Twenty-one
Marian veneration
in Canon Law and Liturgy
Code
of Canon Law
Title IV of Book IV of the Code of
Canon Law addresses the veneration of Mary and the saints. Canon 1186
states that, for the sanctification of the people of God, the Church commends
the Blessed Virgin Mary to their special and filial reverence. Moreover, authentic
veneration of the saints is promoted. The example of the saints instructs the
faithful. Eastern canon law governing these matters is substantially the same
as the Latin law (CCEO 884–888). 59
The New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law notes
that the Church venerates the Blessed Virgin Mary and the other saints through
the celebration of the sanctoral cycle in the liturgy of the hours, and the
Eucharist.
The New Commentary on the Code of
Canon Law further states that in addition to the many feasts in honour of Mary
during the liturgical year, there is a special sacramentary and lectionary, the
Collection of Masses of the
Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary and the other saints are also venerated by
means of art and music, popular devotions and sacramentals. Veneration of the
Mother of God is especially recommended to seminarians, clergy and religious. 60
Collection
of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Marian devotion therefore is not
confined to private piety, but forms part of the Church’s wider liturgical and
devotional life. The Collection
of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, approved for liturgical use and
confirmed by the Holy See, 61 provides
significant example of this continuing tradition.
The text of the Mass entitled “Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and
Mediatrix of Grace” 62 describes
Mary as having a maternal role in the Church, while presenting Christ as the
Mediator. The liturgical formulation therefore illustrates how Marian mediation
is understood within a Christ-centred framework. Mary’s maternal role does not
constitute an independent source of grace.
The liturgical calendar likewise
demonstrates the continuing place of Marian titles and devotions within the
life of the Church. Among the celebrations found in the General Roman Calendar
are inter alia Mary,
Mother of God (celebrated on January 1); the Annunciation (celebrated March 25);
the Visitation (May 31); the Immaculate Heart of Mary (June, Saturday after the
second Sunday after Pentecost); Santa Maria Maggiore (August 5); the Assumption
(August 15); the Queenship of Mary (August 22); Nativity of Mary (September 8);
Most Holy Name of Blessed Virgin Mary (September 12); Our Lady of Sorrows
(September 15); Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7); Presentation of Blessed
Virgin Mary (November 21); the Immaculate Conception (celebrated December 8).
63
Additional
Marian feasts within Liturgical calendar
There are many other Marian feasts,
including Our Lady of
Lourdes (celebrated February 11); 64 Our Lady of Fatima (May 13);
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July
16); 65 Our Lady of Loreto (December 10); 66
and Our Lady of
Guadalupe (celebrated December 12), 67 these are
observed according to the provisions applicable to the universal or particular
Church. Pope Francis established the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church (celebrated the
Monday after Pentecost). 68
The history of Marian devotion also
includes apparitions that underwent ecclesial investigation and recognition,
according to official procedures of their time.
Lourdes, for example, received
episcopal recognition following canonical inquiry. Devotional traditions
associated with places of apparition such as Cotignac and Rue du Bac, developed
within their own historical ecclesial contexts. These examples form part of the
history of Marian devotion.
Historical
ecclesial recognition of Marian apparitions
Papal
recognition of apparitions at Lourdes
After
a four-year canonical inquiry,
Bishop Bertrand-Severe Laurence of Tarbes, in his judgment of
January 18, 1862, declared that "the Immaculate Mary,
Mother of God, did indeed appear to Bernadette Soubirous on February 11, 1858,
and on subsequent days" and authorized public
veneration.
The Bureau Medical de Lourdes, established in 1883, examined reported cures. Seventy have to date been judged inexplicable to medical science by international medical commissions, and recognized as miraculous by the relevant local bishops.
Pope
Leo XIII authorized a special Office and Mass in commemoration of the
apparitions, and in 1907 Saint Pope Pius X extended the feast to the whole
Church. 69 The
events of Lourdes were recognized according to ecclesiastical processes of
the day; by means of rigorous canonical inquiry, episcopal judgement and papal
recognition.
