Ave Maria Meditations
The theology of John Duns Scotus (Feast day is November 8th) is that of defense of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. His eloquence, reason, and rational thought on the subject—joined with a faithful heart to the doctrine of the Church– led the Franciscan Pope Sixtus IV to approve the liturgical office of this Marian feast in 1480. In 1854, Blessed Pope Pius IX officially declared a dogma of faith the doctrine on the Immaculate Conception.
One of the outstanding figures in the Franciscan Order during the 19th century, the venerable servant of God Gabriele Maria Allegra OFM wrote of John Duns: “I see Scotus as the Doctor of the Immaculate Conception, of Christ as king of the universe, of the Church as the bride of Christ, as a defender of Christ’s vicar on earth, as a theologian of the mystery of the Eucharist.”
Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed John Duns Scotus:
O Most High, Almightily and gracious Lord, Who exalts the humble and confounds the proud of heart, grant us the great joy of seeing Blessed John Duns Scotus canonized. He honored Your Son with the most sublime praises; he was the first to successfully defend the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary; he lived in heroic obedience to the Holy Father, to the Church and to the Seraphic Order. O most holy Father, God of infinite love, hear, we beseech You, our humble prayer, thorough the merits of Your Only-Begotten Son and His Mother, the Gate of Heaven and Spouse of the Holy Spirit.
