Medieval popes: Leo IX to Innocent III – scholastic Mariology (Doctrina Pontificia IV, nn. 100-121)

The medieval popes documented in the Doctrina Pontificia IV, from Saint Leo IX (1049) to Innocent III (1198-1216), show how Mariology passed from the patristic-conciliar era to the great medieval scholasticism. The Fourth Lateran Council (1215) and the numerous sermons of Innocent III on the Marian feasts constitute the summit of this section.

Saint Leo IX (1049-1054), n. 100: profession of faith

Saint Leo IX, reformer of the Church and pope of the Great Schism of 1054, includes in his profession of faith the affirmation of Mary’s divine motherhood and perpetual virginity. At a moment of grave ecclesiastical rupture, faith in Mary as Theotokos was a point of communion between Rome and Constantinople, shortly before the Schism: the profession of faith is found in the letter Congratulamur vehementer to Patriarch Peter of Antioch, dated April 13, 1053 (DH 680-686).

Saint Gregory VII (1073-1085), n. 101: profession of faith

At the Roman synod of February 11, 1079, convened under the great Gregorian reformer, Berengar of Tours swore that he believed that, after the consecration, the bread is the true body of Christ “quod natum est de Virgine”, which was born of the Virgin (DH 700). The Gregorian reform was in part inspired by devotion to Mary as a model of purity and of service, traits that Gregory VII wanted to restore in the clergy.

Urban II (1088-1099), n. 102: the Preface of the Virgin

Urban II, the pope of the First Crusade, is the first documented pope to have enriched the Preface of the Mass of the Virgin Mary with a special formula. The Preface is the moment of greatest solemnity of the Mass before the Consecration. Its association with Mary reveals the Virgin’s liturgical importance in medieval theology.

“Et te in veneratione beatae Mariae semper Virginis collaudare… quae et Unigenitum tuum Sancti Spiritus obumbratione concepit, et virginitatis gloria permanente, lumen aeternum mundo effudit, Iesum Christum Dominum nostrum”

And to praise You in the veneration of blessed Mary ever-Virgin… who conceived Your Only-Begotten by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, and, the glory of her virginity abiding, poured forth upon the world the eternal light, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Innocent III (1198-1216), nn. 105-121: Marian sermons

Innocent III is the most prolific medieval pope in the Marian documents of the Doctrina Pontificia IV: seventeen texts (nn. 105-121). These include:

• n. 105: Profession of faith from the letter Eius exemplo (December 18, 1208), in the case of Durand of Huesca
• n. 106: Profession of faith of the Fourth Lateran Council (1215), chapter De fide catholica
• nn. 107-121: Sermons on the Marian feasts: Advent, Christmas, the Purification, the Assumption, the Nativity of Mary, and a Hymn to the Virgin and a text on recourse to Mary

The most celebrated sermon of Innocent III is the one on the Assumption (nn. 112-116), where he presents Mary as a castle guarded by the wall of virginity and the tower of humility and urges recourse to her:

“Si quando te luxuria carnis impugnat, ad hoc castellum procede, muro virginitatis adhaere, deprecare Mariam. Quis unquam invocavit eam, et non est exauditus ab ea?”

If ever the lust of the flesh assails you, approach this castle, cling to the wall of virginity, implore Mary. Who has ever called upon her and not been heard by her? (Sermon XXVII, PL 217, 577-578)

Further reading

Explore Mariology, Lumen Gentium ch. VIII, Munificentissimus Deus (the Assumption), and the Postgraduate Program in Mariology.