Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

The total acceptance of God’s will by Mary is accompanied by her total donation. Mary accepts by offering herself, and she offers herself by giving herself. She gives herself by abandoning herself to the divine will, accepting by anticipation everything God may ask of her. That is, Mary wills everything God wills, and she accepts all that God does and, in doing so, Mary models a soul completely united to God.