How to Grow Closer to Mary

Devotion, Saints, and the Heart of a Spiritual Mother

In every age, the Church has turned to Mary—not as a distant figure, but as a mother. Her yes to God made way for our Savior. Her heart stayed near the Cross. And her presence continues to guide the Church with tenderness, clarity, and courage.

You may already honor Mary in prayer. But what does it mean to truly have a devotion to her? How do we go beyond admiration and into deeper relationship?

Let’s explore what Marian devotion is, why it matters, and how saints through the centuries have shown us the way.

What Marian Devotion Really Means

True devotion to Mary is not about replacing Christ—it’s about drawing closer to Him through the one who knew Him most intimately.

“To Jesus through Mary.”
—St. Louis de Montfort

That’s the heart of Marian devotion: relationship.

Mary is our spiritual mother—not just by poetic tradition, but by the direct gift of Christ Himself. On the Cross, in one of His final acts before death, Jesus entrusted Mary to the beloved disciple, and through him, to all of us:

“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’
Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”
(John 19:26–27, NABRE)

In that moment, Jesus gave Mary not only to John, but to the whole Church. She becomes a true mother to each of us—guiding, interceding, and forming us in the life of grace.

But even as she receives this role, Mary never seeks attention for herself. Her deepest desire is to point us to her Son. In her own words:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”
(Luke 1:46–47, NABRE)

Her role is not to overshadow Christ, but to magnify Him. Every authentic Marian devotion draws us more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation, life, and redemptive love. Through her maternal care, we are led to trust more deeply, surrender more fully, and follow Him more closely.

What Marian devotion is:

A response to the gift of Mary as mother
A path to grow in trust, humility, and purity of heart
A deeper entry into the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation and redemptive love

What it isn’t:

Worship of Mary (that belongs to God alone)
A magical formula or superstition
A way to avoid Jesus—Mary always points to Him

A Brief History of Marian Devotion in the Church

4th century: Early Marian prayers like the Sub Tuum Praesidium are used in Christian communities.
431 AD: The Council of Ephesus proclaims Mary as Theotokos—God-bearer.
Middle Ages: The Rosary develops as a meditative prayer to grow closer to Christ through Mary.
19th–20th centuries: Marian apparitions (Lourdes, Fatima) renew devotion and call for conversion, prayer, and penance.
Recent popes: St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis emphasize Marian consecration, the Rosary, and Mary’s role in today’s world.

Saints Who Loved Mary Deeply

St. Louis de Montfort

One of the Church’s strongest voices on Marian consecration, he taught that true devotion to Mary leads us directly into the heart of Jesus.

“Mary is the safest, easiest, shortest, and most perfect way of approaching Jesus.”

St. Maximilian Kolbe

Called Mary his “Immaculata” and founded the Militia Immaculatae to bring souls to Christ through her.

“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”

St. John Paul II

His papal motto was Totus Tuus—“Totally yours”—a phrase taken from St. Louis de Montfort’s Marian spirituality. He credited Mary with guiding and protecting his life and vocation.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

She clung to Mary in times of darkness and dryness, often praying the Rosary multiple times a day.

“If you ever feel distressed during your day—call upon Our Lady. Just say this simple prayer: ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.’”

Honoring Mary Through Trusted Devotions

The Rosary: A meditative prayer focused on the mysteries of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—seen through the eyes of His Mother.
The Angelus: Traditionally prayed at morning, noon, and evening. It commemorates the Annunciation and keeps us rooted in the Incarnation.
The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: A sign of entrustment to Mary’s protection and a call to Marian prayer and penance.
The Memorare: A short, powerful prayer asking Mary’s intercession, full of confidence in her care.
Marian Consecration: Entrusting one’s life to Jesus through Mary, through methods by saints like St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, or Fr. Michael Gaitley.

What Marian Devotion Offers Us Today

In a culture of distraction, noise, and control, Marian devotion offers:

Peace in surrender
Strength in hiddenness
Clarity in confusion
Hope in darkness

Mary doesn’t erase suffering—but she walks with us in it, helping us respond like she did: with love, courage, and trust.

She teaches us how to say:

“Let it be done to me…”
Not once, but over and over.

How to Begin (or Deepen) Your Devotion

You don’t have to start big. Just start.

Here are simple, accessible ways to grow:

Pray the Rosary—even one decade a day
Pause for the Angelus—set a reminder at noon
Place an image of Mary in your home or prayer space
Pray “Mary, be a mother to me now”—whenever you feel lost or alone
Read the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55) and let her words shape your response to God

Reflection

Where in my life am I being invited to say “yes” like Mary?
What fear or desire for control holds me back from surrender?
What devotion could help me walk more closely with her?

A Simple Prayer to Mary

Mary, Mother of Jesus and my Mother,
I entrust to you all that I am and all that I carry.
Teach me how to love Jesus more fully,
to serve with humility,
to trust when I do not understand.
Hold me close in times of fear,
remind me I am never alone,
and lead me always to your Son.
Amen.