Theological Foundations new file

157 Marian Character The rosary is the souls’s way to God because it leads to God through Jesus and Mary according to the words: “Your anointing oils are fragrant ... Draw me after you, let us make haste” (Song 1, 3-4). But the Mother of God wants only such prayers and greetings which come from a pure heart and a soul that is not stained by sin. She only accepts prayers from a sinner if he does penance, regrets his sins and promises to reform his ways. The sinners may seek her protection but she does not protect sin, only the man who regrets his sins and enters the path of reform. 60 4. Imitating Mary Wishing to encourage those who venerate Mary to imitate her in their lives, the Founder of the Marians extolled all the virtues of the Most Holy Virgin. She, “planted in the house of God,” guided by the Holy Spirit, appears to be the vessel of all virtues “like a fruitful olive tree.” 61 The author supposes that she nurtured these virtues ever since the early years in the Jerusalem temple, and though the revealed sources are silent on this subject, it is easy to picture her as a girl free from the temptations of the young age, from the stubbornness and resistance of a child pursu- ing trifle matters, a girl full of dignity and God’s inspiration. 62 Father Stanislaus imagines her also as a person not so much given to the kind of play that was typical of the children of her age, but rather to ardent prayer and worthwhile studies. It was already at that time that her entire conduct was characterized by wisdom, piety and sanctity. 63 The Most Holy Virgin was filled with God, separated from the world, free from imperfections and dedicated to the practice of virtues. “O maiden full of God! Subject to this world only in minimum, free from imperfections, filled with virtues to such a degree that St. Ambrose, admiring them, cries out as if in ecstasy: “How many kinds of virtues shine forth in one Virgin. The mystery of modesty, the banner of faith, compliance with devotion, Virgin inside a house, Attendant at ministry, Mother in the Temple.” 64