Paul VI – In May, Christi Matri Rosarii et recurens mensis Octoberis: Rosary for Peace

**Pope Paul VI (1963-1978) and His Pastoral Challenges**

Paul VI (1963-1978), the Vatican II Pope, grappled with significant global issues through his Marian teachings. Prior to the influential document *Marialis Cultus* (1974), he issued three shorter Marian encyclicals highlighting how his pontificate promoted devotion to Mary in response to world problems: peace in Vietnam (1965-1966) and universal peace.

**Pope:** Blessed Paul VI (Giovanni Battista Montini, 1963-1978)

**Documents:** *Mense Maio* (1965) | *Christi Matri Rosarii* (1966) | *Recurrens Mensis October* (1969)

**Theme:** Rosary and Mary for World Peace

## *Mense Maio* (April 29, 1965)

The encyclical *Mense Maio*, published on the eve of May in 1965, was Paul VI’s first Marian encyclical. The context was twofold: the Vietnam War intensified (Rolling Thunder operation began in February 1965), and the Council entered its final and decisive phase (1965 session, which would approve *Lumen Gentium*, *Dei Verbum*, and *Gaudium et Spes*).

> **”Mensis Maius, qui Beatae Mariae Virgini sacer est, hoc anno toto orbe Christiano, fervidiore quam alias studio in Eius cultum vertendus est, ut pacis a Deo Patre per intercessionem Mariae Matris obtineamus”**
>
> (The month of May, consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, must be dedicated this year throughout the Christian world with greater fervor than ever before to her worship, so that we may obtain peace from God the Father through the intercession of Mary, his Mother.)

Paul VI calls for two goals during May: praying for the successful conclusion of the Council’s final session (beginning September 14) and imploring peace in Vietnam and all global conflicts.

## *Christi Matri Rosarii* (September 15, 1966)

This encyclical, issued a year after the Council’s close (December 8, 1965), explicitly addresses the Rosary for peace in Vietnam. Paul VI invites the entire Church to pray the Rosary during October for peace in Vietnam:

> **”Aeris turbines undique nos circumstant, atque pacis et concordiae spes nondum redditur. Hoc graviore in periculo, ad Christi Matrem confugimus, ad eam quam totus orbis Christianus appellat «Reginam pacis»…”**
>
> (Storms surround us on all sides, and the hope for peace and harmony has not yet returned. In this more grave danger, we turn to Mother of Christ, whom all the Christian world calls “Queen of Peace”…)

The document is notable for its context: written alongside *Signum Magnum* (May 13, 1967), it forms a Marian trilogy on Mary as Queen of Peace and model of virtues.

## Recurrens mensis October (7 October 1969)

Published on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, this encyclical revisits the themes of *Christi Matri Rosarii* three years later. Pope Paul VI once again calls for the Rosary for peace, now expanding the appeal to all conflicts worldwide (the Vietnam War was ongoing, and the Cold War was at its peak):

> **”Daily recite the Rosary; never depart from this practice, which numerous Saints, many Roman Pontiffs, have transmitted to you by example and in their teachings.”**

## From May to *Marialis Cultus*

These three encyclicals (1965, 1966, 1969) directly prepare for the great apostolic exhortation *Marialis Cultus* of 1974, which is the definitive synthesis of Paul VI’s mariology. They demonstrate how Marian devotion, far from declining after the Council, was reintroduced by the Council itself to address major existential and political issues of the time.

## Further Reading

– **Mariology** | **Marialis Cultus** | **Signum Magnum** | **Evangelii Nuntiandi** | **Rosarium Virginis Mariae**

Learn to pray the Rosary step by step in our guide: How to Pray the Rosary, Step by Step.