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 Christi
Matri
(Qua
in mensem octobrem supplicationes Beatae Mariae Virgini
indicuntur)
1.
It is a solemn custom of the faithful during the month
of October to weave the prayers of the Rosary into
mystical garlands for the Mother of Christ. Following in
the footsteps of Our predecessors, We heartily approve
this, and We call upon all the sons of the church to
offer special devotions to the Most Blessed Virgin this
year. For the danger of a more serious and extensive
calamity hangs over the human family and has increased,
especially in parts of eastern Asia where a bloody and
hard-fought war is raging. So We feel most urgently that
We must once again do what We can to safeguard peace. We
are also disturbed by what We know to be going on in
other areas, such as the growing nuclear armaments race,
the senseless nationalism, the racism, the obsession for
revolution, the separations imposed upon citizens, the
nefarious plots, the slaughter of innocent people. All
of these can furnish material for the greatest calamity.
A
Special Task from God
2.
Like Our immediate predecessors, We seem to have
received a special task from God in His providence to
work patiently and constantly to preserve and strengthen
peace. This task, as is evident, arises from the fact
that We have been entrusted with the governing of the
whole Church, which, as a "sign lifted up to the
nations'' (cf. Is 11:12), does not serve political ends but rather
must bring the truth and grace of Jesus Christ, its
divine Founder, to mankind.
3.
Indeed, from the very beginning of Our apostolic
ministry, We have omitted no effort to further the cause
of peace in the world through prayers, entreaties and
exhortations. As you well remember, last year We flew to
North America to speak about the most desirable blessing
of peace at the General Assembly of the United Nations,
before a very distinguished audience representing almost
every nation. We warned against allowing some to be
inferior to others, and against allowing some to attack
others. Instead, all should devote their efforts and
zeal to the establishment of peace. Even afterwards,
moved by apostolic concern, We did not stop urging those
upon whom this great matter depends to ward off from
mankind the frightful disaster that might result.
A
Very Grave Obligation
4.
Now once again We raise Our voice "with a loud cry
and with tears" (Heb 5:7), urgently beseeching those who
rule over nations to do everything they can to see to it
that the conflagration spreads no farther but rather is
completely extinguished. We do not doubt that all men
who want what is right and honorable - whatever their
race, color, religion and social class - feel the same
as We do.
5.
Therefore, let all those responsible bring about the
necessary conditions for the laying down of arms before
the possibility of doing so is taken away by the
pressure of events. Those in whose hands rests the
safety of the human race should realize that in this day
and age they have a very grave obligation in conscience.
Mindful of their own nation, of the world, of God and
history, let them examine their own consciences. Let
them realize that in the future their names will be
blessed if they wisely succeed in complying with this
exhortation.
Negotiations
Must Begin
6.
In the name of the Lord We cry out to them to stop. Men
must come together and get down to sincere negotiations.
Things must be settled now, even at the cost of some
loss of inconvenience, for later they may have to be
settled at the cost of immense harm and enormous
slaughter that cannot even be imagined now. But this
peace must be based on justice and freedom for mankind,
and must take into account the rights of individuals and
communities. Otherwise it will be fluid and unstable.
7.
As We say all this with deep emotion and an anxious
heart, it is only right for Us to do as Our supreme
pastoral care urges, and ask for help from heaven.
Peace, which "is such a great good that even among
earthly, mortal things, there is nothing more pleasant
to hear, nothing more ardently desired, and finally
nothing better to be found" (St. Augustine, De Civitate Dei, 19, 11: PL 41,
637), has to be sought
from Him who is the Prince of Peace (Is 9:5). But since the
Church, in uncertain and anxious times, has been
accustomed to have recourse to that most ready
intercessor, her Mother Mary, We have good reason to
direct Our own attention and yours, venerable brethren,
and that of all the Christian faithful, to her. For as
St. Irenaeus says, "she has become the cause of
salvation for the whole human race" (Adv.
haer., III, 22: PG 7, 959).
Mary,
Queen of Peace
8.
