Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary: The Introduction

History about the Liturgical Book
On August 15, 1986, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in lieu of the Marian Year 1987-1988 and with the approval of St. John Paul II, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the discipline of the Sacraments promulgated the "Collectio Missarum de Beata Maria Virgine" (Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary) in which compiles 46 forms of Marian Masses, with its proper text both in Biblical and euchological texts. It is made up Principally of the texts for Marian Masses that are found in the proper of particular Churches of of religious institutes or in the Roman Missal (Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, General Instruduction -from this point, GI - n. 20).

These Masses are in no way modify the norms of the Liturgical Year but can be used on Marian shrines where Masses in honour of the Virgin Mary is frequently celebrated and in other ecclesial communities desires to celebrate a Mass of the Blessed Virgin, especially during Saturdays in Ordinary Time. The Priest is also free to choose which Mass he will celebrate on any permitted days, in accordance of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, GI, 21).

The Collection of Masses is made up of two volumes; one that contains the euchological texts, the Missal, while the other contains biblical readings assigned for each Masses, the Lectionary. this is in accord with the practice of the Roman Liturgy (Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, GI, 25).

Formularies of the Masses

According to N. 24 of the General Instruction of the Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, there are 46 formularies and are arranged to the different Liturgical times that they are ordered. In these 46 formularies;

Three for the Advent Season
1. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Chosen Daughter of Israel
2. The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Annunciation of the Lord
3. The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Six for the Christmas Season
4. Holy Mary, Mother of God
5. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Savior
6. The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Epiphany of the Lord
7. The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Presentation of the Lord
8. Our Lady of Nazareth
9. Our Lady of Cana

Five for the Lenten Season
10. Holy Mary, Disciple of the Lord
11. The Blessed Virgin Mary at the Foot of the Cross, I
12. The Blessed Virgin Mary at the Foot of the Cross, II
13. The Commending of the Blessed Virgin Mary
14. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Reconciliation

Four for the Easter Season
15. The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Resurrection of the Lord
16. Holy Mary, Fountain of Light and Life
17. Our Lady of the Cenacle
18. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles

Twenty-Eight for the Ordinary Time
Due to the large number of formularies, the Masses are divided into three sections.

1st Section: It refers to Marian titles that came from Sacred Scriptures "or to express Mary's bond with the Church."

19. Holy Mary, Mother of the Lord
20. Holy Mary, the New Eve
21. The Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
22. Holy Mary, Handmaid of the Lord
23. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Temple of the Lord
24. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom
25. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Image and Mother of the Church, I
26. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Image and Mother of the Church, II
27. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Image and Mother of the Church, III
28. The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
29. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of All Creation

2nd Section: It honors the Virgin with titles "that refer to her cooperation in fostering the spiritual life of the faithful"

30. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Mediatrix of Grace
31. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Fountain of Salvation
32. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Teacher in the Spirit
33. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Good Counsel
34. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Cause of Our Joy
35. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Pillar of Faith
36. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Fairest Love
37. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine Hope
38. Holy Mary, Mother of Unity

3rd Section: It celebrates the Virgin Mary with titles "that suggest her compassionate intercession on behalf of the Faithful."

39. Holy Mary, Queen and Mother of Mercy
40. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine Providence
41. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Consolation
42. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians
43. Our Lady of Ransom
44. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Health of the Sick
45. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace
46. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Gate of Heaven

Appendix I: Solemn Blessings
Appendix II/a: Mass proper for Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Appendix II/b: Mass proper for Our Lady of Lourdes

15 August 2018, Solemnity of the Assumption, on the 32nd Anniversary of its Promulgation.
This blog is dedicated to all Marian devotees, especially in the Philippines, "Pueblo Amante de Maria"
(Latest update: December 16, 2024)