The Gentle Way is the way of childlike love. We who are too little to bring to our Lady the tremendous spiritual gifts of the great saints and helas at least bring Her the little things we have. We gather flowers to decorate Her shrine, perhaps in summer we may rise half an hour earlier each morning to bring a fresh tribute of Her works of art to Her. We chant Her Name and sing to Her, perfecting our music as a perfect gift for Her. Even so do we perfect all that we do, that it may be worthy of our dearest Mistress.

But the gift which She craves more than any other is the gift of ourselves; and so, before all else, we strive to make ourselves a worthy gift to Her. We purify and adorn our souls that they may be clean and beautiful offerings to Her. How can we do this? Again, we have Her own words to guide us: “Speak words of love and innocence,of mildness and of hope, and you shall weave a raiment of peace about your soul and a veil of gentle light” and again: “Let your ways be gentle as the milk-white dove, and graceful as the gliding of the swallow.” For the Gentle Way is also the Way of Gentleness. Let our every action be controlled and graceful. Let our steps fall softly on the earth, nor our voices be raised unless it be in song. Let us banish all unkindness from our thoughts. There is so much for our Lady to forgive us; let us forgive our sisters freely. Let us approach all things joyfully and without complaining, letting energy and diligence for even the humblest tasks cast out idleness. Let “our souls be simple as the running deer, and our hearts as little children, filled with wonder”. If we can give to Dea a soul thus chaste and simple, She will receive it gladly.

From The Gentle Way