In Praise of Mary

Let us, therefore, zealously strive to spread the glories of Mary … Let us instill … in the hearts of all people, an inexhaustible, infinitely tender love of Mary, our most beloved Mother. (OOCC, V, pp. 447 - 448)

St. Vincent Pallotti lived a life of filial devotion to Mary. He often said to himself that he would not rest until he possessed an infinitely tender love for Mary, his mother. He always felt that he was unworthy of her. He prayed to God to give him the grace to love Mary with the same love with which God loved her. St. Vincent wanted to honor, love and glorify Mary, and wished that everyone else in the world would do the same. He therefore zealously strove to spread the glories of Mary. He attempted to instill in the hearts of everyone whom he encountered the tender love for Mary. By way of his devotional writing on Mary, by commissioning the work of making statues and paintings of Mary, and by way of his own sermons on the glories of Mary, St. Vincent attempted to propagate a true love for Mary among the people. Due to his concerted efforts, many persons came to know more about Mary, loved her and lived a life of loyalty to her. When the angel Gabriel came to announce to Mary her vocation to be the Mother of God, he greeted her as the one who is the most favored by the Lord. Similarly, when Elizabeth met Mary, she greeted her as blessed among women, and acknowledged her unworthiness to receive the mother of the Lord. In the same way, St. Vincent always attempted to encounter Mary and live to praise her glory.

Do I strive to spread the glories of Mary? What concrete steps do I take to make others know the glories of Mary? Do I attempt to give those whom I meet daily a true knowledge of Mary, and instill in them a deep love for her? What concrete steps do I take to encounter Mary in my life and to live it in praise of her glory?

He [the angel] came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Lk. 1: 28)