Paul VI – Encyclical “Mense Maio” (April 29, 1965): Full Latin Text

Full Text Translation

Encyclical “Mense Maio” (April 29, 1965) by Pope Paul VIThis is the first Marian encyclical of his pontificate, dedicated to calling the entire Church to pray during May for peace in Vietnam and for the successful conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. Text omitted from principal editions, collected in Enchiridion Vaticanum S1 Omissa (paragraphs 51-61).Collection: Enchiridion Vaticanum S1 Omissa, paragraphs 51-61 Pope: Blessed Paul VI Document: Encyclical Letter “Mense Maio” – In the month of May, supplications are offered to the Blessed Virgin Mary Date: April 29, 1965

Full Latin Text – n. 51

In the month of May, which the Christian faithful have long been accustomed to dedicating to Mary, the Mother of God, our hearts overflow with joy, as if drawn by a leading spectacle of faith and love, fitting to move us, which is soon offered everywhere on earth in honor of the Queen of Heaven. For in this month, on the one hand, both in temples and within domestic walls, more devoted acts of piety and worship are rendered to the Virgin Mother from the hearts of Christians according to received tradition; on the other hand, richer and more abundant gifts of divine mercy are wont to flow down upon us from the throne of our Mother.

Portuguese Translation – n. 51

As May approaches, a month that Christians have long been accustomed to dedicating to Mary Mother of God, our spirit exults with joy, anticipating as it were a spectacle of faith and love capable of moving us, which will soon be offered in every part of the earth in honor of the Queen of Heaven. For in this month, on the one hand, both in temples and within domestic walls, the Virgin Mother of God receives from Christian souls more loving services of piety and worship according to established custom; on the other hand, more frequent and richer gifts of divine mercy are wont to flow upon us from the throne of our Mother.

Latin Text – n. 52: Mary as the Way to Christ

Quapropter iucundissimus solaciique plenus advenit nobis religiosus hic mos cum mense maio coniunctus, unde et in beatissimam Virginem tantum honor, et in populum Christianum tam uberes proficiscuntur fructus. Cum enim Maria iure merito tamquam via sit habenda, qua ad Christum ducamur, fieri idcirco non potest quin Mariae qui occurrerit, Christo pariter occurrat. Quid namque ad Mariam continenter confugientes aliud quaerimus, nisi in eius ulnis, in ipsa scilicet Virgine, per ipsam, cumque ipsa, Christum quaerimus, servatorem nostrum…

Portuguese Translation – n. 52

Therefore this religious custom linked to the month of May comes to us most joyful and full of consolation, from which so much honor results for the Most Holy Virgin, and such abundant fruits for the Christian people. For since Mary is with just reason considered as the way by which we are led to Christ, it cannot happen that whoever finds Mary does not also find Christ. What indeed do we seek when we continually resort to Mary, if not to seek in her arms, that is, in the Virgin herself, through her and with her, Christ, our Savior…

The Two Requests of the Encyclical

Paul VI articulates two specific requests for May 1965:1. Peace in Vietnam: He calls for prayers for peace in Vietnam. 2. Success of the Second Vatican Council: He prays for the successful conclusion of the Second Vatican Council.

1. In honor of the successful conclusion of the Second Vatican Council: The Council would enter its final period (September 14 to December 8, 1965), during which the documents Lumen Gentium, Dei Verbum, Gaudium et Spes, Sacrosanctum Concilium and others would be approved. The Pope called for Marian prayers to ensure all was accomplished in harmony.
2. For peace in Vietnam: The war in Vietnam intensified from 1965 (with the start of Operation Rolling Thunder in February). Paul VI entrusted peace to Mary’s intercession, a tradition continued in Christi Matri Rosarii (1966) and Recurrens Mensis October (1969).

Historical Significance

Mense Maio holds historical importance as it illustrates Paul VI’s appeal to Mary during the most delicate moments of his pontificate. Other texts in this tradition include Christi Matri Rosarii and Recurrens Mensis October culminating in Marialis Cultus (1974), the magna carta of post-conciliar Marian devotion.

Further Reading

Marialis Cultus | Mense Maio + Christi Matri + Recurrens | Signum Magnum | Proclamação Mater Ecclesiae