“Mary’s Fiat” refers to the Virgin Mary’s consent to the angel Gabriel’s announcement that she would bear the Son of God. The Latin word fiat, meaning “let it be done” or “yes” to God’s will is signifying Mary’s complete trust, surrender, and openness to His plan. A plan that is a model for all Christians to embrace God’s purpose in our lives.
Mary teaches us to be thankful to God, even when we don’t always understand His ways. With Mary, that is evidenced by the fact that soon after she says “yes,” she visits her cousin Elizabeth and proclaims what we know now as the “Magnificat,” a wonderful prayer of thanks to God for the wonderful things that He has done for her, which include, most of all, the impending birth to our Savior. Although, there is some understanding on her part already that is both real and deep, she is still stepping forward to an unknown future out of trust in God.
Mary’s decision during the Annunciation did not just transform history forever, it also transformed her. As Pope Benedict the VXI pointed out in his book, because of Mary’s complete faith and unequivocal surrender to God, the Word became flesh within her. From being a simple girl in an unknown village in Nazareth, she was bestowed the highest honor possible – being the mother of God’s son. All because she heard God’s call and she obeyed.
Mary’s fiat is not just worthy of our veneration. It also teaches us values that are worth emulating. When Mary said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) it denotes her humility and willingness to accept God’s will. And that is something that today’s world is sadly lacking.
As mentioned, Mary didn’t understand God’s plan when she accepts it. But she did it anyway. That is the very definition of faith.
Mary’s “yes” serves as an invitation for us to also trust in God and to experience God in deeper ways. Her “yes” is an act of mercy not only because by giving birth to Christ she helped secure a means for our salvation, but also through her example, we learn to draw closer to God.
The Blessed Mother is leaving us an example of how to walk the life of the spirit. She is our model, par excellence, of love, trust, and service. She was the first to believe and the first to be redeemed as the preeminent member of the Church.
