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)
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Mother of the Church J. Ulmer, Argentina |
Marian Magisterial Documents
Documents are listed by date of publication
| Recently published |
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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.
[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]
Vatican II: Lumen Gentium: 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: 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: 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: Mary Page]
Pope
Paul VI: General Audience of October 8, 1969
"What
does the Church need today?........"
Sacred Congregation for the Clergy
Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Paul VI promulgated on February 2, 1974.
A Pastoral Letter on the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines,
Manila, February 2, 1975
Letter of Pope Paul VI to Cardinal Léon Josef Suenens on the Occasion of the
International Marian Congress
Oral Intervention by John Joseph Cardinal Carberry, Archbishop of St. Louis
National Catechetical Directory for Catholics of the United States
Pope John Paul II
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
Encyclical of Pope John Paul II promulgated on March 25, 1987.
Letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship
[Internet source: Mary Page]
Directorium Catechisticum Generale: General Catechetical Directory
Ad normam decreti ( April 11, 1971)
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
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: New Advent]
ANG MAHAL NA BIRHEN / Mary in Philippine Life Today
[Internet source: Mary Page]
May 13, 1975
[Internet source: Mary Page]
The Role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Catechetics
Synod of Bishops on Catechesis - 1977
[Internet source: Mary Page]
Sharing the Light of Faith
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
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
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
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
Rome, April 3, 1987
[Contains abundant practical applications of marian devotion for
parishes.]
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Mary Page]
Pope John Paul II
Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 1988: Mary in the Life of the Priests
Rome, March 25, 1988
[Brief
summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Letter from the Congregation for Catholic Education
The Virgin Mary in Intellectual and Spiritual Formation
Rome, 25 March 1988
[Brief summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Mary Page]
Apostolic Letter of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II , August 15, 1988
Mulieris Dignitatem: On the Dignity and Vocation of Women on the Occasion of the Marian
Year
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Address of Pope John Paul II at Turin, September 4,1988
Address to Women Religious
"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
Redemptoris Custos
August 15, 1989
[Brief summary
of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
National Council of Catholic Bishops
Guidelines on Doctrine for Catechetical Materials
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]
United States Catholic Conference
Catechism of the Catholic Church
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 the Catechism 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
Women: Teachers of Peace
[Internet source: EWTN]
This material is summarized in single paragraphs on the Vatican website.
The following are links to full texts, which include the L'Osservatore Romano (English)
references.
Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in Africa and its Evangelizing Mission Towards the Year
2000
United States Catholic Conference, April 5, 1996
Message of Pope John Paul II to 19th International Marian Congress, Czestochowa, Poland
August 15, 1996
Apostolic Exhortation on The Encounter With The Living Jesus Christ:
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)
A papal meditation on the role of Mary during the 'end times'
Apostolic Exhortation on Jesus Christ and the Peoples of Oceania:
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
Apostolic Letter issued by Pope John Paul II on October 16, 2002
Message issued by Pope John Paul II on January 12, 2003 Encyclical Letter by Pope John Paul on the "Eucharist in its relationship to the church."
Apostolic Exhortation on Jesus Christ Alive in His Church, the Source of Hope for Europe
This page, maintained by The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute,
Dayton, Ohio 45469-1390, and created by M. Jean Frisk was last modified
Monday, 04/07/2008 09:35:46 EDT by Victor Pennekamp. Please send any comments to
Johann.Roten@udayton.edu. URL for this page is http://www.udayton.edu/mary/vmisform.html
Seventy General Audiences of Pope John Paul II on the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 6, 1996 - November 12, 1997
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.
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]
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]
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
[Internet source: EWTN Documents Library]
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]
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
[Internet source: ZENIT]
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
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]
[Brief
summary of content and purpose]
[Internet source: Vatican]
Message For World Mission Sunday, October 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
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]
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]