John Paul II – onore a Maria (Holy Thursday Letter of 1995): The Woman in the Priest’s Life

The 1995 Holy Thursday Letter of Pope Saint John Paul II to priests, entitled “Onore a Maria”, is devoted to the importance of the woman in the priest’s life. The text begins with the words of a Polish Marian hymn that JP2 had sung since childhood: “Onore a Maria, onore e gloria, onore alla Santa Vergine”. Text in Enchiridion Vaticanum vol. 14, paragraphs 2518ff.

Beginning of the text, no. 2518 (Italian)

“Onore a Maria, onore e gloria, onore alla Santa Vergine! Colui che creò il mondo meraviglioso in Lei onorava la propria Madre. L’amava come Madre, visse nell’obbedienza. Benché fosse Dio, rispettava ogni sua parola”.

Cari Fratelli nel sacerdozio!

Do not be surprised if I begin this Letter, which I traditionally address to you on the occasion of Holy Thursday, with the words of a Polish Marian hymn. I do so because this year I wish to speak to you about the importance of the woman in the priest’s life, and these verses, which I sang from childhood, can constitute a significant introduction to such a theme.

English translation, no. 2518

“Honor to Mary, honor and glory, honor to the Holy Virgin! He who created the marvelous world honored in Her His own Mother. He loved her as Mother, He lived in obedience. Although He was God, He respected her every word”.

Dear Brothers in the priesthood!

Do not be astonished if I begin this Letter, which I traditionally address to you on the occasion of Holy Thursday, with the words of a Polish Marian hymn. I do so because this year I wish to speak to you of the importance of the woman in the priest’s life, and these verses, which I sang from childhood, can constitute a significant introduction to this theme.

The sacred bond, no. 2519

The hymn evokes Christ’s love for His Mother. The first and fundamental relationship that the human being establishes with woman is precisely that of a son toward his mother. Each of us can express his love for his earthly mother as the Son of God did and does with His own. The mother is the woman to whom we owe life. She conceived us in her womb, she gave us birth amid the pains that accompany the experience of every woman who gives birth. Through generation a special, almost sacred bond comes to be established between the human being and his mother.

English: The hymn evokes Christ’s love for His Mother. The first and fundamental relation that the human being establishes with woman is precisely that of a son with a mother. Each of us can express his love for his earthly mother as the Son of God did and does with His own. The mother is the woman to whom we owe life. She conceived us in her womb, she gave us birth with the pains that accompany the experience of every woman who gives birth. Through generation a special, almost sacred bond is established between the human being and his mother.

Structure of the letter

The 1995 Letter “Onore a Maria” develops four great themes:

1. Mother: the priest’s natural mother as the first woman to whom he owes life
2. Spiritual mother: Mary as the priest’s mother on the supernatural plane
3. Consecrated women: the importance of women religious in the priestly ministry and in the Church
4. Lay women: wives, sisters, collaborators in the pastoral ministry

Connection with mulieris dignitatem

The 1995 Letter is the specific application to the priesthood of the principles developed in Mulieris Dignitatem (1988) and in the Letter to Women (June 29, 1995, published after this priestly letter). In 1995, JP2 published:

• March 25: “Onore a Maria” to priests
• June 29: “Letter to Women” to all the women of the world

Together they form a magisterial diptych on the dignity of woman and on Mary as the model of woman.

The Polish hymn and the Marian spirituality of JP2

The hymn “Honor Maryi, czesc’ i chwała” (literally: “Honor to Mary, veneration and glory”) is one of the most widespread Marian hymns of Poland. JP2 came to know it at the shrine of Częstochowa (Jasna Góra), the Polish national Marian center. His choice to begin the 1995 priestly Letter with this hymn reveals the depth of his personal Marian devotion and the continuity between his personal spirituality and the universal Magisterium of the Church.

Further reading

Redemptoris Mater | Mulieris Dignitatem | Letter to Women 1995 | Pastores Dabo Vobis | Apud Crucem cum Maria 1988