Virtues of Mary: A Path to Overcoming Vices and Growing Closer to God with Alicja Lenczewska
- Beata
- Sep 20
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 10
A Call to Embrace the Virtues Under Mary’s Maternal Gaze
As we reflect on the Seven Virtues of Mary, we are reminded of the incredible maternal love that Mary offers us as an example. In her humility, her loving service, her purity, and her perfect faith, she becomes a beacon for us to follow, especially in times of difficulty and uncertainty.
The call to embrace these virtues is not just an invitation to live a moral life but an invitation to become whole and holy, just as Mary did. Through her, we learn that true holiness is not about being perfect, but about constantly seeking to love and serve others with an open heart, free from selfishness.
Mary, as our mother, walks with us on this path, guiding us in every moment with her motherly care and the sword of the Word. She teaches us that to be holy is to be whole—to embrace God’s love in every part of our being and to share that love generously with the world.
Let us turn to Mary, whose virtues shine as beacons of light on our journey of faith, and allow her maternal gaze to lead us to greater holiness, to deeper love, and to the joy that comes from serving and giving. May we allow her to guide us in the small, everyday acts of love and service, teaching us how to be holy and whole, just as she was.
Virtues of Mary: A Path to Overcoming Vices and Growing Closer to God - Summary
As mothers, daughters, sisters, and women of faith, we often find ourselves struggling against vices that pull us away from the holiness we are called to embody. In our journey, we can look to the life of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as the perfect model of virtue.
Her virtues not only helped her navigate life’s challenges but also empower us to live more fully according to God's will. Each of these virtues combats a vice that can hinder our spiritual growth.
Let’s take a closer look at Mary's virtues, their corresponding vices, and how we can cultivate them in our lives.
🌿🌸🌿 Humility – Overcoming Pride and Arrogance
Humility is not about thinking less of yourself; it's about thinking of yourself less.
It’s the ability to surrender to God’s will, recognizing that true strength comes from God alone. Mary’s humility allowed her to accept the divine plan for her life, even when it meant facing difficult and misunderstood situations.
“True strength comes not from standing tall but from bowing before God.” — Alicja Lenczewska
How to Cultivate Humility:
Reflect on your daily actions.
Ask yourself if you are seeking to elevate yourself or serve others.
Embrace moments of silence and prayer to listen more attentively to God's voice.
Humility – The Joy of Not Having to Prove Yourself
Mary’s secret: She didn’t compete, compare, or control.
She trusted.
She let Herself be small, so God could be big.
Try this today:
Let someone else shine.
Say “I don’t know” without shame.
Practice quiet confidence without needing attention.
Happiness hack: You’ll stop carrying the exhausting weight of your ego.
🌿🌸🌿Chastity – Overcoming Lust and Impurity
Chastity goes beyond just avoiding sinful acts; it is a total dedication of the heart to God.
Mary’s pure heart was fully surrendered to God’s love, keeping her focused on a relationship with Him and making her an eternal example of divine purity.
“Purity of heart reflects the purity of spirit—one without barriers to God’s love.” — Alicja Lenczewska
How to Cultivate Chastity:
Cultivate a deep love for God, where your thoughts and actions align with His will. Guard your heart from distractions that turn your focus away from God's love.
Chastity – The Joy of Pure, Honest Love
Mary’s secret: She loved without controlling, clinging, or using. She let Jesus be who He was meant to be—even when it hurt.
Try this today:
Set boundaries that protect your heart.
Say no when love feels manipulative.
Look at people with honour, not expectation.
Happiness hack: Real love brings peace, not pressure.
🌿🌸🌿 Ardent Charity – Overcoming Apathy and Indifference
Mary’s charity was not passive; it was an active, selfless love that led her to serve others without counting the cost.
She shows us how to love deeply, giving not just of our possessions, but of our time and energy to care for others.
“Charity is the fruit of a heart that knows it has been loved first by God.” — Alicja Lenczewska
How to Cultivate Charity:
Look for opportunities to serve others, especially those in need. Let your charity be more than acts of kindness—let it be a reflection of God’s love in action.
Charity – The Joy of Giving Without Losing Yourself
Mary’s secret:
She loved deeply without needing to be noticed.
Her giving came from abundance, not burnout.
Try this today:
Give without expecting anything back.
Listen to someone without fixing them.
Offer a kind word without needing credit.
Happiness hack: Real love multiplies when it’s not about you.
🌿🌸🌿Hope – Overcoming Despair and Hopelessness
Hope is the confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises.
Mary’s hope was unshaken, even in the darkest moments of her life, including at the foot of the Cross. Her hope in God’s plan never wavered.
“Hope anchors us in the midst of life’s storms, reminding us of God’s eternal faithfulness.” — Alicja Lenczewska
How to Cultivate Hope:
In moments of doubt or difficulty, remember that God’s plan for you is good. Reflect on His past faithfulness and trust that He will guide you through life’s challenges.
Hope – The Joy of Trusting When You Don’t Understand
Mary’s secret:
She believed before she saw. She held on to light even in the dark.
Try this today:
Say “God is working” even when you don’t feel it.
Choose gratitude instead of anxiety.
