8 things Vatican II says about the Blessed Virgin Mary

Katie Yoder   By Katie Yoder for CNA

 

An image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at St. Peter’s Church, Vienna, Austria. / Diana Ringo via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0 at).

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 17, 2022 / 10:00 am (CNA).

Nearly 60 years ago, Vatican II recognized several titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But it focused on one in particular: “Mother.”

On Oct. 11, the Catholic Church marked the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, more commonly known as Vatican II. While the council addressed many issues, it aimed to present the Church to the modern world. Bishops worldwide gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome for the event, which consisted of a series of four deliberative sessions from 1962 until 1965.

One of the principal documents produced by the council features a chapter centered on Mary. Lumen gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, was released by Pope Paul VI on Nov. 21, 1964.

During an address that day, the Roman pontiff confirmed Mary’s title as “Mother of the Church” and called the chapter about her Lumen gentium’s “apex.”

“For it is the first time — and to say so fills our hearts with deep emotion — that an Ecumenical Council has presented such an extensive synthesis of Catholic doctrine on the place of Mary Most Holy in the mystery of Christ and of the Church,” he said.

Here are eight things it says about Mary.

‘Truly the Mother of God’

Lumen gentium describes Mary’s intimate relationship with the three persons of the Holy Trinity.

“The Virgin Mary, who at the message of the angel received the Word of God in her heart and in her body and gave Life to the world, is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and Mother of the Redeemer,” Lumen gentium reads. “Redeemed by reason of the merits of her Son and united to Him by a close and indissoluble tie, she is endowed with the high office and dignity of being the Mother of the Son of God, by which account she is also the beloved daughter of the Father and the temple of the Holy Spirit.”

Mother of the Church

The document emphasizes that while Mary surpasses all creatures in heaven and on earth, she is, at the same time, “one with all those who are to be saved.”

“The Catholic Church, taught by the Holy Spirit, honors her with filial affection and piety as a most beloved mother,” the document reads.

Participant in the ‘Economy of Salvation’

Mary plays an important role in humanity’s salvation, Vatican II affirmed.

“With her the exalted Daughter of Sion, and after a long expectation of the promise, the times are fulfilled and the new Economy established, when the Son of God took a human nature from her, that He might in the mysteries of His flesh free man from sin,” Lumen gentium says.

The new Eve

The document contrasted Mary’s obedience to Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden.

“The Father of mercies willed that the incarnation should be preceded by the acceptance of her who was predestined to be the mother of His Son, so that just as a woman contributed to death, so also a woman should contribute to life,” the document stresses.

‘Handmaid of the Lord’

Mary’s “yes” to being the mother of God made her an active participant, the council pointed out.

“Embracing God’s salvific will with a full heart and impeded by no sin, she devoted herself totally as a handmaid of the Lord to the person and work of her Son, under Him and with Him, by the grace of almighty God, serving the mystery of redemption,” the dogmatic constitution reads. “Rightly therefore the holy Fathers see her as used by God not merely in a passive way, but as freely cooperating in the work of human salvation through faith and obedience.”

‘Queen of the universe’

The document also recognizes Mary as queen.

“Finally, the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all guilt of original sin, on the completion of her earthly sojourn, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and the conqueror of sin and death,” the document declares.

‘Model of virtues’

Mary is, as the document calls her, the “model of virtues.”

“Piously meditating on her and contemplating her in the light of the Word made man, the Church with reverence enters more intimately into the great mystery of the Incarnation and becomes more and more like her Spouse,” it reads. “For Mary, who since her entry into salvation history unites in herself and re-echoes the greatest teachings of the faith as she is proclaimed and venerated, calls the faithful to her Son and His sacrifice and to the love of the Father.”

‘Sign of hope and solace’

Mary, the document concludes, will “shine forth on earth, until the day of the Lord shall come, as a sign of sure hope and solace to the people of God during its sojourn on earth.”

She constantly intercedes for humanity, it adds.

“The entire body of the faithful pours forth instant supplications to the Mother of God and Mother of men that she, who aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers, may now, exalted as she is above all the angels and saints, intercede before her Son in the fellowship of all the saints,” the document states, “until all families of people, whether they are honored with the title of Christian or whether they still do not know the Saviour, may be happily gathered together in peace and harmony into one people of God, for the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity.”