The
devotion associated with apparitions to Saint Catherine Labouré developed
within nineteenth century canonical framework. In 1836, a canonical inquiry
into the apparitions at Rue du Bac was conducted by Canon Quentin, on behalf of
the Archbishop of Paris. Thereafter, the apparitions were formally approved by
Archbishop of Paris, Hyacinthe-Louis de Quélen.
Papal
recognition of apparitions at Rue du Bac
The
Rue du Bac apparitions received papal recognition when Pope Gregory XVI
authorized minting of the Miraculous Medal. The Supreme Pontiff placed a
miraculous medal on his study table, alongside a crucifix. Pope Gregory XVI
often gifted a miraculous medal to his many visitors, signifying its
importance.
Blessed Pope Pius IX approved the Archconfraternity of the
Miraculous Medal at the Parish of San Ginés in Madrid, in February 1845. He also
approved the establishment of the Association of Daughters of Mary, with the
Miraculous Medal as its emblem.
Pope Leo XIII granted privileges to the medal, and institutionalized the feast of the Miraculous Medal on November 27, 1894. Saint Pope Pius X approved the Association of the Miraculous Medal on June 8, 1909.
Pope
Pius XI encouraged recitation of the invocation associated with the medal. He entitled
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal as “Queen of Missions and Queen of the World.”
Venerable Pope Pius XII canonised the visionary Saint Catherine Labouré, thus
affirming the authenticity of the Rue du Bac apparitions.
Saint
Pope John XXIII promoted recognition of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal as the
Queen of Missions. Saint Pope Paul VI encouraged the Miraculous Medal
devotion.
Saint
Pope John Paul II visited the Rue du Bac chapel of apparitions in Paris on May
31, 1980, and offered prayer. 70
Marian
veneration in ecclesiastical context
Canon
law, liturgical texts, sanctoral cycle, and established devotional practice
demonstrate that Marian veneration remains an integral element of Church life.
Within broader ecclesiastical context, historical papal recognition of
apparitions at Cotignac, Rue du Bac and Lourdes provide historical ecclesial context
for the title Our Lady of Graces.
Historical ecclesial and papal recognition provides ecclesiastically received foundation for understanding the manner in which titles such as Mother of Grace and Our Lady of Graces developed within Church devotion. These titles, while affirming honour of Mother Mary, always direct the faithful to Christ, the Source of every grace. Honour (hyperdulia) may be offered to Mother Mary, while worship (latria) is given to God alone.
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59. Beal, J. et alii. New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law. The Canon Law Society of America. Page 1413 Accessed 7 September 2026
60. Beal, J. et alii. New
Commentary on the Code of Canon Law. Ibid. Pages 1413 - 1414
61. Catholic Book Publishing
Company. Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Volume 1. Missal. Frontispiece. London. 2012 Accessed 7 September
2026
https://b2c-cbp-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/pdfs/9781937913281.pdf
62. Ave
Maria! (Ina ng Diyos, Ina ng Pilipino). Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary 30
(Ordinary Time XII). Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Mediatrix of Grace. Accessed 7 September 2026
https://avemariainangdiyos.blogspot.com/2023/03/masses-of-blessed-virgin-mary-30.html
63. General Roman Calendar. Accessed 7 September 2026 https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/Info/General-Roman-Calendar.pdf
64. General
Roman Calendar. Ibid
65. Marians of the Immaculate
Conception. Feast Days of Mary.
Accessed 7 September 2026 https://marian.org/mary/feast-days
66. Catholic Daily Readings.
Our Lady of Loreto. – Feast Day – December 10 2026.
Accessed 7 September 2026
https://catholicreadings.org/our-lady-of-loreto/
67. General Roman Calendar.
Ibid
68. Vatican News. Memorial
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, Accessed 7 September 2026 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/liturgical-holidays/memorial-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary--mother-of-the-church.html
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