Virtue 6: Mary’s Virtue of Perseverance – The Grace to Keep Going
- Beata
- Aug 26
- 4 min read
Blog Series: The 7 Virtues of Mary
Mary’s Virtue of Perseverance – The Quiet Strength to Keep Going
In the quiet strength of Mary’s Virtue of Perseverance, we are reminded that holiness is not about constant success, but about not giving up.
She does not promise a life without trials, but a heart that endures through them. When we feel too tired to continue, She walks with us. When we falter, She offers Her hand—not to fix everything, but to help us keep saying yes.
Through Her perseverance, we learn that every small step, every whispered prayer, every act of faith in silence is sacred.
Mary’s way is not fast, but it is faithful—and that is what transforms a life.
When we look at Mary.
She did not escape the Cross.
She stood at its foot.
She did not abandon the apostles after the Resurrection.
She stayed with them until the Spirit came.
Mary’s entire life is a silent “yes” repeated daily, even in darkness.
She shows us what perseverance looks like: a faith that doesn’t quit.
Carl Jung said:
“Nothing has a stronger influence… than the unlived life of the parent.”
Mary, our Mother, lives that life fully for us. In Her, there is no giving up. Only deeper surrender.
As Alicja Lenczewska wrote:
“The soul that clings to Me in weariness shall be carried.”
When the Soul Grows Weary - The Battle: Apathy vs. Perseverance
The vice that attacks perseverance is apathy—that dead feeling that says, “Why bother?”
It disguises itself as fatigue, distraction, or chronic procrastination. But deep down, it is a heart that’s been hurt and is now afraid to hope again.
Discouragement is the voice that says, “This isn’t working. I should stop.”
It sneaks in through pain, fatigue, rejection, and delay.
Mary teaches us to stay.
Not stubbornly, but lovingly—with her eyes fixed on God, not on outcomes.
Mary shows us the way forward—not through loud declarations but by Her steadiness. She kept going in Nazareth, in Bethlehem, in exile, in Jerusalem. She stayed when others fled. She persevered at the Cross.
How to Fight Apathy:
Don’t wait to feel inspired. Act anyway.
Anchor yourself in small, consistent habits: prayer, reading, presence.
Reconnect with your “why”: What is worth suffering for?
Ask Mary to walk beside you. She never left.
“Perseverance is the strength of love—for only love can go to the end without looking back at fatigue.”
How to Fight Discouragement:
Break tasks into small steps and offer each one to God.
Reflect on saints who persevered in silence.
Write down how God has been faithful in the past.
Ask Mary to show you how to keep saying “yes” even when it’s hard.
The Scripture:
“And Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)
To persevere is to treasure—even when we don’t understand.
Symbol: Olive Tree
The olive tree, slow-growing and long-living, represents faithfulness over time.
It endures storms, droughts, and pruning—yet it thrives. Just like Mary.
A symbol of endurance and rootedness. Though slow-growing, the olive tree lives long and bears fruit for generations.
Reflection:
🌿🌸 Where am I most tempted to give up?
🌿🌸 Mary invites us not to chase perfection, but to simply stay with her, to show up one more day, one more prayer, one more small act of love.
🌿🌸Perseverance is not flashy. It is sacred repetition in hidden places.
“The measure of love is how long it lasts in silence.” A. Lenczewska
Some days we are tempted to stop walking. Life feels too heavy, the road too long, and our prayers echo back in silence. We wonder: Is it worth it? Am I changing at all? In those moments, Mary walks beside us—not pushing, not scolding—just walking. She teaches us the sacred art of perseverance.
This is Mary’s Virtue of Perseverance—quiet, steady, unwavering. Her yes did not end at the Annunciation. It carried Her through the hidden years, the public ministry, the Cross, and the waiting of Holy Saturday. Her perseverance was not loud, but it was lasting. And it is this same quiet courage she offers us now.
When your steps falter, let Mary walk with you. When hope fades, let her hope for you. In her company, we learn that perseverance is not the absence of weakness—it is the triumph of love in weakness.
Let Mary teach you how to walk again. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
🌿🌸🌿Prayer to Mary and the Holy Spirit:
Mary, Mother of Perseverance,
You never turned back, even when the road was cruel.
Teach me to walk through dryness and doubt.
Hold my hand when I want to quit.
Give me the grace to stay with Jesus—even in His silence.
Holy Spirit, Flame of Steadfast Love,
Burn away my indifference.
Let Your breath become the wind beneath my tired soul.
Root me deeply in the will of God.
Amen.
🌿 Join the Journey of Perseverance 🌿🌸🌿
As we reflect on Mary’s virtue of perseverance, let us recommit ourselves to walking the path of holiness—even when it’s difficult. This journey asks for endurance, trust, and a willingness to keep going when the way seems unclear.
With Mary’s example and intercession, we are never alone. Her quiet strength teaches us to remain faithful, not through our own striving, but through surrender to God’s grace.
What is one area of your life where you’re being called to persevere today?
👉💬 Share your thoughts in the comments below or connect with us on social media.
🌿🌸🌿 Let’s encourage one another in faith, supporting each other as we grow—not perfectly, but persistently—just as Mary did.
Next step coming soon.
🌸Virtue 7: Mary’s Virtue of Obedience – The Power of Trustful Surrender
To enrich the topic, I believe you find this post helpful:
Comments