65 That virginity owes its origin to Mary is the testimony of Athanasius, and Augustine clearly teaches that "The dignity of virginity began with the Mother of the Lord." Pursuing the ideas of Athanasius, Ambrose holds up the life of the Virgin Mary as the model of virgins. "Imitate her, my daughters. . . ! Let Mary's life be for you like the portrayal of virginity, for from her, as though from a mirror, is reflected the beauty of chastity and the ideal of virtue. See in her the pattern of your life, for in her, as though in a model, manifest teachings of goodness show what you should correct, what you should copy and what preserve. . . She is the image of virginity. For such was Mary that her life alone suffices for the instruction of all. . . Therefore let holy Mary guide your way of life." "Her grace was so great that it not only preserved in her the grace of virginity, but bestowed the grace of chastity upon those on whom she gazed." How true is the saying of Ambrose, "Oh the richness of the virginity of Mary!' Because of this richness it will be very useful for religious men and women and for priests of our day to contemplate the virginity of Mary, in order that they may more faithfully and perfectly practice the chastity of their calling.
Source: Sacra Virginitas (Vatican.va)