Cardinal Mercier

Neo-scholastic, par excellence.

Oh that we had his like in Belgium today.

Biography

During World War I

The Feast (31 August) and Mass of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces [Beatæ Mariæ Virginis omnium gratiarum Mediatricis] was granted by Pope Benedict XV at the request of Cardinal Mercier. So much for the idea that the good Cardinal was a radical precursor of the Second Vatican Council, a misinterpretation of his work of reconciliation of Anglicans.