MAY DEVOTION: UNDERSTANDING THE MARIAN TITLES IN THE LITANY OF LORETO – DAY 9: “MOTHER MOST AMIABLE/MATER AMABILIS”

Having journeyed and examined the glorious and awesome titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary as contained in her Litany of Loreto in this Marian month (of May) till date, one cannot but say that in each title or invocation, there is a beautiful story of salvation. Today, being the ninth day of our May devotion, we find ourselves stationed around a friendly and welcoming Marian title which serves as an indispensable human value in our relationship with the other. In other words, today, we arrived at the human value depicting the amiability of Mary: “Mother Most Amiable”. What does it mean to depict the Blessed Virgin Mary as most amiable?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “Amiable derives from the Late Latin adjective ‘amicabilis,’ meaning ‘friendly,’ which in turn comes from the Latin word for ‘friend’ and can ultimately be traced back to ‘amare,’ meaning ‘to love.’” Therefore, invocation our Blessed Mother as “Mother Most Amiable”, we refer to her as ‘most friendly’ and ultimately, ‘most loveable.’ Little wonder, in some versions of the Litany, “Mother Most Loveable” is used.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is “Mater Amabilis” (Mother Most Amiable/Loveable), first because she was beloved by God. The Angel Gabriel tells us in Luke 1:28, that she is the ‘Full of Grace,’ that is, ‘she has found favour with God.’ God loves her so much that he considered her worthy (right before her conception) to be the Mother of His beloved Son; as such, making her immaculate at the moment of her conception in the womb of her mother; little wonder she says in Luke 1:49 “The Almighty has done great things for me, holy is His name.”

Therefore, having received these favours from God, she desired to charitably extend them to humankind in conformity with the will of God. One of the notable biblical experiences to this is found in the Gospel of John chapter 2 (In the marriage feast at Cana) where she manifested her amiability. Here, we see how she did not ignore the embarrassing situation of the lack of wine; rather, with an amiable spirit, she turned to her Lord and Saviour, saying: “They have no wine” (Jn. 2:3). In the end, she taught the servants to do whatever Christ tells them. Therefore, Mary is “Mother Most Amiable” because it is impossible in her nature to ignore or forsake those who seek her maternal help/intercession; her amiable/friendly/lovable being will not turn away from her children. Her amiability reflects her gentleness, selflessness, kindness, goodness, compassion, charity, tenderness, holiness, purity, etc. Pope Francis said in his homily during a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12, 2018), that: “Mary is a woman who walks with the gentleness and tenderness of a mother, she makes her home in family life, she unties one knot after another of the many wrongs we manage to generate, and she teaches us to remain standing in the midst of storms…” Therefore, in the midst of the difficulties that surround us, let us remember that we’ve got an amiable/loveable mother who cares and loves us so much, ever ready to present our problems before our Lord. The first paragraph of the “Memorare” reads affirms that never was it known that anyone who fled to her protection, implored her help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided, and being inspired on that confidence, we turn to her in our sinful and sorrowful state.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is “Mother Most Amiable” because she does everything with love and for love. Also, she teaches us the importance of praising God in every circumstance of life, as we see in her “Magnificat”. She also teaches us amiability through the joys and sorrows of life, because she also passed through these experiences as well.

Therefore, my dear friends in Christ, do you have an anguished soul or upset? Approach Our Lady, “Mother most Amiable.” Are you suffering a lot and discouraged? Seek relief from the Blessed Virgin Mary, the “Mother Most Amiable.” Are you discouraged because of your many sins? Have confidence in the Virgin Mary, the “Mother Most Amiable.” Are you depressed? Lift your head and seek solace, peace and happiness in the most friendly Mother ever.

Above all, dearest friends, let us live this Marian month more intimately with the Blessed Virgin Mary, our most amiable mother. We are called to cling to this devotion faithfully, in order to be recipients of the manifold graces springing from her amiability.