“The social revolution that marked the beginning of a new age began with a fifteen year old girl. It was a total revolution that comprehended not only the body, but also the spirit; not only time, but also eternity. This young girl was named Mary.

She was a Jew from an unfit village from which it was believed nothing good could ever come: Nazareth.

At the beginning of the great change there was a woman. She dwelt in a hovel and was familiar with the misery of families all crammed into caves like living sacrifices. She shared in their deep hunger and burning thirst for social justice.

From within the womb of this young maiden sprang up the maker of the revolution. The Son of God was about to be born as a man, as the Son of Mary. Perfect purity was taking flesh with blood of that same purity within the person of the one who was all worthy and without trace of the original fault.

Now, this girl who already represented the most amazing revolution as the humblest of creatures  was chosen for the highest of duties; the most unknown among women was to become the women invoked by all generations.

She was a humble handmaid and, at the same time, strong-hearted. She rested in the power of God. She is the perfect woman: the complete woman: without blemish and without fear.  Although prepared to sacrifice, she is certain of justice. She is all love and therefore totally free.

Her beauty has wrapped woman in a new light that has come to be revealed in her wake. Throughout the centuries Our Lady has raised up the woman and placed the mothering role in divinizing light. Her sweet motherhood is so boundless that all ages have called her Our Lady. Once the Father placed the Mother in our midst, life took on the atmosphere of a home and being there  a feast.

Since humankind’s degeneration began with a woman, when the Creator wished to purify it he once again chose a woman, and began again with her. He chose Mary of Nazareth, a woman without stain.”

Igino Giordani in: Le Feste, Società Editrice Internazionale, 1954.