Benedict XVI – Sacramentum Caritatis and Caritas in Veritate: Mary mulier eucharistica and mother of charity

Benedict XVI published three major encyclicals – Deus Caritas Est (2005), Spe Salvi (2007), Caritas in Veritate (2009) – and two major Post-Synodal Exhortations – Sacramentum Caritatis (2007) and Verbum Domini (2010). In all of them, Mary occupies the conclusion. This synthesis examines the two that remain: Sacramentum Caritatis n. 33 and the conclusion of Caritas in Veritate.

Sacramentum caritatis n. 33 – Maria mulier eucharistica

The Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis is the result of the Eleventh Synod of Bishops (2005) on the Eucharist. N. 33, devoted to Mary, takes up and develops what John Paul II had called “Mary the eucharistic woman” in the encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia (2003, see post):

“Si Maria fons Verbi Incarnati erat, ipsa quoque fons est Eucharistiae Verbi Incarnati. In sacramento Eucharistiae assistimus eidem Verbo Dei carnis humanae factus, quae in utero Mariae fuit susceptus. Quapropter, Maria est ‘Mater Eucharistiae’ eo modo quo est Mater Christi corporis et sanguinis”

If Mary is the source of the Incarnate Word, she is also the source of the Eucharist of the Incarnate Word. In the sacrament of the Eucharist we are present to the same Word of God made human flesh, who was received in Mary’s womb. For this reason Mary is “Mater Eucharistiae” in the same way that she is Mother of the body and blood of Christ.

The Magnificat as eucharistic hymn

Benedict XVI develops an idea already hinted at by John Paul II: the Magnificat is the first eucharistic hymn, the first “thanksgiving” (eucharistia) of the new covenant. Mary is the first to live the fundamental eucharistic structure: she receives Christ, offers Him, brings Him to others. Every Mass repeats this Marian movement.

Caritas in veritate (2009) – Marian conclusion

The social encyclical of Benedict XVI concludes with one of the most beautiful Marian conclusions of the recent Magisterium:

“Beatissimam Virginem Mariam roganti speciali modo invocamus pro vera elaboratione progressionis populorum, ut ipsa amorem in veritate inspiret in animis sociorum operis pro homine. Maria, quae respondit ‘sicut’ pro suo populo ‘fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum’, sit principium et exemplum culturae vitae apud nationes, quae ad pacem fraternalem et iustitiam tendunt”

We invoke in a special way the Most Blessed Virgin Mary for the true elaboration of the progress of peoples, so that she may inspire love in truth in the spirits of those who collaborate in the work for man. May Mary, who answered “yes” for her people “let it be done to me according to your word”, be the principle and example of the culture of life among the nations that strive for fraternal peace and justice.

Mary in the social encyclicals

The presence of Mary in the social encyclical of Benedict XVI confirms a tradition begun by John XXIII in Mater et Magistra (1961, see post): every social encyclical ends with Mary. This tradition expresses the theological conviction that there is no social question without Mary, because Mary is the first “poor woman of the Gospel” (Magnificat: “exaltavit humiles”), the sign par excellence of God’s concern for the little ones.

Synthesis of the Mariology of Benedict XVI

The Mariology of Benedict XVI has five major axes:

1. Mary mother of mercy (DCE)
2. Mary star of hope (SS)
3. Mary eucharistic woman (Sacramentum Caritatis)
4. Mary mother of charity (Caritas in Veritate)
5. Mary woman of the Word (Verbum Domini)

Further reading

Mariology | Deus Caritas Est | Spe Salvi | Ecclesia de Eucharistia