Mary, a role model for Japanese girls

Christianity is the religion of Christ. And Christ is presented to us by Mary. Whether a non-Christian adult or a baptized toddler is trying to get to know Jesus, the first thing they'll find is what the Christmas angels showed the shepherds: a newborn baby in his mother's arms. The most reassuring sight - what's there to fear from a baby? - and the most lovable, because it evokes not only innocence and grace, but above all the most powerful and purest sentiment accessible to the human heart, which is maternal love.

“Mama” is usually a child's first word; it is sometimes a dying person's last, and has been heard on the battlefield as well as in the agony of old age. Purified by Christianity, maternal love reaches its highest point. 

A few years ago, a non-Christian professor at Kyoto University in Japan gave radio lectures, and told young Japanese women about “the Virgin of Christians”:

“Purity,” he said, “is not a fiction. It was realized in its perfection by the Mother of Christ, whom Christians like to call the Virgin of virgins. Our young daughters are prepared to become good wives and mothers. Here again, the Christian Madonna, the Mother of God, is their most perfect model. The imitation of St. Mary will do more for the education of our young girls than the heroic examples of any of the famous women in our national annals.”

Alphonse de Parvillez, S. J. , Marie dans la pastorale in  Maria – études sur la Vierge Marie – sous la direction d'Hubert du Manoir, s. j. - Tome VI, 1961