The month of May.

On April 30, 1965, Pope Paul VI (1963-1978) published a short encyclical (which we have shortened some more) at a time of serious political tensions which we know as the "Cold War," and a time when the assaults on the dignity of life through contraception, abortion and homosexuality were just being introduced.--Editor

As the month of May draws near, a month which the piety of the Faithful has specially dedicated to Our Blessed Lady, we are gladdened at the thought of the moving tribute of faith and love which Catholics in every part of the world will soon be paying to the Queen of Heaven. For this is the month during which Christians, both in church and in the privacy of the home, offer up to Mary from their hearts an especially fervent and loving homage of prayer and veneration. In this month, too, the gifts of God's mercy come down to us from her throne in greater abundance.

This pious practice, by which the Blessed Virgin is honoured and the Christian people enriched with spiritual gifts, gladdens and consoles us. Mary remains ever the path that leads to Christ. Every encounter with her can only result in an encounter with Christ Himself. For what other reason do we continually turn to Mary than to seek for the Christ she holds in her arms--to seek in her, through her and with her the Saviour to whom men, in the perplexities and dangers of life here below, must of necessity have recourse, and to Whom they feel the ever-recurring need of turning as to a haven of safety and an all-surpassing source of life?

It is precisely because the month of May is a powerful incentive to more fervent and trusting prayer, and because during it our petitions find their way more easily to the compassionate heart of our Blessed Lady, that it has been a custom to choose this month, dedicated to Mary, for inviting the Christian people to offer up public prayers, whenever the needs of the Church demand it, or whenever danger hovered menacingly over the world. This year, we too, feel the need of sending out a similar appeal to the whole Catholic world. When we look at the present needs of the Church or at the state of peace in the world, we have compelling reasons for believing that the present hour is especially grave; that it makes a call for united prayer from the whole Christian people more than ever a matter of urgency.

The first reason for this appeal is suggested by this historic moment in the life of the Church, the period of the Ecumenical Council (1962-1965). This momentous event confronts the Church with the immense problem of how to renew herself in accordance with the needs of the times. On its outcome will depend for a long time to come the future of the Spouse of Christ and the destiny of innumerable souls. It is God's great time in the life of the Church and in world history....

The other reason for our appeal comes from the international situation, which is darker and more uncertain than ever, now that grave new threats are endangering the supreme benefit of world peace. Today, as it no lesson had been learnt from the tragic experiences of the two conflicts which shed blood on the first half of our century, we have the dreadful spectacle in certain parts of the world of antagonism on the increase between peoples, and see repeated the dangerous phenomenon of recourse to arms, instead of negotiation, to settle the disputes of the opposing parties. This means that populations of entire nations are subjected to unspeakable sufferings, caused by agitation, guerrilla warfare, acts of war, ever growing in extent and intensity, which could at any moment produce the spark for a terrible fresh conflict ...

Unfortunately, in this painful situation we are forced to recognize with a heavy heart that all too often oblivion swallows up the respect due to the sacred and inviolable character of human life, and that recourse is had to methods and attitudes which stand in open revolt against the moral sensibilities and the customs of a civilized people. In this respect we cannot fail to raise our voice in defence of the dignity of man and of Christian civilization, We cannot fail to condemn acts of guerilla warfare and of terrorism, the practice of holding hostages and of taking reprisals against unarmed civilians. These are crimes which not only reverse the development of the sense of what is fair and humane, but also embitter even more the hearts of those in conflict. These outrages can block the paths still open to mutual good-will, or at least can render negotiations and fairness could lead to a reasonable settlement....

But peace is not merely of our own making; it is also, and particularly, a gift from God. Peace comes from Heaven, and it will truly reign among men when we finally deserve to receive it from Almighty God who holds in his hands, not only the happiness and the destinies of peoples, but also their very hearts. Therefore, we shall do our utmost to obtain this incomparable blessing by prayer, praying, indeed, with constancy and watchfulness, as the Church has always prayed from her earliest days, and in a special way calling on the intercession and protection of the Virgin Mary, who is the Queen of Peace.

So, let our prayers ascend to Mary in this month of hers, to implore her graces and favours with increased fervour and confidence. And if the grave faults of men weigh heavy in the scales of God's justice and provoke its just punishments, we also know that the Lord is "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort" (2 Cot. 1:3), and that Mary most holy is His appointed steward and the generous bestower of the treasures of His mercy. May she, who knows the sufferings and troubles of life here below, the weariness of everyday work, the hardships and privations of poverty, the suffering of Calvary, bring help to the needs of the Church and the world, heed the appeals for peace rising to her from every part of the world, and enlighten those who rule the destinies of men. May she prevail on God, Lord of the winds and storms, to still also the tempests in men's conflicting hearts and 'grant us peace in our time,' true peace based on the solid lasting foundations of justice and love - of justice granted to the weakest as to the strongest; and love which prevents egoism from leading men astray, so that each one's rights may be safeguarded without forgetfulness or denial of rights of others....

Ian Hunter is Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Law at Western University in London, Ontario.