An ode to Mater Admirabilis from Uganda-Kenya

  • Mater Admirabilis

Two novices from UGK Province, Francisca Gyaviira Nakagera and Ruth Nakiganda, have compiled a series of verses that commend the beauty, obedience and purity of Mater Admirabilis.

It is so wonderful to acclaim, Mater Admirabilis, a woman full of virtue! Truly beauty was hers, as it is said. For everything she possessed was so beautiful and worthy as to be admired and imitated. As her name states, she was Mother Most Admirable, who with her profound humility followed the will of God. We pray that we may cultivate this virtue in our own lives.

Her lively faith made her wholeheartedly submit herself to God and put absolute faith in His Word and His promise. We seek communion with God, the giver of this gift, we choose to trust Him, and we practice receiving His gifts with open hands.

Mater Admirabilis was so obedient a woman! She was able to give her fiat at the moment of the Annunciation. Like her, we pray that we may obey God, even when we do not understand the things that happen. She often sacrificed herself for the will of God to be done first. “Not my will, but thine, be done,” as in Luke 22:42. And, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done according to your Word,” as in Luke 1:38. We pray that we may learn to make sacrifices for the greater good of others. “God, teach us to love Your will as our own.”

We seek to understand and live that divine purity that she lived. Her mind and heart were pure. She lived to love and honor God with her whole heart, mind, and soul. As in Deuteronomy 6:5, ”You must love Yahweh, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength.” May our intentions every day be pure, we pray. Driven by her virtue of charity, she asked her Son at the wedding at Cana to make more wine for the guests. From her, we take on the disposition of love for those around us by bringing Jesus to them, who is true and perfect love.

As we celebrate her, may we learn from her the heroic patience that she showed at the foot of the cross, where she became a martyr through suffering, in union with her Son, and may we pray for the gift of perseverance.

Mater Admirabilis, Ora Pronobis.

Francisca Gyaviira Nakagera and Ruth Nakiganda
UGK Province

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