Gabriel Roschini
Encyclopedia
Gabriel M. Roschini, O.S.M. (1900 - †1977), was a Roman Catholic Italian priest and professor of Mariology, who published over 900 titles on Mariology. During the pontificate of Pope Pius XII
, he worked closely with the Vatican on Marian publications.
In light of the encyclopedic accuracy of his work, Roschini is considered as one of the top two Mariologist
in the 20th century. His first major work, a four volume Mariology, Il Capolavoro di Dio, is judged to be the most comprehensive Mariological presentation in the 20th century. Several theologians called him "one of the most profound Mariologists" and "irreplaceable".
(Viterbo
, Italy
) in 1900. Upon entering the Order of the Servants of Mary he changed his name to Gabriel Maria (or Gabriele-Maria) from his given name of Alessandro Roschini. In 1924, he received his ordination as a priest. Additionally, Roschini was a doctor in philosophy and master in sacred theology.
He founded the journal Marianum
in 1939 and directed it for thirty years. In 1950, during the reign of Pope Pius XII
he founded the Marianum Theological Faculty
, which is now a pontifical institute, and served as its rector. He was also instrumental in reviving the Marian Library, which was transferred to the International College of Saint Alexis Falconieri in 1946. Other roles included professor at the Lateran Pontifical University and the Marianum Pontifical Theology Faculty, as well as advisor for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
and for the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.
His death in Rome in 1977 corresponded to the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary
, September 12.
Together he published over 900 titles, mostly on Mariology, in addition to his encyclopedic works, reviewing the Mariological contributions of saint
s like, Bernard of Chiavelle and Anthony of Padua
. In 1950, he explained the Mariology of Thomas Aquinas
. He detailed his Mariology in a major work in the year 1952.
Earlier, Roschini had contributed with a new interpretation to the Mariological theology of the Co-Redemptrix
, which was not universally accepted. In his 1946 publication Compendium Mariologiae he explains, that Mary did not only participates in birth of the physical Jesus, but, with conception, she entered with him into a spiritual
union. The divine salvation plan, being not only material, includes a permanent spiritual unity with Christ. Most Mariologists agree with this position. Roschini entered new theological territory, when he defined the spiritual unity of Mary and Christ to form a "salvation pair", in which Mary is a true helper of her son. However, in this salvation duo, Mary is clearly subordinated to her son, according to Roschini, who, not wanting to elevate Mary to the level of divinity, insists that Mary needed salvation through Christ like all other persons. But, because she is the Mother of God, the only Mother of God among all humans, Mary is a unique species, different from all others. She shares only human nature with the rest of humanity. She belongs to Christ, with whom she is spiritually united.
The Marian views of Roschini have continued to gather interest and are subject to continued research, with doctoral theses in Theology and books written about him.
’s somewhat controversial book, The Poem of the Man God
. Roschini's book, The Virgin Mary in the Writings of Maria Valtorta
, provides an exegesis of the favorable representation of Mary in the Poem. At first, Roschini was skeptical of the Poem of the Man God
’s authenticity but upon studying the work grew to appreciate it as a private revelation
, concluding “We find ourselves facing an effect (her work) which seems to be beyond its cause (Maria Valtorta)” (p. 7). He wrote of Valtorta:
Roschini presided over the services of Valtorta’s “privileged burial,” in which her remains were relocated from Viareggio
to the Santissima Annunziata Basilica in Florence in 1973.
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
, he worked closely with the Vatican on Marian publications.
In light of the encyclopedic accuracy of his work, Roschini is considered as one of the top two Mariologist
Mariology
Roman Catholic Mariology is theology concerned with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ as developed by the Catholic Church. Roman Catholic teachings on the subject have been based on the belief that "The Blessed Virgin, because she is the Mother of God, is believed to hold a certain...
in the 20th century. His first major work, a four volume Mariology, Il Capolavoro di Dio, is judged to be the most comprehensive Mariological presentation in the 20th century. Several theologians called him "one of the most profound Mariologists" and "irreplaceable".
