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Immaculate: the dogmatic definition of the privilege

Blessed John Paul II's Catechesis
General Audience, Wednesday, 12 June 1996 - in Italian & Spanish

"1. The conviction that Mary was preserved from every stain of sin from her conception, so that she is to be called all holy, down the centuries progressively gained ground in the liturgy and theology. At the start of the 19th century, this development led to a petition drive for a dogmatic definition of the privilege of the Immaculate Conception.

With the intention of accepting this request, a
round the middle of that century, Pope Pius IX, after consulting the theologians, questioned the Bishops about the opportuneness and the possibility of such a definition, convoking as it were a "council in writing". The result was significant: the vast majority of the 604 Bishops gave a positive response to the question.

After such an extensive consultation, which emphasized my venerable Predecessor's concern to express the Church's faith in the definition of the dogma, he set about preparing the document with equal care.

The special commission of theologians set up by Pius IX to determine the revealed doctrine assigned the essential role to ecclesial practice. And this criterion influenced the formulation of the dogma, which preferred expressions taken from the Church's lived experience, from the faith and worship of the Christian people, to scholastic definitions.

Finally in 1854, with the Bull Ineffabilis, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception: "... We declare, pronounce and define that the doctrine which asserts that the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, was preserved free from every stain of original sin is a doctrine revealed by God and, for this reason, must be firmly and constantly believed by all the faithful" (DS 2803).

2. The proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception expresses the essential datum of faith. Pope Alexander VII, in the Bull Sollicitudo of 1661, spoke of the preservation of Mary's soul "in its creation and infusion into the body" (DS 2017). Pius IX's definition, however, prescinds from all explanations about how the soul is infused into the body and attributes to the person of Mary, at the first moment of her conception, the fact of her being preserved from every stain of original sin.

The immunity "from every stain of original sin" entails as a positive consequence the total freedom from all sin as well as the proclamation of Mary's perfect holiness, a doctrine to which the dogmatic definition makes a fundamental contribution. In fact, the negative formulation of the Marian privilege, which resulted from the earlier controversies about original sin that arose in the West, must always be complemented by the positive expression of Mary's holiness more explicitly stressed in the Eastern tradition.

Pius IX's definition refers only to the freedom from original sin and does not explicitly include the freedom from concupiscence. Nevertheless, Mary's complete preservation from every stain of sin also has as a consequence her freedom from concupiscence, a disordered tendency which, according to the Council of Trent, comes from sin and inclines to sin (DS 1515).

3. Granted "by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God", this preservation from original sin is an absolutely gratuitous divine favour, which Mary received at the first moment of her existence.

The dogmatic definition does not say that this singular privilege is unique, but lets that be intuited. The affirmation of this uniqueness, however, is explicitly stated in the Encyclical Fulgens corona of 1953, where Pope Pius XII speaks of "the very singular privilege which was never granted to another person" (AAS 45 [1953], 580), thus excluding the possibility, maintained by some but without foundation, of attributing this privilege also to St Joseph.

The Virgin Mother received the singular grace of being immaculately conceived "in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race", that is, of his universal redeeming action.

The text of the dogmatic definition does not expressly declare that Mary was redeemed, but the same Bull Ineffabilis states elsewhere that "she was redeemed in the most sublime way". This is the extraordinary truth: Christ was the redeemer of his Mother and carried out his redemptive action in her "in the most perfect way" (Fulgens corona, AAS 45 [1953], 581), from the first moment of her existence. The Second Vatican Council proclaimed that the Church "admires and exalts in Mary the most excellent fruit of the Redemption" (Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 103).

4. This solemnly proclaimed doctrine is expressly termed a "doctrine revealed by God". Pope Pius IX adds that it must be "firmly and constantly believed by all the faithful". Consequently, whoever does not make this doctrine his own, or maintains an opinion contrary to it, "is shipwrecked in faith" and "separates himself from Catholic unity".

In proclaiming the truth of this dogma of the Immaculate Conception, my venerable Predecessor was conscious of exercising his power of infallible teaching as the universal Pastor of the Church, which several years later would be solemnly defined at the First Vatican Council. Thus he put his infallible Magisterium into action as a service to the faith of God's People; and it is significant that he did so by defining Mary's privilege."

 

After the Catechesis, Pope John Paul II greeted the pilgrims in various languages

[In German] "Liebe Schwestern und Brüder! Indem ich unser aller Anliegen der Fürbitte der Mutter Gottes empfehle, grüße ich Euch, liebe deutschsprachige Pilger und Besucher, nochmals sehr herzlich. Einen besonderen Willkommensgruß entbiete ich den Polizeibeamten aus Graz und der Gruppe der Evangelischen Diakonieschwesternschaft von Herrenberg sowie den Schülerinnen und Schülern aus Deutschland und Österreich. Euch allen, Euren lieben Angehörigen daheim sowie allen, die uns geistig verbunden sind, erteile ich von Herzen meinen Apostolischen Segen."

