Theotokos: A Catechesis on Mary by Pope John Paul II

Here is the series of catecheses on the Blessed Virgin Mary by Pope John Paul II. This series follows John Paul II's Catechesis on the Church and precedes his Catechesis on Salvation History. It began on September 6, 1995, and concluded on November 12, 1997, and includes 70 general audiences.

These audiences were available in book form from Pauline Books & Media, however, the book is now (unfortunately) out of print. You might be able to find it on Amazon.com or other such places where used books are available.

*Note: The chapter titles marked with an * were taken from John Paul II's Theotokos: Woman, Mother, Disciple (Boston: Pauline Books & Media, 2000). All other chapter titles are taken from the Vatican website.

*Note #2: Prior to December 18, 1996, the General Audiences of John Paul II are not available in English on the Vatican website. However, all of the audiences are available on EWTN's website.


A Catechesis on Mary, Mother of God

1. Mary is a pattern of the Church's holiness * (Sep. 6, 1995)
2. Mary is the Virgin Mother of God * (Sep. 13, 1995)
3. Mary was united to Jesus on the Cross * (Oct. 25, 1995)
4. The Church grew in understanding Mary's role * (Nov. 8, 1995)
5. To honor Mary is to go to Jesus * (Nov. 15, 1995)
6. Mary is a model of persevering silence * (Nov. 22, 1995)
7. Mary shows us God's respect for woman * (Nov. 29, 1995)
8. Mary sheds light on the role of woman * (Dec. 6, 1995)
9. The Council's teaching on Mary is rich and positive * (Dec. 13, 1995)
10. Mary's place is the highest after Christ * (Jan. 3, 1996)
11. Mary's relationship with the Trinity * (Jan. 10, 1996)
12. Victory over sin comes through a woman * (Jan. 24, 1996)
13. Isaiah's prophecy is fulfilled in the Incarnation * (Jan. 31, 1996)
14. Motherhood is God's special gift * (Mar. 6, 1996)
15. Woman's indispensable role in salvation history * (Mar. 27, 1996)
16. The ideal woman is a precious treasure * (Apr. 10, 1996)
17. God is ever faithful to his covenant * (Apr. 24, 1996)
18. Mary responds to God with spousal love * (May 1, 1996)
19. The Blessed Virgin was filled with God's grace * (May 8, 1996)
20. Mary was conceived without Original Sin * (May 15, 1996)
21. Mary's enmity toward Satan was absolute * (May 29, 1996)
22. Christ's grace preserved Mary from sin * (Jun. 5, 1996)
23. Pius IX defined the Immaculate Conception * (Jun. 12, 1996)
24. Mary was free from all personal sin * (Jun. 19, 1996)
25. Mary freely cooperated in God's plan * (Jul. 3, 1996)
26. The Virginal Conception is a biological fact * (Jul. 10, 1996)
27. Our Lady intended to remain a virgin * (Jul. 24, 1996)
28. The Eternal Son of God is also born of Mary * (Jul. 31, 1996)
29. Mary's choice inspires consecrated virginity * (Aug. 7, 1996)
30. Mary and Joseph lived the gift of virginity * (Aug. 21, 1996)
31. The Church presents Mary as Ever-Virgin * (Aug. 28, 1996)
32. Mary offers a sublime model of service * (Sep. 4, 1996)
33. Mary, the New Eve, freely obeyed God * (Sep. 18, 1996)
34. The Visitation is a prelude to Jesus' mission * (Oct. 2, 1996)
35. Mary sings the praises of God's mercy * (Nov. 6, 1996)
36. The nativity shows Mary's closeness to Jesus * (Nov. 20, 1996)
37. The Church proclaims Mary "Mother of God" * (Nov. 27, 1996)
38. The Blessed Virgin is a model of perfect love * (Dec. 4, 1996)
39. Simeon was open to the Lord's action * (Dec. 11, 1996)
40. Mary has role in Jesus’ saving mission (Dec. 18, 1996) [Vatican Link]
41. Christ calls women to share his mission (Jan. 8, 1997) [Vatican Link]
42. Mary co-operates by personal obedience (Jan. 15, 1997) [Vatican Link]
43. Mary’s ‘hidden life’ is example to mothers (Jan. 29, 1997) [Vatican Link]
44. Jesus works miracle at Mary’s request (Feb. 26, 1997) [Vatican Link]
45. Mary is active in her Son’s mission (Mar. 5, 1997) [Vatican Link]
46. Mary had role in Jesus’ public ministry (Mar. 12, 1997) [Vatican Link]
47. Mary united herself to Jesus’ offering (Apr. 2, 1997) [Vatican Link]
48. Mary’s co-operation is totally unique (Apr. 9, 1997) [Vatican Link]
49. To the disciple he said, ‘Behold your Mother’ (Apr. 23, 1997) [Vatican Link]
50. Devotion to Mary is based on Jesus’ will (May 7, 1997) [Vatican Link]
51. Mary was witness to whole paschal mystery (May 21, 1997) [Vatican Link]
52. Mary prays for outpouring of the Spirit (May 28, 1997) [Vatican Link]
53. Mary and the human drama of death (Jun. 25, 1997) [Vatican Link]
54. Church believes in Mary’s Assumption (Jul. 2, 1997) [Vatican Link]
55. Mary is first creature to enjoy eternal life (Jul. 9, 1997) [Vatican Link]
56. Christians look to Mary Queen (Jul. 23, 1997) [Vatican Link]
57. Mary is pre-eminent member of Church (Jul. 30, 1997) [Vatican Link]
58. Mary is an outstanding figure of the Church * (Aug. 6, 1997) [Vatican Link]
59. Mary is model for Church’s motherhood (Aug. 13, 1997) [Vatican Link]
60. Mary fully adhered to revealed Truth (Aug. 20, 1997) [Vatican Link]
61. Mary: model of faith, hope and charity (Sep. 3, 1997) [Vatican Link]
62. Mary: model of the Church at prayer (Sep. 10, 1997) [Vatican Link]
63. Blessed Virgin is Mother of the Church (Sep. 17, 1997) [Vatican Link]
64. Mary has universal spiritual motherhood (Sep. 24, 1997) [Vatican Link]
65. Mary’s mediation derives from Christ’s (Oct. 1, 1997) [Vatican Link]
66. Mary has always been specially venerated (Oct. 15, 1997) [Vatican Link]
67. Faithful have filial devotion to Mary (Oct. 22, 1997) [Vatican Link]
68. Church urges faithful to venerate Mary (Oct. 29, 1997) [Vatican Link]
69. We can count on Mary’s intercession (Nov. 5, 1997) [Vatican Link]
70. Separated brethren also honor Mary (Nov. 12, 1997) [Vatican Link]

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