The purpose of this study is to show that the formal definition of the spiritual Motherhood of Mary would constitute a doctrinal development from Vatican II's teaching on Mary. It is my strong view that Mary's spiritual motherhood should be explicitly acknowledged, accepted and stamped with the extra-ordinary infallibility of the Church magisterium so that it would become a dogma of the Church, as the sensus fidelium. Such formal definition would give the doctrine the seal of juridical authenticity and prevent it from denigration and rejection in future. This study argues that the Catholic Church needs to advance forwards from the Marian teaching of Vatican II by making concerted efforts to maintain the Marian trajectory in the Church. Also portrayed are the efforts of the papal magisterium and some noted Catholic theologians that have gone back to the sources of the early Fathers of the Church in order to teach that Mary's spiritual Motherhood has solid foundation on Scripture and the Church's tradition. The post-conciliar teachings of the above-stated papal magisterium and contemporary theologians have the aim to nurture and sustain the faith and understanding of the people of God about Mary's spiritual Motherhood. The study also examines evidence to show that there is much in the Catholic Marian theology that could improve understanding among Christians of different denominations. In particular, it portrays the fact that Mariology always points to Christ, being indissolubly linked with Christology, and also has intrinsic unity with ecclesiology.

The purpose of this study is to show that the formal definition of the spiritual Motherhood of Mary would constitute a doctrinal development from Vatican IIs teaching on Mary. It is my strong view that Marys spiritual motherhood should be explicitly acknowledged, accepted and stamped with the extra-ordinary infallibility of the Church magisterium so that it would become a dogma of the Church, as the sensus fidelium. Such formal definition would give the doctrine the seal of juridical authenticity and prevent it from denigration and rejection in future. This study argues that the Catholic Church needs to advance forwards from the Marian teaching of Vatican II by making concerted efforts to maintain the Marian trajectory in the Church. Also portrayed are the efforts of the papal magisterium and some noted Catholic theologians that have gone back to the sources of the early Fathers of the Church in order to teach that Marys spiritual Motherhood has solid foundation on Scripture and the Churchs tradition. The post-conciliar teachings of the above-stated papal magisterium and contemporary theologians have the aim to nurture and sustain the faith and understanding of the people of God about Marys spiritual Motherhood. The study also examines evidence to show that there is much in the Catholic Marian theology that could improve understanding among Christians of different denominations. In particular, it portrays the fact that Mariology always points to Christ, being indissolubly linked with Christology, and also has intrinsic unity with ecclesiology.

Some of the best minds in Mariology today have collaborated to produce this monumental anthology in honor of Our Lady and in complete fidelity to the Magisterium. Buy this book and make a present of it to your parish priest, the religious sister you know, the seminarian from your diocese, or the consecrated person or educated layperson at your parish. It’s a Mariological “must read,” especially for our priests and seminarians. –Dr. Scott Hahn Author and Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville

Since the Second Vatican Council the place of Mary in theology and generally in the life of the Church has been at times muted. This is perhaps understandable given the debates concerning Mary's "place" in the documents of Vatican II. In an ecumenical age, it was argued, the church needed a less triumphalist Mariology and piety with a greater focus on Mary as model disciple. In certain respects this has led to a dichotomy between the continued Marian piety of many faithful (and, truth be told, the piety of the post-conciliar popes) and a theological timidity concerning Mary. This collection of chapters seeks to address the current situation of Mariology. Taken as a whole these chapters represent a welcome call for renewal and reawakening in Mariology. The collection is also delightfully eclectic, both in terms of topics covered and in terms of the denominational and academic backgrounds of the authors.

Marialis Cultus is the title of a Mariological Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Paul VI on February 2, 1974. It is subtitled: "For the Right Ordering and Development of Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary," and focuses Marian devotions, clarifiying the way in which the Roman Catholic Church celebrates and commemorates Mary, the mother of Jesus. The preparation of the document reportedly took 4 years. The exhortation has three parts: Part 1 discusses the history of Catholicism's Marian devotions, as well as their rationale. Part 2 focuses on what should/will take place in the Church's Marian devotions in the future Part 3 touches on the Angelus and the Rosary prayers. Marialis Cultus gives guidelines for devotions to Mary by the Church - that is, it attempts to make sure that all Marian liturgical celebrations and public expressions of devotion align with established doctrine. It noted that every element of the church's prayer life, including Marian devotions, should draw its inspiration from the Bible and harmonize with the liturgy. The conclusion to the document emphasizes the theological and pastoral value of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

From the cross Jesus gave us his mother to be our mother, too: a singularly holy model, consoler, and intercessor for our spiritual journey. Yet most Protestants, and too many Catholics don't understand the role that God wants her to play in our lives. In Behold Your Mother, Tim Staples takes you through the Church's teachings about the Blessed Virgin Mary, showing their firm Scriptural and historical roots and dismantling the objections of those who mistakenly believe that Mary competes for the attention due Christ alone. Combining the best recent scholarship with a convert's in-depth knowledge of the arguments, Staples has assembled the most thorough and useful Marian apologetic you'll find anywhere. Relevant and essential -- Mary matters. Read Behold Your Mother and find out just how much.

Mary According to Women presents a contemporary study of the woman of Nazareth who changes the course of human history. The seven chapters develop familiar titles of Mary in the context of the Vatican II Church, particularly its emphasis of justice and peace. Following the lead of the second Vatican Council in its historic document, Lumen Gentium, the book develops implications of the Council's treatment of Mary "in the mystery of Christ and the Church", of one who is truly involved in the lives and struggles of Christians today. Significantly, the book is written by women whose experience and insight give new perspective to a revitalized appreciation and love of Mary.