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St.
Vincent Pallotti believed that there is a short, secure path
to a life in imitation of Jesus: His "most beloved Mother,
Mary." One of his favorite episodes in scripture is the scene
in the Upper Room, Mary and the Apostles, the infant Church,
prayerfully united to await the Spirit.
Mary has a special role in the Church; through her prayers
she gave hope and courage to the Apostles. St. Vincent believed
that she surpassed the Apostles in merit, for she did so much
for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, willingly
joining herself to the sacrifice of her Son. He wanted his
followers to imitate the way she exercised her apostolate:
a faith that never wavered, a life lived in close union with
and perfect imitation of her Son, a life dedicated to the
service of Christ and his Church.
St. Vincent claimed Mary, Queen of Apostles, as the patroness
of his foundation. Just as Mary became the great intercessor
for the Apostles in the days leading to Pentecost, she still
intercedes today for those continuing the apostolate of her
Son.
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