Christi Matri
| Christi Matri (Latin: Mother of Christ) Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI  | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Date | 15 September 1966 | |||
| Argument | Appeals to the Blessed Virgin in October | |||
| Encyclical number | 4 of 7 of the Pontificate | |||
| Text | in Latin in English | |||
Christi Matri is an encyclical by Pope Paul VI issued on 15 September 1966.[1][2]
The encyclical was issued during the Vietnam War and the pope recommended the praying of the rosary in the coming October (see also Octobri mense) in light of the war and the dangers of atomic conflict.[3] He recommended prayers to Queen of Peace and Mother of the Church:
- Nothing seems more appropriate and valuable than to have the prayers of the whole Christian family rise to the Mother of God, who is invoked as the Queen of Peace, begging her to pour forth abundant gifts of her maternal goodness in midst of so many great trials and hardships. We want constant and devout prayers to be offered to her whom We declared Mother of the Church, its spiritual parent, during the celebration of the Second Vatican Council,[4]
The encyclical urged a diplomatic end to the Vietnam War, but the American Bishops stated that "our presence in Vietnam is justified".[3] After the encyclical was issued, some cardinals such as Francis Spellman continued to support the war.[3]