Ecumenism and the Blessed Virgin Mary

JMJ

In the bold march to ecumenism, it was necessary that those elements that might be a 'stumbling block' to the Protestants be removed (see note).

It is obvious that, after the Mass, Our Lady (the Blessed Virgin Mary) is a major stumbling block for the Protestants.

Hence, the need to 'fix' the Rosary by claiming ...

... that to bring out fully the Christological depth of the Rosary it would be suitable to make an addition to the traditional pattern which, while left to the freedom of individuals and communities, could broaden it to include the mysteries of Christ's public ministry between his Baptism and his Passion. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae)

This is after the claim that:

The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium. (ibid)

What are the new 'mysteries' that are proposed for our contemplation?

Moving on from the infancy and the hidden life in Nazareth to the public life of Jesus, our contemplation brings us to those mysteries which may be called in a special way “mysteries of light”. Certainly the whole mystery of Christ is a mystery of light. He is the “light of the world” (Jn 8:12). Yet this truth emerges in a special way during the years of his public life, when he proclaims the Gospel of the Kingdom. In proposing to the Christian community five significant moments – “luminous” mysteries – during this phase of Christ's life, I think that the following can be fittingly singled out: (1) his Baptism in the Jordan, (2) his self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana, (3) his proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with his call to conversion, (4) his Transfiguration, and finally, (5) his institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery.

So breaking the links to the Psalter and Trinity we have a Fourth set of mysteries that somehow improve what has been praised for hundreds of years by Popes. Removing the pinnacle of Christ's life on earth (His Passion) from the middle of the cycle to be placed with the other events that were leading up to the event.

Mysteries of the Rosary
Joyful	Sorrowful	Glorious
Annunciation	Agony in the Garden	Resurrection
Visitation	Scourging	Ascension
Nativity	Crowning with Thorns	Descent of the Holy Ghost
Presentation	Carrying of the Cross	Assumption
Finding in the Temple	Crucifixion	Coronation

Like most post V2 statements, it speaks out of both sides of its mouth.

Coincidence? I think not!

It appears to me that in attempting to 'bring[ing] out fully the Christological depth' of the Rosary, the goal is to dilute the role of Our Lady, Mediatrix of all Graces. In this way to remove yet another stumbling block to the heretics.

P^3

Note:
Archbishop Bugnini made a statement in L'Osservatore Romano that has been translated in various ways and not word for word. However, the key element to remember is that a word for word translation does not always convey the meaning. What remains is that Bugnini did state the need to remove everything that could be a barrier to the protestants. Ironically, by doing just that, they erected barriers to the Orthodox!

E tuttavia l'amore delle anime e il desiderio di agevolare in ogni modo il cammino dell'unione ai fratelli separati, rimovendo ogni pietra che possa constituire pur lontanamente un inciampo o motivo di disagio, hanno indoto la Chiesa anche a quiesti penosi sacrifici. (Queen of Martyrs)

Typical translation:

“We must strip from our Catholic prayers and from the Catholic liturgy everything which can be the shadow of a stumbling block for our separated brethren that is for the Prostestants.” - Archbishop Annibale Bugnini, main author of the New Mass, L'Osservatore Romano, March 19, 1965

or alternatively translated:

remove everything which could be even the shadow of a stumbling block for our separated brethren or could cause them any displeasure.” FSSPX

Recommended Reading: Armour and Armament Abandoned - 1P5

Comments

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