(In honor of Our Lady of Fatima, the following article is an abridged and edited version of Mense Maio, Encyclical of Pope Paul VI on Prayers During May for Preservation of Peace, April 29, 1965.)
May has long been dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. Our heart rejoices at the thought of the moving tribute of faith and love which is paid to the Queen of Heaven in every corner of the earth. This is the month which Christians, in their churches and their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration; and a greater abundance of God's mercy comes down to us from our Mother's throne.
Mary remains the path that leads to Christ; the person who encounters Mary encounters Christ Himself. For what other reason do we continually turn to Mary except to seek the Christ in her arms — to seek our Savior in her, through her, and with her? To Him we turn amid the anxieties and perils of this world, urged on by duty and driven by the compelling needs of hearts, to find a haven of salvation, an all-surpassing fountain of life.
May is a powerful incentive to more frequent and fervent prayers, and our petitions more readily find access to our Mother's compassionate heart. It has been the custom of our predecessors to choose this month for urging the Christian people to offer public prayers whenever the needs of the Church demanded it or some danger threatened the human race. Therefore, we feel compelled to call for such prayers from the whole Catholic world. Looking at the present needs of the Church and the status of world peace, we have sound reasons to believe that the present hour is especially grave and that a call for united prayer is a matter of top priority.
International affairs are extremely troubled and uncertain. The supreme benefit of peace is again being placed in jeopardy. Today we see tensions worsening gravely between nations in certain parts of the world, as if no lesson had been learned from the bitter experiences of the two world wars which caused so much bloodletting. Once again we see people risking recourse to arms instead of negotiating to settle disputes between opposing viewpoints. Thus, the inhabitants of entire nations are subjected to unspeakable sufferings that grow more frequent and bitterer each day.
We implore all those in public authority not to disregard mankind's unanimous desire for peace. Let them try everything in their power to preserve the peace which is now threatened. Let them not cease to promote discussions and negotiations on every possible occasion and between people of every rank, so that their dangerous recourse to weapons, with all their terrible temporal, spiritual, and moral misfortunes, may be halted. Following the paths marked out by law, let them try every sincere pursuit for justice and peace; let them encourage such pursuits and make them successful; let them place confidence in every sincere token of good will, so that the praiseworthy cause of right order may prevail over the cause of disorder and ruin.
Unfortunately, in this painful situation, we sadly note that there is very often no respect for the sacred and inviolable character of human life; actions and methods are employed which openly flaunt the moral sensibilities and customs of civilized people. Thus, we cannot help but raise our voice to defend the dignity of man and Christian civilization; to condemn secret and treacherous warfare, terrorist activities, the taking of hostages, and savage reprisals against unarmed people.
These are crimes which reverse man's awareness of what is just and humane, and further embitter the hearts of those in conflict. These crimes can block the paths still open to mutual good faith; or at least they can render negotiations which, if conducted with sincerity and honesty, could lead to a reasonable settlement.
But peace is not merely of our own making. It is also, and primarily, a gift from God. Peace comes from heaven. It will truly reign among men when we have finally proved ourselves worthy to receive this gift from Almighty God. Just as the happiness and destiny of nations are in His power, so also are the hearts of men. [Cf. John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 40]
And so we shall obtain this lofty benefit by praying to God; by praying with fidelity and watchfulness, as the Church has from her very beginning; by praying, in particular, for the intercession and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen of Peace.
So, throughout May, let us offer our prayers, especially the most Holy Rosary, to the Mother of God with greater devotion and confidence, so that we may obtain her favor and her blessing. In this way, we may most effectively carry out our Lord's command: “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Mt 7:7).
To read the complete encyclical, click here.
Charles M. Rizzo B.A., B.Ed. is a high school religion teacher and published author. His works include the classic 1988 pro-life video, Rescue with Joan Andrews, and his current project, Mary, Our Mother: A Basic Guide to the Heart of Marian Doctrine and Devotion. Visit his website or contact him at Charles@CharlesRizzo.Com.
