The Image of Mary is Dependent on the Image of God. Introduction in the Study of the Teaching of the Primate Card. August Hlond

Kazimierz Pek

The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin , Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1492-6747

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to introduction in the theological image of God in the mariology of the Card. August Hlond (d. 1948). The Primate of Poland while continuing the work of his predecessor (Card, Edmund Dalbor), had also, in a way, to start anew after the devastation caused by World War II and at the beginning of Communist attempts to destroy the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. All his pastoral work had an apostolic and missionary character. The main themes of his teaching were: Christ the King, Christ in the Eucharist, the Kingdom of Christ, the Heart of Jesus and Divine Providence. One may also note some rare references to the Holy Spirit. Like his predecessor, he never devoted a separate pastoral letter to the Mother of Christ or to Marian devotion. His mariological teaching is spread not only throughout his letters but also in his sermons, speeches and appeals. The image of God they convey is that of closeness and goodness. Even at – observed also in Poland the 100th anniversary of the Marian apparition in La Salette, with its message about the heavy arm of God, he did not contrast the
goodness of Mary with the wrath of God. He seemed to emphasize the mercy of God and suggest that the apparently clear Marian message of La Salette, should be, nevertheless, understood in the light of God’s love. Even though he supported some Marian initiatives (e.g. the act of consecrating Poland to the Immaculate Heart of Mary) and taught about Mary’s presence in the life of Poles (e.g. the vows of John Casimir perceived as a covenant with Mary), he never failed to refer to Christ as the source of all victory. He also stressed the importance of human potential and of the activity of every person. In this case the faith was to be the source of victory which he understood as the fulfillment of the Gospel. General research conclusion: The image of Mary is dependent on the image of God. Whenever the history of salvation was perceived as the work of the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit, Mary was presented as a participant (or a recipient) and a witness
of the activity of God.