Catechesi tradendae, n. 73 (1979) – full Latin text: Maria Mater et exemplar catechistarum

Apostolic Exhortation Catechesi Tradendae (John Paul II, October 16, 1979) On Mary as Mother and Model of Catechists Collection: Enchiridion Vaticanum vol. 6, paragraph 1939 Pope: Saint John Paul II Document: Apostolic Exhortation Catechesi Tradendae Date: October 16, 1979 (first anniversary of the papal election) Full Latin text, n. 73 (Maria, Mater et exemplar discipulorum)> 75. How we would wish that the Virgin of Pentecost might intercede for us! She herself, in observing a singular choice, contemplated the Son while He “grew in wisdom, age, and grace.” Laid in her arms and then listening to Him throughout the hidden life in Nazareth, that Son, who was the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, was by her instructed in the human understanding of the Scriptures and the history of the divine counsel over the chosen people, worshiping the Father.First of all, she was his disciple: first in time, for when she found her Son in the Temple, she received from him the doctrines that she kept in her heart; but above all because no one has been “taught by God” to such a high degree. “Mother and disciple at the same time,” states St. Augustine, adding boldly that being his disciple was more important for her than being mother.Not without reason, in the synodal session, Mary was called a “living catechism,” “mother and model of catechists.”

Text in Italian (from the Enchiridion)

73. May the Virgin of Pentecost obtain all this with her intercession! By a singular vocation, she saw the Son Jesus “grow in wisdom, age, and grace.” On her knees and then listening to Him during the hidden life in Nazareth, this Son, who was the Only Begotten of the Father full of grace and truth, was formed by her in human knowledge of the Scriptures and the history of God’s design on His people, in the adoration of the Father.She was the first of his disciples: first in time, for even when she found him in the temple, she received from the hands of the adolescent Son lessons that she kept in her heart, especially the first one, because no one was ever “taught by God” to such a depth. Mother and student at the same time, Saint Augustine said of her, adding boldly that being a student was more important for her than being a mother.It is not without reason that in the synodal assembly it was said of Mary that she is “a living catechism,” “mother and model of catechists.”73. May the Virgin of Pentecost grant us all these things through her intercession! By a singular vocation, she saw the Son of God “grow in wisdom, age, and grace.” On her knees and then listening to her during the hidden life in Nazareth, this Son, who was the only-begotten of the Father full of grace and truth, was formed by her in the human knowledge of Scripture and the history of God’s plan for his people, in the adoration of the Father.> She was, moreover, the first of the disciples: first in time, because she already found him in the Temple and received from the adolescent Son lessons that she kept in her heart; above all, because no one was ever “taught by God” to such a profound degree. Mother and disciple at the same time, Saint Augustine said of her audaciously that being a disciple was more important for her than being a mother.> It is no coincidence that in the Synod class it was said of Mary that she is a “living catechism,” “mother and model of catechists.”> May, with Mary’s prayer, the presence of the Holy Spirit give the Church an unprecedented impetus in catechetical work, which is essential for her. Then the Church will effectively fulfill, in this time of grace, the inalienable and universal mission received from its Master: “Go and teach all nations.”—

The Five Central Mariological Affirmations

Number 73 of Catechesi Tradendae makes five central affirmations about Mary:

1. Mary teaches Christ: “In her arms placed… he was formed by her in the human knowledge of Scripture.”
2. Mary is the first disciple: “First in time” (the first in history) and “above all.”
3. Mary is more disciple than mother (quoting Saint Augustine): “She was more a disciple of Christ than a Mother of Christ.”
4. Mary is a “living catechism”: “Catechismus vivus,” a formula born in the 1977 Synod on Catechesis (presided over by Paul VI) and officially recognized by this text.
5. Mary is “mother and model of catechists”: “Catechistarum mater et exemplar,” a formula that will be taken up in all subsequent catechetical documents.

—

Origin of the Formula “Catechismus Vivus”

The expression “living catechism” (catechismus vivus) is unique and has no direct magisterial precedents. It emerged in the 1977 Synod on Catechesis (IV General Assembly of Bishops on Catechesis, presided over by Paul VI). Cardinal Bernardin Gantin (Benin) proposed it in a memorable intervention: “Mary not only has the catechism; Mary is the catechism.” The formula became a magisterial synthesis in Catechesi Tradendae.—

Connection to Subsequent Mariological Catechesis

The formula “catechistarum mater et exemplar” from Catechesi Tradendae became the reference for:

• Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992): especially nn. 484-511.
• General Directory for Catechesis (1997-2020).
• Compendium of the CCC (Benedict XVI, 2005).
• Various Apostolic Letters on the formation of catechists.

Additional Reading

– [Catechesi Tradendae: post synthesis](/João-Paulo-II-Catechesi-Tradendae-post-síntese/) – Catecismo da Igreja Católica – Sections on Marian Dogma – [Redemptoris Mater](/Redemptoris-Mater/) – [Mariological Catecheses 1995-1997](/João-Paulo-II-catequeses-marianas-1995-1997/)