What do we owe Mary?, Mary: Day 085

What do we owe Mary?

We often focus on the help we can receive from Mary. But have we carefully considered what we owe her as our mother? St. Ignatius of Loyola explains.

We owe to our mother love, confidence, imitation, and zeal to spread devotion to her.

First, we owe love to her who is the beloved of our Lord; gratitude toward her who has loaded us with benefits; the affection of a child for our mother.

Second, we owe her our confidence. Her power and her title of mother were given to her so that our trust in her might be unlimited, so that we might know that she would always be able and willing to help us.

Third, we owe her our imitation. She expects from us this proof of true love. Doesn’t the child naturally resemble the mother? Let this resemblance in us be the fruit of our efforts, of a careful study and practice of her virtues. Sons of a virgin, let’s be pure; sons of the mother of sorrows, let’s be faithful to Jesus, even to the Cross.

Fourth, we owe her zeal to spread her devotion. A sincere love will produce this zeal. We must praise and defend all the devotional practices authorized by the Church. Her images must be venerated and given to others. We must love to bear her insignia, visit the places where she is honored, take pleasure in singing her praises, prepare for her feasts by penance, and sanctify them by the reception of the holy Eucharist. Let’s honor the sacred heart of Mary, and honor it by a special devotion. —St. Ignatius Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Have I considered what I owe to Mary as my mother? In what specific ways today can I offer to her what I owe?

CLOSING PRAYER
From a prayer of St. Maximillian Kolbe: Immaculata, Queen and Mother of the Church, I renew my consecration to you for this day and for always, so that you might use me for the coming of the kingdom of Jesus in the whole world. To this end I offer you all my prayers, actions, and sacrifices of this day.

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