Mary in the liturgical texts

Abstract

He who reads the Scriptures meets Mary the Mother of Jesus. Thereby he faces the problem of her meaning and value for the for the followers of Christ. He also faces the problem of Mary's place in the Liturgy today. In this context, I would like to offer some reflections in connection with Mary's place and part in the liturgy, more particularly on Mary as presented in the liturgical texts. The liturgy contains a faithful deposit of almost two thousand years" experience by the church; it is moreover a Spirit-inspired and Spirit-protected treasure of the faith. It is the official cult of the church; it is based upon the authority of the church, with which it stands or falls, and its smallest details are regulated by the church. Every text, every action is exactly prescribed and ordered by the highest ecclesiastical authority, the Holy See itself. There can, therefore, be no doubt that the church brings to expression in its Liturgy the most profound truths concerning the person and place of the Mother of God and that the church sets up the norms according to which Mary should be given the honour which is due to her. Consequently, throughout the centuries up to the present times, such norms have been set up. There has been an evolution in Mariology and this reflects the various devotions and cults given to Mary as from the birth of Christianity till Post Vatican II era. Mary always held a unique place in the Christians' life [...].