Bookend your life with Mary

It has been noted that the holiest lives are bookended by the blessed mother

• think of Jesus. He begins his life in Mary’s arms, same as the end
• Saintly people … our beloved pope Benedict … born on a Saturday (Holy Saturday!) and died on a Saturday, and vigil of mary mother of God !
• Every Catholic : life is bookended with Mary: the baptism ritual invokes Mary, last rites invoke Mary
• Daily life – morning offering, compline
• —> Mary is there sending us off in the morning and tucking us in at night

Why?? Pope Benedict: “Looking at Mary, how can we, her children, fail to let the aspiration to beauty, goodness and purity of heart be aroused in us? Her heavenly candour draws us to God, helping us to overcome the temptation to live a mediocre life composed of compromises with evil, and directs us decisively towards the authentic good that is the source of joy.”

We look at Mary

• she who is so faithful- looking at her, we desire to be faithful
• She who is so pure looking at her, we desire to be pure
• She who is so virtuous looking at her, we desire to be virtuous
• She who is so generous looking at her, we desire to be generous
• She who is so beautiful looking at her, we desire to be generous
• She who is all so holy looking at her, we desire to be holy

And so:

• three Hail Marys , start and end of each day.
• With the heart.
• Look at a picture of her when you pray them

Blessings and peace,Fr. Mike