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16 Comments

  1. Delightfully, especially in hindsight, the Protestant observers at the Second Vatican Council were dismayed at the attention given to Mary in Lumen Gentium, the last of the 16 key documents to be approved. And prelates who hoped for a separate document were actually incorrect to be disappointed.

    Said one guest observer from the now post-Protestant world, Professor Oscar Cullmann:

    “…The fact that the text on Mary, after so much discussion as to where it should be placed, should finally become the concluding chapter of the schema on the Church–a decision which was in fact intended to weaken Mariology–has in reality made it even stronger, because everything stated about the Church culminates, so to speak, in this chapter” (cited in Wiltgen, “The Rhine Flows into the Tiber,” 1967, p. 158).

    A far cry, this, from the later culmination of the Synod on Youth (2018) with a curiously attached open door to what has become a synodal plebiscite intent on overturning the Catechism and natural law, both, on matters of sexual morality and much else.

    Mary wept at Golgotha.

    But, not to worry, we find in another CWR column reporting from the luminary Cardinal Hollerich (https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2022/10/18/cardinal-hollerich-without-vatican-ii-the-church-today-would-be-a-small-sect/), that such recent synodal antics are the up-sizing fruit of Vatican II. I could agree that the Church might now have become less fashionable, as he opines—even as the number of weekly Mass attenders has tanked to less than 10 percent. Smart observer, this company-man red-hat, Hollerich!

    So, what we have now is a worldwide facsimile of big-sect (!) global Secular Humanism…One is reminded of how a cancer tumor assumes the shape of the organ it replaces.

    • Our common ancestors lost their place and instead died! They made the mistake of not heeding God. Rather, Adam and Eve listened to a lie from a created being! They passed that little gift onto all mankind.

      If our prayers go to the deceased, what efficacy do they have? Does it honour our Creator through veneration of other beings that he created, how does that celebrate the Lord Jesus?

      Jesus invites us to come directly and boldly to the throne of grace, yes the source of life, the redeemer of our souls and the giver of eternal life.

      Yet, to be balanced, where do we find your momentous hypothesis? Will someone say, “well it was what I was always taught” however, consider how Papa is regarded today and what accolades are given to his encyclicals!

      Where do we find evidence for this consequential pronouncement in Holy Scripture? Perhaps you can find something that will validate a well held opinion!

      Revelation 5:13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!”

      1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

      Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

      1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

      Matthew 6:9-13 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

      Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

      God bless you in the love and service of Christ.

      • “If our prayers go to the deceased, what efficacy do they have? Does it honour our Creator through veneration of other beings that he created, how does that celebrate the Lord Jesus? [and] Where do we find evidence for this consequential pronouncement in Holy Scripture?”

        The earliest Scriptural reference to prayers for the dead is the second book of Macabees (II Maccabees 12:39-45) which, of course, is deleted from the Protestant bibles beginning in the 16th century. St. Paul offers a prayer for a man who has died (II Timothy 1:18).

        Within Tradition (which some reject, of course), the catacombs give evidence that the Roman Christian community gathered there to pray for those buried. By the 4th Century (still more than a millennium before the Reformation was a twinkle in anyone’s eye) Christian literature carries forward prayers for the dead.

        And, then, “veneration” (your term) is not worship. And, then, there’s the doctrine of the Communion of Saints, not entirely farfetched since it is Christ himself who shows us that the “deceased” are not really dead after all. Instead, eternal life, and gifted communion together even now, both the living here and the fully living in eternity, but, of course, tolerant Protestant individualism can’t tolerate any of that either.

  2. Mary, the Mother of Jesus was an ideal homemaker. She continues to inspire homemakers even in these ultra modern times. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – Pray for us.

  3. Dear Peter:

    What a lot to ponder, indeed, you are not a man to eschew ideas and critical deliberation. Instead of addressing all your points, lets look a few!

    In my case, after-effects of covid have impaired concentration and been replaced with lingering fatigue! At any rate, here is it goes.

    Over the past decade and longer, there has been some first rate hermeneutics and exegetics from Catholic writers. The pursuit has been authenticity and enlightenment. “Macabees” which you quote is no longer considered inspired by biblical scholars and is not in the canon of Holy Scripture (in the Revised Vulgate).

