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ASSUMPTION: Munificentissimus Deus
Munificentissimus Deus ( The most bountiful God) is the name of an apostolic constitution written by Pope Pius XII. It defines ex cathedra the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was the first ex-cathedra infallible statement since the official ruling on papal infallibility was made at the First Vatican Council (1869–1870). In 1854 Pope Pius IX made an infallible statement with Ineffabilis Deus on the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which was a basis for this dogma. The decree was promulgated on 1 November 1950.
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First published November 1, 1950
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Pope Pius XII
168 books27 followersThe Venerable Pope Pius XII (Latin: Pius PP. XII; Italian: Pio XII), born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli, reigned as Pope, head of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958.
Before election to the papacy, Pacelli served as secretary of the Department of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs, papal nuncio and Cardinal Secretary of State, in which capacity he worked to conclude treaties with European and Latin American nations, most notably the Reichskonkordat with Nazi Germany. His leadership of the Catholic Church during World War II remains the subject of continued historical controversy.
After the war, Pius XII contributed to the rebuilding of Europe, and advocated peace and reconciliation, including lenient policies toward vanquished nations and the unification of Europe. The Church, flourishing in the West, experienced severe persecution and mass deportations of Catholic clergy in the East. In light of his protests, and his involvement in the Italian elections of 1948, he became known as a staunch opponent of communism.
Pius XII explicitly invoked ex cathedra papal infallibility with the dogma of the Assumption of Mary in his 1950 Apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus. His magisterium includes almost 1,000 addresses and radio broadcasts. His forty-one encyclicals include Mystici Corporis, the Church as the Body of Christ; Mediator Dei on liturgy reform; Humani Generis on the Church's position on theology and evolution. He eliminated the Italian majority in the College of Cardinals in 1946.
Before election to the papacy, Pacelli served as secretary of the Department of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs, papal nuncio and Cardinal Secretary of State, in which capacity he worked to conclude treaties with European and Latin American nations, most notably the Reichskonkordat with Nazi Germany. His leadership of the Catholic Church during World War II remains the subject of continued historical controversy.
After the war, Pius XII contributed to the rebuilding of Europe, and advocated peace and reconciliation, including lenient policies toward vanquished nations and the unification of Europe. The Church, flourishing in the West, experienced severe persecution and mass deportations of Catholic clergy in the East. In light of his protests, and his involvement in the Italian elections of 1948, he became known as a staunch opponent of communism.
Pius XII explicitly invoked ex cathedra papal infallibility with the dogma of the Assumption of Mary in his 1950 Apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus. His magisterium includes almost 1,000 addresses and radio broadcasts. His forty-one encyclicals include Mystici Corporis, the Church as the Body of Christ; Mediator Dei on liturgy reform; Humani Generis on the Church's position on theology and evolution. He eliminated the Italian majority in the College of Cardinals in 1946.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 14, 2019
Contrary to popular opinion, the Catholic Dogma of Mary's bodily assumption into Heaven does not entail that that Mary never died as Pope Pius XII clearly states. Nor does it mean she was taken up into heaven much like Enoch and Elijah of the Old Testament. Using the tradition of the church, biblical typology, and theological exegesis Pius XII declares that it would be unfitting for the Mother of God, who carried the very humanity of God in her womb, to be put in a tomb to rot and have worms eat her. Rather, it is fitting that the Mother of God be united both in body and soul with her son and savior. It's a necessary read for all the Catholic faithful especially in honor of her feast day August 15th.
December 31, 2024
Pope Pius XII wrote a beautiful explanation of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, infallibly establishing the dogma.
January 20, 2026
A good supplement to this writing would be the other work by Ven. Pope Pius XII called ''AD CAELI REGINAM'' and a work by Fr. Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. called ''THE MOTHER OF THE SAVIOUR AND OUR INTERIOR LIFE.''
This is otherwise a very good document done under the Pontificate of Pope Pius as he aims to clarify and immediately define what the assumption really is and how this is part of Christian tradition. It also answers subtle questions such as whether Mary died before being assumed and in what ways through-out history has Mary's assumption been venerated through either the liturgy, confraternities, divine offices, religious orders, and all the more.
Some non-Catholics may get the wrong idea about this and its partly due to ignorance most of the time. This apostolic constitution is pretty impactful for the spiritual life and considers contemplation. But also its consideration in the Christian intellectual tradition which the document cites many great and famous theologians who brought this forward. It is worth and necessary to read if we want to understand more deeply the assumption.
This is otherwise a very good document done under the Pontificate of Pope Pius as he aims to clarify and immediately define what the assumption really is and how this is part of Christian tradition. It also answers subtle questions such as whether Mary died before being assumed and in what ways through-out history has Mary's assumption been venerated through either the liturgy, confraternities, divine offices, religious orders, and all the more.
Some non-Catholics may get the wrong idea about this and its partly due to ignorance most of the time. This apostolic constitution is pretty impactful for the spiritual life and considers contemplation. But also its consideration in the Christian intellectual tradition which the document cites many great and famous theologians who brought this forward. It is worth and necessary to read if we want to understand more deeply the assumption.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews