Redemptoris Mater – encyclical of John Paul II on the Mother of the Redeemer (Full text)

Redemptoris Mater is the Encyclical Letter of John Paul II on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of the pilgrim Church, published on March 25, 1987, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. Considered the most complete Mariological synthesis of the post-conciliar papal Magisterium, the encyclical articulates the divine motherhood, Mary’s journey of faith, and her presence in the mystery of Christ and of the Church.

Historical context

John Paul II published Redemptoris Mater to prepare for the Marian Year 1987-1988, the first in the history of the Church. It succeeds Chapter VIII of Lumen Gentium as the most significant Mariological document of the recent Magisterium. Composed in three parts, (I) Mary in the mystery of Christ, (II) the Mother of God at the center of the pilgrim Church, (III) maternal mediation, the encyclical reveals the profound personal Mariology of the Polish Pope, shaped by the spirituality of Saint Louis Marie de Montfort.

Original Latin text (Main excerpts)

IOANNES PAULUS PP. II

Redemptoris Mater, sancta Maria Virgo, in vitam pergit Ecclesiae. Haec praesentia multiplex, quam Concilium Oecumenicum Vaticanum II mirabiliter exposuit, semper in Ecclesia viget et in eius historia variis modis exercetur. Iam vero in hoc Nostro momento historico, in quo Ecclesia ad annum bis millesimum a Christi nativitate se parat, ad eius praesentiam peculiari modo convertimur, ut eius intercessioni nos committamus.

I. Mary in the mystery of Christ

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman” (Gal 4:4). In this expression, speaking of the Incarnation, reference is made, as it were, to the mystery of the Woman of whom the Word was made flesh.

The Blessed Virgin, predestined before the foundation of the world to be the Mother of God, whose love for mankind is the condition of the Incarnation, belonged to the eternal divine economy. In exercising this ministry “in the obedience of faith” (cf. Rom 1:5), she cooperated with the Redeemer. This is the “cooperation” in that economy of grace, given in her consent at the Annunciation.

II. Mother of God in the pilgrim Church

As for us, it is necessary that this relationship between the Mother of God and the Church, set in the light of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, be shown. […] The Church contemplates Mary as a perfect mirror in which the glory of God is reflected. In that mirror she sees what she desires to be and hopes to be.

III. Maternal mediation

At this point, with regard to Mary’s intercession, one may recall the wedding at Cana, where the mediation of Mary on earth is described for the first time. Saint John writes: “And seeing that the wine was running short, the Mother of Jesus said to Him: They have no wine” (Jn 2:3). This prayer of Mary before her Son is an intercession: seeing the need of men, she desires to offer them help.

English translation

JOHN PAUL PP. II

The Mother of the Redeemer, the Holy Virgin Mary, continues to be present in the life of the Church. This manifold presence, which the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council magnificently set forth, always lives in the Church and is exercised in various ways throughout her history. Now, at this historic moment of Ours, in which the Church is preparing for the year two thousand from the birth of Christ, we turn in a particular way to her presence, in order to entrust ourselves to her intercession.

I. Mary in the mystery of Christ

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman” (Gal 4:4). In this expression, speaking of the Incarnation, reference is made, as it were, to the mystery of the Woman of whom the Word was made flesh.

The Blessed Virgin, predestined before the foundation of the world to be the Mother of God, whose love for mankind is the condition of the Incarnation, was part of the eternal economy of God. In the exercise of this role in that economy, she cooperated with the Redeemer in the obedience of faith (cf. Rom 1:5). This cooperation in the economy of grace has its beginning in the consent given at the Annunciation.

II. The Mother of God in the pilgrim Church

As for us, it is fitting here to set forth briefly how this relationship between the Mother of God and the Church appears in the light of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. […] The Church contemplates Mary as the perfect mirror in which the glory of God is reflected. In this mirror she contemplates all that the Church herself desires to be and hopes for.

III. Maternal mediation

At this point, with regard to Mary’s intercession, it is fitting to recall the wedding at Cana, where for the first time the mediation of Mary on earth is described. Saint John writes: “When the wine ran short, the Mother of Jesus said to Him: They have no wine” (Jn 2:3). This prayer of Mary at her Son’s side is an intercession: seeing the need of men, she wishes to come to the aid of that need.

Structure of the encyclical

Redemptoris Mater is divided into three parts: (I) Mary in the mystery of Christ, treats of Mary’s predestination, her fullness of grace and her faith (nn. 1-24). (II) The Mother of God at the center of the pilgrim Church, Mary as figure of the Church, her presence at Pentecost, ecumenism (nn. 25-37). (III) Maternal mediation, Mary as mediatrix, spiritual mother and patroness (nn. 38-52). The encyclical systematically articulates Chapter VIII of Lumen Gentium, developing it in a biblical, patristic and liturgical perspective.

Theological significance

In Redemptoris Mater John Paul II introduces the category of Mary’s “journey of faith”: she is “blessed because she believed” (Lk 1:45), and this believing precedes and accompanies the whole mystery of Christ. The encyclical is also the first papal document to treat at length the ecumenical dimension of Mariology, recovering the Eastern tradition (Theotokos) and inviting the churches of the Reformation to Marian dialogue.

Further reading

Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Dogmas, Lumen Gentium (ch. VIII), Marialis Cultus and the Postgraduate Program in Mariology.

See also: How to study the Marian Magisterium systematically – the complete Locus guide

Learn more about the Immaculate Conception.