The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. 197The Prophet Jeremiah was sanctified from hisvery birth, because he was destined to be the heraldof God s law to the children of Israel : Before Iformed thee in the bowels of thy mother, I knewthee, and before thou earnest forth out of the womb,lI sanctified thee."""Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost," thatshe might be worthy to be the hostess of our Lordduring the three months that Mary dwelt underher roof.John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghosteven from his mother s womb." 3 "He was a burning and a 4shiningbecause he waslight,"chosen toprepare the way of the Lord.The Apostles received the plenitude of grace ;they were endowed with the gift of tongues and5other privileges before they commenced the workof the ministry. Hence, St. Paul says: Oursufficiency is from God, who hath made us^ ministers of the New Testament." 6Now of all who have participated in the ministry of the Redemption, there is none who filled anyposition so exalted, so sacred, as is the incommunicable office of Mother of Jesus ;and there isno one consequently that needed so high a degreeof holiness as she did.For, if God thus sanctified His Prophets and1 Jer. i. 5.2Luke i. 41.3 Ibid. i. 15.*John v. 35.17*6 Acts ii.6 II. Cor. iii. 6.