“If you cannot equal Mary’s absolute purity,” says St. Bernard, “at least imitate her humility. The virtue of humility is essential. We can be saved without virginity, but not without humility. Even Mary’s virginity would not have been pleasing to God without humility. Mary certainly pleased God by her virginity, but she became his Mother because of her humility. The greatest qualities and gifts...are sterile if they are not accompanied by sincere humility. Mary’s maternity was the fruit of her humility; she conceived in humility...The fruitfulness of our interior life...will depend on our humility. [Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD,
Divine Intimacy, Vol II.]