Nothing seems more appropriate and valuable to Us than
to have the prayers of the whole Christian family rise
to the Mother of God, who is invoked as the Queen of
Peace, begging her to pour forth abundant gifts of her
maternal goodness in midst of so many great trials and
hardships. We want constant and devout prayers to be
offered to her whom We declared Mother of the Church,
its spiritual parent, during the celebration of the
Second Vatican Council, thereby winning the applause of
the Fathers and of the Catholic world, and confirming a
point of traditional doctrine. For the Mother of the
Savior is, as St. Augustine teaches, "surely the
mother of His members" (De Sanct. Virg., 6: PL 40,
399), and St. Anselm, to
mention only one other, agrees with him in these words:
"What could ever be deemed more suitable than for
you to be the mother of those whose father and brother
Christ deigned to become?" (Or., 47: PL 158, 945). She was called
"most truly the mother of the Church" by Our
predecessor Leo XIII
(Enc. Adiutricem Populi). Hence We have good reason to
place our trust in her in the midst of this terrible
disorder.
The
Value of the Rosary
9.
If evils increase, the devotion of the People of God
should also increase. And so, venerable brothers, We
want you to take the lead in urging and encouraging
people to pray ardently to our most merciful mother Mary
by saying the Rosary during the month of October, as We
have already indicated. This prayer is well-suited to
the devotion of the People of God, most pleasing to the
Mother of God and most effective in gaining heaven's
blessings. The Second Vatican Council recommended use of
the Rosary to all the sons of the Church, not in express
words but in unmistakable fashion in this phrase:
"Let them value highly the pious practices and
exercises directed to the Blessed Virgin and approved
over the centuries by the magisterium" (Dogm.
Const. Lumen Gentium, n. 67).
10.
As the history of the Church makes clear, this very
fruitful way of praying is not only efficacious in
warding off evils and preventing calamities, but is also
of great help in fostering Christian life. "It
nourishes the Catholic faith which readily takes on new
life from a timely commentary on the sacred mysteries,
and it turns minds toward the truths that have been
taught us by God"
(Enc. Ingravescentibus Malis).
October
4th Observance
11.
And so during the month of October, dedicated to Our
Lady of the Rosary, prayers and petitions should be
increased, so that through her intercession the dawn of
true peace may shine forth to men. This means true
religious peace too, for unfortunately, not everyone is
allowed to profess his religion freely in this age. In
particular, We want October 4th - the day on which, as
We mentioned earlier, We went last year to the United
Nations for the sake of peace - to be celebrated
throughout the whole Catholic world this year as a Day
of Prayer for Peace. It will be up to you, venerable
brethren, in the light of your own commendable devotion
and on the basis of the obvious importance of this
matter, to prescribe sacred ceremonies in which priests,
religious and the faithful - especially boys and girls
in the flower of their innocence, and the sick and
others who are suffering - can all ask the help of the
Mother of God and of the Church.
12.
On that day We Ourself will go to St. Peter's Basilica,
to the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles, to offer
special prayers to the Virgin Mother of God, protector
of Christians and mediator for peace. In this way heaven
will be moved, in a sense, by the one voice of the
Church resounding from all the continents on the earth.
For as St. Augustine says, "Amid the various
languages of men, the faith of the heart speaks one
tongue" (Enarrat. in Ps.,
54, 11: PL 36, 636).
An
Appeal to Mary
13.
Look down with maternal clemency, Most Blessed Virgin,
upon all your children. Consider the anxiety of bishops
who fear that their flocks will be tormented by a
terrible storm of evils. Heed the anguish of so many
people, fathers and mothers of families who are
uncertain about their future and beset by hardships and
cares. Soothe the minds of those at war and inspire them
with "thoughts of peace." Through your
intercession, may God, the avenger of injuries, turn to
mercy. May He give back to nations the tranquility they
seek and bring them to a lasting age of genuine
prosperity.
14.
With confidence that the exalted Mother of God will
graciously hear Our humble prayer, We lovingly impart
the apostolic blessing to you, venerable brethren, and
to the clergy and people committed to your care.
Given
at St. Peter's, Rome, on the 15th day of September, in
the year 1966, the fourth of Our pontificate.
PAUL VI
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