During the month of March, the secular world celebrates Women’s History Month. In a particular way, the world reflects on the important roles that women have made, and are making, in society. 

For us as Catholics, it is always a celebration of women because we adore the most important woman in all of history, the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

We adore her because she reigns gloriously, as she allowed herself to become incorporated into the eternal mystery of the Lord Our God. 

She bore a natural nobility that came from her Immaculate Conception and birth, and allowed her to endure the suffering and sorrow that her only son would have to endure later. 

Mary, like all of us, knew in her heart of hearts that the tragedy of evil her beloved son experienced on earth was for the salvation of the world. 

Every cut inflicted, every bruise endured, every insult heard, every indignity of every single drop of spittle…none of it was in vain. 

Mary knew in her soul of souls that what her beloved son endured on this natural level led to a supernatural level, where Satan was roundly defeated, the prince of lies subjected to the one who is all truth. 

Through it all, Mary, our Mother, had one thing that we must possess more than ever — HOPE! 

Mary knew that the Lord had pity on us. She knew the love that pours forth from his Sacred Heart, beating in a pure rhythm of love for us. 

She had the confident assurance that He is the victor, ultimately, over every trial, every adversity. 

That’s what makes her the mercy of God in the midst of the misery of humankind. 

More than ever, we must be convinced that the world will be saved not through frenetic activity, but through the sacrifice of prayer, especially through the Eucharist. 

So during this Women’s History Month, we should look to the example of great saints, like St. Frances Cabrini (about whom a new film has been released), St. Teresa of Avila, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Kolkata, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Faustina, and so many more. 

And we can look to the great female saints of our modern age, like St. Edith Stein and Servant of God Dorothy Day. 

All of these women have made important contributions to the Church and the world, and each in their own, humble, demure way, left their imprint on women’s history. 

All of these blessed women followed the example of our mother and queen, the Blessed Virgin Mary.