Theological Foundations new file

150 Theological Foundations tate. He believes that the Mother of God is a living book written and given by God to the people. They will not find in any other book what they find in Mary, and no one else can give them what is contained in her. It is a book of virtues and all perfection. It contains as many chap- ters, as many virtues as it describes. We should all join in reading this book and draw from it what is necessary for us. 33 It is this very book, Mary, that was a continual inspiration to Father Papczynski both in formulating his teaching on the necessity and the ways to achieve perfection as well as in the realization of the greatest task of his life, i.e., establishing a religious order in honor of the Immaculate Mother of God. *** Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz’s Marian attitude also has a deep theo- logical foundation. As he sought to justify the veneration of the Most Holy Virgin, Blessed George pointed to her Divine Motherhood. After all, every word uttered in veneration of Mary is a confession of faith in the Incarnation. Christ is the object of each worship and each worship, especially in honor of Mary, brings us closer to Him. Mary stands clos- est to Christ, therefore, whoever gives himself to her, comes closer to Him. She is most like Christ, therefore, whoever imitates her, becomes more like Our Savior. Besides, it was through her that Christ became more like us. He came into this world through Mary, therefore, we can come to Him through Mary. Mary is the most perfect model of holiness, thus our veneration of her, who is like Christ, is the best encouragement to strive after perfection. 34 After Christ, Mary is the most perfect model of holiness. But she is also something more. Just as Christ is not only the model but also the source, the originator of holiness and the Divine power that propels us towards what is good, in a similar manner, Mary is the Mother the Divine Grace. Just as the Lord of grace came to this world through Mary, so also does grace come through her. She is the one through whom we receive the graces earned for us by Christ. She is full of grace, she is a