[In Dutch] "Nu groet ik alle nederlandse pelgrims. Van harte verleen ik u en al uw dierbaren thuis de Apostolische Zegen."

[In Polish] "Witam serdecznie wszystkich pielgrzymów z Polski. W szczególności pozdrawiam kapłanów obchodzących różne rocznice swoich święceń: 25-lecia i 35-lecia - są to księża pallotyni. Pozdrawiam parafie: z Cieszyna, Kasiny Wielkiej, Chełma, Bytowa, Baranowa, Izbicy Kujawskiej, Marklowic, Rogów, Przyszowic, Starachowic, Nowego Sącza - Chór im. Jana Pawła II. Ponadto pozdrawiam: Papieskie Dzieło Misyjne Dzieci Niepełnosprawnych z archidiecezji katowickiej, Instytut Akcji Katolickiej z Sosnowca, dzieci pierwszokomunijne z Zakopanego, Polonię z Chicago oraz licea z Puław i Chorzowa. Pozdrawiam wreszcie pielgrzymów z różnych miast: z Bydgoszczy, Częstochowy, Gdańska, Konina, Katowic, Krakowa, Kraśnika, Opola, Poznania, Ostrowa Wielkopolskiego oraz z Wrocławia - Politechnikę. Dzisiejsza katecheza maryjna dotyczy dogmatu Niepokalanego Poczęcia Matki Bożej. Dogmat ten, ogłoszony w r. 1854 przez Piusa IX, odpowiada długiej tradycji wiary i pobożności katolickiej, chrześcijańskiej, nie tylko katolickiej, ale prawosławnej też. W naszej tradycji tej prawdzie poświęcone są Godzinki - Godzinki o Niepokalanym Poczęciu Najświętszej Maryi Panny. To, co śpiewamy zawsze przed Mszą św. i w różnych okazjach, także po domach: « Zacznijcie, wargi nasze, chwalić Pannę Šwiętą, zacznijcie opowiadać cześć Jej niepojętą. Przybądź nam, Miłościwa Pani, ku pomocy i wyrwij nas z potężnych nieprzyjaciół mocy ». Dalszy ciąg tych bardzo pięknych Godzinek - bo to są teksty piękne poetycko i głębokie teologicznie; ja bardzo lubię je śpiewać, przypominać sobie - głosi właśnie prawdę o Niepokalanym Poczęciu Matki Bożej. Wszystkim, którzy tutaj są obecni z Polski - z różnych stron, z różnych parafii i wspólnot - życzę błogosławieństwa Bożego i trwania w tej pięknej maryjnej tradycji naszego narodu. Teraz się pomodlimy wszyscy razem, śpiewając Pater Noster po łacinie. Niech będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus!"

[In French] "Chers frères et soeurs, je salue cordialement les pèlerins de langue française, notamment les groupes de jeunes. Chers amis, je demande à la Vierge Immaculée de vous accompagner sur votre route et de vous affermir dans votre condition de disciples du Christ, pénétrés de la joie de la Résurrection. Sur chacun d'entre vous, j'invoque l'abondance des Bénédictions divines."

[In English] "Dear Brothers and Sisters, I extend a warm welcome to the Saint Paul High School group from Japan, and the various Choirs from the United States. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, especially from England, India, Korea and the United States, I invoke the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ."

[In Swedish] "Jag är glad att hälsa välkomna alla svenskar! Om vi älskar Kristus, är vi unga hela livet. Gud välsigne er och hela Sverige!"

[In Spanish] "Queridos hermanos y hermanas, saludo ahora cordialmente a los peregrinos de lengua española presentes en esta Audiencia, en particular a los Religiosos Franciscanos de América Latina; a los Hermanos Misioneros de Enfermos Pobres y a otros peregrinos venidos de España; a los peregrinos procedentes de México, de El Salvador, de Colombia y de Argentina. Que María Inmaculada acompañe y proteja siempre vuestro caminar en esta vida hacia la patria eterna. Con estos deseos imparto con afecto a vosotros y а vuestras familias la Bendición Apostólica."

[In Portuguese] "Queridos Irmãos e Irmãs, desejo agora dar as boas-vindas aos peregrinos do Brasil e de Portugal presentes, com particular destaque para os cristãos das paróquias do Monte Abraão e da Agualva, de Lisboa, e para as senhoras viúvas pertencentes ao Movimento « Esperança e Vida »: Nossa Senhora vos guie e ampare ao longo da vida, para crescerdes cada vez mais na fé e no amor cristão! A Ela confio os anseios bons, que aqui vos trouxeram. A Virgem Maria alcance todo o bem para vos e para quantos vos são queridos; votos estes, que confirmo com a minha Bênção Apostólica."

[In Romanian] "Adresez un cordial salut de bun venit grupului de pelerini din România. Prea iubiţilor, vizita la sanctuarele mariane de la Lourdes şi Fatima, precum şi pelerinajul la mormintele Apostolilor şi ale martirilor romani să vă fie de stimulent pentru o angajare din ce în ce mai generoasă de mărturie creştină în Patria voastră. Cu această urare din inimă, vă binecuvântez pe voi şi familiile voastre."

