Magisterial Documents Index
As of 2024, All About Mary is no longer being updated with new content. Information and links may be outdated, and reflect the expertise, interpretations and opinions of their authors, not necessarily of the Marian Library, International Marian Research Institute or the University of Dayton. Visit the homepage for more information.
Marian Magisterial Documents Index
Magisterial documents studied in this section are documents with a Marian content dealing with doctrine and/or devotion. They are written by the pope directly or emanate from various Vatican congregations and offices. Magisterial documents are also the result of episcopal synods convocated by the pope, diocesan synods, pastoral letters, and, most important, documents of ecumenical councils and regional gatherings.
The International Marian Research Institute examined magisterial documents promulgated from 1964 through 2016 for Marian content to make that content available for those studying Marian theology. The presentation is made in two ways: (1) generically and chronologically; (2) analytically and thematically.
Beginning with the pontificate of Benedict XVI, the International Marian Research Institute also collected and made available extracts of papal pronouncements, comments and devotional expressions, published every month under the title "Marian Thoughts." View the Marian Thoughts of Pope Benedict XVI compiled from April 2005 through February 2013. View the Marian Thoughts of Pope Francis compiled from March 2013 to June 2020.
Chronological Approach
This chronological approach includes Marian contents of magisterial documents from the beginning of theological investigation.
- 1964, Nov. 21 - Lumen Gentium 8
- 1965, April 29 - Mense Maio
- 1965, Sept. 2 - Mysterium Fidei
- 1966, Sept. 15 - Christi Matri
- 1967, May 13 - Signum Magnum
- 1968, June 30 - Solemni Hac Liturgia
- 1969, Oct. 7 - Recurrens Mensis
- 1971, March 18 - Directorium Catechisticum Generale
- 1973, Jan. 11 - Basic Teachings for Catholic Religious Education
- 1973, Nov. 21 - Behold Your Mother: Woman of Faith
- 1974, Feb. 2 - Marialis Cultus
- 1975, May 9 - Gaudete in Domino
- 1979, March - Sharing the Light of Faith
- 1979, March 4 - Redemptor Hominis
- 1979, Oct. 17 - Catechesi Tradendae
- 1980, Nov. 30 - Dives in Misericordia
- 1981, March 25 - A Concilio Constantinopolitano I
- 1984, March 25 - Redemptoris Donum
- 1986, May 18 - Dominum et Vivificantem
- 1987, March 25 - Redemptoris Mater
- 1987, April 3 - Orientation and Proposals for the Celebration of the Marian Year
- 1987, Dec. 30 - Sollicitudo Rei Socialis
- 1988, March 25 - Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 1988
- 1988, March 25 - The Virgin Mary in Intellectual and Spiritual Formation
- 1988, May 22 - Litterae Encyclicae
- 1988, Aug. 15 - Mulieris Dignitatem
- 1989, Aug. 15 - Redemptoris Custos
- 1990 - Guidelines on Doctrine for Catechetical Materials
- 1990, Dec. 7 - Redemptoris Missio
- 1992, Oct. 11 - Catechism of the Catholic Church
- 1993, Aug. 6 - Veritatis Splendor
- 1994, Nov. 10 - Tertio Millennio Adveniente
- 1995, March 25 - Evangelium Vitae
- 1995, May 30 - Orientale Lumen, Ut Unum Sint
- 1995, June 29 - Letter to Women – Beijing Conference
- 1995, Sept. 14 – Ecclesia in Africa
- 1996, March 25 - Vita Consecrata
- 1998, Sept. 14 - Fides et Ratio
- 1999, Jan. 22 - Eccesia in America
- 1999, Nov. 6 - Ecclesia in Asia
- 2001, Jan. 6 - Novo Millennio Ineunte
- 2001, Nov. 22 - Ecclesia in Oceania
- 2002, Oct. 16 - Rosarium Virginis Mariae
- 2003, April 17 - Ecclesia de Eucharistia
- 2003, June 28 - Ecclesia in Europa
- 2003, Oct. 16 - Pastores Gregis
- 2005, Dec. 25 - Deus Caritas Est
- 2007, Nov. 30 - Spe Salvi
- 2013, June 29 - Lumen Fidei
- 2013, Nov. 24 – Evangelii Gaudium
- 2015, April 11 – Misericordiae Vultus
- 2015, May 24 – Laudato Si'
- 2016, March 19 – Amoris Laetitia
- 2016, March 10 – Gaudete et Exultate
Thematic Approach
This thematic and analytical presentation analyzes magisterial documents with a Marian content according to eight major themes: Mary's relation to God the Father, to her Son Jesus Christ, to the Holy Spirit, and to the Church; Mary as a person; the life of Mary; Marian devotion as well as pastoral and catechetical aspects. The study of Marian themes was begun with Lumen Gentium and is ongoing.