Marian Virtues – Closing Thoughts & Wrap Up…

This post is a part of a Marian Virtue Series, that will conclude on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. If you are just joining the series now and want to learn more you can start here: Introduction to Marian Virtue Series.

I am so excited to be a part of the Marian Virtue Series started by Bethany Swanson over at Strengthen My Heart. When she asked for bloggers who wanted to write about the ten Marian Virtues, so many people immediately volunteered, and this sweet lady gave me the beautiful opportunity to give my thoughts on each post and lead into her post tomorrow, which will be the Grand Giveaway and Closing Thoughts post.

By my Blog’s name, you can see that I am a Marian Devotee. My family is Under Mary’s Mantle and we intend to stay there. When I changed blog platforms, due to my lack of technical prowess I lost so much content… but I’m excited for the opportunity to present myself in a better and more spirit-filled, virtuous way.  Here’s a little bit about why I love Mary so…

I grew up without a mom. The woman who gave birth to me was mentally ill, and an abusive alcoholic. I’ll spare you the details of all that. But suffice to say, I always longed for a Mother. As a convert to Catholicism, I was influenced by women who wear the Veil. And in my walk to conversion and the fullness of our Faith, Mary really reached out to me and showed herself to me. She guides me and She became my Mother. 

This past year has been the darkest in my adult life. The loss of my father and three surgeries. I started to pull away, feeling let down and scared/lonely… but like any mother would, she gave me a moment to wallow in my humanity, and then she said, “come dear one, Mama is here!” She wants us all to be that close to her. Me, as imperfect as I am… she wants us all to walk our path, not in the shadows of her example, but emanating her example. We do this to the best of our abilities. And she guides us, knowing we are trying, loving us through our failures and triumphs. She is the ultimate Mother and we are so blessed.

This blog series on Marian Virtue is beautiful. These talented Catholic bloggers who are all or some of these things: Moms, Sisters, Aunts, Co-workers, Homeschool Teachers, Religious Ed teachers, Friends, Volunteers… and more– these ladies bring the Marian Virtues to life with real life tips to follow that will help us walk in Marian Virtue towards Christ. Amen!

In the first post, Bethany explains that we need to emulate Mary’s Virtues. She tells us what the virtues are and then introduces the bloggers. Her post is here: Introduction to the Marian Virtue Series.

• Profound Humility – Chloe at The Old Fashioned Girl talks to us about Profound Humility. Our Blessed Mother Mary said loved God and all of His creations from the beginning to the end of her life, she was perfectly humble. I love this post because it’s so identifiable. And she is right. People confuse thinking of ourselves less with thinking less of ourselves. You can be a confident person and still live the virtue of profound humility. Mary loved God and was devoted to her son, and then to all of us. Sigh – the ultimate Mother. In fact, I would submit thinking of others more than and putting others before yourself is a much happier way to live life. 

• LivelyFaith – Ginny at Not So Formulaic told a story about her earthly father and how he came to know Lively Faith as a virtue. We know that Mary said Yes to God from her conception until her Assumption. She said, “Yes, I will bear Your Son and save Your people.” She gave ALL! My favorite passage from this post is, “Mary nursed Jesus and rocked Him. She changed His diapers and wiped His nose. She defused tantrums, soothed skinned knees, and directed daily chore time. Mary raised, loved, and adored a fully human child, never wavering in the knowledge He was divine:” She said YES and how beautiful it was.

• Blind Obedience – Kathleen at the Klassic Kitchen gives us really great advice about learning to be like Mary and obey God in all things. Blind Obedience is hard for me, but I enjoyed her post… and will be re-reading few times, I suspect. Here is one of her passages, “A continual conversation with God allows you to more easily hear what he’s saying. Making time each day for a few moments of quiet prayer, going to adoration, frequenting mass, confession, and spiritual direction are all huge helps in discerning not only what God is asking of you, but will also strengthen you with the grace to say yes.”

• Surpassing Purity – Alexandra at The Lemke Lodge describes what true Purity is, especially how it relates to Mary. Sigh – to be filled to the brim with grace and pure… We know we won’t ever be the latter as Mary was; however we can strive to be as pure in thought and deed and as grace-filled as we can muster – with God’s help and Mary’s help. Alexandra skillfully uses “certain Mysteries of the Rosary as reference points”, to help us understand that Purity is Grace.

• Constant Mental Prayer – In this fantastic post, Desiree at Green Catholic Burrow helps us see that the foundational concept for Constant Mental Prayer is to be in the presence of God and in constant fellowship with Him. It’s not so much thinking of God all the time, but purposing to live with God in your heart and emanating from your heart. She gives practical advise about where to start, and suggests starting each day with the Morning Offering, which I need to get back to. Great post.

• Universal Mortification – What I loved from the beginning of her post was the honesty Sterling at Sterling Jaquith stated how she chose the Marian Virtue she wanted to write about. She chose the one that made her most uncomfortable. She goes on to give an incredibly relatable account of how Mary was willing, every moment, to lay down her life and will – in order to please God. 

• Ardent Charity – Anni, at A Beautiful Camouflaged Mess of a Life, taught me something. You see, as a convert, I never knew that we said the three Hail Mary’s at the beginning of the Rosary for an increase of Faith, Hope & Charity. I love learning new things about our Faith. In this post, Anni helps us see how we are all called to increase in Charity towards God and our neighbor. Y’all it’s hard in a world as chaotic and gossip and judgmental as ours. We live in fear, yet we must rise up and live our lives according to God’s plan. Great post Anni.

• Angelic Sweetness – Allison at Reconciled to You explained to us the important things to know about Angels, and helped us understand Mary’s angelic qualities. “The Marian Virtue of Angelic Sweetnes has been described as “radiating joy and peace to everyone she encountered.” Mary by her very nature can not help but impart peace, comfort and joy. ” Allison goes on to give great examples of emulating Mary in this virtue. I am not good at everything, but I was blessed with an abundance of compassion. May I be more like Mary. Let us all be more like Mary in this.

• Heroic Patience – Sarah at All Things New tackled the virtue of Heroic Patience. If you ask me, Mary’s life was an exercise in Heroic Patience. I read that a lot time ago. But I love how Sarah brings the virtue of Heroic Patience to a level we can all understand as wives and mothers. Think of all the waiting she did, for things that she knew would break her heart. But she endured patiently and lovingly. We shall never face what she did, but we can relate, as mothers. 

• Divine Wisdom – In her post on Divine Wisdom, Sarah at Sew Many Wild Things, shared this Bible verse: James 3:17 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” I don’t know about y’all, but I struggle with trust, yes even with God (forgive me) because I am human. But I do pray for the some day that I can be more submissive to His will and be set free from my mind.

• Increasing Marian Devotion – Kimberly at The Lion of Design gives us practical advice about increasing our Marian Devotion. She points out we first have to have desire. I do, but mine is imperfect. Still, I know she guides me. There are so many books we can read about Mary. We can pray for her intercession and guidance. 

History of Our Lady of the Rosary

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