Following Mary's Path to Holiness

Upon completion of her earthly life, Mary our Blessed Mother was taken up body and soul into Heaven. Mary’s Assumption into Heaven in her entirety is certainly an inspiration and God’s desire for each of us. When we follow Mary’s path, we too can be raised in holiness on earth and ultimately into God’s Kingdom.

Is the thought of striving toward holiness intimidating? Do not be afraid. When we follow Mary’s path, Our Lady is by our side, guiding us into our Lord’s loving and healing embrace.

“In a wholly singular way, she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the Savior’s work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason, she is a mother to us in the order of grace.” [CCC 968] Forever united with our Savior Jesus Christ in his work of redemption, the Mother of All People shares with us graces and blessings from God.

The Way to Holiness

Opening our hearts to these graces and blessings from Heaven, we experience the intimacy of the Trinitarian Life—by adhering to God’s will, partaking in Christ’s saving mission, and following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. To help us, Mary invites us to pray the Rosary.

The Rosary shows us the way to holiness. Conveying the depth of the Gospel message, the mysteries of the Rosary teach us how to live. With God’s grace we can imitate what the mysteries contain and obtain what they promise through Christ our Lord.

In fact, pray the Rosary is a recurring message of Our Lady’s apparitions in the world. This sweet, simple prayer helps us to see in the lives of Jesus and Mary what it means to be open to God’s graces in body and mind, heart and soul. And we experience the healing grace of faith, hope, and love.

In return for our devotion, our Blessed Mother promises her special protections. Virtue and good works will flourish. Our hearts will be lifted to desire eternal things. We will not be conquered by misfortune. Mary will aid us in all our necessities. We will have the plenitude of God’s graces and become worthy of eternal life as brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ.

Finding Jesus

We have so much to gain as we lose our propensity to sin. The steps we take with Mary by our side connect us to the way, the truth, and life of Jesus Christ for our salvation. Therefore let us not get sidetracked.

Granted, we have many reasons for losing our way, particularly as we continue to grapple with the COVID pandemic. We cannot always make sense of current events. We often find ourselves asking why? When we do not find a satisfactory answer, we can feel lost.

Surely, Mary and Joseph felt lost when they could not find young Jesus for three days after the feast of Passover. With great anxiety they went back to the Temple of Jerusalem. There they found him in the midst of the elders. “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?"[Luke 2: 49] Therefore, may we always follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and stay close to Mary. Together we will find Jesus who will lead us to His Father’s Kingdom for eternal life. Amen!