him, by praying, by living His Word, to permit Him to grow within us and the world. We must protect the treasure who dwells within us; sometimes we must flee to Egypt, in order to avoid enemies lying in wait: to avoid neglecting prayer, the sacraments; to avoid temptations and all false gods, which desire to lead us astray.

Mary, at the wedding in Cana, desires that we be sources of peace. This is the first thing necessary, if we desire to please the Lord. Then we must have our eyes open to the needs of others, as if they were our own, and to plead for their needs: They have no more wine. Do we no longer have the strength to bring solace to the destitute in the world. Let us then go to the Lord:

Look, Lord and this prayer brings fruit  even though it may not be visible to us.

Prayer is needed  but also commitment! To awaken faith in hearts, beginning with acts of charity and service. Do whatever He tells you, those are the only words of Mary, which she spoke to people; she does not cease to repeat the same to us 2,000 years later.

Mary, teach us to do all that Jesus asks of us.

GENTLE AND MEEK SPIRIT

Mary most holy embodied a true gentle and meek spirit, this is so true. However, she also was a strong woman. This is exemplified most clearly as she stood at the foot of the cross, called the Stabat Mater (the Mother Standing). In the last moments of our life, when we are about to breathe forth our spirit, let us turn to Mary and beg her for courage and strength, and for the grace of all graces, to die in the state of grace so that we will be united with her forever in heaven praising the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

UNWAVERING HOPE

Not only did Mary have a deep and solid faith, but she had unwavering hope. Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and Catholic tradition, have pointed out that Jesus appeared to His Mother Mary after He rose from the dead. Our Lady helps us to lift our mind, our heart, our soul, our total being to God and heaven.

More than anything else Mary wants to help us to get to heaven. This is hope  trusting that, through Marys prayers, we will safety arrive at heaven.

UNIVERSAL MORTIFICATION (MORTIFICATION AND PENANCE)

Meaning: Universal  All-encompassing, applicable everywhere. Mortification  Dying to yourself and your own will. The practice of Christian asceticism in order to overcome sin and master ones sinful tendencies, and through penance and austerity to strengthen the will in the practice of virtue and grow in the likeness of Christ. Natural mortification is a normal part of self-discipline; supernatural mortification, based on faith, seeks to grow in holiness through merit gained by cooperating with the grace of God. (Etym. Latin mortificatio, a killing, a putting to death.) (Catholic Dictionary).

How Mary demonstrated universal mortification: Not my will, but thine, be done (Luke 22:42) was the whole of Our Ladys life: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word (Luke 1:38). She mortified herself and her own will by putting Gods first and seeking to unite hers with His.

How we can live out this virtue: Make sacrifices and offer them up for the greater good of someone else. Accept the small irritations, humiliations, and inconveniences of daily life as quietly as you can. Mortify yourself in little things such as getting up right away when the alarm goes off and not hitting the snooze button! Pray this simple yet difficult prayer: God, teach me to love your will as my own!

At both Lourdes and Fatima, Our Lady mentioned the dire need for prayer, but also for the practice of penance  or, if you like, the importance of offering sacrifices, especially for the conversion and salvation of sinners. At Fatima, Our Lady said that many souls are lost because not enough people offer prayers and sacrifices for them. Our Lady told the children at Fatima that they could offer everything as a sacrifice to God, especially for the conversion of sinners.

It is not so much the greatness of the act, but the love that accompanies the act that gives power and merit to the action. Let us offer our penances to God through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

ARDENT CHARITY AND SUPERNATURAL LOVE

Meaning: Ardent  characterized by warmth of feeling or passion. Charity  The infused supernatural virtue by which a person loves God above all things for His own sake, and loves others for Gods sake (Catholic Dictionary).

How Mary demonstrated Ardent Charity: Every action that Mary performed for those around her was done out of love for her Lord.

How we can live out this virtue: Imitate the Blessed Mother and take on the disposition of love for those around you by bringing Jesus to them, the true and perfect Lover.

