17 February 2022 · 2022-02 newsletter
In this article I would like to share some reflections about the meaning of “MTA”. . While MTA as an abbreviation stands for Mother Thrice Admirable’ as an anagram it actually produces commentary (by definition) on, ‘Why for instance Mary is three times admirable’ or ‘Where did the term three times admirable come from and is it a church endorsed term?’
The Catholic Catechism, 963 interprets ‘Mother Thrice Admirable’ as ‘Mother of God, of the Redeemer, of the Redeemed’. The three times ‘Thrice’ implies a superlative beyond count. Admirable implies someone we can look up to i.e. admire but she is also someone we can count on i.e. look to for help.
‘MTA’ is in many ways a term of endearment. Formerly revered as ‘Mother Most Admirable’, Mary became ‘Thrice Admirable’ when the title was prayed three times in a litany. It became a term of affection when Father Kentenich’s students caught onto the idea of self-education and apostolate. Added on later was her capacity as Queen and Victress. Therefore her full title in Schoenstatt is “Mother Thrice Admirable, Queen and Victress of Schoenstatt”.
Father Kentenich interpreted the title on many occasions so as to highlight important features of Mary herself and her mission. Therefore, she is ‘Mother Thrice’:
- Admirable as Mother of God, the Redeemer, and the Redeemed.
- Admirable in her power, her kindness and her faithfulness.
- Admirable as daughter of the Father, Mother and bride of the eternal word, and vessel and shrine of the Holy Spirit.
- Admirable in her faith, love and hope.
In our Schoenstatt Mother’s group discussion on this topic recently we all made comment on how the term ‘Victress’ was adopted. We felt this development is definitely shown in the way the Schoenstatt movement has grown because of her desire for it, despite two World Wars ability to try to thwart her plans. The founding generation inspired the title, “Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt” in 1915. The crowning of her in the Original Shrine in 1939 saw it expanded to “Mother Thrice Admirable and Queen of Schoenstatt”.
Fr. Kentenich himself saw the need to acknowledge her many victories, particularly to do with his exile, and he solemnly presented the addition of ‘Victress’ on the 2nd June 1966.
I wonder is it possible that every time a new person is drawn to her picture when introduced to the Pilgrim Mother Shrine that this too is a victory. As a Pilgrim Mother Co-ordinator as well as a Schoenstatt Mother, I have witnessed the joy the MTA (Mary) brings to homes and see this as Her Victory not mine. Perhaps it’s because her gaze invites and says “Come take a moment and rest in my gaze” (“A Piece of Heaven on Earth”, a prayer booklet found in the Shrine.)
Most of the discussion our group had on “MTA” centred on “200 Questions” (Q11-14) by Fr. Jonathan Niehaus, which if you don’t have a copy, you can find online at: https://www.theschoenstattcloud.com/schoenstatt/200-question
Angela
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