John Paul II – Honoring Mary (Good Friday Letter 1995): The Woman in the Life of the Priest

The Thursday of the Week (1995) Letter from Pope Saint John Paul II to Priests, entitled On Honoring Mary, is dedicated to the importance of women in the life of a priest. The text begins with words from a Polish Marian hymn that JP2 sang since childhood: Honor Mary, honor and glory, honor the Holy Virgin! He who created the wonderful world honored his Mother in her. Text from Enchiridion Vaticanum vol. 14, paragraphs 2518ss.

Beginning of the text, n. 2518 (Italian)

“Honor Mary, honor and glory, honor the Holy Virgin! He who created the wonderful world honored his Mother in her. He loved her as a Mother, lived in obedience. Although he was God, he respected every word of hers.”

Dear Brothers in the priesthood!

Do not be surprised if I begin this Letter, which traditionally I address to you on 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 women in the life of a priest, and these verses, which I sang since childhood, can serve as a significant introduction to this topic.

Portuguese translation, n. 2518

“Honra Maria, honra e glória, honra à Santa Virgem! Aquele que criou o mundo maravilhoso, n’Ela honrava a própria Mãe. Amava-a como Mãe, viveu na obediência. Embora fosse Deus, respeitava cada palavra dela.”

Caros Irmãos no sacerdócio!

Não vos espanteis se inicio esta Carta, que tradicionalmente vos dirijo na ocasião da Quinta-feira Santa, com as palavras de um canto mariano polaco. Faço-o porque este ano desejo falar-vos da importância da mulher na vida do sacerdote, e estes versos, que cantava desde criança, podem constituir uma significativa introdução a esta temática.

The sacred bond, n. 2519 (Italian)

The hymn evokes Christ’s love for his Mother. The first and fundamental relationship that a human being establishes with a woman is that of son to mother. Each one of us can express his love for his earthly mother as God the Son has done and does with his own. The mother is the woman to whom we owe our life. She conceived us in her womb, gave birth to us through the pains that accompany every woman’s childbirth. Through generation a special bond, almost sacred, is established between a human being and his mother.

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

Structure of the letter

The 1995 Letter “On Honoring Mary” develops four main themes:

1. Mother: The natural mother of the priest as the first woman to whom he owes his life
2. Spiritual Mother: Mary as the spiritual mother of the priest in the supernatural plan
3. Dedicated Women: The importance of religious women in the sacerdotal ministry and in the Church
4. Laic Women: Wives, sisters, collaborators in pastoral ministry

Connection with “Mulieris Dignitatem”

The 1995 Letter is a 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: “On Honoring Mary” to priests
• June 29: “Letter to Women” to all women in the world

Both form a magisterial diptych on the dignity of women and on Mary as a model for women.

The Polish hymn and JP2’s Marian spirituality

The hymn “Honor Maryi, czesc’ i chwała” (literally: “Honor to Mary, veneration and glory”) is one of the most popular Marian hymns in Poland. JP2 encountered it at the National Marian Shrine of Częstochowa (Jasna Góra). His choice to begin the 1995 Priestly Letter with this hymn reveals the depth of his personal devotion to Mary 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

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