www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology It's all about Mary the Mother of God

Please note that Pope Benedict has used 'Mary' but also some other more traditional titles in this one beautiful sermon I was able to find:

August 15, 2007
Catholic News Agency

“The protection of Mary accompanies you throughout your life”, the Pope reminded the faithful today, before reciting the Angelus prayer on the Feast of the Assumption. The Holy Father also expressed his hope that her example may “inspire and sustain” those who follow Christ and so share in the glory of the Resurrection.

Addressing the crowd outside the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope explained that because Our Lady is now assumed into heaven, she “is not far from us, but rather remains ever closer to us, and her light is projected on our life and on the entire history of humanity.”

“Attracted by the celestial brilliance of the Mother of the Redeemer,” he said, “we resort with trust to the one on high, who watches us and protects us”.

The Feast of the Assumption, the Pope said, “reminds us that the Blessed Virgin Mary is one with her divine son and always in agreement with him”. Mother and Son, he added, are “closely associated in the struggle against the infernal enemy until there is complete victory over him”. That victory, he said, is over sin and death.

For this reason, the Pope went on, “just as the glorious resurrection of Christ was the definitive mark of this victory, so the glorification of Mary in her virginal body constitutes the final confirmation of how much she is in full solidarity with her Son in the struggle for that victory”.

The Pope then referred to Pope Pius XII’s solemn declaration of the Assumption as a formal dogma of the Church, on All Saints Day, 1950. Quoting Pope Pius’ apostolic constitution to underline the depth of theology of the dogma, he said: “The revered Mother of God, from all eternity joined in a hidden way with Jesus Christ in one and the same decree of predestination, immaculate in her conception, a most perfect virgin in her divine motherhood, the noble associate of the divine Redeemer who has won a complete triumph over sin and its consequences, finally obtained, as the supreme culmination of her privileges, that she should be preserved free from the corruption of the tomb and that, like her own Son, having overcome death, she might be taken up body and soul to the glory of heaven where, as Queen, she sits in splendor at the right hand of her Son, the immortal King of the Ages”. (Apostolic Constitution of Munificentissimus Deus, 1950)

Concluding his address, the Pope reminded the faithful that “we all need her help and comfort to confront the trials and challenges of each day”, and to be able to share one day in her same destiny, imitating, in docility, her generous service to mankind.

It is only in this manner, the Pope said, that we can “already look forward to, here on our earthly pilgrimage, the peace and joy that exists in fullness for those who arrive at the immortal destination of Paradise”.

Yes Alice this reads much different than the article about the school. Especially this part that he quotes.

Quoting Pope Pius’ apostolic constitution to underline the depth of theology of the dogma, he said: “The revered Mother of God, from all eternity joined in a hidden way with Jesus Christ in one and the same decree of predestination, immaculate in her conception, a most perfect virgin in her divine motherhood, the noble associate of the divine Redeemer who has won a complete triumph over sin and its consequences, finally obtained, as the supreme culmination of her privileges, that she should be preserved free from the corruption of the tomb and that, like her own Son, having overcome death, she might be taken up body and soul to the glory of heaven where, as Queen, she sits in splendor at the right hand of her Son, the immortal King of the Ages”. (Apostolic Constitution of Munificentissimus Deus, 1950)


I like to think of a sermon much like the stories told to us by the Gospel writters. Some of the stories vary slightly because the audience varied. Just as we tell a story differently to grade school, high school and college students. The sermons are directed toward the clergy or the laity and sometimes the youth. I would have to guess that sermon is from one of his General Audience

Addressing the crowd outside the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo

I see this is where he was speaking in 2007 so I am guessing a mixed crowd.

I also wanted to say that the LR has such a huge devotion to the blessed mother that we are constantly accused of worshiping her by our protestant brothers and sisters.

At my parish, the Mother of God is always referred to as the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady, or the Mother of God. The side chapel where daily Mass and the daily Offices are held is dedicated to her and is in fact named the Lady Chapel. A 14th c. image of her sits just outside the entrance with a hanging lamp and candle stand along with kneelers and some chairs to facilitate private prayer. You can see them in the photo section of the forum where I posted some pictures I took on Christmas Day.