Pope Benedict XVI said in an Angelus in 2012: ‘Mary is Immaculate through a freely given gift of God’s grace, which, however, found perfect willingness and cooperation in her. It is in this sense that she is “blessed” because “she believed” and because she had steadfast faith in God. Mary represents that “remnant of Israel”, that holy root which the Prophets proclaimed. The promises of the Old Covenant find a ready welcome in her. In Mary the Word of God is met with listening, acceptance and a response; he encounters that “yes” which enables him to take flesh and to come and dwell among us’.

The image below belongs to the prototype ‘Mary, seat of Wisdom’. May the blessed Mother of God watch over us all, praying for us in all the challenges of our lives, and may God bless you this day.