„Totus Tuus” odnowione

Abstract

In the common opinion of many faithful as well as in theological works, the motto Totus Tuus is perceived as the basic symbol of John Paul II’s Mariology and Marian devotion and is to primarily represent the Pope’s trust in Mary. A direct analysis of the motto Totus Tuus. however, in the teaching of John Paul II, including the context and ways in which it was used (also taking into consideration the frequency of its use) needs to be verified in order to clarify the above mentioned statements. It is interesting to note that the Bishop of Krakow Karol Wojtyla, who later became Pope John Paul II, very seldom used (though up to his last days of life) the motto Totus Tuus, when he was explaining his entrusting Mary, mother of God. or the Divine Mercy. One may indicate many places where, surprisingly, there is a lack of the use of the Pope’s motto. The motto Totus Thus does not directly appear in the most important texts written by John Paul II, such as: encyclicals, adhortations or Marian catecheses. The apostolic letter on the rosary is the highest in hierarchy of Papal documents which contains the words Totus Tuus. In addition, it should be noticed that the motto is not accompanied by any significant statement on the topic of entrusting Mary or even Jesus. It appears together only in a Mariological and Christological as well as anthropological sense. In order to better understand the words Totus Tuus, the great topic concerning entrusting Mary should not only be taken into account (even when the motto does not appear), but also the matter of entrusting the Trinity, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. The following words, among others, spoken in 1979 at Jasna Góra introduce the anthropological interpretation of the motto: “Allow me to entrust everything here! Allow me to entrust everything in a new way! I am a man of trust. I learned to be such a person here” Totus Tuus also speaks of people. It somewhat defines a person. A person is a being able to trust.