THE HUMILITY OF MARY

 MARY WAS HUMBLE WHILE ON EARTH

Humility is the foundation and guardian of all virtues, for without it, no other virtues can exist in a soul, says St. Bernard.

"God so loves humility that whenever He sees it, He is immediately drawn there."

 Mary being the first and most perfect disciple of Jesus Christ in the practice of all virtues, was first also in that of humility, and by it merited to be exalted above all creatures.

Mary always had a humble opinion of herself and even though She saw herself enriched with the greatest graces, She never preferred herself to anyone, revealed to St. Matilda.

"The first effect of humility of heart is a lowly opinion of ourselves."

Mary knew that she had never offended God. She acknowledged the greatness of God's favour to her and humbled herself even more: everything came from the Eternal Father, St Theresa remarks.

"Humility is Truth"

After the son of God, no creature in the world was so exalted as Mary, because no creature in the world ever humbled itself so much as she did, said St. Bernardine.

"The graces that helped her appreciate the infinite greatness and goodness of God also helped her recognize the lowliness of creatures."

When Mary was praised by St Gabriel, the Archangel and later by St Elizabeth, Mary refers it all to God.

"My soul magnifies the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my saviour."

(Lk 1:46)

There is no escape: we can never be true children of Mary if we are not humble.

"You cannot imitate the virginity of this humble virgin, imitate her humility." Says St Bernard.