Mary in
the Mystery of the Covenant
Ignace de la Potterle, SJ.
translated by Bertrand Buby, S.M.
New Yorh Alba House, 1992.
- This work of Fr. de la Potterie is a philological, historico-critical
exegesis of biblical texts relevant to the Virgin Mary and her mission in
salvation history. His investigation leads to a study of the fundamental
mystery of all of Scripture: the mystery of the covenant between God and
people. Mary is seen in the light of the covenant as the personification
of the "People of God," the "Daughter of Zion," the "Figure of the
Synagogue," the "Spouse of God," the "Image of the Church."
In the epilogue, the author writes that "Mary is the very structure of
Covenant, seen from humanity, whom Mary represents." Mary becomes the
image, the figure representing the total people of God in its relation with
God. The translation, by Fr. Bert Buby, is always clear and
reader-friendly.
--Thomas A. Thompson, S.M.
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Totus Tuus: John Paul II's Program of Marian
Consecration and Entrustment
Arthur Burton Calkins
Libertyville, IL: Academy of the Immaculate, 1992.
At one time, the word consecration was used freely as a way of expressing
total dedication to the Virgin Mary. In recent years, because of a greater
theological and ecumenical sensitivity, the term consecration is not
used with reference to Mary so freely as in the past. Entrustment
appears to be the term preferred by Pope John Paul II, who has made
repeated references to this distinct form of dedication to Mary in his
addresses and on his pastoral visits.
Fr. Arthur Calkins presents a thorough and comprehensive study of the
meaning of both consecration and entrustment in the works of John Paul II.
The work analyzes numerous references in the writings of the pope, and it
also indicates the nuances of the Polish words for entrustment, as well as
the circumstances in Poland which served as preparation for "the program of
consecration and entrustment to Mary."
Along with the analysis of the papal writings, there is a fine survey of
the historical development of Marian consecration, as illustrated in the
works of Ildephonse of Toledo, Fulbert of Chartres, the sodalities, Pierre
Berulle, Louis Grignion de Montfort, William Joseph Chaminade, and
Maximilian Kolbe. In addition, there is good analysis of the theological
and Christological implications of the term. The bibliography, which lists
both the references of John Paul II and the extant literature on the topic,
is complete and contains many suggestions for further study.
This work appears as the first in a new series of "Studies and Texts"
from the Academy of the Immaculate (Libertyville, IL). The Academy is
dedicated to implementing St. Maximilian Kolbe's program of theological
renewal under the auspices of Mary Immaculate, which will lead to a "global
vision of Catholic life under a new form." A significant introduction to
the work was written by Cardinal Paul A. Mayer, O.S.B.
--Thomas A. Thompson, S.M.
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Celebrations for the Millennium
1997: Christ; 1998: "Come, Holy Spirit"; 1999: God the Father.
Totowa, New Jersey: Catholic Book Publishing Company, 1997-99
These three volumes are offered by the Central Organizing Committee for
the Great Jubliee of the Year 2000. For each of the years, materials for
liturgy and prayer services to underline the themes of the preparation
period for the millennium, as outlined in On the Coming Third
Millennium. The structure of the each book is similar: formularies for
Masses (many newly composed); texts for the General Intercession; prayers
before the Blessed Sacrament; texts for prayer vigils and the celebration
of the Word; penitential celebrations; litanies; Marian devotions. Some of
the material can be found elsewhere (e.g., the Sacramentary, the Collection
of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary); but much of the material, especially
for the prayer services and devotions, is newly composed or taken from
sources not readily available.
One feature is several new litanies, which make possible a slow rhythmic
interaction of expressions of praise and petition, and can be used as part
of a service or processional chant. The invocations of the litanies provide
many suggestions for prayer, catechesis, and illustration. In the 1997
volume, there are three new litanies referring to Christ. The 1999 volume
contains three litanies for the Blessed Virgin Mary. In addition to the
Litany of Loreto, there is the "Litany of Mary, Queen," (which appeared in
the "Order of Crowning an Image of Blessed Virgin Mary" [English
translation, 1987]). The third, "Litany of Our Lady of Hope," provides
variety in structure, with contemporary titles, illustrating Mary as
disciple and model of the Church; it speaks of Mary's identification with
the oppressed and marginalized, and describes her presence as "prayerful,
welcoming, shining, active."
The 1999 volume provides examples of Reconciliation Services based on
different themes: Lord, Our Father; the Father of Mercies; the Fountain of
Love. Suggestions for "examination of conscience" are given, one based on
the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and the other on the Beatitudes.
The Marian section, a small part of the total work, provides material not
previously accessible to most catechists and liturgy planners. Texts for
the revered hymn of the Eastern Church, the Akathist, are provided (four
major sections) together with an opening invocation, Scripture readings,
intercessions, and "workable" suggestions for their use. The texts could be
used during Advent or as a prayer service on the solemnities of Mary,
Mother of God and of the Annunciation.
The 1998 volume has an innovative Rosary service based on the mysteries
of "the Holy Spirit," i.e., the Holy Spirit's presence at the Annunciation,
Visitation, the Cross, Pentecost, and in the Hearts of the Christians. The
format consists of announcemnt of the mystery, Our Father, ten Hail Marys
(the first part only, but with the possibility of including a phrase
referring to the mystery under consideration), with the second part of the
Hail Mary recited only at the end of the Hail Marys. Twenty-six years ago,
the American bishops' Behold Your Mother urged adaptation and
experimentation with the rosary-type of prayer. However, since no examples
from any authoritative source were provided, experimentation with the
rosary was frequently misunderstood and resisted.
The use of the resources are not "time-dated," that is, limited to the
years for which they were originally intended; they will enrich liturgies
and prayer services well into the next millennium. The postconciliar period
has given great attention to the liturgical texts, but provided very little
guidance for the development of prayer services. These books provide many
texts but also patterns, which can be adapted, for vigils, reconciliation
services, Marian programs. These books should be in every sacristy and in
the offices of religious educators and liturgical planners.
--Thomas A. Thompson, S.M.
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