Letter Circular Marialis Titulus (13 March 1980)

The Sacred Congregation for Sacraments and Divine Worship’s Marialis Titulus Circular Letter (13 March 1980) authorized the inclusion of the invocation “Mater Ecclesiae” in the Loreto Prayer. It serves as the liturgical complement to Pope Paul VI’s proclamation on 21 November 1964 (see post). The title proclaimed by Paul VI then becomes the official invocation for the universal liturgy.

Text from Enchiridion Vaticanum vol. 7 (1980-1981), para. 233.

Source: Notitiae 16 (1980) 159.

Full Latin Text

De invocatione “Mater ecclesiae”

Dominum salutem.

Titulus marianus “Mater ecclesiae”, quem summus pontifex Paulus VI rec. mem. sollemni sententia pronuntiavit occasione tertiae exactae sessionis concilii Vaticani II, ubique apud populum christianum magis magisque pia devotione recolitur. Insupera et in Missale Romanum (editio typica altera, 1975) nova missa votiva “De beata Maria ecclesiae matre” est inserta.

Summus pontifex Ioannes Paulus II, petitionibus obsequens, quae e diversis mundi regionibus ad apostolicam sedem mittuntur, facultatem concedit ut unaquaeque conferentia episcopalis, qua id exoptet, in formularium litaniarum beatae Mariae virginis invocationem “Mater ecclesiae” inserere possit.

Nova haec invocatio “Mater ecclesiae”, in litaniis “lauretanis” nuncupatis post invocationem “Mater Christi” et ante illam “Mater divinae gratiae”, collocanda est.

Portuguese Translation

Sobre a Invocação “Mater Ecclesiae”

Vossa Eminência,

The Marian title “Mater Ecclesiae” (Mother of the Church), which the Supreme Pontiff Paul VI of pious memory solemnly pronounced on the occasion of the third concluded session of the Second Vatican Council, is invoked everywhere with ever greater piety by the Christian people. Furthermore, in the Roman Missal (second typical edition, 1975) a new votive Mass “De Beata Maria Ecclesiae Matre” was inserted.

The Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, in response to the petitions sent from various regions of the world to the Apostolic See, grants the faculty that each Episcopal Conference wishing to do so may insert in the formula of the litanies of the Blessed Virgin Mary the invocation “Mater Ecclesiae”.

This new invocation “Mater Ecclesiae” in the Litany called “of Loreto” should be placed after the invocation “Mater Christi” and before that of “Mater divinae gratiae”.

Significado Litúrgico:

Historical Arc of 16 Years: A Circular Letter

This circular letter completes a historical arc spanning 16 years:

• November 21, 1964: Paul VI proclaims Mary “Mater Ecclesiae” (Mother of the Church) at the conclusion of the third session of Vatican II.
• 1975: The second edition of the Roman Missal includes the votive Mass “De Beata Maria Ecclesiae Matre” (Of the Blessed Mother, Mother of the Church).
• March 13, 1980: The title becomes an official invocation in the Loretane Litanies, authorized by John Paul II.
• February 11, 2018: Francis establishes a mandatory memorial of “Maria Madre della Chiesa” (Mary, Mother of the Church) on the Tuesday after Pentecost.

Updated Loretane Litany

Following this letter, the Loretane Litany expanded with several additions:

• 1980 (John Paul II): “Mater Ecclesiae” (Mother of the Church)
• 1995 (John Paul II): “Regina familiae” (Queen of Families)
• 2020 (Francis): “Mater misericordiae” (Mother of Mercy), “Mater spei” (Mother of Hope), “Solacium migrantum” (Comfort for Migrants)

Hermeneutical Connections

The text of the circular letter makes three significant hermeneutical references:

• “Pia memoria” of Paul VI: Emphasizes that John Paul II is continuing what Paul VI proclaimed, highlighting pontifical continuity.
• “Petitionibus obsequens”: The inclusion was in response to numerous requests from the Christian people, reflecting the sensus fidelium (the spirit of the faithful).
• Position in the Litany: Located between “Mater Christi” (Mother of Christ) and “Mater divinae gratiae” (Mother of Divine Grace), this placement has mariological significance, linking divine motherhood to the maternal grace of the Church.

Additional Readings

• Paul VI, Proclamação Mater Ecclesiae 1964 | Marialis Cultus | Lumen Gentium, Chapter VIII | Directório sobre a Piedade Popular e a Liturgia