What are the 10 principal virtues of Mary?

True devotion to Mary, says St. Louis de Montfort, leads us to imitate these virtues.

In his classic work True Devotion to Mary, St. Louis de Montfort explains that this devotion to Mary “leads the soul to avoid sin and to imitate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin,” especially her ten principal virtues.

He lists them as:

Profound humility
Lively faith
Blind obedience
Continual prayer
Universal mortification
Divine purity
Ardent charity
Heroic patience
Angelic sweetness
Divine wisdom
Today, let’s dive into the first five and we’ll go into the next five tomorrow.

Profound humility. Our Lady was the most exalted of all creatures, yet also the most humble. “My soul doth magnify the Lord…” she said during her Visitation to St. Elizabeth, recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Not only did Mary attribute everything good to God and see herself as His creature, totally dependent on Him, but she also saw her life’s very purpose as glorifying the Almighty.

Lively faith. Our Lady believed everything God revealed and in all His promises, without faltering. And she did it with eagerness and joy, not with timidity or skepticism. She trusted in Him completely, He Who can neither deceive nor be deceived. “Blessed is she who believed that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled,” said St. Elizabeth to her at that same Visitation.

Blind obedience. Our Lady was perfectly obedient to God, as exemplified by her fiat at the Annunciation. Even at those times when the way ahead seemed uncertain or fraught with danger—such as when the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt—she always obeyed, trusting in God.

Continual prayer. Mary never stopped praying. She certainly set aside specific time in her day for prayer, to be alone with God and to converse with Him, but this prayer continued even amidst her other duties. Whether she was baking bread, preparing dinner, cleaning her house, or visiting a neighbor, all was done in union with God.

Universal mortification. Mortification is the denial of one’s own will and inclinations. Our Lady never followed after her own will, but continually united it to God’s will in every circumstance. She accepted patiently all contradictions, sufferings, and hardships with love, offering all things to God with perfect resignation and charity.

Quote of the Day:

“Many live like angels in the midst of the world. Why not you?”— St. Josemaria Escriva

Cleaning the coop has to be one of the most tasking chores, but to hear the happy poultry makes it all worth it.

Processed some more apples and tried a new dessert.

Every year a group of hunters from Jamestown ask to hunt on our land (sometimes we’re given leather gloves), Ginger lets them know that she’s got her eye on their movements. Fun to see them. Another one of those annual events that makes me aware of the brevity of life.

The Ignatian practice of a daily general examination is a great way to strengthen your self-awareness, which will in turn make your examination of conscience before Confession easier and more powerful. This Ignatian Examen is done in 5 steps:

1. Ask God for Light
2. Give Thanks
3. Review your Day
4. Reflect on Shortcomings
5. Look Toward the Day to Come

As you grow in self-awareness and humility through a good daily examination, you’ll be able to bring every part of your life to Christ—even your suffering!  Source: The Catholic Company 

Pictures by our 6 year old.