The Imitation of Mary
1. Earthly mothers are delighted when they see a reflection of
themselves in the features and mannerisms of their children. In the same
way Mary, our Heavenly Mother, is pleased when her sons seek to
reproduce as far as possible in their lives the faithful imprint of her
spiritual motherhood. We should imitate Mary, therefore. Especially in
this month which is dedicated to her, we
should not be content merely to pray before her altar and decorate it
with flowers, but we should make daily progress in imitating her
virtues, particularly the virtue which we need most. We may be lacking
in humility, that virtue which is so outstanding in Our Lady. Or perhaps
we are lacking in purity, the most difficult yet the most necessary of
all the virtues. Then again we may be wanting in acceptance of God's
will when we are suffering or misunderstood. We should try and do God's
will in everything and with perfect trust in Him, as Mary did at
Nazareth and at Bethlehem, in exile and in her own country, in her
humble home and on the apostolic journeys in which she followed her
divine Son, on the sorrowful way of the Cross, on Calvary at the feet of
Jesus, at the Resurrection and glorious Ascension, and in the years in
which she waited on earth for the final loving reunion in Heaven. Let us
repeat with her always: “Be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke
1:38) There is a story told about a holy man who prayed to Mary in all
his difficulties: “Show yourself to be my mother.” One day he heard the
reply: “Show yourself to be my son.” Mary says this to us as well. If we
wish her to prove that she is our mother, we must show her that we are
really her sons by mirroring in our lives her outstanding sanctity.
2. At first sight it seems a very difficult matter to imitate Mary.
More than any other creature, she reached the highest peak of
perfection. But if we examine the nature of her outstanding sanctity, it
will seem easier to imitate her. According to the masters of the
spiritual life, there are three kinds of holiness. First, there is
extraordinary sanctity, which abounds in miracles and ecstasies, such as
that of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Mary Magdalen dei Pazzi, St.
Catherine of Genoa, St. Gemma Galgani, and many others. Secondly, there
is ordinary holiness, where perfection is achieved without being
manifested in miracles or in ecstasies. Thirdly, there is hidden
sanctity, a relationship entirely between the soul and God, which
consists in the faithful and loving fulfilment of His holy will. It is
unnoticed by men, but one day it will shine forth in the sight of God
and the human race. The holiness of Mary falls into the latter two
categories, for hers was a hidden sanctity, to outward appearances quite
ordinary. We read nothing of her having been in ecstasy or having
worked miracles. We do read, however, that she did God's will on all
occasions; that she lived an obscure life of humility and love; that she
followed Jesus as far as Calvary along the sorrowful road of the Cross;
that she loved Him above everything else; and that she lived for Him
alone. It is not too difficult to imitate Mary. With her protection and
with the grace of God, it can become almost easy. All we need is a firm
resolution to accomplish the will of God in all things, a great love for
Jesus which will make Him the object of all our actions, and a spirit
of prayer which will keep us close to God in every kind of circumstance.
3. O holy Mary, ever ready to protect and assist me, grant that I may
be as truly your son as you are my heavenly Mother. Grant that I may
reproduce your most outstanding virtues, especially those which are most
necessary for me to imitate. Help me to be humble, pure, and inflamed
with love for God and for my neighbour. Obtain for me a spirit of
sacrifice and self-denial, and most of all a complete and absolute
acceptance of the will of God. Amen.
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