Mary in the Reflection and Piety of St. Ildefonsus of Toledo

Paweł Wygralak

Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wydział Teologiczny , Poland

Abstract

The article discusses the teaching of Ildefonsus of Toledo on Mary based on the work De virginitate Sanctae Mariae. The author of the work focuses primarily on showing Mary’s virginity and Her virginal motherhood. He points out that Mary, as chosen by God to participate in the work of man’s salvation, enjoys exceptional graces, among which he mentions in the first place her immaculacy, that is, freedom from sin. In his argument about the eternal virginity of Mary, Ildefonsus refers to texts from the Holy Scripture, and also to prophecies recorded in the Old Testament. Acharacteristic feature of the work is the  interweaving of theological reflection with the texts of prayers that the Bishop of Toledo addresses to Mary. Their content expresses the desire to surrender oneself completely as a slave to Mary. In this way, Ildefonsus introduced a new kind of Marian devotion to the asceticism of the Latin Church. In the whole work, Mary is presented as the one who leads man to Christ.

Keywords:

Ildefonsus of Toledo, virginity of Mary, Virgin Mother of God, Marian devotion, holiness

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Wygralak P., Duch Święty w nauczaniu św. Ildefonsa z Toledo, „Vox Patrum” 75 (2020) s. 539-552. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31743/vp.5729


Published
2021-12-15


Wygralak, P. (2021). Mary in the Reflection and Piety of St. Ildefonsus of Toledo. Vox Patrum, 80, 197–210. https://doi.org/10.31743/vp.12974

Paweł Wygralak  pawelwyg@amu.edu.pl
Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wydział Teologiczny https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7790-7864



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