Life and contributions
Roschini was born in Castel Sant'EliaCastel Sant'Elia
Castel Sant'Elia is a comune in the Province of Viterbo, Latium, central Italy, located about 40 km north of Rome and about 30 km southeast of Viterbo.-Main sights:...
(Viterbo
Viterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
) in 1900. Upon entering the Order of the Servants of Mary he changed his name to Gabriel Maria (or Gabriele-Maria) from his given name of Alessandro Roschini. In 1924, he received his ordination as a priest. Additionally, Roschini was a doctor in philosophy and master in sacred theology.
He founded the journal Marianum
Marianum
The Marianum is both the name of a Pontifical institute for the study of Mariology and the name of the prestigious journal of Marian theology. The school and the journal share the same name since their formation was based on the work of Father Gabriel Roschini, who founded both the journal and the...
in 1939 and directed it for thirty years. In 1950, during the reign of Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
he founded the Marianum Theological Faculty
Marianum
The Marianum is both the name of a Pontifical institute for the study of Mariology and the name of the prestigious journal of Marian theology. The school and the journal share the same name since their formation was based on the work of Father Gabriel Roschini, who founded both the journal and the...
, which is now a pontifical institute, and served as its rector. He was also instrumental in reviving the Marian Library, which was transferred to the International College of Saint Alexis Falconieri in 1946. Other roles included professor at the Lateran Pontifical University and the Marianum Pontifical Theology Faculty, as well as advisor for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , previously known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition , and after 1904 called the Supreme...
and for the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.
His death in Rome in 1977 corresponded to the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary
Holy Name of Mary
The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, or simply the Holy Name of Mary, is a feast day in the Roman Catholic Church celebrated on 12 September to honour the name of Mary the mother of Jesus...
, September 12.
Impact on Mariology
During the pontificate of Pius XII, “the most Marian Pope in Church history” Roschini worked closely with the Pontiff, arranging his own publications parallel to Papal mariological promulgations. During and after the Vatican council, Roschini tried to adjust to the colder mariological spirit in his 1973 publication Il misteri di Maria considerato alle luce del mistero di Christo e della Chiesa, an updated four volume Mariology.Together he published over 900 titles, mostly on Mariology, in addition to his encyclopedic works, reviewing the Mariological contributions of saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
s like, Bernard of Chiavelle and Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua or Anthony of Lisbon, O.F.M., was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Though he died in Padua, Italy, he was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, which is where he was raised...
. In 1950, he explained the Mariology of Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
. He detailed his Mariology in a major work in the year 1952.
Earlier, Roschini had contributed with a new interpretation to the Mariological theology of the Co-Redemptrix
Co-Redemptrix
Co-Redemptrix, a title of Mary, mother of Jesus, refers to her role in the Redemption process.The concept of Co-redemptrix refers to an indirect or unequal but important participation by the Blessed Virgin Mary in redemption, notably: that she gave free consent to give life to the Redeemer, to...
, which was not universally accepted. In his 1946 publication Compendium Mariologiae he explains, that Mary did not only participates in birth of the physical Jesus, but, with conception, she entered with him into a spiritual
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
union. The divine salvation plan, being not only material, includes a permanent spiritual unity with Christ. Most Mariologists agree with this position. Roschini entered new theological territory, when he defined the spiritual unity of Mary and Christ to form a "salvation pair", in which Mary is a true helper of her son. However, in this salvation duo, Mary is clearly subordinated to her son, according to Roschini, who, not wanting to elevate Mary to the level of divinity, insists that Mary needed salvation through Christ like all other persons. But, because she is the Mother of God, the only Mother of God among all humans, Mary is a unique species, different from all others. She shares only human nature with the rest of humanity. She belongs to Christ, with whom she is spiritually united.
The Marian views of Roschini have continued to gather interest and are subject to continued research, with doctoral theses in Theology and books written about him.
