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From True Devotion
To the Blessed Virgin Mary, Nos. 106-110
Marks of authentic devotion to our Lady
106. First, true
devotion to our Lady is interior, that is, it comes from within the mind
and the heart and follows from the esteem in which we hold her, the high
regard we have for her greatness, and the love we bear her.
107. Second, it is trustful, that is to say, it fills us with confidence
in the Blessed Virgin, the confidence that a child has for its loving Mother.
It prompts us to go to her in every need of body and soul with great simplicity,
trust and affection.
108. Third, true devotion to our Lady is holy, that is, it leads us to avoid
sin and to imitate the virtues of Mary. Her ten principal virtues are: deep
humility, lively faith, blind obedience, unceasing prayer, constant self-denial,
surpassing purity, ardent love, heroic patience, angelic kindness, and heavenly
wisdom.
109. Fourth, true devotion to our Lady is constant. It strengthens us in
our desire to do good and prevents us from giving up our devotional practices
too easily. It gives us the courage to oppose the fashions and maxims of
the world, the vexations and unruly inclinations of the flesh and the temptations
of the devil. Thus a person truly devoted to our Blessed Lady is not changeable,
fretful, scrupulous or timid.
110. Fifth, true devotion to Mary is disinterested. It inspires us to seek
God alone in his Blessed Mother and not ourselves. The true subject of Mary
does not serve his illustrious Queen for selfish gain. He does not serve
her for temporal or eternal well-being but simply and solely because she
has the right to be served and God alone in her.
Prayers
for the Second Week |
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