Mary possessed charity and supernatural love. The greatest of all virtues is charity  and supernatural love is to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Nobody ever loved God and neighbor more than Mary. Her love for God was a blazing fire, and her zeal for the salvation of souls has no limits, and will never have limits! Mary sparks love in our hearts, and due to her powerful intercession an ardent love for God and neighbor.

Dear Mother Mary, teach me how to love like you, and, like you, to die of love!

ANGELIC SWEETNESS AND MEEKNESS

Definition: Angelic  Manifesting goodness, purity, and selflessness. Sweetness  a pleasing disposition that is lovable, kind, and gracious.

How Mary demonstrated Angelic Sweetness: Our Lady radiated joy and peace to everyone she encountered.

How we can live out this virtue: We can open our hearts to the grace that is available to us and show gratitude for Gods blessings. We can smile and be kind, friendly, and alert to the needs of others, putting them before our own.

Another sublime virtue of Mary is that of her angelic sweetness or sublime meekness. By this we mean that Mary was very kind, loving, meek, affable, attractive, and appealing, and always pointing to God. In our dealings with others, may Our Lady inspire in us great sentiments of kindness, compassion, gentleness, meekness.

As Our Lady greeted Saint Elizabeth with exquisite charm, may we do the same in our social meetings and encounters. Pope Francis expressed this in his document, Joy of the Gospel.

DIVINE WISDOM

Meaning: Divine  Proceeding from God. Wisdom: The first and highest gifts of the Holy Spirit. It makes the soul responsive to God in the contemplation of divine thingsBuilt into wisdom is the element of love, which inspires contemplative reflection on these divine mysteries, rejoices dwelling on them, and directs the mind to judge all things according to their principles (Catholic Dictionary).

How Mary demonstrated divine wisdom: Mary was able to see the beauty of Gods will in every moment. She didnt run to others first; she always conversed with the Lord first, so that she could know His Will and put it into action.

How we can live out this virtue: Ask the Holy Spirit for the wisdom to see all things with the eyes of Christ and not with your own. Ask Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, to pray for you!

In conclusion, let us go to the saints, also called the Masterpieces of God (Pope Saint John XXIII) and meditate upon their words of praise given to God through the Glorious Blessed Virgin Mary.

JOY

Mary lived with a special and interior joy that was not at all superficial. She was happy with what she had and received all that the Lord gave her with joy. Hope is the fruit of Marys joy. Because of her union with God, only source of true joy, she was able to recognize what was truly essential and thank God for all she had.

GRATITUDE

The Virgin Mary lived in constant thanksgiving for the Lord's countless gifts. Therefore, she can teach us to imitate her gratitude toward the Lord for His infinite mercy and generosity. She can help us give our best to God and be happy with what we have. A practical way you can do this is not going to sleep without having thanked God for at least 10 things that happened to you throughout the day. 

THE SECRET: Practice a virtue at a time. Our Lady loves families. The key to any kind of lasting growth is to start small. A good idea is to pick one of Marys virtues each week, month, or year, and to practice it in everyday situations.

Remember: the Blessed Mother is right there with you every step of the way. Dont hesitate to ask for her guidance and assistance.

Lastly, dont be afraid to grow in love for Our Lady. As St. Maximilian Kolbe said, Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

12 virtues of Mary. https://hmy.homeofthemother.org/index.php/life-soul/spiritual-growth/7204-12-virtues-of-mary August 23 2021

Ed Broom. 10 Ways to Increase Faith By Imitating Mary. May 7, 2019. https://catholicexchange.com/10-ways-to-increase-faith-by-imitating-mary August 23 2021

Frances Baines. The Ten Virtues of Mary. November 2016. https://www.kingdomrevelatorusa.org/ten-virtues-mary August 23 2021

Genevieve Cunningham. Imitate The 10 Amazing Virtues of the Blessed Mother. May 26th, 2021. https://www.goodcatholic.com/imitate-marys-ten-amazing-virtues/ August 23 2021 

Meditations on the 10 virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. http://anuncjatki.pl/wp/meditations-on-the-10-virtues-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/ August 23 2021