A story has been told about the second of the two hospitalizations that John Paul II endured at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in early 2005. Not long before his death, despite his physical suffering and perhaps knowing that, on the human level at least, the prognosis for a full recovery was bleak, the eighty-four-year-old pontiff, shortly after his tracheotomy, wrote on a piece of paper: “I am still Totus Tuus.”
His sickness was a catalyst that reminded him to restate what he had done previously, namely, given himself without reserve to the Immaculate.
The incredible bodily anguish he endured didn't thwart his sustained effort to submit to Divine Providence. Pope John Paul II lived for Jesus through Mary, gladly embracing all that God was pleased to allow him to encounter.
Here was a man who not only talked a good game but also lived it. His genuine devotion to the Madonna wasn't confined to the page of a papal text, but was put into daily practice. What valuable lessons do we learn from the Holy Father's veneration of Mary? Here are only a few.
1. To love Mary is to imitate her. Sincere love for Our Blessed Lady demands that we imitate her unstinting commitment to her Divine Son, Jesus. The affirmative response, “fiat,” that Mary uttered to the Archangel Gabriel (Lk 1:38) — a promise that was never retracted — is to become our reply to the Lord's invitation to adhere to Him no matter the cost.
2. Entrusting ourselves to Our Blessed Mother enhances our adoration of Jesus, our Lord. The mistaken notion that honor paid to Mary somehow detracts from Christ Himself still perdures in some quarters. What a pity! When we venerate Our Lady, invoking her with confidence, we actually worship the Lord Who gave Mary to us. We draw close to Him in the same manner as He came to us — through the humble Virgin. To honor the Mother is to adore the Son.
3. Consecration to Jesus through Mary is a lifelong endeavor. It's not enough to recite, once and for all, a formula of consecration. Rather, the consecration of oneself to Jesus through Mary calls forth a persistent exertion that is never permitted to abate. Whether in joyful or sad times, the friend of Christ gains much-needed strength from his relationship to the Redeemer, Who has provided Mary as proof positive that a human person can empty himself and live for God alone.
4. Our Marian consecration inspires others to do likewise. We mustn't discount the force of good example. As weak and even sinful as we are, God still employs us in showing His Face to His flock. Others will see our devotion to Mary and be uplifted and challenged to avail themselves of her celestial intercession, which will urge them to develop their communion with her.
Pope John Paul II knew that, as much as he attempted, he couldn't adequately sing the praises of Our Blessed Mother. Yet he didn't cease trying.
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls in 1989. He is presently assigned to the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
This article is excerpted from one that originally appeared in Lay Witness, a publication of Catholics United for the Faith, Inc., and is used by permission. Join Catholics United for the Faith and enjoy the many benefits of membership.
