Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 1988

Brief History
Outline
Link to Complete Document
Source

Brief History

Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 1988 was published in connection with the Marian Year proclaimed by Pope John Paul II in 1987/88. The Marian Year was to be a time for priests to gather with Mary in the Upper Room and there to celebrate the eucharist in persona Christi in the light of the whole mystery of the Incarnation. The priest is to recall that Mary "was present on Calvary, at the foot of the cross." "When, acting in persona Christi, we celebrate the sacrament of the one same sacrifice of which Christ is and remains the only priest and victim, we must not forget this suffering of his Mother..." [# 2] Like John who took the suffering Mary to his own home, the priest is to imitate this pilgrimage of faith and "strive to be close to that Mother in whose heart is inscribed...the mystery of the world's redemption." [# 3] Echoing Lumen Gentium from Vatican II, the document describes Mary as a 'type' of the Church, the Church who is herself spouse of the Lord and a mother. [# 4] The "Church's motherhood, founded on the example of the Mother of God, may become more and more a part of our priestly consciousness. If each of us lives the equivalent of this spiritual motherhood in a manly way, name, as a 'spiritual fatherhood,', then Mary, as a 'figure' of the Church, has a part to play in this experience of ours." [# 4] The Holy Father asks priests to "discover in a new way the question of the dignity and vocation of women both in the Church and in today's world." [# 5] Taking Mary into the interior home of the priesthood is to lead to that understanding through her maternal love which cooperates in the mystery of the Upper Room. Mary knows of the friendship that is to exist between the priest and Christ. The Mother of God, who...cooperates, with a mother's love, in the rebirth and the training of all those who become brothers of her Son-who become his friends-will do everything in hr power so that they may not betray this holy friendship. So that they may be worthy of it. [# 6]

Outline

The letter is divided into eight sections 1. Gathered at the altar in the Upper Room In persona Christi Keep alive in mind and heart the whole mystery of the Incarnation The Father's will Recall the reality of the Incarnation as it relates to the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood 2. Mary's presence on Calvary Divine plan: maternal heart united to his sacrifice Lovingly consenting to the immolation Do not forget the suffering of his Mother It is the high point of Mary's presence in the mystery of Christ and of the Church on earth 3. Behold, your mother! (Jn 19:26-27) John "took her to his own home" He made his own all that was within her on Golgotha John represents every man and woman for whom the motherhood of the Mother of God is spiritually extended Strive to be close to that Mother in whose heart is inscribed the mystery of redemption 4. Mary is a 'type' of the Church Mary as exemplar of the Church as mother and virgin The teaching of the Council on Mary in the mystery of Christ and the Church The Church's motherhood Spiritual motherhood understood in a manly way as a spiritual fatherhood Apostolic maturity and spiritual fruitfulness 5. Mary, the Virgin Mother - the Church is virgin She guards whole and pure the faith given to the Spouse Christ is the Spouse of the Church Priestly vocation to celibacy Priestly choice of celibacy should be placed within her heart Proper relationship with women The dignity and vocation of women Church's mission taken up in different ways by men and by women 6. Take Mary as Mother into the interior "home" of the priesthood Mary cooperates with maternal love in the rebirth and development of the faithful In consideration of the Upper Room priests have a special right to this love Friendship with and in Christ Mary knows that the priest feels unworthy of Christ's friendship Mary will do everything in her power so that priests do not betray this friendship 7. Mary, the woman clothed with the sun on the eschatological horizon of the Church and world Takes part in the spiritual battle for the victory of good over evil Man has lost the awareness of being the priest of the whole visible world. Turning the latter exclusively towards himself The Son of the woman is the Redeemer of the world Christ's sacrifice means a new orientation of man's spiritual history toward God The priesthood enables the priest to share in this essential transformation of man's spiritual history As pastors share in Mary's pilgrimage of faith 8. Give thanks for the Sacrament of the Priesthood Give thanks to Mary for the gift of the priesthood whereby the priest is able to serve in the Church every human being The Magnificat and the cross Give thanks together with Mary, the Mother of priests

Link to complete document

This document is found on the Vatican site at: Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 1988 Note: To locate a specific quote once you have reached the document, use ctrl+f to search.

Source

AAS 79 (1987): 361-433; St Paul Editions, 1987 Vatican Translation

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