Marian formulas are not an exaggeration of ultra-devout people!

"When I was a young theologian, before and even during the sessions of the Council, as it happened before and is still the case for many, I had some reservations about certain ancient Marian formulas, for example, the famous De Maria nunquam satis - "Of Mary, we will never say enough." It seemed an exaggeration to me.

I also had some difficulty understanding the true meaning of another famous phrase (repeated in the Church since the first centuries, when - after a memorable debate - the Council of Ephesus of 431 proclaimed Mary "Theotokos," Mother of God), namely, the expression that Mary is "victorious over all heresies."

Only today, in this period of confusion where all kinds of heretical deviations seem to come knocking at the door of authentic faith, today I understand that it was not an exaggeration of ultra-devout people, but truths that are more than ever valid."

Joseph, Cardinal Ratzinger

Excerpts from Vittorio Messori, The Ratzinger Report – Ignatius, 1985