Mediator Dei
With the encyclical Mediator Dei (Short form: The Mediator of God), which on 20 November 1947 by Pope Pius XII. was published, the essence of the Divine Liturgy came as official worship of the Church (as opposed to personal piety ) for the first time discussed.
The starting point is the " liturgical movement "
After the First World War came - especially in Germany - the Liturgical Movement on. She wanted a better understanding of the liturgy and the " active participation " ( participatio actuosa ) worship lead ( Mystagogie ). In the midst of World War II led Pius XII. with the Mystici Corporis (1943 ), a new phase in the liturgical use, since he insisted on the legal, spiritual character of the Church community.
The encyclical on the Sacred. liturgy
With the full introduction words starting with: Mediator Dei et hominum, that is: the mediator between God and man ( = Jesus Christ). Christ himself is the one who in every liturgical action at the same time with the church (as ) present their divine founder ( is ). Also present is Christ in the most holy sacrifice of the altar, in the person of his position representing the priest, and especially under the Eucharistic species. He is present in the sacraments by the force that he can flow towards them as the tools of sanctification. Present he is finally on the praise of God and in prayer ( MD, 227). Through this encyclical was Pius XII. of great importance to the liturgical and spiritual renewal of the Church or of the faithful. MD was the first encyclical on the liturgy at all; it was followed in 1955, the encyclical Musicae sacrae to church music.
Specifically, the encyclical Mediator Dei covers the following topics:
There then follow
- The pastoral instructions,
- The reference to the liturgical movement
As well as the warning of errors and exaggerations.
The pastoral instructions from Mediator Dei deal with the extra-liturgical devotions and the Liturgical Movement. Here the encyclical expresses among other things, sacred art and religious architecture in the " Liturgical spirit and liturgical apostolate ." Inside the church, the contemporary art is considered: " The modern images and designs, which are the object from which they are made custom, must not be despised and rejected in the lump, and from preconceived opinion. Avoid rather in Sage balancing both a mere imitation of nature as well as exaggerated " Symbolism " and wear it more to the concerns of the Christian community as the particular conception and personal attitude of the artist bill - then such modern art must necessarily be open to the web to duly awesome service of the house of God and the ordinances " ( MD, No. 193).
Aftermath
The encyclical on the liturgy, which is held very constructive and encouraging ( despite all the warning against exaggeration ), they respect the situation of the " simple faithful ", was the theological and practical guideline of the Liturgy Constitution " Sacrosanctum Concilium " of the Second Vatican Council and began a series of liturgical reforms.