Mary and our Apostolate

84. Our attitudes towards young people find their inspiration in Mary, bringing up Jesus at Nazareth¹. Our apostolic work is a sharing in her spiritual motherhood.

We contemplate her, hidden and unknown in the world, faithful to her mission of bringing God to us. With simplicity, enthusiasm, and love, she carries Christ to the Precursor, and presents Him to the shepherds and the Wise Men. Patiently she awaits God's hour, being prepared to take the initiative that results in the first "sign" which arouses faith in the disciples. She steps aside so that attention may focus on Jesus. But she is at His side in the suffering and humiliation of the cross, before assuming her role as Mother in the Church².

We attract young hearts to Mary³, Christ's perfect disciple, making her known and loved as one who will lead us to Jesus. We entrust those in our care to her⁴, and we invite them to pray often to this Good Mother⁵ and to make her their Model.

84.1 Faithful to our Marist tradition, we see to it that the young people are well instructed about Mary. (Life 362; RC 1852, VI, 11)