“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was dispatched by God to a town in Galilee named Nazareth. There he approached a virgin, pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph of David’s lineage. As he entered, the angel said, ‘Rejoice, O highly favored one! The Lord is with you.’” (Luke 1:26-28)

The Virgin Mary—God’s Chosen Vessel

When mankind fell through the disobedience of our first ancestors, the divine life granted by God was severed. Yet the Father, in His boundless mercy, sent forth His Son to redeem the world. Taking on flesh, the Son revealed God’s compassionate heart. And in choosing to dwell among us, it was only right that God would be born of the most pure and virtuous of all human beings—the Blessed Virgin Mary.

She was not selected merely because she surpassed her peers; rather, from the dawn of eternity, she had been destined to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word. Before the seas rolled forth, before hills rose from the earth, God had already held Mary in His eternal design.

As Proverbs proclaims, “Before the oceans and rivers took shape, before mountains or dust came into being, I was brought forth” (Proverbs 8:23-28). In this same way, we too are chosen. Each of us has a divine purpose in the world today—within our homes, our communities, and our nation.

A Tale of Grace and Humility

During a student trip through France, a group of young scholars boarded a train. Among them was an aged gentleman, who quietly pulled out a rosary and began to pray. Some irreverent students, uncomfortable with this public display of faith, ridiculed him. Yet he prayed on, undisturbed.

Afterwards, the students challenged him with provocative questions aimed at discrediting religious belief. He responded with quiet wisdom. Their discussion drifted toward literature, and the old man spoke with admiration of Victor Hugo, the celebrated French author.

As the journey ended and the students prepared to leave, the elderly man posed a final question. “You never told me something about Victor Hugo. Do you know he, too, was a devoted child of Mary?” They were puzzled. “How do you know that? What proof do you have?”

With a gentle smile, the man said, “I am Victor Hugo. And the rosary I prayed before you—isn’t that proof enough?” Humbled, the students offered their apologies and left in reverent silence.

Prayer

O Blessed Virgin, chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Redeemer, pray for us that we, too, may share in the joy of eternal life. In this world, we face trials and temptations that seek to draw us away from our purpose. Through your powerful intercession, obtain for us the grace to endure and to walk faithfully toward heaven. We are frail, but your love gives us strength. O Mother most gentle, guide us by your hand until we reach our true home.

A Prayer by Saint Bernard to the Mother of God

O most compassionate Virgin, never has it been known that anyone who sought your help, fled to your protection, or implored your aid was left unaided. O Queen of Virgins, Mother of Mercy, I come before you now, burdened and broken, and lay my plea at your feet. Do not turn away from my cry, O Mother of the Eternal Word, but graciously hear and answer me.

Amen.