from Saint Bernard
Mary calls God, the Lord of the Angels, her Son, saying, 'Son! why hast Thou done so to us?' (Luke 2:48). Which of the Angels would dare to do so? It is enough for them, and they esteem it greatly, that, being spirits by nature, they should by grace be made and be called Angels, according to that of David: 'Who maketh spirits his Angels' (Psalm 103:4 and Hebrews 1:7). But Mary, conscious of her motherhood, with confidence calls that Majesty her Son, whom with awe and reverence they serve; and God does not despise to be called what He has deigned to become. For, a little further on, the Evangelist adds: 'And He was subject to them' (Luke 2:51). Who, to whom? God to men. God (I say), to whom the Angels are subject, whom Principalities and Powers obey - God was subject to Mary.
Marvel at both these things, and choose at which you will marvel the more - whether at the most benignant condescension of the Son or the most sublime dignity of the Mother. On either side is surprise, nay, wondering amazement. That God should obey a woman, is humility without parallel; that a woman should rule over God is an exaltation quite unique. To the praise of virgins only is it sung that 'these follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth' (Apocalypse 14:4). Of what praise, then, do you deem her worthy, who even goeth before Him? Learn, O man! to obey; learn, O earth! to be subject; learn, O dust! to submit. Speaking of thy Maker, the Evangelist says: 'He was subject to them.' Blush, O proud ashes! God humbles Himself; and dost thou lift thyself up? God subjects Himself to men; and dost thou, seeking to rule over men, set thyself above thy Maker?
O happy Mary! in whom neither virginity nor humility was wanting - a virginity so singular, indeed, that motherhood left it inviolate, and added to its honour. And, no less singular humility, which fruitful virginity took not away but still more ennobled; a fruitfulness far beyond compare, which both virginity and humility accompanied. Which of these is not wonderful? which is not incomparable? which is not without parallel? It would be a wonder if, weighing these things, you did not doubt which ought most to excite your wonder - motherhood in a virgin or virginity in a mother; her exaltation from such progeny, or her lowliness under such an exaltation. Unless, indeed, without any hesitation, we are to prefer to any one of these things the combination of them all, and to deem it incomparably more excellent and more blessed to have received them all rather than to have received only some of them. And what wonder is it if God, who, as we see and read, 'is wonderful in His saints' (Psalm 67:36), should have shown Himself to be wonderful in His Mother? Honour, then, ye Spouses! this inviolate virginity in corruptible flesh; and you, ye holy Virgins! honour this Virgin's fecundity. O all mankind! imitate the humility of the Mother of God.
Let us pray
O Lord Jesus Christ! who, subject to Mary and to Joseph, didst consecrate domestic life by Thine unspeakable virtues, grant that, with the help of both one and the other, we may learn from the example of Thy Holy Family, and may attain to everlasting fellowship with them. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is, from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him. He hath showed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel, His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our fathers - to Abraham and to His seed, for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Salve Regina!
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate! thine eyes of mercy towards us, and, after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God! That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Petition
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God! despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin!
- from The May-Book of the Breviary, by Father John Fitzpatrick