4 May, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations For Each Day

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.