CONCILIAR TEACHING OF LUMEN GENTIUM

 

Thirteen

Conciliar teaching of Lumen Gentium

In 1964, The Constitution Lumen Gentium, promulgated during the Second Vatican Council, stated; “Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked by the Church under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix, and Mediatrix. This, however, is to be so understood that it neither takes away from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficaciousness of Christ the one Mediator.”  ₄₃

Thus, the teaching of the Church concerning Mary as Mediatrix unfolded as a consistent theological understanding across the Magisterium. From Pope Leo XIII, through Pope Benedict XV and the Marian teaching of Venerable Pope Pius XII, this understanding developed within the Church’s reflection on Mary’s unique participation in the work of salvation.

The teaching reached significant conciliar expression in Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium.  The constitution affirmed that Mary’s salvific influence flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ. Furthermore, her influence rests on Christ’s mediation, and depends entirely on it. Mary’s influence originates from the Divine, flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on His mediation, depends entirely upon it, and draws all its power from it. In no way does it impede, but rather does it foster the immediate union of the faithful with Christ. ₄₄ Conciliar teaching thus stated that Mary is Mediatrix, all the while safeguarding the truth that Christ alone is the one Mediator.  

The mediation of Mother Mary is Christ-centred and maternal. Mary does not draw the faithful away from Christ. Rather, as Lumen Gentium teaches, her maternal assistance is intended to lead believers ever closer to the Redeemer.

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12.   Vatican Council II. Lumen Gentium. Number 62. Ibid

13.   Vatican Council II. Lumen Gentium. Number 60. Ibid

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