The attack of the dragon upon the woman and her children continues. The figure of the woman continues to be under siege. She is under attack in her being woman, mother and virgin as if these traits are a kind of injustice. St John however reminds us in the Book of Revelation that we need not despair, as the accuser, the real enemy has been brought down.

The mission of Mary and that of all women must continue despite the ferocity of the attack on her being. We know that the church by her nature is missionary. The mission of evangelization is an essential part of the church. Vatican II made it clear that there is ample room and need for all to exercise the apostolate of evangelization. For inspiration it is enough to contemplate the figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In a moment in time the life of the Virgin Mary changed direction. An announcement changed her life and the course of history. Her response was to go quickly and to visit her cousin Elizabeth and share with her the joy of what was happening inside of her. What urges a person to evangelize is the recognition that Good News changes a person’s life. Mary entrusted herself to God completely, with the full submission of her intellect and will. With her "yes" to the message of the Archangel Gabriel, the Good News, the Word made flesh himself, began a period of gestation in her. Her "yes" had become a Good News for the whole of humanity. Through her "yes" it is now possible for all to meet Jesus Christ and see all of ones deepest aspirations completely fulfilled.

Now what has been accomplished in Mary can also be accomplished in any other woman. If given the occasion every woman can say their "yes" and have the fountain of life conceived within them. Anyone can become the mother of Christ so to speak and become another instance for the angels in heaven to say: "Again, nothing is impossible for God".

Evangelization creates the occasion for women to say "yes". Without an angel to announce, without the proposition, there can be no response, no resonance. The mandate is there: "Go out to the world and proclaim the Good News". What the Church needs are willing angels prepared to deliver this ‘annunciation’ to those servants whom the Lord has chosen.

Mary is considered a model of women and mothers because despite the difficult times in which she lived, her adhering totally and responsibly to the will of God, permitted the Lord to accomplish the impossible in her.