Views on Maria Valtorta
Internet citations most often invoke Roschini as a supporter of Maria ValtortaMaria Valtorta
Maria Valtorta was a Roman Catholic Italian writer and poet, considered by many to be a mystic. Her work centers on Catholic Christian themes...
’s somewhat controversial book, The Poem of the Man God
Poem of the Man God
The Poem of the Man God is a multi volume book of about four thousand pages on the life of Jesus Christ written by the Italian mystic Maria Valtorta...
. Roschini's book, The Virgin Mary in the Writings of Maria Valtorta
The Virgin Mary in the Writings of Maria Valtorta
The Virgin Mary in the Writings of Maria Valtorta is a book on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary written by the respected Mariologist Father Gabriel Roschini who in light of the encyclopedic accuracy of his work and 900 Mariological publications, was called "one of the most profound Mariologists"...
, provides an exegesis of the favorable representation of Mary in the Poem. At first, Roschini was skeptical of the Poem of the Man God
Poem of the Man God
The Poem of the Man God is a multi volume book of about four thousand pages on the life of Jesus Christ written by the Italian mystic Maria Valtorta...
’s authenticity but upon studying the work grew to appreciate it as a private revelation
Private revelation
In the teaching of the Catholic Church, a private revelation refers to visions and revelations from God to a specific Christian which have taken place since the completion of the New Testament...
, concluding “We find ourselves facing an effect (her work) which seems to be beyond its cause (Maria Valtorta)” (p. 7). He wrote of Valtorta:
- "I must candidly admit that the Mariology found in Maria ValtortaMaria ValtortaMaria Valtorta was a Roman Catholic Italian writer and poet, considered by many to be a mystic. Her work centers on Catholic Christian themes...
's writings, whether published or not, has been for me a real discovery. No other Marian writing, not even the sum total of all the writings I have read and studied were able to give me as clear, as lively, as complete, as luminous, or as fascinating an image, both simple and sublime, of Mary, God's masterpiece."
Roschini presided over the services of Valtorta’s “privileged burial,” in which her remains were relocated from Viareggio
Viareggio
Viareggio is a city and comune located in northern Tuscany, Italy, on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. With a population of over 64,000 it is the main centre of the northern Tuscan Riviera known as Versilia, and the second largest city within the Province of Lucca.It is known as a seaside resort...
to the Santissima Annunziata Basilica in Florence in 1973.
Selected publications
- Il Capolavoro di Dio, Mariology in IV volumes, Roma 1933
- Compendium Mariologiae, Roma, 1946
- La Mariologia di Sant'Antonio da Padova, in Marianum, Roma, 1946
- La Madonna secondo la fede e la Teologia, Roma, 1950
- La Mariologia di San Tommaso, Roma, 1950
- Mariologia, Roma, 1952
- La Madonna secondo la fede e la teologia IV volumes, Roma 1953 1954
- Il dottore Mariano, Studio sulla dottrina di San Bernardo di Chiaravalle, Roma 1953
- The Virgin Mary in the Writings of Maria ValtortaMaria ValtortaMaria Valtorta was a Roman Catholic Italian writer and poet, considered by many to be a mystic. Her work centers on Catholic Christian themes...
, Kolbe's Publications ISBN 2-920285-08-4
- Dizionario di Mariologia, Roma, 1957
- Il misteri di Maria considerato alla luce del mistero di Cristo e della Chiesa, Roma 1973
Sources and external links
- Remigius Bäumer, Gabriel Roschini, in Marienlexikon, St. Ottilien, 1994
- Publisher’s Notice in the Second Italian Edition (1986), reprinted in English Edition, Gabriel Roschini, O.S.M. (1989). The Virgin Mary in the Writings of Maria Valtorta (English Edition). Kolbe's Publication Inc. ISBN 2-920285-08-4
- “Authoritative Testimonials Collected by Valtorta Publishing”