We are accused of pompously eulogizing Mary and are blamed for the honor we render her. I do not refer to the impious, but rather to the poorly instructed Christians who do not know the gift of God in this miracle of His omnipotence. Can we really assert too much, do too much, provided we do not declare her equal to the Divinity, provided we make a distinction between her veneration and that of the Divinity? What has God said of Mary? What has He done for her? He is our Model!

-- W. Joseph Chaminade

OUR SINGLE PURPOSE AS MARIANISTS

The successors of the Blessed Father Chaminade echoed his concern for the glory of Mary. Two quotations will illustrate this.

Father George Caillet wrote: "After Jesus, the true religious of the Society of Mary breathes, lives and works only for the glory of Mary. . . . He spends his whole life to obtain from God the spread of devotion to Mary throughout the world."

With enthusiasm Father Joseph Simler wrote in his important circular letter on piety: "We are so happy with, so proud of the honor of this heavenly gift, our Marianist vocation, that we burn with eagerness to obtain this same happiness for all those upon whom we have some influence. To spread the knowledge of Mary, to perpetuate love and devotion to her, is our highest ambition."

-- Emil Neubert, S.M.
OUR GIFT FROM GOD
p. 253-254

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