TOTUS TUUS

“Totus Tuus” was the apostolic motto of the Pope Giovanni Paolo II.

It means “all yours” and it expresses his strong Marian devotion and the veneration for St. Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort. The Pope expressed this feeling in his book: “Crossing the Threshold of Hope” where he clearly explain that this feeling isn’t only related to pity or simply devotion, but it is strongly linked to the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

The full text of the prayer in Latin is:

“Totus tuus ego sum, et omnia mea tua sunt. Accipio te in mea omnia, praebe mihi cor tuum, o Maria”

(“I am all yours, and everything is mine is yours. I welcome you to myself, offer me your heart Maria”).

The Pope said that he came to know this treaty when he was a young seminarist and that “he used to read it several times with great spiritual profit”.

The Mosaic inspired by the Madonna of the column coming from the Costantinian Church, and called “Mater Eccelsiae”, was mounted the 7^th December 1981. Immediately the day after, Giovanni Paolo II blessed it expressing his wish: “Those who will come in St. Peter’s square will have to rise the gaze towards her, and, with a filial confidence and trust, they will address her greetings and prayers”.

Detail of weaving