The purpose of this study is to show that the formal definition of the spiritual Motherhood of Mary would constitute a doctrinal development from Vatican II's teaching on Mary. It is my strong view that Mary's spiritual motherhood should be explicitly acknowledged, accepted and stamped with the extra-ordinary infallibility of the Church magisterium so that it would become a dogma of the Church, as the sensus fidelium. Such formal definition would give the doctrine the seal of juridical authenticity and prevent it from denigration and rejection in future. This study argues that the Catholic Church needs to advance forwards from the Marian teaching of Vatican II by making concerted efforts to maintain the Marian trajectory in the Church. Also portrayed are the efforts of the papal magisterium and some noted Catholic theologians that have gone back to the sources of the early Fathers of the Church in order to teach that Mary's spiritual Motherhood has solid foundation on Scripture and the Church's tradition. The post-conciliar teachings of the above-stated papal magisterium and contemporary theologians have the aim to nurture and sustain the faith and understanding of the people of God about Mary's spiritual Motherhood. The study also examines evidence to show that there is much in the Catholic Marian theology that could improve understanding among Christians of different denominations. In particular, it portrays the fact that Mariology always points to Christ, being indissolubly linked with Christology, and also has intrinsic unity with ecclesiology.

'The Real Mary' explores the Mary of the Bible and compares her with the Mary of the Roman Catholic Church in language anyone can read and understand. 'The Real Mary' brings to light the many Marian doctrines of Catholicism and compares them to the infallible Word of God in the Bible. Such topics as Marian apparitions, Mary as Mother of God and queen of Heaven, Mary as ever-virgin, and the doctrines of the Immaculate Conception and Assumption are discussed and compared to the Biblical Mary of Nazareth, mother of Jesus.

John Paul II¿s landmark apostolic letter on the dignity and vocation of women, with insightful commentary by Genevieve Kineke.

Addressed to students of Mariology, Marian and Mariological Societies, to Rectors of Marian Shrines and to all interested in the future of Marian devotion in the Church, this work presents a comprehensive overview of the actual questions facing the study of Mary in the Church today. As a document coming from a Pontifical Academy, the sources are the writings of the great teachers of the Church, the texts of the liturgy, the ecumenical councils, the various dicasteries and commissions of the Holy See, and the episcopal conferences. Its purpose is to clarify several controversial matters and to point the way to future theological developments in our knowledge and appreciation of Mary, luminous icon of the Trinity, Mother of God and the Mother of us all.