> [[07-constitutions-serving-gods-plan|← Previous]] | [[00-lege-index|Index]] | [[09-constitutions-formation|Next →]] --- # With Mary, the Mother of Jesus 29\. In the interior dynamism of following Jesus, Carmel has contemplated Mary as Mother and Sister, as "the perfect model of the disciple of the Lord"[[#^ocds-c-fn-53|53]] and, as such, a model for the life of the members of the Order. The Virgin of the Magnificat proclaims the break with the old order and announces the beginning of a new order in which God casts the mighty down from their thrones and exalts the poor. Mary places herself on the side of the poor and proclaims how God acts in history. For Secular Carmelites, Mary is a model of total commitment to God's Kingdom. She teaches us to listen to God's Word in Scripture and in life, to believe in it in every circumstance in order to live its demands. All this she did, without understanding many things; pondering all in her heart ([[luke-02|Lk 2]]:19, 50-51) until light dawned through contemplative prayer. ^ocds-c-29 30\. Mary is also an ideal and inspiration for the Secular Carmelite. She lived close to people and their needs, being concerned about them ([[luke-01|Lk 1]]:39-45; Jn 2:1-12; [[acts-of-the-apostles-01|Acts 1]]:14). She, the "most perfect image of freedom and of the liberation of humanity and of the universe",[[#^ocds-c-fn-54|54]] helps us understand the meaning of mission. She, Mother and Sister, who goes before us in the pilgrimage of faith and in following the Lord Jesus, keeps us company so that we may imitate her in her life hidden in Christ and committed to the service of others. ^ocds-c-30 31\. While giving life to Teresian Carmelite spirituality, Mary's presence also shapes its [[apostolate|Apostolate]]. As a result, the Secular Carmelite is committed to knowing Mary better, daily, through the Gospel in order to communicate to others an authentic Marian devotion leading to imitating her virtues. Guided by the outlook of faith, members of the Secular Order will celebrate and promote the liturgical devotion to the Mother of God in light of the mystery of Christ and the Church. They will practice, in faith and love, the devotional exercises in her honor. ^ocds-c-31 a)   In the Teresian Carmel, love of Mary, Mother and Queen, is united with love of her spouse Saint Joseph. The Father also gave him, "a just man" ([[matthew-01|Mt 1]]:19), guardianship of his Son Jesus Christ in the mystery of the Incarnation. Following the example of St Teresa, members can find in St Joseph a role model for a life of humble [[adoration|Adoration]] and prayerful communion with Jesus, as well as a master of prayer [[#^ocds-c-fn-55|55]]  and silence. Patron of the interior life, he is an example of faith and of being "constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God's presence and receptive to God's plans" [[#^ocds-c-fn-56|56]]. Being a chaste and faithful spouse, he is the model of a father solicitous in care of the family and of a responsible laborer who considers his work as an "expression of love" [[#^ocds-c-fn-57|57]] In communion with the Church and the Order, who venerate him as their "provident Protector" [[#^ocds-c-fn-58|58]], members of the Secular Order find in Saint Joseph an incomparable protector to whom they can entrust the hopes, the struggles and the work of every day. [[#^ocds-c-fn-59|59]] --- 53 Marialis Cultus 37. ^ocds-c-fn-53 54 Redemptoris Mater 37. ^ocds-c-fn-54 55 Cf. St Teresa of Jesus, _Life,_ 6.6-8; 33.12. Cf. John Paul II, _Redemptoris_ _Custos,_ 25, 27. ^ocds-c-fn-55 56 Francis, _Homily_ _for_ _the_ _inauguration_ _of_ _his_ _Pontificate,_ 19 March 2013. ^ocds-c-fn-56 57 John Paul II, _Redemptoris_ _Custos,_ 22-23. ^ocds-c-fn-57 58 Cf. _Constitutions of the OCD Friars,_ C-052 ^ocds-c-fn-58 59 "St Joseph is the model of those humble ones that Christianity raises up to great destinies;...he is the proof that in order to be a good and genuine follower of Christ, there is no need for great things - it is enough to have the common, simple and human virtues, but they need to be true and authentic." (Paul VI _lnsegnamenti_ VII, 1969, cited in John Paul II, _Redemptoris Custos,_ 24). ^ocds-c-fn-59 > [[07-constitutions-serving-gods-plan|← Previous]] | [[00-lege-index|Index]] | [[09-constitutions-formation|Next →]]