A Retreat for Everyone – Mary, Mother and Spouse (13/15)

In Part 13 of the retreat, Fulton Sheen reflects on the multifaceted roles of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God, the spiritual spouse of the Church, and the ideal model of humanity. Sheen begins by emphasizing the decline in devotion to Mary and its correlation with the erosion of virtues like celibacy, chastity, and the sanctity of marriage. He portrays Mary as the eternal dream of God, conceived in His divine mind as the perfect and sinless new Eden, free from the corruption of sin. Mary is the ultimate ideal of virginity and motherhood, embodying the balance of giving and surrendering that defines these vocations. Sheen proceeds to highlight Mary’s unique vocation as the Mother of God, exploring the mysteries of the Annunciation and the virgin birth. He explains how Mary’s “yes” to God made her the vessel of the Incarnation, giving Christ His human nature. This act of complete surrender and possession by God demonstrates Mary’s unparalleled spiritual intimacy with the divine. Sheen draws parallels between the physical conception of Christ in Mary and the spiritual conception of Christ in believers, emphasizing the importance of surrendering one’s intellect, will, and body to God in faith. Finally, Sheen delves into Mary’s role as the spiritual spouse and bride of Christ, particularly at the foot of the cross. He describes the crucifixion as the nuptial union of the new Adam and the new Eve, where Mary represents the Church, the bride of Christ. This profound relationship underscores the centrality of Mary in the mystery of salvation and the Church’s identity. Sheen concludes with a call to deepen devotion to Mary, urging the faithful to rediscover practices like the Rosary as a way of fostering intimacy with both Mary and her Son. He insists that love for the Church and commitment to its mission are intrinsically tied to love for the Blessed Mother.