Apologia Pro Sancta Maria–Mater Pulchrae Dilectionis (Mother of Fair Love): Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church), Book 1

by Joseph P. Michael, Th.D.

The author offers the Church something that the Church does not currently possess, namely a comprehensive, multi-faceted treatment of the subject of Maria, Mater Ecclesiae, arguing that Mary was divinely predestined to be Mother of the Church from the dawn of creation. The book is both persuasive and provocative, potentially troublesome for those who remain indifferent to the Virgin Mother’s participation in Christ’s mission of redemption. The inquiry spans the intellectual spectrum, on one hand clarifying terminology for the purposes of catechetical and ecumenical dialogue, on the other hand providing voluminous authoritative references that call upon various theologians, philosophers, Saints, Doctors of the Church and scripture passages that are seemingly difficult to refute.

At the heart of this investigation lies the existential reality of Mary’s maternal charity and the understanding of love as a reciprocal relationship between Mary and her adopted children. It is the mutual nature of love that spawns the idea that this Marian doctrine may benefit ecumenical dialogue and evangelization by appealing both to the heart and the importance of loving one another. But perhaps the most potentially contentious aspect of this investigation lies in the argument that as the doctrine relies on the principle of mutual love for one another, it becomes abundantly clear that love and devotion for the Virgin Mother becomes necessary if one aspires to eternal happiness.

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RAISON D’ÊTRE

Written in 1859, Charles Dicken’s opening lines of a Tale of Two Cities are as timeless as they are prophetic, as relevant to society during the French Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment as they are to the rampant dissonance and darkness that threatens to engulf the present-day modern world. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

This work is as much a passionate apology to the Virgin Mother for mankind’s attitude of indifference to her wisdom and counsel where she has repeatedly warned of an ever-increasing vortex of darkness and immorality, of wars and of conflict and division as it is a scholarly investigation that proposes a series of rational arguments justifying another Marian dogma. The book is, at its very core, both a fervent and a rational appeal to ecclesiastical authorities and all who believe in Christ to reconsider the importance of the Marian doctrine of Mary, Mother of the Church that, if it were to be formally promulgated, holds the promise of a renaissance of Marian devotion, renewed hope for Christian unity and victories over the powers and principalities in their spiritual warfare with both believers and non-believers alike.

TESTIMONIALS

“In this book, Dr. Joseph P. Michael explores the deeper meaning of Mary as Mother of the Church. He shows that Mary’s bond of mutual love with the members of the Mystical Body of Christ is part of God’s eternal plan. Drawing upon Scripture, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Louis de Montfort and Catholic thinkers such as Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange, OP and Dietrich von Hildebrand, Dr. Michael shows how devotion to Mary is necessary for the members of the Church according to God’s will. This book is more than a theological exploration. It is a sustained meditation on the Virgin Mary as the Mother of Fair Love.” – Robert Fastiggi, Ph.D. Professor of Dogmatic Theology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit and member of the Pontifical International Marian Academy

“Since the Second Vatican Council, we have seen very few works of theology of this sort, especially in Mariology. The author did something not seen in this area – he took for granted the truth and clarity of previous Church teaching and used these sources as if they were TRUE. As the generations of Catholic theologians tempted by Enlightenment cynicism pass into history, being replaced by more humble authors who mine the Scriptures and Catholic Tradition for the coherent treasures therein without standing in judgment of the truths of the Church, may we receive more works of this sort.” – from the “Introduction,” Fr. Gregory J. Lockwood, Christ the King Parish, Kansas City, MO

“The arguments presented provide the Church with a comprehensive treatment of the subject that, thus far, is otherwise lacking on the topic. I am confident that the conclusion that a Fifth Marian dogma for Mater Ecclesiae should be seriously considered by the Church will arouse a healthy debate among scholars.” – Rev. Randy Soto, STL, STD, Sacred Scripture scholar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARY, OUR BLESSED MOTHER