Mary, model of Holiness

Of all the titles given to the Blessed Mother, the “Queen of All Saints”, is somehow not so popular among Filipinos. Nevertheless, our faith teaches us that because Mary made the most diligent use of the treasure of grace given to her by God she excelled in every virtue much more than every other saint in heaven. All the traits of Jesus were expressed in her as faithfully as they could be expressed in any creature. As she surpasses all saints in choosing a virtuous and meritorious life, so Mary stands higher than all other faithful in receiving glory and reward. After God, there is no greater bliss for the blessed in heaven than to behold her as glorious Queen.

Mary is likened to the moon among lesser stars “Velut inter stellas luna minores”, meaning that she is the greatest among lesser saints, exceeding all other saints in holiness.

We need to pray to Mary, the Queen of all Saints for the grace to remember that God has created us to live a life of holiness in this world and to become saints in heaven. As 1 Peter 1:15-16 says, “Be holy for I am Holy”. God will give us enough grace to do this if only we have an earnest desire for holiness just as Mary did. Holiness does not consist in doing heroic deed, but in doing the will of God perfectly, “loving God with all our heart and all our mind and with all our strength, thus loving others as ourselves” (Mark 12:30).

As we contemplate Mary, our model and guide of holiness, we may also obtain the grace to imitate her holiness in this world and transform our inner lives by the assimilation of Marian witness and attitudes. Mary is constantly trying to reconcile all human beings and lead them to Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary has a special influence on the lives of all her spiritual children. As we contemplate Mary in her throne of glory in heaven, we will surely hear her undying song of praise and thanksgiving to God. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit finds joy in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46)