    Didn’t the Christians hide in the catacombs to escape Roman persecution? We don’t find “catacombs” in the Bible, so your point may be a moot one.

    2 Timothy 15-18
    15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

    Putting the verse you quoted, in its context enables a fuller appreciation of what is being declared.

    The communion of the saints is a very fulsome topic and with respect, perhaps we could address it another time. There is merit in what you say, yet, a topic for the future!

    1 Thessalonians 5:21 But test everything; hold fast what is good.

    God bless you and thank you for your patience.

    Brian

    • Three points of response:

      FIRST, not sure, at this end, what weight to give (if any) to what you refer to as “the Revised Vulgate.” Whose revision?

      Some would be reminded of the very early heresy of Marcionism which rejected any connection to the Old Testament, or even the Incarnation, and of the Gospels accepted only Luke, because he was a converted Gentile and not Jewish.

      SECOND, on your point that the catacombs are not mentioned in the bible, the better observation is that there are no bibles found in the catacombs which, certainly, exist.

      Instead, oral proclamation (part of the living “tradition” even prior to the written letters of Paul, etc., and prior to the compilation of the canon a few years after Christianity was legalized (312 A.D.) and then made the religion of the Empire (381 A.D.)
      Of possible interest is “Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony” (2006), by Richard Bauckham, an Anglican (not ordained) scholar formerly at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and since retirement in 2007 at Cambridge. Bauckham keys off the only history of the early Church (Eusebius’ “Ecclesiastical History”, 312-324 A.D.), and especially the material supplied by Papias, bishop of Hierapolis near Laodicea and Colossae, who wrote sometime near the beginning of the second century. Papias belonged to the third Christian generation, which was still in touch with the first generation, the generation of the apostles.

      THIRD, on your invitation regarding the “communion of saints,” what is probably needed is a capable article in CWR. I am not the one. But, for starters, here are some words from Ratzinger (2002), later Pope Benedict, on the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium):

      “The Council’s text proceeds from baptism to the Eucharist, in which Christ gives us his Body and, thus, makes us into his body. This Body and the Body are one, and thus the Eucharist, again, is for each local Church the point at which people are drawn into the one Christ, this is the process of all communicants becoming one in that universal communion [assembled by the Eucharist, not the other way around as under sola Scriptura congregationalism] which binds together heaven and earth; the living and the dead; past, present; and future; and opens up toward eternity…” (“Pilgrim Fellowship of Faith: The Church as Communion,” Ignatius, 2005).

      • Dear Peter:

        Is our goal not to honour Jesus Christ and to bring enlightenment to our fellow sojourner? Is CWR not a place where we can lift people up with the word of God? Here we have the opportunity to bless someone thru God’s word and His precepts.

        Yet, if our discussions focus on philosophy, or the existential or lesser topics that may not exalt God, are we truly taking advantage of this forum to extol God and the saviour of mankind who is Jesus Christ?

        The fallen nature of man is to seek disputations. If we bow the knee to Christ and try to serve our fellow man, have we chosen the better course? What you are presenting is not unimportant, however as servants of Christ, matching wits may not be the best way?

        1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

        Luke 21:14-15 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

        1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

        1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

        Hebrews 12:9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?

        God bless you,

        Brian

        • CWR, a month ago, published its mission:

          “Catholic World Report…examines the news from a faithfully Catholic perspective….

          CWR provides full coverage of the news and events affecting the Church around the world, offering in-depth analysis while exploring issues the mainstream media avoids. It features exclusive interviews, covers a host of relevant topics, and offers an unwavering commitment to the truth in light of the Gospel.

          As a nonprofit, CWR is able to bring the wisdom of the Church to bear on the news thanks to donations from readers like you….”

          It bears reiterating that CWR aims to bring the “wisdom of the Church [read “Catholic”] to bear on the news….” CWR”…examines the news from a faithfully Catholic perspective.”

          St. JPII’s “Fides et Ratio” examines the relationship between faith and reason (philosophy). The encyclical supports and defends traditional Christian philosophy, with the premise that faith and reason together allow people to know and love God.

          You may want to check it out.

