Our Lady, who is she?
To write about a saint is no easy task; to write about the mother of God herself is even harder. She rarely spoke and had very little written about her. So, who is Our Lady exactly? … silence.
Perhaps few of us can respond as we remain unsure how best to describe her. However, she answers the question herself in the words addressed to the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation describing to all people who she really is – ‘The handmaid of the Lord’.
When the woman in the crowd shouted, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked’ (Lk 11:27), Jesus’s reply was rather unexpected. ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’ (Lk 11:28). This is the best description of a handmaiden - of his mother. As she was created without the stain of original sin you might think this must have been an easy task for her, to be faithful to God … or was it? Did you know that she was not the first creature created without the stain of original sin?
The new eve
In the words of Maureen Mullins, in the book The Litany of Loretto (How it came to be), she stated that Mary was not the only creature created without original sin. Eve was also created without the stain of original sin. Eve was not totally obedient to God, and she even dialogued with the Devil! We know how the story ends. Unlike Eve, Mary never told God “no”. She held on to God’s grace and struggled to say “yes” to him in all things big and small. With this, she found favor with God and became his handmaiden. Now you know why Our Lady is referred to as the New Eve.
Our mother
So yes, although she was created without the stain of original sin, she was fully human. She experienced temptations as well and had the option of saying “no” to God, but she chose to be faithful. In her, we find a mother, who understands our struggles, hopes, joys, sorrows, and worries ... you can be sure to find protection in her arms. The litany of Loretto is a good example of ways humans down the century have implored her aid on their journey to her son, Jesus.
What is your favourite invocation? When trying to make important decisions, I beckon on her saying ‘Mother of good counsel’, help me with x, y, z. When life’s challenges make me see nothing but darkness, I call on her ‘Mother of hope, pray for me.’ This is how I have come to love and appreciate reciting the Litany of Loretto after praying my Rosary for the day.
Daughter of God the father
The various invocations in the Litany of Loretto is also a good place to discover her role as mother of us all and her place in the Church and in God’s salvific plan. Who is she I ask for the second time? She is the Daughter of God the Father, Mother of God the Son, and Spouse of God the Holy Spirit; titles she obtained from being the mother of Jesus who is the second person of the Blessed Trinity and God made man.
‘Greater than she, no one but God.’ (Christ is Passing By, 171). This special privilege given to her as a gift for her fidelity to God shows us how much she can help us on our earthly pilgrimage if we implore her aid. Go to her for everything for she is your mother also!
During these days leading up to Pentecost, she is there as the spouse of the Holy Spirit, ready to obtain for us the gifts and fruits he has promised us. Mary, perfect Spouse of God the Holy Spirit, pray for us.