When I look at my blog statistics each week, I notice that some of the search terms that are always present are usually something in regards to quotes from either the saints or the popes. More often than not is the search term – quotes by Pope Benedict XVI or things Pope Benedict XVI said. It’s no secret that the former Holy Father, who now desires to be called Fr. Benedict, is one of the greatest theological minds the Catholic Church has seen in the last 500 years. When I read his works, it’s as if I am reading an Early Church Father or a Doctor of the Church. I have no doubt that someday Pope Benedict XVI will be listed among the great Doctors of the Universal Church.

If you have never read anything by him, I would suggest picking up something soon and began to learn why so many of us truly love him and have a great admiration for his works. If you are not sure what to read first, leave me a comment at the bottom of this blog or email me and I will assist you. For the brave of heart, you can check out the archives page on the website – The Pope Benedict XVI Fan Club.

Just like his predecessor, Pope St. John Paul II, and his successor, Pope Francis, Benedict XVI has a great love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Although there is a plethora of Marian quotes I could share with you, here are seven quotes from Pope Benedict XVI –

1. “Looking at Mary, how can we, her children, fail to let the aspiration to beauty, goodness and purity of heart be aroused in us? Her heavenly candour draws us to God, helping us to overcome the temptation to live a mediocre life composed of compromises with evil, and directs us decisively towards the authentic good that is the source of joy.” – Angelus, December 8, 2005

2. “Dear friends, what an immense joy to have Mary Immaculate as our Mother! Every time we experience our frailty and the promptings of evil, we may turn to her and our hearts receive light and comfort. Even in the trials of life, in the storms that cause faith and hope to vacillate, let us recall that we are her children and that our existence is deeply rooted in the infinite grace of God. Although the Church is exposed to the negative influences of the world, she always finds in Mary the star to guide her so that she may follow the route pointed out to her by Christ.” – Angelus, December 8, 2009

3. “Mindful of the inseparable bond between the word of God and Mary of Nazareth, along with the Synod Fathers I urge that Marian prayer be encouraged among the faithful, above all in life of families, since it is an aid to meditating on the holy mysteries found in the Scriptures. A most helpful aid, for example, is the individual or communal recitation of the Holy Rosary, which ponders the mysteries of Christ’s life in union with Mary, and which Pope John Paul II wished to enrich with the mysteries of light.” – Verbum Domini #88

4. “Who more than Mary could be a star of hope for us? With her “yes” she opened the door of our world to God himself; she became the living Ark of the Covenant, in whom God took flesh, became one of us, and pitched his tent among us (cf. Jn 1:14).” – Spe Salvi #49

5. “Consequently, every time we approach the Body and Blood of Christ in the eucharistic liturgy, we also turn to her who, by her complete fidelity, received Christ’s sacrifice for the whole Church. The Synod Fathers rightly declared that “Mary inaugurates the Church’s participation in the sacrifice of the Redeemer.” She is the Immaculata, who receives God’s gift unconditionally and is thus associated with his work of salvation. Mary of Nazareth, icon of the nascent Church, is the model for each of us, called to receive the gift that Jesus makes of himself in the Eucharist.” – Sacramentum Caritatis #33

6. But now let us ask ourselves: how does the Assumption of Mary help our journey? The first answer is: in the Assumption we see that in God there is room for man, God himself is the house with many rooms of which Jesus speaks (cf. Jn 14:2); God is man’s home, in God there is God’s space. And Mary, by uniting herself, united to God, does not distance herself from us. She does not go to an unknown galaxy, but whoever approaches God comes closer, for God is close to us all; and Mary, united to God, shares in the presence of God, is so close to us, to each one of us. – Homily, August 15, 2012

7. By faith, Mary accepted the Angel’s word and believed the message that she was to become the Mother of God in the obedience of her devotion (cf. Lk 1:38). Visiting Elizabeth, she raised her hymn of praise to the Most High for the marvels he worked in those who trust him (cf. Lk 1:46-55). With joy and trepidation she gave birth to her only son, keeping her virginity intact (cf. Lk 2:6-7). Trusting in Joseph, her husband, she took Jesus to Egypt to save him from Herod’s persecution (cf. Mt 2:13-15). With the same faith, she followed the Lord in his preaching and remained with him all the way to Golgotha (cf. Jn 19:25-27). By faith, Mary tasted the fruits of Jesus’ resurrection, and treasuring every memory in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19, 51), she passed them on to the Twelve assembled with her in the Upper Room to receive the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14; 2:1-4). – “Moto Proprio Data” – Porta Fidei (For the Induction of the Year of Faith) #13

Holy Mary, Mother of God…Pray For Us