Accept Her Motherhood: Mary and the Path to Holiness

Throughout the lives of the saints, there are many characteristics that, though expressed in unique ways, are all shared in common. Every saint, for example, has lived a deep life of prayer. They have led fervent sacramental and liturgical lives and have remained close to the Church, the Body of Christ. Each saint has also demonstrated a love for neighbor that is often heroic- far surpassing society’s minimal standards of merely being a “good person” or simply tolerating others.

There is, however, another characteristic found in the lives of the saints that is essential to a life of holiness: a profound and fervent love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. This characteristic is sometimes less noticeable, yet without it the possibility of becoming a saint would be greatly diminished, if not impossible. For there is no saint in the history of the Church- nor will there be any in the future-who does not possess a great love for Mary.

Yet the saints did not merely love Mary. Each one, in his or her own unique way, sought her intercession, took her into their home as Mother (Jn 19:27), and followed Christ in prayer, apostolate, and in the many trials of life with Mary at their side. Every saint has regarded a relationship with Mary not as an obstacle to intimacy with Jesus, nor as a distraction in the pursuit of holiness, but as a necessary component for following Christ more deeply.

What, then, was the fruit of the saint’s love for Mary? It was something that we hopefully all desire: a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The more they prayed to her and sought her assistance in the practical realities of their lives and vocations, the more they came to know Jesus, love Him, and give themselves to Him without reserve. This filial love and devotion to Mary enabled the saints to become more like Jesus, and, therefore, truly holy.

Through the example and testimony of the saints, we can glean a very important spiritual principle at work: wherever Mary is present, Christ is born. Mary did not bring Jesus into the world only once in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago; in accordance with the will of God, she continues to bring Him to us in ever greater abundance to the degree that we love her and accept her motherhood in our lives.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Image: Depositphotos

Email Print

Fr. Jeremiah Shryock CFR

Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock CFR, is from Barto, PA. He graduated from Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA in 2002 where he studied Philosophy and professional writing. In September of 2002 he entered the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR) and was ordained a priest in 2011 by Cardinal Timothy Dolan in St. Patricks’ Cathedral in New York City. In 2014 he completed studies in spiritual direction at Our Lady of Divine Providence School of spiritual direction in Clearwater, FL. Throughout his time as a Franciscan, he has participated in his community’s charism of hands-on work with the poor and preaching. He lived for three years as a hermit at the Monastery of Bethlehem in Livingston Manor, NY and now currently lives in San Juan Diego Friary in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he preaches retreats, is a spiritual director and conducts parish missions on either the spiritual life or Mary. He is author of Amid Passing Things: Life, Prayer, and Relationship with God, Mary and the Interior Life, and Let Him Lead: An Invitation to Let Jesus Guide Your Heart and Your Life (2025). For more information, visit his website at: fatherjeremiah.com and follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/father_jeremiah/</a.