For many members of the Basilian Community, today’s Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary carries a special significance. For many of us, myself included, this day marks the Anniversary of our Profession of Vows- our entrance into Consecrated Life. I have to admit that until this point, I haven’t really thought much about the connection between our vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, and the life of the Virgin Mary. The connection is there, however- and it is a very powerful one! Mary gives us a model of perfect chastity, perfect obedience to God’s will, and exemplifies poverty by her detachment from worldly goods, power, and prestige. Mary’s concern is always for others. We see this in a powerful way in the Gospel that we read for this Feast, which recounts Mary’s visitation of Elizabeth. Even in the Magnificat, which the Church prays each evening in her evening prayer, exemplifies Mary’s humility. Mary’s focus is on what God has done for her, not what she has done for herself!
Within Mary’s prayer lies a powerful reminder for me as a Religious, and as a Priest. That its not my job to worry about what people think of me, or what my reputation is. My only job as a Priest and as a Religious is to do the will of God, through my ministry to his people, and to give glory to God for the great works that He is accomplishing through my ministry. May each of us who have consecrated our lives in service to God learn to follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as we live out our vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience in service to the Lord.
Blog posting by: Fr. Steven Huber, CSB
Fr. Steven is a member of the Congregation of St. Basil, who is currently serving at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Windsor, Ontario. Fr. Steven also serves as Chaplain of Campus Ministry at the University of Windsor.