| Pope Paul VI |
Night Office Readings
Mary
and Ecumenism
- 32.
Because of its ecclesial character, devotion to the Blessed Virgin reflects the
preoccupations of the Church herself. Among these especially in our day is her
anxiety for the re-establishment of Christian unity. In this way devotion to
the Mother of the Lord is in accord with the deep desires and aims of the
ecumenical movement, that is, it acquires an ecumenical aspect. This is so for
a number of reasons.
- In the first place, in venerating with particular love the
glorious Theotokos and in acclaiming her as the 'Hope of Christians,"(94)
Catholics unite themselves with their brethren of the Orthodox Churches, in
which devotion to the Blessed Virgin finds its expression in a beautiful
lyricism and in solid doctrine. Catholics are also united with Anglicans, whose
classical theologians have already drawn attention to the sound scriptural
basis for devotion to the Mother of our Lord, while those of the present day
increasingly underline the importance of Mary's place in the Christian life.
Praising God with the very words of the Virgin (cf. Lk. 1:46-55), they are
united, too, with their brethren in the Churches of the Reform, where love for
the Sacred Scriptures flourishes.
- For Catholics, devotion to the Mother of Christ and Mother of
Christians is also a natural and frequent opportunity for seeking her
intercession with her Son in order to obtain the union of all the baptized
within a single People of God.(95) Yet again, the ecumenical aspect of Marian
devotion is shown in the Catholic Church's desire that, without in any way
detracting from the unique character of this devotion,(96) every care should be
taken to avoid any exaggeration which could mislead other Christian brethren
about the true doctrine of the Catholic Church.(97) Similarly, the Church
desires that any manifestation of cult which is opposed to correct Catholic
practice should be eliminated.
- Finally, since it is natural that in true devotion to the Blessed
Virgin "the Son should be duly known, loved and glorified...when the
Mother is honored,"(98) such devotion is an approach to Christ, the source
and center of ecclesiastical communion, in which all who openly confess that He
is God and Lord, Savior and sole Mediator (cf. 1 Tm. 2:5) are called to be one,
with one another, with Christ and with the Father in the unity of the Holy
Spirit.(99)
- 33. We realize that there exist important differences between the thought of many of our brethren in other Churches and ecclesial communities and the Catholic doctrine on "Mary's role in the work of salvation."(100) In consequence there are likewise differences of opinion on the devotion which should be shown to her. Nevertheless, since it is the same power of the Most High which overshadowed the Virgin of Nazareth (cf Lk. 1:35) and which today is at work within the ecumenical movement and making it fruitful, we wish to express our confidence that devotion to the humble handmaid of the Lord, in Whom the Almighty has done great things (cf. Lk. 1:49), will become, even if only slowly, not an obstacle but a path and a rallying point for the union of all who believe in Christ. We are glad to see that, in fact, a better understanding of Mary's place in the mystery of Christ and of the Church on the part also of our separated brethren is smoothing the path to union. Just as at Cana the Blessed Virgin's intervention resulted in Christ's performing His first miracle (cf. Jn. 2:1-12), so today her intercession can help to bring to realization the time when the disciples of Christ will again find full communion in faith. This hope of ours is strengthened by a remark of our predecessor Leo XIII, who wrote that the cause of Christian unity "properly pertains to the role of Mary's spiritual motherhood. For Mary did not and cannot engender those who belong to Christ, except in one faith and one love: for 'Is Christ divided?' (1 Cor. 1:13) We must all live together the life of Christ, so that in one and the same body 'we may bear fruit for God' (Rom. 7:4)."(101)
... MARIALIS
CULTUS. ... Missal restored by Decree of the Sacred
Ecumenical II
Vatican Council, promulgated by authority of Pope Paul VI typical edition ... www.vatican.va/.../paul_vi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19740202_marialis-cultus_en.html - 123k - 2004-12-14 - Cached |
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