St. Vincent Pallotti had a tremendous love and devotion to Mary. Vincent knew that in order to know Jesus and to more perfectly imitate Jesus, he had to intimately know and love his Mother.  This fervent desire drew Vincent deeper and deeper into understanding the very heart of Mary.

In his writings, St. Vincent uses a variety of titles for Mary: Mother of God, Mother of Mercy, Mother of Divine Love, Mary Most Holy, Mother and Co-redemptrix of Mankind, Mother of Sublime Dignity, Immaculate Mother and many others.  Notice that these titles are not unique.  They are found in the Litany.  In his devotion to the Most Blessed Mother, Pallotti was a traditionalist.  He did not create a new understanding to Mariology.  Only had he been divinely inspired to do so, would he have created a new title, concept or idea about Her.  For Pallotti, all that was needed was simply the desire for a greater love, devotion and understanding of Mary.  In fact, as sons and daughters of Mary and brothers and sisters of Jesus, we are called to have this desire to know Her so we can imitate her Son.

“When, in His agony, our Lord Jesus Christ said to Mary, ‘Woman, behold Thy Son.’ He gave us His Mother for our Mother.  And when He said to St. John: ‘Behold Thy Mother,’ he made us sons [and daughters] of His holy Mother.  We must always be grateful to our Lord for such a precious gift.  We must spread the glory of Mary in every way possible, but particularly, by promoting the religious exercises approved by Holy Mother Church and enriched with so many indulgences.  We should also increase and strengthen our own and other’s confidence in the powerful intercession of our august Mother.  Like good sons [and daughters] we must console Her by striving to be in everything, more like Her Son and our Brother Jesus Christ.” (Opere Completa III, 78-79)

During his life, Pallotti wanted all Catholics to understand their personal vocation within the Church. This was not just reserved for the clergy and the religious but also for the laity – especially for the laity! For all Christians, he desired that we would be united in the spreading of the Gospel and making known the Kingdom of God.  As a gift to his followers, Pallotti gave us the image of Mary, Queen of Apostles.

Mary, Queen of Apostles is the patroness of the Union of Catholic Apostolate.  Mary was the leader in the Upper Room.  She was the model and example of Jesus during a time of fear and doubt.  She gave the apostles the courage they needed to go fourth to spread the Gospel message.

“Priests,religious and lay persons have in Mary,after Jesus Christ, the most perfect model of true Catholic zeal and perfect love.  She labored so much for the greater glory of God and the salvation of mankind that, although she lacked the ministry of the ordained priesthood,she nevertheless surpassed the Apostles in merit. This is why the Church aptly greets her as “Queen of Apostles”.  She deserved this title because she cooperated in the propagation of the Holy Faith far above the Apostles.” (OOCC I, 7)

The term “apostle” is very important to us as Pallottines, but why?  In the Upper Room, the Twelve were officially called apostles before they had received the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, being an apostle is not reserved only for the clergy, mystics and saints.  The term apostle is reserved for everyone.  Mary is the example of what it means to be an apostle.  An apostle is simply anyone who works in some way to make known the Kingdom of God; and Mary has done that.

“The Twelve of the Gospel are the Apostles of Jesus Christ.  What they did for the salvation of souls and the glory of God is their Apostolate. Yet the idea and the name, apostolate, as found in the Bible, is not coterminous with ecclesiastical jurisdiction or Orders.  Therefore, one who is not a priest can be called an Apostle and his work “Apostolate.” (OO CC, III, 139)

“We ought to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, the Apostle of the Eternal Father.  His life, which was His apostolate, is for all of us the exemplary Apostolate.  And since all are called, or better, obliged to imitate Jesus Christ, so all, according to their conditions and state in life, are called to the Apostolate.” (OO CC III, 142)

Let us rejoice in the knowledge that we are all apostles called to spread faith, to rekindle love and to unite all Christians!