Mary's Charity Towards God

 Wherever there is the greatest purity, there is also the greatest charity. The more a heart is pure and empty of itself, the greater the fullness of its love towards God. The most holy Mary, because she was so humble, and had nothing of self in her, was filled with divine love so that: She is called the "Queen of Love", says St Francis.

"Her love towards God surpassed that of all men and angels," as St Bernardine writes.

In Mary, the love of God was so ardent that no defect of any kind could have access to her.

"Divine love, so penetrated and filled the soul of Mary, that no part of her was left untouched; so that she loved with her whole heart, with her whole soul, with her whole strength, and was full of grace."

Mary's heart was pure, that is entirely free from all earthly affections and entanglements and therefore fully prepared to burn with this fire of love.

"The Holy Spirit heated, inflamed and melted Mary with love, as fire does iron." says St Ildephonsus.

Mary was so closely united to God by love, and penetrated so deeply the abyss of divine wisdom. . . no creature could have a closer union with Him.

"And there appeared a great wonder in the heavens, a woman clothed with the sun.'' Rev 12:1

Mary did not so much repeat acts of love as other saints do, but her whole life was one continued act of love. By a special privilege she always actually loved God.

"The act of perfect charity performed by the Blessed Virgin in this life were without number; for nearly the whole of her life was spent in contemplation, and in that state she constantly repeated acts of love." in the opinion of Suarez

The duties of the active life of the Blessed Virgin Mary did not prevent her from loving, and love did not prevent her from attending to those duties, says St Peter Damian.

"While her body rested, her soul watched." says St Ambrose.

Since Mary loved God so much, there can be nothing that she so much requires in her clients as that they should also love God to their utmost. This is the very message she delivered to such privileged souls as St Bridget and Blessed Angela of Foligno.

"Mary, Queen of love, of all creatures the most amiable, the most beloved," as St Francis de Sales prayed, "You were always and in all things inflamed with the love of God. Pray that your Son will bestow a spark of that love in my soul."