Mary is the most perfect model of the consecrated life. All aspects of the Gospel and the charism of the consecrated life in chastity, poverty and obedience have found their realization in her. The author reflects on the presence of Mary in the mystery of consecration and discusses the three stages of the consecrated person's life: calling (choice), offering oneself to God (a lasting decision to dedicate one's life to God) and sanctification (transformation) of one's life. Mary's example shows that the vocation and sanctification are primarily God's action in regard to man. Man's answer is the willingness to dedicate himself to God for the entirety of his lifetime (present and future). Human dedication has its full meaning only when it is united with the sacrifice of the Son of God. Mary - closely united with Jesus - gives us an example of this attitude.