On Sanctæ Mariæ Sabbato—Saturday’s traditional dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary—it is fitting to meditate on her role in salvation history as revealed in Sacred Scripture. Two passages illuminate this mystery: Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16 (Sirach 24:14-16) and Luke 11:27-28.
Mary, the Seat of Wisdom (Ecclus. 24:14-16)
“From the beginning and before the world was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be; and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.”
The Church Fathers saw in this passage a veiled prophecy of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Sancta Dei Genetrix, the living Temple of Divine Wisdom. St. Bonaventure interprets it as a figure of Mary’s eternal election in the divine plan:
“The Blessed Virgin was predestined before all ages, chosen by God before the foundations of the world, to be the Mother of His only-begotten Son. Just as Wisdom was set up from eternity (Prov. 8:23), so too was Mary, in whom this Wisdom would take flesh.” (Speculum B.V.M., c. III)
St. Augustine similarly sees in this passage a foreshadowing of Mary’s unique presence in the Church, “taking root among an honorable people”—a reference both to Israel and to the new Israel, the Church. As the Ark of the New Covenant, Mary is “established in Sion,” dwelling in the midst of God’s inheritance, just as the wisdom of God tabernacled within her womb.
True Blessedness: Hearing and Keeping the Word (Luke 11:27-28)
“And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the breasts that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.”
At first glance, Our Lord’s response might seem to diminish Mary’s importance. Yet, as St. Bede the Venerable explains:
“The Lord does not reject the praise given to His Mother, but rather elevates it. He teaches that her blessedness is not merely in having borne Him according to the flesh, but in her perfect obedience to the will of God.” (In Lucam, XI)
Mary is not blessed solely because of her divine maternity, but because she perfectly “heard the word of God and kept it.” This is why St. Augustine proclaims:
“Mary was more blessed in receiving the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ. Her relationship as His Mother would have been of no profit to her if she had not borne Him more happily in her heart than in her womb.” (De Sancta Virginitate, c. III)
This echoes Ecclus. 24:14-16, where wisdom does not merely reside in a place but takes root, flourishes, and abides. Mary’s greatness lies not only in her divine motherhood but in her perfect conformity to God’s will—she is the first and most perfect disciple of Christ.
Conclusion: The Model of Perfect Devotion
As we honor Our Lady on this Marian Saturday, these passages call us to imitate her virtues. She is the dwelling place of Wisdom, the New Jerusalem where God has established His presence, and the model of perfect obedience to the divine will.
Let us entrust ourselves to her maternal care, remembering the words of St. Louis de Montfort:
“If we establish solidly in our souls true devotion to Mary, which is but a perfect renewal of the vows of holy Baptism, we shall find ourselves on the sure path to Jesus Christ.” (True Devotion to Mary, n. 120)
May we, like Mary, hear the word of God, keep it, and allow Wisdom to take root in our souls. Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis!