Mary is the Model of Christian Discipleship

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother” (Jn 19:26-27). At the foot of the cross, Mary, the mother of Jesus is given as mother to every single human being. Mary is the mother of all mankind. The New Testament traces Mary as a woman of limitless faith, obedience and humility who followed Jesus in a perfect way. Her heart was always centered on Jesus. She is the humble handmaid of God who surrendered herself completely into the hands of God. Without thinking of her fate, Mary said ‘yes’ to God. Thus, she became an example for those who wish to bear witness to Christ. By the four Marian dogmas (The Mother of God, The Perpetual Virginity of Mary, The Immaculate Conception of Mary, and The Assumption of Mary), Catholic Church teaches its faithful about Mary’s role in the salvation history. These dogmas help us to look more closely at Mary’s life. They teach us the reason why we can look at Mary as a model for Christian life. Like any other Christian, Mary is the example for consecrated people also. Mary is the first person who was consecrated unconditionally to God. As a sign of their consecration to God, Religious profess vows of obedience, chastity and poverty. Mary is the perfect example for Religious to live in the spirit of these three vows. She is our model and she will remain as an unique model for all those who desires to become disciples of Jesus