Twenty-sixth Day. the Virgin Mary the Model of Advancement in Virtue
Our spiritual advancement consists, as we have often heard, in being well persuaded that we are far from the height to which we aspire, and on that account we should make constant efforts to become better—because not to advance is to go back. Persons who are aiming ever so little at perfection are the choice portion of God’s creation, and are dear to Him as the apple of His eye. Oh, that we could imitate Mary, who, full of grace from the first moment of her conception, corresponded thereto with such fidelity that the angels exclaimed, “Who is she that cometh forth as the morning, rising fair as the moon, bright as the sun?” The most exact observance, not only of precepts but of the lightest counsels, was the fruit of the love that burned in the heart of Mary, so that she was never guilty of the least imperfection. Ah, would that I too could speed more rapidly onwards in the heavenly road! How many graces would God then lavish upon me! O Mary, my tender Mother, aid me to imitate thee in thy advancement in virtue. O Mother most sweet, draw us more and more by the sweet odor of thy virtues to be a perfect disciple, imitator, and slave of the Incarnate Wisdom, Jesus Christ, thy Son.
Prayer.
O Mary, by thy example thou didst animate confessors and virgins, sustaining them in the dangerous struggle with the world, the flesh and the devil. Aid us, too, O mighty Queen, so that we may live as becomes the faithful disciples of thyself and thy divine Son. Amen.