Mary was the most exemplary mother. Therefore, she became and remains forever the model of maternity. Not only was her heart a worthy temple for her Son’s divinity, but  also for his humanity, because, whereas he was Man in his perfection, she was not only a woman, but the Woman who lived a double life; that is, an entirely human and divine life, all for the Lord God and all for the Son and, through him, all for humanity. This is how she teaches that the life of the spirit and the life of the flesh can be lived in harmony, in holiness and chastity with one as the custodian of the other. The double life enclosed above all the joys of divinity – the love of the Spouse, the Holy Spirit – and the sufferings of humanity – privations, indecencies, persecutions and finally the slaughter of the cross. From Mary women in general and mothers in particular, and all rational beings, should learn to acquire the wholeness that makes us fully alive Because if you neglect the spiritual element or you neglect the material element – you tumble into error, whether it’s towards humanity or towards divinity. Mary took and gave the proper ranking to that double reality, just the God-Man had done. She was the Virgin and she was the Mother, and she always dissolved suffering into love. She was the strong woman and because God was with her, she had divine strength. She was such a strong example that she has forged millions of human beings, especially mothers of course, who, with Mary were fortified in God, becoming the servants of his will, never giving in to every urge, like people who are empty of the Holy Spirit. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Mother Frances Cabrini was so fond of these words, and she modelled herself on the Virgin Mother. Also many illustrious martyrs and millions of unknown victims of misery, persecution, wars and disgrace: humble women and men have enclosed their pain inside their hearts as they look towards Mary. Mary forever remains a source of energy: mother of a love that is stronger than death. Saint Bernard says that God wants us to have all things through the hands of Mary, Mary Mother of Grace and Mother of Mercy. Some would argue that Jesus is the mediator of all graces. True enough, but Jesus is our brother, flesh of our flesh, made so by Mary. And turning to him by way of Mary is to place between him, the offended one, and us, the offenders – our mother. Thus a chain is formed in which Mary listens to the sinner. Jesus listens to Mary, the Father listens to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit flows through the relationships. Jesus came to us through Mary: we go to Jesus by the same way; like a river of life that flows from God to [us] and back to God from us. Christians claim their kindship with Christ by way of their Mother’s lips, their kinship with God. Mother of God and my Mother, Medieval spirituality exclaims. And this was translated into verse by the Italian poet, Silvio Pellico[1]. Comforting Virgin, Hope of the afflicted, You are our mother and, together, Mother to our Salvator! Through Mary the human community becomes a family circle where the life that circulates is the life of God.” From Igino Giordani, Maria modello perfetto, (Rome: Città Nuova, 1967; 2012), 81-85; 108-109. [1] Silvio Pellico (1789 – 1854): Italian writer, poet and patriot,  famous for writing Le mie prigioni.