Mary, Cause of our Joy, Pray for Us!

May is here, and with it, spring is in full bloom! The coldness of winter has left us, and the majesty of God’s splendor in creation is singing out through the chirping of birds and blossoming of flowers. It seems only fitting that it is in the midst of all this beauty we remember in a special way the Blessed Virgin Mary, the cause of our joy.

A couple of years ago when I was teaching 2^nd graders the Litany of Loreto, a student asked me, “Sister, why is Mary the cause of our joy?” Before I could reply, another student said, “Because she brings us to Jesus! And Jesus makes us happy.” It is simply just that. We love and honor Our Lady because she brings us to the very source and cause of our joy—Jesus!

Overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, she received the fullness of the Word of God in her womb. In complete faith, deep humility, and total surrender, she gave her fiat, saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Lk. 1:36). Her joyful “yes” to God’s will shows her total dedication to Him. In her simple but profound assent to God’s plan for her, she shows us that the value of our life does not depend on doing great things in the eyes of the world. Rather, the true value of our life comes from faithfully accepting God’s will for us, in a spirit of openness and joy.

In this month of May, let us especially unite ourselves with Mary. Let us strive to imitate her, who, in poverty, humbled herself and remained hidden throughout her whole life, remaining chaste and pure, allowing herself to belong to no one else but God, and in obedience, carried out the will of God by bringing Him to the world. With Mary, let us “proclaim the greatness of the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior!”

- Sister M. Immanuela, FSGM

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