Rosarium Virginis Mariae
Encyclopedia
Rosarium Virginis Mariae is the title of an Apostolic Letter by Pope John Paul II
, issued on October 16, 2002. This Apostlic Letter deals with the Holy Rosary
and views it as compendium of the Gospel message:
The letter reaffirms the Roman Catholic beliefs on the power of the rosary and states:
The letter also emphasizes total devotion to the Virgin Mary, as promoted by Saint Louis de Montfort
, which the pontiff quoted:
This letter introduces the "Mysteries of Light" into the cycle of the mysteries of Christ that are to be contemplated while praying the rosary (nos. 19, 21, 38, 40). These five "luminous mysteries" focus devotion on the events of the public ministry of Jesus Christ: (1) his Baptism in the Jordan, (2) his self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana, (3) his proclamation of the Kingdom of God, (4) his Transfiguration, and (5) his institution of the Eucharist. The document states that each mystery "is a revelation of the Kingdom now present in the very person of Jesus" (no. 21).
This letter builds on the Roman Catholic philosophy for the study and veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary via the field of Mariology, which in recent years has been further emphasized with Pontifical schools such as the Marianum
specifically devoted to this task.
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, issued on October 16, 2002. This Apostlic Letter deals with the Holy Rosary
Rosary
The rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
and views it as compendium of the Gospel message:
- The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium.
The letter reaffirms the Roman Catholic beliefs on the power of the rosary and states:
- Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer.
The letter also emphasizes total devotion to the Virgin Mary, as promoted by Saint Louis de Montfort
Louis de Montfort
St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort was canonized in 1947. He was a French priest and known in his time as a preacher and author, whose books, still widely read, have influenced a number of popes....
, which the pontiff quoted:
- “Our entire perfection consists in being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus Christ. Hence the most perfect of all devotions is undoubtedly that which conforms, unites and consecrates us most perfectly to Jesus Christ.
- Now, since Mary is of all creatures the one most conformed to Jesus Christ, it follows that among all devotions that which most consecrates and conforms a soul to our Lord is devotion to Mary, his Holy Mother, and that the more a soul is consecrated to her the more will it be consecrated to Jesus Christ."
This letter introduces the "Mysteries of Light" into the cycle of the mysteries of Christ that are to be contemplated while praying the rosary (nos. 19, 21, 38, 40). These five "luminous mysteries" focus devotion on the events of the public ministry of Jesus Christ: (1) his Baptism in the Jordan, (2) his self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana, (3) his proclamation of the Kingdom of God, (4) his Transfiguration, and (5) his institution of the Eucharist. The document states that each mystery "is a revelation of the Kingdom now present in the very person of Jesus" (no. 21).
This letter builds on the Roman Catholic philosophy for the study and veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary via the field of Mariology, which in recent years has been further emphasized with Pontifical schools such as the Marianum
Marianum
The Marianum is both the name of a Pontifical institute for the study of Mariology and the name of the prestigious journal of Marian theology. The school and the journal share the same name since their formation was based on the work of Father Gabriel Roschini, who founded both the journal and the...
specifically devoted to this task.
See also
- Roman Catholic Mariology
- Acts of Reparation to the Virgin MaryActs of Reparation to the Virgin MaryRoman Catholic tradition and Mariology include specific prayers and devotions as acts of reparation for insults and blasphemies against the Blessed Virgin Mary...
- Marian papal encyclicals and Apostolic LettersMarian papal encyclicals and Apostolic LettersMarian papal encyclicals and Apostolic Letters have been a major force that has shaped Roman Catholic Mariology over the centuries. Although Mariology has also grown from the bottom up via sensus fidelium, papal views have transformed Marian dogmas, doctrines and devotions within the Roman Catholic...