          In Christ,

          • “the premise that faith and reason together allow people to know and love God.” indeed well said. Are reason and faith co-joined in the following verses?

            1 Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

            Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

            Hebrews 6:18-19 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

            Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

            Colossians 1:5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,

            Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

            Catholics who love the Lord give answers to your points in their replies to various articles. May they be a continued source of blessing as the Lord blesses them.

        • Young says: “The fallen nature of man is to seek disputations.”

          Jesus Christ says: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” (Matthew 10:34-36)

          In Christ,
          May the cherries you pick be in season.

          • Thank you for the bowl of cherries and the heavy cream was a nice touch too!

            There are those who fight against the Gospel of Jesus Christ, indeed within families. Jesus advises us so we are not surprised. Dis agreements are part of life and controversy regarding Jesus brings forth animosity in varying degrees, both in families and the world at large.

            Are we on the Lord’s side? Does fear limit our testimony or do we go forward in His strength proclaiming His salvation to family and the world?

            Jesus’s mother and family though He had lost His mind on one occasion and they came to rescue Him. Family ties are important and to be nurtured, however our duty is to proclaim Christ crucified.

            Remember, “The bear has forty stories and they’re all about pears”.

            God bless you.

      • Brother Brian, my comments hardly fit the caricature “Yet, if our discussions focus on philosophy, or the existential or lesser topics…” Perhaps I fail by being too direct. Yes?

        But my response fits your excellent citation from Peter (“…always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a REASON for the hope that is in you…”) and perhaps serves as support, rather than opposition, for your inspiring commitment to Scripture…

        My comments

        (1) give a REASONable opportunity to show readers what is meant by a “Revised Vulgate,” or not;
        (2) REASONably underline proclamation of the word, whether written–or as oral testimony from person to person (Bauckham is dense, but a readers’ delight in validating Scripture against the claim of altered memory or editorial tinkering); and
        (3) REASONably offer one account of the communion of saints, as you actually invited, and which is also an element of the Nicene Creed dating from the 4th century, proclaimed by both Catholics and Protestants. (And coming from “the word of God,” wasn’t it Christ who said “DO this in remembrance of me”?)

        Perhaps mine is a partial, but specific response to Peter who advises us to give a “reason” for the hope that is in us. Advice to not be caught flat-footed in dialogue with non-believers, a dialogue which you correctly add, thank you (!), also should be done with “gentleness and respect.”

        REASON, in addition to, and supporting Scripture itself.

        • Dear Peter:

          No you don’t fail. With Christ at our side, we are more than conquers! Perhaps your focus is to delve into the enigmatic aspects of life and faith, offering perspective to the person who shares your frame of mind!

          Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

          Ephesians 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

          2 Corinthians 6:2 For he says, “In a favourable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

          God bless you as He uses your talents to bless others.

          Brian

  4. In the Catholic faith the Books of the Maccabees are deutero-canonical. Only Jews and Protestants consider them apocryphal.

    Brian Young you allow that only some points can be considered at a time; however you are in different comment boxes with alternating separated points, impossible to follow.

    Catacombs is part of historical reality. Praying for the dead is part of Catholic doctrine and daily Christian life from before the Catacombs and irrespective of the Catacombs.

    One of the attractions for the Romans to the Christian faith, I believe, was praying for the dead. This practice fulfilled for them their devotion to ancestors and made sense of what they were intuiting.

    One of the tragedies of the addition of the Protestant rebellions over the centuries since Henry VIII and Luther, is the contorting of the ordinary meanings of things; and even for this there is an eschatological penalty to be paid.

    You can’t be fumbling through such extremely serious matter to suit your fancy.

    • Dear Elias:

      Allow me first, to apologize to you. On a different article, my last post to you was unkind, please forgive me!

      Though I may be unclear at times, God is clear and loves humanity. Ignore what I say and instead consider what God says.

      Yours in Christ,

      Brian

      • Brian Young, it wasn’t unkindness I noticed, no need to apologize to me for that. What came to my attention, from my viewpoint, was the inaccuracy and overreaction. Yes, thank God whatever the case is, we owe goodness to God and our dependence.

        I am not going to develop now, in the other article, nor here either, what I would have elaborated, as groundwork for that is not laid. But look out because someone else might take up the baton and carry it forward where it is supposed to go!

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