Mary, Virgin Most Prudent, Mary: Day 157

Last updated on: December 25, 2015 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Mary, Virgin Most Prudent, Mary: Day 157 2015-12-19T15:19:11-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Mary, Virgin Most Prudent

We know little of Mary’s everyday life. But Blessed John Henry Newman reminds us that she doubtless would have had numerous practical obligations, and in performing them perfectly, she would have needed that most practical of virtues, prudence.

It may not appear at first sight how the virtue of prudence is connected with the trials and sorrows of Our Lady’s life. Yet there is a point of view from which we are reminded of her prudence by those trials. It must be recollected that she is not only the great example of the contemplative life, but also of the practical; and the practical life is at once a life of penance and of prudence, if it is to be well discharged.

Now Mary was as full of external work and hard service as any Sister of Charity at this day. Of course her duties varied according to the seasons of her life, as a young maiden, as a wife, as a mother, and as a widow. But still her life was full of duties day by day and hour by hour.

As a stranger in Egypt, she had duties towards the poor pagans among whom she was thrown. As a dweller in Nazareth, she had her duties towards her kinsfolk and neighbors. She had her duties, though unrecorded, during those years in which our Lord was preaching and proclaiming his kingdom. After he had left this earth, she had her duties towards the Apostles, and especially toward the Evangelists. She had duties towards the martyrs, and to the confessors in prison; to the sick, to the ignorant, and to the poor.

All her acts were perfect, all were the best that could be done. Now, always to be awake, guarded, fervent, so as to be able to act not only without sin, but in the best possible way, in the varying circumstances of each day, denotes a life of untiring mindfulness. But of such a life, prudence is the presiding virtue. It is, then, through the pains and sorrows of her earthly pilgrimage that we are able to invoke her as “Virgin Most Prudent.” —Blessed John Henry Newman, Meditations and Devotions

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Do I tend to view my everyday obligations as competing with my spiritual life, or as providing me a chance to practice the virtue of prudence? When I’m uncertain about the wisest course of action, do I ask myself what would Jesus and Mary do?

CLOSING PRAYER
Virgin, Most Prudent, Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Paul Thigpen and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with Mary

Blessed John Henry Newman

Paul Thigpen

Saint Benedict Press

Previous Post

December 24, 2015

Mary, Vessel of Honor, Mary: Day 156

Next Post

December 26, 2015 Mary, the second and better Eve, Mary: Day 158

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz