Available on the Internet
Click for list of documents below.
The Mary Page is often asked to confirm the
authenticity of Marian teaching. This section presents Church
documents to help establish the Catholic Church's official position
in Marian matters. The Vatican II document, Dei Verbum,
states:
The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ, yet this Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches only what has been handed on to it. At the divine command and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it listens to this devotedly, guards it with dedication and expounds it faithfully. All that it proposes for belief as being divinely revealed is drawn from this single deposit of faith. |
![[Mother of the Church]](http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/resources/documents/JUlmar_129.jpg)
|
| Mother of
the Church J. Ulmer, Argentina |
NOTE: The documents listed below focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary or contain significant Marian passages.
For an alternative list used to determine Marian themes see: ALTERNATIVE LIST
Documents are listed by date of publication
| Recently published |
|---|
 Rosarium
Virginis Mariae [The Rosary of the Virgin
Mary]
Apostolic Letter issued by Pope
John Paul II on October 16, 2002 |
Message issued by Pope John Paul
II on January 12, 2003 |
| Ecclesia
de Eucharistia
Encyclical Letter issued on April 17, 2003 (Holy Thursday) by Pope John Paul on the "Eucharist in its relationship to the church." Mary is treated in Paragraphs 4, 6, 7, 19, 53-58 in chapter six, titled "At the School of Mary, 'Woman of Eucharist'" 59, and 62. [Brief summary of content and purpose] [Internet source: Vatican] |
Ineffabilis Deus: The
Immaculate Conception
Apostolic Constitution issued by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854
[Internet source: New Advent]
Supremi Apostolatus
Officio: Devotion of The Rosary
Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on September 1, 1883
This encyclical testifies to the rosary's venerability and power, and
exhorts the faithful to its frequent use.
[Internet source: New Advent]
Superiore Anno: On the
Recitation of the Rosary
Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on August 30, 1884.
[Internet source: New Advent]
Vi è Ben Noto: On the
Rosary and Public Life
Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on September 20, 1887.
[Internet source: New Advent]
Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on September 22, 1891.
[Internet source: New Advent]
Magnae Dei Matris: On the
Rosary
Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on September 8, 1892.
[Internet source: New Advent]
Laetitiae Sanctae:
Commending Devotion to the Rosary
Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on September 8, 1893.
[Internet source: New Advent]
Iucunda Semper
Expectatione: On the Rosary
Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on September 8, 1894.
[Internet source: New Advent]
Ad
Diem Illum Laetissimum: On the Immaculate Conception
Encyclical of Pope Pius X promulgated on February 2, 1904.
[Internet source: Vatican]
Lux Veritatis: On
the council of Ephesus
Encyclical of Pope Pius XI promulgated on December 25, 1931.
[Internet source: EWTN Documents Library]
Ingravescentibus Malis: On
the Rosary
Encyclical of Pope Pius XI promulgated on September 29, 1937.
[Internet source: New Advent]
Encyclical of Pope Pius XII Promulgated on May 1, 1946, to explore whether
it would be opportune to formally define the doctrine of the Assumption of
the Blessed Virgin Mary.
[Internet source: EWTN Documents Library]
Munificentissimus
Deus: On the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Apostolic Constitution, Pope Pius XII, November 1, 1950, on proclaiming
the dogma of the Assumption.
[Internet source: EWTN Documents Library]
Ingruentium Malorum: On
Reciting the Rosary
Encyclical of Pope Pius XII promulgated on September 15, 1951.
Pius XII urges us to "fly with greater confidence to the Mother of
God. There, the Christian people have always sought chief refuge in the hour
of danger, because she has been constituted the cause of salvation for the
whole human race."19
[Internet source: New Advent]
Encyclical of Pope Pius XII promulgated on September 8, 1953.
Encyclical proclaiming a Marian Year to commemorate the centenary of
the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
[Internet source: New Advent]
Ad Caeli Reginam: On
Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary
Encyclical of Pope Pius XII promulgated on October 11, 1954.
Issued on the feast of the Queenship of Mary, it summarizes the
history of devotion to Mary as Queen.
[Internet source: New Advent]
Grata Recordatio: On the
Rosary
Encyclical of Pope John XXIII promulgated on September 26, 1959.
This encyclical covers the rosary, prayer for the Church, the missions
and international and social problems.
[Internet source: New Advent]
The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Chapter 8
Promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Christus Rex et Redemptor Mundi]
Try also: Church
[Internet source: Christus Rex et Redemptor Mundi]
The
Marian References in the Sixteen Documents of Vatican II
[Internet source: Mary Page with links to full documents in English
and Latin]
Exploring
the Mystery of the Church
Address of Pope Paul VI at the Close of the Third Session of the Second
Vatican Ecumenical Council
November 22, 1964
[Internet source: The Mary Page]
The Mind
of the Council on Mary
Address of Pope Paul VI on the Feast of the Purification
February 2, 1965
[Internet source: The Mary Page]
Mense
Maio: On the Occasion of the First of May
Encyclical of Pope Paul VI promulgated on April 30, 1965.
The pope urges the faithful to pray to Mary more than ever during the
month of May; in connection with this he exhorts all to seek peace by
negotiation and prayer.
[Brief summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Christi
Matri: On Prayers to Mary for Peace
Encyclical of Pope Paul VI promulgated on September 15, 1966.
The pope exhorts leaders to contrive by negotiation a peace "based on
justice and freedom for mankind." He encourages the faithful to deepen their
devotion to the Mother of Christ as the evils of the world increase.
[Internet source: Vatican]
Encyclical of Pope Paul VI promulgated on May 13, 1967.
[Brief summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: New Advent]
Solemnis
Professio Fidei: The Creed of the People of God
Latin
version online
Pope Paul VI (Motu Proprio)
June 30, 1968
[The Creed of Paul VI helped to fill the need to synthesize
catechetical teaching after Vatican II..]
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Apostolic Exhortation, Recurrens Mensis October of Pope Paul VI
October 7, 1969
[In honor of the fourth centenary of the Apostolic Letter Consueverunt
Romani pontifices from St. Pius V, "who in that document explained and in a
certain sense established the traditional form of the Rosary." (MC
42b)]
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: The Mary Page]
Pope Paul VI: General Audience of October 8,
1969
"What does the Church need today?........"
[Internet source: The Mary Page]
Directorium
Catechisticum Generale: General Catechetical Directory
Ad normam decreti ( April 11, 1971)
Sacred Congregation for the Clergy
March 18, 1971
[This document governs the content of required Marian
catechesis.]
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Marialis Cultus: For the
Right Ordering and Development of Devotion to the Blessed Virgin
Mary
Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Paul VI promulgated on February 2, 1974.
[Brief summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: New Advent]
ANG
MAHAL NA BIRHEN / Mary in Philippine Life Today
A Pastoral Letter on the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines, Manila, February 2, 1975
[Internet source: The Mary Page]
Letter of Pope Paul VI to Cardinal Léon Josef Suenens on the Occasion
of the International Marian Congress
May 13, 1975
[Internet source: The Mary Page]
The
Role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Catechetics
Oral Intervention by John Joseph Cardinal Carberry, Archbishop of St.
Louis
Synod of Bishops on Catechesis - 1977
[Internet source: The Mary Page]
Sharing the Light of Faith
National Catechetical Directory for Catholics of the United States
US National Council of Catholic Bishops, March 1979
[This directory laid down directives on catechesis in the US from
1979- 2003]
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
Catechesi
Tradendae: Apostolic Exhortation on Catechesis in Our Time
Pope John Paul II
October 16, 1979
[The final paragraph, "Mary, Mother and Model of the Disciple," proved
significant in catechetical writings.]
[Brief summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
A Concilio
Constantinopolitano I
Apostolic Letter Of Pope John Paul II for the 1600th Anniversary of the
First Council of Constantinople and the 1550th Anniversary of the Council of
Ephesus
March 25, 1981
The letter gives the theological foundation for the title of
Theotokos, Mother of God.
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: EWTN Documents Library]
Redemptoris
Mater: Mother of the Redeemer
Encyclical of Pope John Paul II promulgated on March 25, 1987.
The pope discusses Mary's role in the economy of salvation,
particularly reflecting upon that "pilgrimage of faith" in which "the Blessed
Virgin advanced," faithfully preserving her union with Christ. The pope
emphasizes the historical significance of the "twofold bond" which unites the
Mother of God with Christ and with the Church.
[Brief summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Orientations
and Proposals for the Celebration of the Marian Year 1987- 1988
Letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship
Rome, April 3, 1987
[Contains abundant practical applications of Marian devotion for
parishes.]
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: The Mary Page]
Letter
to Priests for Holy Thursday 1988: Mary in the Life of the Priests
Pope John Paul II
Rome, March 25, 1988
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
The
Virgin Mary in Intellectual and Spiritual Formation
Letter from the Congregation for Catholic Education
Rome, 25 March 1988
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: The Mary Page]
Mulieris
Dignitatem: On the Dignity and Vocation of Women on the Occasion of the
Marian Year
Apostolic Letter of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II ,
August 15, 1988
[Brief summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Address of Pope John Paul II at Turin, September
4,1988
"May the Mother of the Church be an inspiration for the discovery of a
new feminine identity."
[Internet source: EWTN Documents Library]
Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II on the
Person and Mission of Saint Joseph in the Life of Christ and of the Church
August 15, 1989
[Brief summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Guidelines on
Doctrine for Catechetical Materials
National Council of Catholic Bishops
November 14, 1990
[This is a normative document from the United States bishops for
catechesis. Mary and the Saints are treated in paragraphs 34-37]
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
Catechism of the
Catholic Church
United States Catholic Conference
English translation, 1994
[To discover where Mary is mentioned in the Catechism of the Catholic
Church see:
Context
of the Articles Integrating the Blessed Virgin Mary into theCatechism of
the Catholic Church,
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
John Paul II / World Day of Peace, January 1, 1995
[Internet source: EWTN]
Seventy General
Audiences of Pope John Paul II on the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 6, 1996 - November 12, 1997
This material is summarized in single
paragraphs on the Vatican website.
A briefly summarized list can also be found at: General Audiences
The collection can be obtained in paperback from Pauline Books & Media:
John Paul II, Theotokos: A Catechesis on Mary, Mother of God. ISBN
0-8198-7401-9.
The following are links to full texts, which include the L'Osservatore Romano (English) references.
1. Mary Is Pattern of Church's Holiness, 6 September 1995.
2. Mary Is the Virgin Mother of God, 13 September 1995.
3. Mary Was United to Jesus on the Cross, 25 October 1995.
4. Church Grew In Understanding of Mary's Role, 8 November 1995.
5. To Honour Mary Is to Go to Jesus, 15 November 1995.
6. Mary Is Model of Persevering Silence, 22 November 1995.
7. Mary Shows Us God's Respect for Women, 29 November 1995.
8. Mary Sheds Light on Role of Women, 6 December 1995.
9. Council's Teaching on Mary, 13 December 1995.
10. Mary's Place Is Highest After Christ, 3 January 1995.
11. Mary's Relationship With the Trinity, 10 January 1996.
12. Victory Over Sin Comes Through a Woman, 24 January 1996.
13. Isaiah's Prophecy Fulfilled in Incarnation, 31 January 1996.
14. Motherhood Is God's Special Gift, 6 March 1996.
15. Women's Indispensable Role in Salvation History, 27 March 1996.
16. The Ideal Woman Is a Precious Treasure, 10 April 1996.
17. God Is Ever Faithful to His Covenant, 24 April 1996.
18. Mary Responds to God With Spousal Love, 1 May 1996.
19. Blessed Virgin Was Filled With God's Grace, 8 May 1996.
20. Mary Was Conceived Without Original Sin, 15 May 1996.
21. Mary's Enmity Towards Satan Was Absolute, 29 May 1996.
22. Christ's Grace Preserved Mary From Sin, 5 June1996.
23. Immaculate Conception Defined by Pius IX,12 June 1996.
24. Mary Was Free From All Personal Sin, 19 June 1996.
25. Mary Freely Co-operated in God's Plan, 3 July 1996.
26. Virginal Conception Is Biological Fact, 10 July 1996.
27. Our Lady Intended to Remain a Virgin, 24 July 1996.
28. Eternal Son of God Is Also Born of Mary, 31 July 1996.
29. Mary's Choice Inspires Consecrated Virginity, 7 August 1996.
30. Mary and Joseph Lived Gift of Virginity, 21 August 1996.
31. The Church Presents Mary as Ever Virgin, 28 August 1996.
32. Mary Offers Sublime Model of Service, 4 September 1996.
33. Mary, the New Eve, Freely Obeyed God,18 September 1996.
34. Visitation Is Prelude to Jesus' Mission, 2 October 1996.
35. Mary Sings the Praises of God's Mercy, 6 November 1996.
36. Nativity Shows Mary's Closeness to Jesus, 20 November 1996.
37. Church Proclaims Mary Mother of God, 27 November 1996.
38. Blessed Virgin Is Model of Perfect Love, 4 December 1996.
39. Simeon Is Open to the Lord's Action, 11 December 1996.
40. Mary Has Role in Jesus' Saving Mission, 18 December 1996.
41. Christ Calls Women to Share His Mission, 8 January 1997.
42. Mary Co-operates by Personal Obedience,15 January 1997.
43. Mary's Hidden Life Is Example to Mothers, 29 January 1997.
44. Jesus Works Miracle at Mary's Request, 26 February 1997.
45. Mary Is Active in Her Son's Mission, 5 March 1997.
46. Mary Had Role in Jesus' Public Ministry,12 March 1997.
47. Mary United Herself to Jesus' Offering, 2 April 1997.
48. Mary's Co-operation Is Totally Unique, 9 April 1997.
49. To the Disciple He Said, Behold Your Mother, 23 April 1997.
50. Devotion to Mary Is Based on Jesus' Will, 7 May 1997.
51. Mary Was Witness to Whole Paschal Mystery, 21 May 1997.
52. Mary Prays for Outpouring of the Spirit, 28 May 1997.
53. Mary and the Human Drama of Death, 25 June 1997.
54. Church Believes in Mary's Assumption, 2 July 1997.
