Jesus established a new bond between Mary and mankind

It was Jesus who gave his disciple to his Mother, saying "Behold your Son," and the Mother to her disciple, saying "Behold your Mother" (Jn 19:26-27). The Incarnate and Redeeming Word, with his all-powerful Word, created a new relationship between Mary and the disciple, a relationship of love in the reciprocal gift of self. Saint Louis de Montfort phrased it beautifully, after quoting that same verse of the Gospel in Latin:

"The Blessed Virgin, mother of gentleness and mercy, never allows herself to be surpassed in love and generosity. When she sees someone giving himself entirely to her in order to honor and serve her, and depriving himself of what he prizes most in order to adorn her, she gives herself completely in a wondrous manner to him. She engulfs him in the ocean of her graces, adorns him with her merits, strengthens him with her power, enlightens him with her light, and fills him with her love. She shares her virtues with him—her humility, faith, purity, etc. She makes up for his failings and becomes his representative with Jesus. Just as one who is consecrated belongs entirely to Mary, so Mary belongs entirely to him."

Father François-Marie Léthel, ocd

Secretary of the Pontifical Academy of Theology

Excerpt from a conference given in Rocamadour, France, on August 13, 2014, on "The Christ-centered and Marian Totus Tuus of Saint John Paul II and Saint Louis de Montfort"

September 12, 2014 (Zenit.org)