Mary is the Queen of Saints and our first advocate. Therefore, as soon as she has delivered a soul from the slaws of Satan and united her with God, she wants that soul to dedicate herself to imitating him. Otherwise, she could not, according to her own will, enrich with heavenly graces a soul whose conduct is opposed to his. That is why she proclaims blessed those who take heart to imitate her life.

"My children, she tells us, listen to me: blessed are those who walk in my footsteps". (Pr 8:32)

Love, says the proverb, either finds its resemblance or produces it. He, who loves, if not yet alike his beloved, seeks to become so.
"O you, therefore, says Saint Jerome, who love and honor Mary, do know that it is through your efforts to imitate her that you will truly love her, and the fairest homage you may offer to her is imitating her virtues".

The Glory of Mary

Saint Alphonsius