Augustissimae Virginis Mariae

Augustissimae Virginis Mariae
Latin : Of the Most August Virgin Mary
Encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIII
Date 12 September 1897
Argument On the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary
Encyclical number 63 of 85 of the pontificate
Text

Augustissimae Virginis Mariae is an encyclical by Pope Leo XIII. It was issued 12 September 1897 in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.[1] This is an encyclical on the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary.

Benefit of pious associations

While recognizing the natural tendency of people to associate in groups of like-minded interests, he notes the beneficial usefulness of various Catholic associations. Among these, however, he gives prominence to the Rosary Sodality. "Everyone knows how necessary prayer is for all men; not that God's decrees can be changed, but, as St. Gregory says, "that men by asking may merit to receive what Almighty God hath decreed from eternity to grant them"[2]

"We are taught by the Catholic faith that we may pray not only to God himself, but also to the Blessed in heaven (Conc. Trill. Sess. xxv.), though in different manner; because we ask from God as from the Source of all good, but from the Saints as from intercessors. ... Wherefore, it is said in the Apocalypse (viii., 4): "The smoke of the incense of the prayers of the Saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel" (Summa Theol. 2a tae, q. lxxxiii. a. iv.). ... Now, of all the blessed in heaven, who can compare with the august Mother of God in obtaining grace? ...For, so great is her dignity, so great her favour before God, that whosoever in his need will not have recourse to her is trying to fly without wings.[3]

Leo also likens concerted communal prayer to the office of the angels. "With what confidence may we not hope that those who on earth have united with the Angels in this ministry will one day enjoy their blessed company in Heaven?"[4]

Diuturni temporis

The following year, Leo issued Diuturni temporis on 5 September 1898.

The Rosary "...affords a powerful protection to faith and conspicuous models of virtue in the mysteries proposed for contemplation. We showed also how easy the devotion is and how suited to the people, offering an absolutely perfect model of domestic life in meditation on the Holy Family at Nazareth, and that therefore Christendom had never failed to experience its salutary effects."[5]

Pope Leo indicated his intention to issue a "Constitution" regarding the rights, privileges and indulgences pertaining to the Rosary Sodality.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Matthew Bunson, 2008, The Catholic Almanac, ISBN 978-1-59276-441-9 page 249
  2. ↑ Pope Leo XIII. Augustissimae Virginis Mariae, 12 September 1897, §7, Libreria Editrice Vaticana
  3. ↑ Augustissimae Virginis Mariae, §9.
  4. ↑ Augustissimae Virginis Mariae, §10.
  5. ↑ Pope Leo XIII. Diuturni Temporis, 5 September 1898, Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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