The Holy Spirit's action in the

soul of Mary

Letter of Pope Paul VI to Cardinal Léon Josef Suenens

on the Occasion of the International Marian Congress

May 13, 1975

It was the Holy Spirit who

filled Mary with grace in the very first moment of her conception, -- making her the Immaculate One.

It was the Holy Spirit who descended upon her, inspired her consent in the

name of mankind

to the virginal conception of the Son of the Most High

and made her womb fruitful so that she might bring forth

the Savior of her people And Lord of an

imperishable kingdom.

It was the Holy Spirit who

filled her soul with

jubilant gratitude

and moved her to sing the Magnificat

to God her Savior.

It was the Holy Spirit who suggested to the Virgin that she faithfully remember the words and events connected with the birth and childhood of her only Son, events in which she played such an intimate, loving part.

It was the Holy Spirit who urged

the compassionate Mary to ask her Son for that miraculous

change of water into wine at the

wedding feast of Canna - first miracle of Jesus.

It was the Holy Spirit who

strengthened the soul of the

Mother of Jesus

as she stood beneath the

cross

It was the Holy Spirit who filled the Sorrowful Mother

with immense love, that she might accept as a

last testament from the lips of her Son her

maternal mission with regard to John

It was the Holy Spirit who raised

Mary on the burning wings

of love so that she might be a

model intercessor during those hours in the Supper Room

when the disciples of Jesus "together ... devoted

themselves to constant prayer"

along with "some women ... and Mary the mother

of Jesus," and waited for the

promised Paraclete.

Finally, it was the Holy Spirit who brought love to its

supreme pitch in the soul of Mary

while she was still a pilgrim on earth and

made her yearn for reunion with her glorified Son.

The Holy Spirit thereby disposed her

for her crowning privilege:

her Assumption body and soul into heaven.

"As the Mother of God, "As the Mother of God, she is raised above…she is raised above…

the whole of humankind" the whole of humankind" and "has no equal".and "has no equal".