LITURGY MATTERS: De Maria numquam satis!

By Michael McKenna, Archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies

As a model of faith, obedience, humility and charity, the Blessed Virgin Mary holds a central place in God’s plan for salvation.

The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of Vatican II (Lumen Gentium) states that Mary “in a certain way unites and mirrors within herself the central truths of the faith.” In dedicating an entire month to her, the Church invites the faithful to reflect on how we might emulate her virtues, and at the same time rediscover the tenderness and intercession to be found in inviting our Blessed Mother into our daily lives.

In this regard Pope Francis observed that Mary “is not only the bridge joining us to God; she is much more. She is the road God travelled in order to reach us, and the road that we must travel in order to reach Him.”

Translated from the Latin, De Maria numquam satis is the famous Marian maxim of St. Bernard of Clairvaux proposing that ‘of Mary one can never say enough’. It is a truism embraced by G K Chesterton, the creator of the fictional priest-detective Fr Brown.

Chesterton wrote extensively and with deep reverence about Mary, the Mother of God, in which he explored and reflected upon her role in his spiritual journey, including in his poems, novels, and essays. Renowned as perhaps the most celebrated convert of his time, it is said that Chesterton was Marian even before he was Christian.

In his “Bull of Indiction” for the year of Jubilee, Pope Francis observed “It is not by chance that popular piety continues to invoke the Blessed Virgin as Stella Maris, a title that bespeaks the sure hope that, amid the tempests of this life, the Mother of God comes to our aid, sustains us and encourages us to persevere in hope and trust.” 

Of the 117 titles by which Our Lady intercedes for us, she personally told the shepherd children at Fatima, “I am the Lady of the Rosary.” In apparitions in Fatima, Lourdes, and Guadalupe, she has consistently encouraged the praying of the Rosary. It is through the Rosary that Mary seeks to lead humanity to Jesus one Hail Mary at a time – each a small step closer to Christ her Son.

In this Easter season we rejoice with our Blessed Mother and entrust ourselves again to her maternal love, as Jesus did. Let us turn to the Rosary with renewed trust, gratitude and enthusiasm!