Paul VI – Marialis Cultus (1974): Original Latin text of the Introduction

Latin Text – n. 13: Introduction

Marialis cultus, ut incrementis ditaretur, ex quo ad Petri cathedram sumus evecti, continenter dedimus operam; non solum scilicet nobis in animo fuit sensum Ecclesiae circa hanc rem et internum quendam impulsum, quo permovemur, exprimere, sed ad hoc adducti sumus etiam propterea quod haec pietatis forma, quemadmodum notum est, pars eximia efficitur sacri cultus illius, in quo fastigium sapientiae et culmen religionis quasi in unum confluunt, et qui idcirco officium est praecipuum Populi Dei.

English Translation – n. 13

For Marialis Cultus to be promoted, since we have been elevated to Peter’s chair, we have continuously labored; it was not only our intention to express the Church’s sentiment regarding this matter and a certain inner impulse by which we felt moved, but we were led to this also because this form of piety, as is known, constitutes an excellent part of the sacred cult in which the summit of wisdom and the pinnacle of religion converge, and which is therefore the principal office of the People of God.

Latin Text – n. 14: Liturgical Reform

Bearing this duty in mind, we have always encouraged and supported that great work of liturgical renewal undertaken by the Second Vatican Council, which, without doubt, occurred according to a particular design of Divine Providence. In fact, the first document of that same universal Synod, which we approved together with the venerable Fathers and to each of whom, in the Holy Spirit, we subscribed, was the Constitution that begins with the words “Sacrosanctum Concilium.”

n. 16: The Mariological Program of Marialis Cultus

Latin: Itaque in nonnullis quaestionibus libet immorari, quae ad necessitudinem inter sacram Liturgiam et cultum Dei Genetricis spectant (I); considerationes et normas directorias proponere ad cultum proprie marialem in liturgiae spiritu rite ordinandum (II); aliquot consilia tradere de pia exercitatione – praecipue de Angelo Domini et de Rosario – quae a populo Dei colitur (III).

English: Therefore, it is appropriate to pause over some questions that concern the relationship between the sacred Liturgy and the cult of the Mother of God (I); to propose considerations and guidelines for ordaining correctly the cult properly Marian in the spirit of the Liturgy (II); to convey some counsel on the pious exercises, especially the Angelus Domini and the Rosary, which are cultivated by the people of God (III).

Structure of Marialis Cultus

The Apostolic Exhortation is organized into three main parts:

1. Part I (nn. 1-23): The cult of the Virgin Mary in the renewed Liturgy, Mary in the liturgical calendar, lectionary, and liturgical year
2. Part II (nn. 24-39): Renewal of Marian cult, four orientations: Trinitarian, Christological, Pneumatological, Ecclesiological; four characteristics: biblical, liturgical, ecumenical, anthropological
Part III (nn. 40-55): The Marian devotions of the Angelus Domini and the RosaryMaria as Mater ecclesiae – n. 17> Et indeed, the Church of this age, reflecting on the mystery of Christ and on its own nature, discovers the same Woman, in the very source of the first and in the completion of the second, the Virgin Mary, who is the Mother of Christ and the Mother of the Church.> Portuguese: For the Church of this age, reflecting on the mystery of Christ and on its own nature, finds the same Woman, in the very source of the first and in the completion of the second, the Virgin Mary, who is the Mother of Christ and the Mother of the Church.This passage directly echoes the proclamation of *Mater Ecclesiae* by Paul VI on November 21, 1964, establishing a direct link between the two major Marian moments of his pontificate.Significance for contemporary Marian liturgy* *Marialis Cultus* is the theological foundation for: – The renewed Marian liturgical calendar post-Vatican II – The feast of “Maria Mother of the Church” (the Tuesday after Pentecost, established by Francis in 2018) – The revision of Marian votive masses – *Collectio Missarum de Beata Maria Virgine* (1986), comprising 46 votive masses – *Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy* (2002) – *Rosarium Virginis Mariae* (John Paul II, 2002)Further reading– *Marialis Cultus* (original text) – *Proclamation Mater Ecclesiae* (1964) – *Sacrosanctum Concilium* – *Lumen Gentium* cap. VIII – *Rosarium Virginis Mariae*
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