We need Mary in order to die to ourselves

"We must see as if we saw not, understand as if we understood not and make use of all the things of this world, as if we made no use of them at all... If we do not die to ourselves, and if the holiest devotions do not incline us to the necessary and useful death, we shall bring forth no fruit worth anything, and our devotion will become useless."
- from True Devotion to Mary

There she is - the answer is found in Mary. Of course you can't do it alone. Your Mother walks with you and she prays for the virtues to be cultivated in your soul. Know that you must persevere just as she did, for virtue must be developed in difficult circumstances. You learn forgiveness when you are hurt by those you love the most. You learn patience when you are pushed to impatience. You learn hope when you are tempted to despair. You learn humility when you want so badly to protect your own pride. You learn obedience when you want to push for your personal agenda but are called to give that up for the will of God or the well-being of another person.

All of this happens as you live your day-to-day life. You don't have to dwell behind convent doors in order to develop virtues. For you, the world provides enough opportunities to challenge you in all the ways particular to the needs of your soul. Examine how you live among your family...how you are with your friends and your coworkers...how you interact with your students...how you acknowledge the presence of Christ in strangers.

You hear Jei Franxis saying to you now, as he said last night to you all at rehearsal: "If you are a good actress, your environment shouldn't matter. You are able to become that character wherever you are." The same is true for seeing Jesus all around you. It shouldn't matter where you are. Granted that there are some places that are more holy and places that are downright evil...but wherever you end up experiencing Him should not be limited to the church building alone. At the same time, you should depend on the Spirit within you to allow you to be Jesus to anyone you meet, regardless of who they are or where they have come from.

"They were faithful to the teaching of the apostles, the common life of sharing, the breaking of bread and the prayers. A holy fear came upon all the people, for many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. Now all the believers lived together and shared all their belongings. They would sell their property and all they had and distribute the proceeds to others according to their need. Each day they met together in the Temple area; they broke bread in their homes; they shared their food with great joy and simplicity of heart; they praised God and won the people's favor. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." (Acts 2:42-47)