The Faith of Mary: A Christian Reflection on Trust, Belief, and Good Works

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MARY, MOTHER OF TRUE FAITH 

Mary Mother of faith


St. Augustine teaches that when Mary gave her consent to the Incarnation of the Eternal Word, through her faith she opened the way of heaven for all humanity.

Because of this remarkable faith, St. Elizabeth proclaimed her blessed, saying: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Lk 1:45).

St. Augustine further reflects that Mary was even more blessed in receiving the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ.

The theologian Suarez continues this reflection by saying that the Blessed Virgin possessed a faith greater than that of all men and even of the angels.

She looked upon the infant lying in the manger at Bethlehem and believed Him to be the Creator of the world.
She saw Him forced to flee from Herod and still believed Him to be the King of kings.
She witnessed His birth in time and yet believed Him to be eternal.
She saw Him poor and in need and believed Him to be the Lord of the universe.
She heard Him cry and yet believed Him to be the joy of heaven.
She saw Him suffer death, rejected and crucified, yet her faith remained firm that He was truly God.

For this reason St. Cyril of Alexandria honored her with the title “Queen of the true faith.” In the prayers of the Church’s liturgy we hear these words: “Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, for you alone have overcome all heresies throughout the world.”

St. Ildephonsus encourages us to imitate the faith of Mary. But how can we do this? Faith is both a gift from God and a virtue that must be practiced. The soul must exercise itself in living according to what it believes.

To possess a living faith means to shape our lives according to our belief. As St. Augustine expressed it: “You say, I believe; do what you say and that is faith.”

St. James also reminds us clearly that “faith without works is dead” (Jas 2:26). God looks among the faithful for those whose belief is confirmed by good works, yet such examples often appear few. Many carry the name of Christian, but do not fully live according to the faith they profess.

Therefore, let us ask this powerful Mother to intercede for us, that we may receive a faith that is alive through charity, a faith that moves us not only to believe but also to live according to the love of God.



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Thank you for your interest in the devotion to Our Mother of perpetual Help. May Our Mother of Perpetual Help intercede for you and your family. Amen

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