Ave Maria Meditations
See, ladies and gentlemen, our Queen, who is the compendium of virtues, the archive of merit, the treasury of all holiness, who never praised herself, never boasted, only spontaneously demonstrated her humility….This is the virtue most prized by Mary most holy and is the one that should be most appreciated by all who are devoted to her. His Majesty had all the virtues, and to a superlative degree, but this one is Mary’s prize.
Ladies and gentlemen, whoever is not humble strives in vain to be devoted to our Lady. There is no love of her without humility, for how could it be that she, who is humility itself, would be served by pride? Let us be humble because we are servants of Mary, and because we cannot be so without her intercession, let us say to her: Our Lady, loving Mother, ocean of perfections, Mother of the living! Since it is only through your intercession that we live the life of grace, acquire for us from your precious Son your virtue of humility, and remove from our hearts every thought of pride, self-love vanity, and the desire for honors in this world. Grant that here, in imitation of you and out of respect for you, we humble ourselves so that in heaven in your company, enjoying your honors and privileges eternally, we will praise the Lord who gave them to you and who honored us by assuming our nature in your most pure womb.
+ Sr. Juana Ines de la Cruz
