Santa Maria: Virgin made Church.
Franciscan Marian Devotion for Today's Church
The presentation focuses on the role of Santa María in Christianity, with discussions on her significance in the Church, her unique priesthood, and her importance as a model for believers. The evolution of Marian devotion in Franciscan spirituality was also explored, with an emphasis on the need for a more pastoral approach to Marian spirituality.
The presentation outlines a detailed exploration of Franciscan Marian devotion and its connection to the modern Church, focusing on Santa María's role in Christian spirituality. See below for keypoints and further reflection.
The presentation outlines a detailed exploration of Franciscan Marian devotion and its connection to the modern Church, focusing on Santa María's role in Christian spirituality. See below for keypoints and further reflection.
Santa María Madre de la Iglesia
Giacopo Torriti OFM (1290s Roma) Foto di Francesco Lazzero |
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Here are the key points:
- Franciscan Marian Devotion:
- Mary is central to the spiritual life, emphasizing her role as a model for believers.
- Francis of Assisi saw Santa Maria as the Virgin-made-Church, emphasizing her embodiment of the Church's virtues.
- Historical Development of Marian Theology:
- Early Christians viewed Mary through Jesus, not vice versa.
- Marian devotion evolved from low Mariology (focused on her humanity) in the Gospel of Mark to high Mariology in John’s Gospel, where Mary is symbolically aligned with the Church.
- Theological Highlights:
- Santa Maria’s unique prerogatives include the Immaculate Conception, perpetual virginity, and assumption into heaven.
- John Duns Scotus, a Franciscan theologian, defended and defined the Immaculate Conception as integral to Christ's salvific mission.
- Mary’s Titles and Roles:
- For Francis, Santa Maria was the daughter of the Father, the mother of the Son, and the bride of the Holy Spirit.
- She is portrayed as embodying the virtues of the Church and believers' call to bear Christ in their lives as his spouses, brothers, sisters and mothers.
- Ecclesial and Pastoral Implications:
- Santa Maria is not privileged above others but exemplifies what all Christians are called to be.
- Marian devotion needs to be
- Christological -- Jesus is the focus of worship and adoration
- Pneumatic --- María is intimately bound to the Holy Spirit
- Incarnational -- María is instrumental for the Incarnation
- Participatory -- Christians are called to share in María's roll in the plan of salvation
- Ecclesial --- María is the Church's model of discipleship
- Christological -- Jesus is the focus of worship and adoration
- Mary and Modern Christianity:
- Popular religion often exaggerates or neglects her role; the Church must balance these extremes.
- Vatican II (Lumen Gentium 8) emphasized Mary's relationship with the Church, presenting her as a model for believers.
- Mary’s Revolutionary Spirit:
- The Magnificat reflects Mary's challenge to societal norms, advocating justice and equality.
- She represents a figure of hope, revolution, and solidarity with the oppressed.
This framework highlights how Marian devotion enriches Christian life by offering a model for faithful living, justice, and deep spiritual engagement.
Further Reflection
1. Reflect on your favorite title or image of Santa María and how it relates to our spiritual journey during Advent.
2. Consider how you can embody the qualities of Santa María , such as being a child, mother and spouse of the Triune God in your daily lives.
3 Ponder how you can live out the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Santa María in your own lives.
4. Consider how you can evangelize popular religion and promote a more balanced understanding of Mary's role in the Church.
5. Reflect on how you can challenge yourself to live out the message of the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55.