Let go of timelines and hold on to trust.
Happiness hack: Hope lifts you where certainty never could.
🌿🌸🌿Heroic Patience – Overcoming Impatience and Rage
Mary demonstrated the strength of patience through her willingness to endure suffering without resentment.
She shows us that patience isn’t just waiting—it’s waiting with love, trust, and endurance.
“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to wait with grace.” — Alicja Lenczewska
How to Cultivate Patience:
When you face trials, ask God to help you endure with grace. Practice slowing down and finding peace in moments of uncertainty.
Patience – The Joy of Waiting Without Losing Your Soul
Mary’s secret: She waited through confusion, silence, and pain—without losing faith. Her yes wasn’t rushed. It was rooted.
Try this today:
Pause before reacting.
Stay present in a slow season.
Breathe instead of forcing.
Happiness hack: You’ll discover peace is found in the pause.
🌿🌸🌿Perseverance – Overcoming Weakness and Giving Up
Mary’s perseverance was tested like none other. From the moment she said “yes” to God at the Annunciation, she never gave up.
She continued on her journey, even when it was filled with suffering, because her trust in God remained firm.
“The path to holiness requires perseverance, but with God, every step is worth it.” — Alicja Lenczewska
How to Cultivate Perseverance:
Stay steadfast in your faith, even when the journey is long or difficult. Keep your eyes on the end goal and trust that every step is leading you toward God’s glory.
Perseverance – The Joy of Showing Up Again
Mary’s secret:
She stayed at the manger, in the quiet years, at the Cross. Love made her consistent.
Try this today:
Keep your promise even when no one notices.
Take one small step forward instead of quitting.
Pray again, even when it feels dry.
Happiness hack: Faithfulness grows joy that doesn’t depend on results.
🌿🌸🌿 Obedience – Overcoming Rebellion and Defiance
Mary’s obedience to God was radical and complete. She didn’t just obey God out of duty, but out of love and trust in His plan. Her “Fiat” (Let it be done) was an act of total surrender, and it is this obedience that leads us closer to God.
“Obedience to God is the path to true freedom and peace.” — Alicja Lenczewska
How to Cultivate Obedience:
Seek to listen attentively to God’s voice. Obey His commands, even in moments of confusion or uncertainty, knowing that He has a greater plan for your life.
Obedience – The Joy of Living Without Resistance
Mary’s secret:
She didn’t need control.
Her yes wasn’t blind—it was trusting.
Even when it led her to the foot of the Cross.
Try this today:
Follow your conscience instead of your impulses.
Say yes to the good—even when it’s hard.
Trust that God sees the bigger picture.
Happiness hack: Obedience brings freedom from the burden of control.
Walking the Path of Virtue with Mary: A Life of Surrender and Grace
As we reflect on the 7 virtues of Mary, we see that each one is more than just a way to overcome a specific vice—it’s a path that draws us closer to God and aligns our hearts with His will.
These virtues, so deeply woven into Mary’s life, are now offered to us as a way to sanctify our daily living.
Mary’s life reminds us that holiness isn’t about perfection—it’s about continual surrender. She shows us that through faith, humility, and love, we can live in deeper union with Christ. As Mother of the Church, she walks with us, guiding us to cultivate these virtues in our hearts.
With her example before us, let us grow in virtue, overcome the vices that hold us back, and become more like Christ—one surrendered choice at a time.
🌿🌸🌿 Generosity – The Joy of Giving Freely
Mary’s secret:
She didn’t hold back.
She went in haste to help her cousin Elizabeth.
No hesitation.
No keeping score.
Try this today:
Offer help before being asked.
Be generous with compliments.
Give when no one’s watching.
Happiness hack:
Giving shifts your focus from lack to abundance.
🌿🌸🌿 Kindness – The Joy of Being a Safe Place for Others
Mary’s secret:
She didn’t speak often—but when she did, her words healed.
At Cana, she saw a need and simply said: “Do whatever He tells you.”
Try this today:
Say the kind thing you’re thinking.
Forgive someone without keeping score.
Smile even when your day’s a mess.
Happiness hack:
Kindness softens even the hardest days—for you and them.
🌿🌸🌿 Sorrow – The Joy of Loving Even When It Hurts
Mary’s secret:
She stood at the Cross with open arms and a broken heart. She didn’t run from pain—she loved through it.
Try this today:
Let your pain open you, not close you.
Hold space for someone else's grief.
Offer your suffering for someone else.
Happiness hack:
There’s deep joy in knowing your suffering has purpose.
The Hidden Secret: Virtue is Joy in Motion 🌿🌸🌿
Virtue isn’t rigid.
It’s not moral pressure or pious perfection.
Virtue is a path.
A daily way of walking that leads to the kind of joy the world can’t give and can’t take away.
Imitate Mary. 🌿🌸🌿
Not to impress God, but to live like someone who belongs to Him.
That’s where happiness begins.
Join the Journey of Virtue 🌿🌸🌿
What virtue is calling you to grow in today?
👉 Leave a comment below or share your thoughts with us on social media.
👉 Let’s support each other in this journey of faith, as we work together to become whole and holy, just as Mary did. 🌿🌸🌿
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