Sunday, January 14, 2007
Proclamation of the Fifth Marian Dogma
The following is an extract of a letter I sent recently to H.H. Pope Benedict XVI. (See: Mother of All Peoples)
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI
Supreme Pontiff
The Roman Catholic Church
Apostolic Palace
The Roman Catholic Church
Apostolic Palace
00120 Vatican City State
Europe
Proclamation of the Fifth Marian Dogma
Your Holiness:
In a spirit of filial love and obedience, we, as members of the People of God, wish to humbly bring before you our petition and prayer for the solemn papal definition of the revealed role of Mary most holy as the Spiritual Mother of all peoples under its three principal aspects as Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces, and Advocate.
We firmly believe, Holy Father, that the solemn papal declaration of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Spiritual Mother of all humanity in her roles which God has given her as Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces, and Advocate will bring great graces to the Church and the world by an explicit solemn recognition of her maternal role on the part of the Church, and thus allowing her to exercise fully the motherly gift which Jesus Christ gave to humanity from the cross: “Woman, behold, your son!… Behold, your mother!" (Saint John. 19:26-27). We believe that this dogmatic proclamation will also further the authentic ecumenical mission of the Church by proclaiming the revealed truth about Mary, who collaborated in an altogether unique way in the work of our redemption in a manner that was completely subordinate to and dependent upon Jesus Christ, the one divine Redeemer of the human race.
In view of the many serious crises presently facing the entire human family, including war, terrorism, moral decline, and natural disaster, we humbly request that you solemnly declare the dogma of Mary as the Spiritual Mother all peoples, specifying that she is the Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces, and Advocate, and thus to provide for the full actuality of her motherly roles of intercession for humanity, which we believe will effect a profound historic and continuing grace for the Church and for the world.
Your Holiness, we now make a solemn declaration of fidelity to you; we firmly believe that you are the Vicar of Christ. Please be assured of our constant prayers for your intentions.
Labels: Holy Father, Mary
Comments:
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Aside from the topic as a whole, is it a good idea to try and influence doctrine by public opinion?
I'm not trying to be rude, or put this down or anything, as I have not really developed an opinion on this topic, but would sending letters to the Pope be comparable to say the US media badgering the church about contraception or abortion, in an attempt to have church doctrine changed?
I'm not trying to be rude, or put this down or anything, as I have not really developed an opinion on this topic, but would sending letters to the Pope be comparable to say the US media badgering the church about contraception or abortion, in an attempt to have church doctrine changed?
# posted by 
: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 3:40:00 AM
: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 3:40:00 AM
Surely an internal letter expressing one's intentions cannot be compared to media badgering...
I use internal because as R. Catholics we are all members of one body. As such we free to express our views and thoughts. At the end of the day, we have to be obedient to the 'last say' from the magsiterium. Note that the media isn't bound to be obedient.
I use internal because as R. Catholics we are all members of one body. As such we free to express our views and thoughts. At the end of the day, we have to be obedient to the 'last say' from the magsiterium. Note that the media isn't bound to be obedient.
I see your point. Sorry if it sounded harsh, I just thought that any form of "lobbying", especially for dogma or doctrine, seems counter to the structure of the church.
BTW, can you explain how declaring Mary as Co-redemptrix would change Marian theology? I really don't know much about this topic and would appreciate any thoughts you could share on this.
1. Would this make Mary "equal" to Jesus? My first thought would be no, since she is not a part of the trinity.
2. Would we now "worship" Mary, as Protestants already claim we do?
3. I guess the easiest way to sum it up, would be would we go from saying something like:
A: "Our Lady of Fatima"
R: "Pray for us"
to
A: "Our Lady of Fatima"
R: "Have Mercy on us"
I'm not really sure how else to state it. Thanks for any input you may have.
BTW, can you explain how declaring Mary as Co-redemptrix would change Marian theology? I really don't know much about this topic and would appreciate any thoughts you could share on this.
1. Would this make Mary "equal" to Jesus? My first thought would be no, since she is not a part of the trinity.
2. Would we now "worship" Mary, as Protestants already claim we do?
3. I guess the easiest way to sum it up, would be would we go from saying something like:
A: "Our Lady of Fatima"
R: "Pray for us"
to
A: "Our Lady of Fatima"
R: "Have Mercy on us"
I'm not really sure how else to state it. Thanks for any input you may have.
# posted by : Thursday, January 18, 2007 2:04:00 AM
: Thursday, January 18, 2007 2:04:00 AM
Travis,
We are fortunate to belong to the Catholic Church, a Church which gives due recognition to Mary the Mother of Jesus, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and the Chosen One of God. Amongst all Christians, we are the only Church who Dare claim and proclaim that Mary is the Mother of God and the Mother of Jesus and by the same fact our Mother too.
You rightly pointed out that there are Prots who criticize our stand on the Blessed Mother. Devotion to Mary is an experience... an experience of her in our lives and families.
Look at the Litany of Loreto (Litany of the Blessed V. Mary), our lady has so many different titles. Has she overshadowed her Divine Son? I don't think so. For all True- Church sanctioned- devotions to Mary always lead us to Christ.
To understand the title, 'co-redemptrix' we need to understand the traditional teaching about Christ: He is that the Word, the second Person of the Trinity, who became incarnate from the first moment of His conception in Mary's womb. Since the woman who conceives and gives birth to a person is that person's mother, Mary is truly the mother of God because the Son of God took His human flesh from her. We cannot call our own mothers just "the mothers of our bodies", even though our souls are directly created by God. Similarly, we cannot say that Mary is only the mother of Christ's humanity, even though she did not beget His divinity. Although the divine nature of Christ's is eternally begotten by the heavenly Father, by the incarnation He was conceived and born of Mary. She is, therefore, truly the MOTHER OF GOD.
Likewise, since Jesus is our Redeemer, Mary has to be the co-redeemer. For without her Fiat- her Generous and decisive "YES" to God's call to her to become the Mother of His Only Son.- we wouldn't have a redeemer.
Also, H.H. Pope Paul VI in his document entitled Marialis Cultus defines the role of Mary in the Church today and in the life of the people of God. He says that "any devotion to Mary which does not lead to Jesus is false. For Mary is the best means to go to Jesus." This reaffirms Mary's role as 'co-redemptrix'. She plays an important role in the salvation process by her gentle intercession compassion.
Many converts in S'pore come from, the Church of St. Alphonsus a.k.a. Novena Church. Many of them testify that it was through Mary that they found faith and redemption in Jesus.
For her assistance in the redemption process of the peoples, she deserves the title of co-redemptrix. I believe that the Catholic Church will see a tremendous growth when Our Blessed Mother is given this title and placed as patron for the co-redemtion of souls.
Nothing theological here... I hope it helps. God bless.
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We are fortunate to belong to the Catholic Church, a Church which gives due recognition to Mary the Mother of Jesus, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and the Chosen One of God. Amongst all Christians, we are the only Church who Dare claim and proclaim that Mary is the Mother of God and the Mother of Jesus and by the same fact our Mother too.
You rightly pointed out that there are Prots who criticize our stand on the Blessed Mother. Devotion to Mary is an experience... an experience of her in our lives and families.
Look at the Litany of Loreto (Litany of the Blessed V. Mary), our lady has so many different titles. Has she overshadowed her Divine Son? I don't think so. For all True- Church sanctioned- devotions to Mary always lead us to Christ.
To understand the title, 'co-redemptrix' we need to understand the traditional teaching about Christ: He is that the Word, the second Person of the Trinity, who became incarnate from the first moment of His conception in Mary's womb. Since the woman who conceives and gives birth to a person is that person's mother, Mary is truly the mother of God because the Son of God took His human flesh from her. We cannot call our own mothers just "the mothers of our bodies", even though our souls are directly created by God. Similarly, we cannot say that Mary is only the mother of Christ's humanity, even though she did not beget His divinity. Although the divine nature of Christ's is eternally begotten by the heavenly Father, by the incarnation He was conceived and born of Mary. She is, therefore, truly the MOTHER OF GOD.
Likewise, since Jesus is our Redeemer, Mary has to be the co-redeemer. For without her Fiat- her Generous and decisive "YES" to God's call to her to become the Mother of His Only Son.- we wouldn't have a redeemer.
Also, H.H. Pope Paul VI in his document entitled Marialis Cultus defines the role of Mary in the Church today and in the life of the people of God. He says that "any devotion to Mary which does not lead to Jesus is false. For Mary is the best means to go to Jesus." This reaffirms Mary's role as 'co-redemptrix'. She plays an important role in the salvation process by her gentle intercession compassion.
Many converts in S'pore come from, the Church of St. Alphonsus a.k.a. Novena Church. Many of them testify that it was through Mary that they found faith and redemption in Jesus.
For her assistance in the redemption process of the peoples, she deserves the title of co-redemptrix. I believe that the Catholic Church will see a tremendous growth when Our Blessed Mother is given this title and placed as patron for the co-redemtion of souls.
Nothing theological here... I hope it helps. God bless.
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