Mama Mary's humility

by Maita
(Philippines)

QUESTION:I love Mama Mary and I want my love and devotion to her to increase. I just have a question that really bothers me and hinders my love for her to grow. I want to become a good Catholic and I want to give Mama Mary the love and devotion she deserves. I hope you can enlighten me.

I know Mama Mary is the true essence of humility and faith. Even the devil is afraid of her because she is the exact opposite of what he is - the devil is sinful pride and Mama Mary is humility. This is what I know of her and I try to follow and emulate her humility and simplicity.

What I don't understand is that (especially in the proposed 5th dogma) why Mama Mary wants to be called "...who was once Mary." She was even displeased with the theologians (as she told Ida) when they omitted that title. Mary throughout her life here on Earth never wanted to attract attention for herself.

I don't understand then why she would be displeased when her title was omitted. I would understand it if a mere human without the grace that Mama Mary have will feel if a title was omitted (like a President being addressed without the titles fit for his/her office) but not Mama Mary. I guess my greatest conflict is how I know Mama Mary to be...always sweet, gentle, humble and kind and how she says things or react to things during her apparitions.

Please, I really want to give Mama Mary all the love and honor befitting of her. I know she deserves all this devotion. I hope you can answer me as this has been bothering me so much.

ANSWER: Hello Maita, thank you for your question. You are correct in pointing out that in the apparitions of Our Lady of All Nations, she insists in the specific mention of the phrase "who once was Mary" in her prayer.

In her message of July 2, 1951 to Ida Peerdeman, the Lady explains why she has used this specific formulation, "Who once was Mary": "Many people have known Mary as Mary. Now, however, in this new era which is about to begin, I wish to be the Lady of All Nations.”

In the message of September 20, 1951, the Lady says, “I was called Miriam, or Mary. Now I wish to be the Lady of All Nations.”

Mary does not want to be known only as Mary, the humble maiden of Nazareth who lived her life in complete self-abandonment to God two thousand years ago, but as the Lady, the Woman, who from the beginning of creation was chosen to be the Mother of God and to participate fully in the work of redemption up to the final completion of creation.

She is pointing out to us that she is not just the historical Mary we know - the Mary who lived thousands of years ago. She does not just live happily in heaven, not minding her children.

Rather, she is THE LADY OF ALL NATIONS - she is ACTIVE in our lives as Christians. She helps us in our day-to-day lives. She does not just sit in her throne in heaven, while the rest of us here on earth suffer. She is our Mother - she was "once just Mary", the simple maiden of Nazareth; now the Father has given her a new role, that of being the Lady of All Nations, who actively intervenes for us and helps us every day.

She is not being "proud" by insisting on the phrase "who once was Mary." Rather, she is telling us that she wants to be viewed as an active participant in our daily lives, and the lives of all nations. She is expressing a TRUTH - a God-given title, a role given to her by the Holy Trinity today. When she recited her "Magnificat", it was not an act of pride - she was merely expressing a TRUTH and giving thanks to God.

We should always follow Our Lady's qualities of humility, meekness, docility. However, there are also other dimensions to her person - she is a Queen, she is the Mother of All Nations. She is also the all-powerful Queen, the all-powerful Mother of the Son of God. She did not forget us when she went to heaven - rather, she is still active in our lives today.

For more clarification on this matter, we suggest that you read the articles of Dr. Mark Miravalle on this. Here's an article that clarifies this issue as well: http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/2005/10/qwho-once-was-maryq-explanation-and-petition/