[In Lithuanian] "Nuoširdžiai sveikinu maldininkus iš Lietuvos. Brangūs Broliai ir Seserys! Ši jūsų kelionė prie kultūros, bei mūsų krikščioniškojo tikėjimo šaltinių, tepaskatina jus naujiems žingsniams vidiniame, dvasiniame kelyje prie Kristaus amžinosios Tiesos, kilniaširdiškai atsiveriant jo Žodžiui. Visagalis Dievas telaimina jus, jūsų artimuosius ir visą jūsų Tėvynę - Lietuvą! Garbė Jėzui Kristui!"

[In Czech] "Milovaní poutníci z Moravy! Kristus bude jediným Králem mého srdce. Budu se důsledně varovat ducha tohoto světa a budu žít Kristovým duchem. Chci pracovat pro něho kde - a jak - mi to bude možno. To všechno chci konat z lásky. To je cílem zasvěcení Božskému Srdci Ježíšovu, které obnovujeme na jeho už nadcházející svátek. Vyprošuji vám milost, abyste to dokázali naplnit. Z celého srdce žehnám vám i vašim drahým ve vlasti. Chvála Kristu!"

[In Croatian] "Srdačno pozdravljam vjernike Župe uskrsnuća Isusova iz Sesvetskoga Kraljevca, predstavnike Saveza invalida rada iz Osijeka i mješoviti zbor « Slavulj » iz Petrinje. Na poseban način pozdravljam profesore Srednje obrtničke škole u Đakovu i potičem ih da svojim učenicima osim znanosti i strukovnih vještina prenose također i živo svjedočanstvo kršćanske vjere, ufanja i ljubavi. Od srca udjeljujem Apostolski Blagoslov svima vama ovdje nazočnima i članovima vaših obitelji. Hvaljen Isus i Marija!"

[In Slovakian] "S láskou vítam slovenských pútnikov z Košíc a. Bratislavy, z Konskej a z Dolného Kubína. Drahi bratia a sestry, pozajtra bude sviatok Božského Srdca Ježišovho a svetový deń za posvätenie kňazov. Pán Ježiš — Vel'kňaz — z lásky podstúpil smrt', aby dal svetu život. A tento život stále odovzdáva l'ud'om vo svojej Cirkvi prostredníctvom kňazov. Modlite sa za svojich kňazov a za všetkých kňazov na svete, aby boli naozaj, « Božími mužmi », ktorí sa s láskou modlia a obetujú za posvätenie l'udí. Tento môj odkaz odneste z Ríma na Slovensko. A vám všetkým zo srdca udel'ujem svoje Apoštolské Požehnanie. Pochválený bud' Ježiš Kristus."

[In Italian] "Rivolgo un cordiale benvenuto a tutti i pellegrini di lingua italiana, in particolare al gruppo di novelli sacerdoti della Diocesi di Brescia. Carissimi, mentre vi assicuro un ricordo nella preghiera perché possiate rispondere fedelmente alla chiamata del Signore, saluto con affetto ciascuno di voi insieme ai vostri familiari. Saluto, inoltre, i fedeli della Parrocchia di Santa Maria Assunta e San Giacomo di Vall'Alta che, accompagnati dal loro parroco, sono venuti a Roma per accendere la fiaccola votiva per le celebrazioni del V Centenario dell'apparizione di Santa Maria del Monte Altino; i Membri del Consiglio di Amministrazione e Delegazione di Soci della Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Piove di Sacco, come pure gli aderenti alla Confederazione Italiana Pediatri Extraospedalieri e la Delegazione della Federazione Insigniti « Al merito della Repubblica ». Penso poi con affetto ai bambini bielorussi, ospiti dell'Associazione « L'Arca di Servigliano. Il Signore protegga voi, cari bambini, e quanti vi hanno accolto in questi mesi."

[To the young, the sick & the newly married]

"Il mio saluto cordiale va, ora, ai giovani, ai malati ed agli sposi novelli. Сarissimi, la festa del Sacro Cuore di Gesù e la memoria del Cuore Immacolato di Maria, che la Chiesa si appresta a celebrare nei prossimi giorni, ci richiamano l'esigenza di corrispondere all'amore redentivo di Cristo e ci invitano ad affidarci con fiducia all'intercessione della Madre del Signore. Voi, cari giovani, continuate ad impegnarvi, con l'entusiasmo che vi è proprio, per la costruzione di una civiltà i cui fondamenti siano la verità e l'amore, la pace e la solidarietà. Voi, cari ammalati, unite le vostre sofferenze all'infinito amore del Cuore di Cristo per la salvezza dell'umanità. Voi, cari sposi novelli, sappiate progredire sempre più sulla via dell'amore e del rispetto reciproco. A tutti la mia Benedizione."

 

© Copyright 1996 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana