St. Francis de Sales’ special admiration for the Visitation Gospel and the Blessed Mother’s unique experience there led him to reflect further on her Magnificat prayer:
” My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior is interpreted as an indication of the love of benevolence on Mary’s part toward God. Yhrough this love the soul recognizes that the divine goodness, being infinite, cannot be increased by any human praise. Yet it knows that the human being can come closer to God by taking delight in his perfection.
Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid, all generations shall call me blessed. There is a distinction between abjection and humility. Abjection is the littleness that actually existed in Mary. Humility is her voluntary acknowledgement of it. Because of her abjection God gave her graces and favors in abundance.
Source: The Mariology of St. Francis de Sales; Fr Carney OSFS