The blessed Virgin Mary : in theology and popular devotion

Abstract

I am presenting some reflections on the Blessed Virgin Mary for the sole reason that the more one draws near to her the better one gets to know her: "To think therefore of her, is perfect understanding: and he that watchet for her, shall quickly be secure". But one should not stop there. Maximilian Kolbe truly knew how to incorporate the truth into life, also because he attained a knowledge of Mary, as all the saints, not only from reflection guided by faith, but especially from prayer. "Anyone who is not capable of bending his knees and imploring from Mary in humble prayer the grace to know who she really is, cannot hope to learn more about her". Mary anticipates those who seek her and answers them before they call her. Who loves her, seeks her; who seeks her, easily finds her. St. Anselm asserts that desired help is sometimes more readily obtained by invoking Mary's name than by invoking the Name of Jesus, because as Lord and Judge of all, Jesus discerns and weighs everyone's merits, but Mary, being a merciful Mother and not a judge, helps everyone. Although such an assertion is somewhat exaggerated, it is not surprising that Christians should pray more to Mary than to Christ, a practice John Baptist van Ketwigh defends in a somewhat roundabout way: "Because the faithful are taught that the most blessed Mother of God has everything she can do and give from God, it follows that, when they invoke her, God himself is implicitly invoked and honoured"[...].