Blessed Mary the model of our Consecrated life and Discipleship

Bishop Henry Gogarty, started a congregation of women in Kilimanjaro, dedicated to Mary Immaculate. His vision was, the members of the Congregation should live with their hearts as pure as the snow on Mount Kilimanjaro, in the model of Mary Immaculate, whose heart is absolutely pure.

Blessed Mary the model of our Consecrated life and Discipleship

The Mother of God stands at the center of the Church’s devotional life, both as a model of virtue and as a faithful disciple of her Son Jesus Christ. To the Sisters of Our Lady of Kilimanjaro, Mary is the First Patroness of our order; her virtuous life is the inspiration for our consecrated life and discipleship. As we reflect on the various aspects of Mary’s life, we see how she was deeply rooted in God to whom she surrendered herself. Mary’s life was built on a solid foundation of faith (Matthew 7: 24-27), supported by hope, and expressed in the fullness of love. This virtue of love demonstrated by Mary’s total obedience to God—Mary’s eternal “YES”—brought forth to the world new life through Jesus.

“I am the handmaiden of the Lord; may it be done unto me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

In the New Testament, Mary is a perfect example of how the unity of faith, hope, and love are manifested in their true meaning. Faith, the virtue by which Mary believed in God and believed all that he revealed to her. Hope, the virtue by which she placed her trust in Christ’s promises relying not on her own strength, but on the help of the grace of God.  

The New Testament accounts of Mary powerfully present the true and enduring meaning of discipleship, and what it means to embody the theological virtues as Mary did. As Mary brought Jesus to the world with faith, love and obedience, she wants us to demonstrate those virtues as disciples of her Son and bring Him to all people. Our daily life should emulate Mary, and joyfully magnify the Lord, as we unceasingly sing with her. “My soul glorifies the Lord… the promise he made to our father Abraham and to his children forever” (Lk. 1: 46-56). God will never forsake those who seek him with sincere hearts, He asks only that we totally surrender to him. Let us, with Mary, strive to empty ourselves so that God can fill us with his very self. Mary reminds us always, “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).