55. Mary Is First Creature to Enjoy Eternal Life, 9 July 1997.
56. Christians Look to Mary Queen, 23 July 1997.
57. Mary Is Pre-eminent Member of Church, 30 July 1997.
58. Mary Is Outstanding Figure of Church, 6 August 1997.
59. Mary Is Model for Church's Motherhood, 13 August 1997.
60. Mary Fully Adhered to Revealed Truth, 20 August 1997.
61. Mary: Model of Faith, Hope, and Charity, 3 September 1997.
62. Mary: Model of the Church at Prayer,10 September 1997.
63. Blessed Virgin Is Mother of the Church, 17 September 1997.
64. Mary Has Universal Spiritual Motherhood, 24 September 1997.
65. Mary's Mediation Derives From Christ's, 1 October 1997.
66. Mary Has Always Been Specially Venerated, 15 October 1997.
67. Faithful Have Filial Devotion to Mary, 22 October 1997.
68. Church Urges Faithful to Venerate Mary, 29 October 1997.
69. We Can Count on Mary's Intercession, 5 November 1997.
70. Separated Brethren Also Honor Mary, 12 November 1997.
[Internet source: EWTN Documents Library]
Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in Africa and its Evangelizing Mission
Towards the Year 2000
John Paul II
September 14, 1995
Reference to Mary in paragraphs 57, 60, 140, 142, and 144. Includes a
prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church
[Internet source: Vatican]
United States Catholic Conference, April 5, 1996
Documents of
the Ad Hoc Committee
[This document governs required content of books used for teaching the
Catholic faith]
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
Mary Leads Us to
the Eucharist
Message of Pope John Paul II to nineteenth International Marian Congress,
Czestochowa, Poland August 15, 1996
[Internet source: EWTN Documents Library]
Apostolic Exhortation on the Encounter With the Living Jesus Christ:
The Way to Conversion, Communion and Solidarity in America
John Paul II
January 22, 1999
Paragraph 11, titled "We Encounter Jesus through Mary," includes the
promulgation of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother and Evangelizer of
America, be celebrated throughout the continent on December 12
[Internet source: Vatican]
Apostolic Exhortation on Jesus Christ the Saviour and His Mission of Love
and Service in Asia: "...That They May Have Life, and Have it Abundantly" (Jn
10:10)
John Paul II
November 6, 1999
The conclusion of the document contains a prayer to the Mother of
Christ for the peoples of Asia
[Internet source: Vatican]
John Paul II: General
Audience of March 14, 2001
A papal meditation on the role of Mary during the 'end times'
[Internet source: ZENIT]
Apostolic Exhortation on Jesus Christ and the Peoples of Oceania:
Walking His Way, Telling His Truth, Living His Life
Pope John Paul II
Rome, November 22, 2001
Reference to Mary: paragraph 5 and 53, (deep devotion to Mary ... an
integral aspect of the Catholic faith in Oceania. Includes
prayer).
[Brief summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Directory
on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
December 2001
Popular piety is explained in its relation to the liturgy. Chapter V
is devoted to veneration of the Blessed Mother of Our Lord. Throughout the
document reference is made to devotions pertaining to Mary such as liturgies,
processions, hymns, the Marian months, plus many other elements, aspects, and
suggestions.
[Internet source: Vatican]
Rosarium
Virginis Mariae [The Rosary of the Virgin Mary]
Apostolic Letter issued by Pope John Paul II on October 16, 2002
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Message
for World Mission Sunday, October 2003
Message issued by Pope John Paul II on January 12, 2003
"The Year of the Rosary to be a favorable occasion for believers on
all the continents to deepen the meaning of their Christian vocation. At the
school of the Blessed Virgin and following her example, every community will
be better able to have its own "contemplative" and "missionary" activity
emerge."
[Internet source: Vatican]
Ecclesia
de Eucharistia
Encyclical Letter by Pope John Paul on the "Eucharist in its relationship
to the church."
April 17, 2003 (Holy Thursday)
Mary is treated in Paragraphs 4, 6, 7, 19, 53-58; in chapter six,
titled "At the School of Mary, 'Woman of Eucharist'" 59, and 62.
[Brief summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Apostolic Exhortation on Jesus Christ Alive in His Church, the Source of
Hope for Europe
Pope John Paul II
Rome, June 28, 2003
Mary is treated in Paragraphs 27 (figure and model of the Church in
faith and holiness), 122-124 (The Woman, the Dragon, and the Child), 125
(Prayer to Mary, Mother of Hope -- includes a prayer to entrust Europe to
Mary).
[Internet source: Vatican]
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