O pastoralnych inspiracjach encykliki "Redemptoris Mater" 25 lat później

The article offers an attempt to reanalyze the pastoral inspirations for the encyclical Redemptoris Mater by John Paul II 25 years since its publication with reference to Marian pastoral work in Poland. These inspirations have been discussed a number of times however they have not been appreciated enough in pastoral service. Their implementation is slow and resistant. This jubilee study is to bring them closer to the priests and encourage them to consistently apply them within Marian pastoral instruction. The image of Mary as the First Believer needs to be promoted. Mary perceived from the angle of faith becomes closer to us rather than perceived from the angle of her privileges. Moreover, faith enables us to consider her from Trinitarian and ecclesiastic perspective (paragraph 1). A preference for the piety of imitation, in turn, enables one to enter “the school of Mary” — the First Believer, in order to follow in her footsteps upon the path of faith. Then all Marian practices are not only of devotional nature but also formative (paragraph 2). Mary’s motherly closeness gives rise to cordiality and warmth. In return we filially confide in her. Her spiritual beauty fascinates, encourages to make an effort and it reveals God (paragraph 3). It is essential to enhance the status of complementarity of the formulae “through Mary to Jesus” and “through Jesus to Mary”. The latter has cognitive sense (we get to know Mary through Jesus) and existential one (from the mystery of Jesus emerges an active and model presence of Mary in the Church). This also evokes the need to correct the image of God, i.e. not to contrast his justice with Mother’s mercy (paragraph 4). Papal apologia for popular Marian piety encourages its pro- motion within pastoral service. It ought to be evangelized (base on the Scripture, comply with the liturgy, purge the language), so that Marian cult would not be perceived as independent or competitive but incorporated within one Christian cult that leads “to the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit like Mary and with Mary” (paragraph 5). This is how “the Polish Marian way”, developed and corrected, has a chance to remain a significant bond in the life of both the Church and the nation.