St.
Vincent was very devoted to Mary and a very special
relationship with her. For him, next to Jesus, she
was to be our model.
One
of his favorite images of Mary was the one entitled
Mother of Divine Love. If Jesus was Love incarnate
then she truly was the mother of divine love. He kept
her picture on his desk and in a little case he kept
us his sleeve. He used this when, as was the custom
of the day, people would reach out to kiss his hand.
He would deftly let the image fall into his hand so
the could kiss his most beloved mother.
"In
his infinite love God places Mary ... before our eyes
as our model. She followed our Lord Jesus Christ on
the road to redemption so closely that she surpasses
all angels and saints in holiness, grace, and in justice.
At the same time ... God gives her to us as our Mother.
Through her intercession and the sublime example of
her whole life we are urged to follow our Lord Jesus
Christ in faith, with a
deep and confident love."
But
the title that meant so much to him in connection
with his foundation was Mary, Queen of Apostles.
"Although
Mary was neither a priest nor an apostle, she applied
herself to God's kingdom so much that she surpasses
all the Apostles. For that reason the Church salutes
her as Queen of Apostles."
