November 15-16, 2025
Dear parishioners,
You might have seen that, in the last few weeks, Pope Leo approved the promulgation of Mater Populi Fidelis: Doctrinal Note on Some Marian Titles Regarding Mary’s Cooperation in the work of Salvation (hereafter MPF), which was presented to him by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The full text of the document is available on the Vatican website, www.vatican.va, but I would like to highlight some of the doctrinal clarifications here.
The first doctrinal clarification of MPF explains why the term “co-redemptrix” is never an appropriate title for Mary, and therefore should never be used. The document makes clear that this decision is consistent with recent magisterial decisions. Pope Francis expressed his clear opposition to this title in his preaching. He stated that “Mary never wished to appropriate anything of her Son for herself. She never presented herself as a co-Savior. No, a disciple.” On a different occasion, he noted that, “Our Lady did not want to take away any title from Jesus… She did not ask for herself to be a quasi-redeemer or a co-redeemer: no. There is only one Redeemer, and this title cannot be duplicated.” Once again he expressed this: “Christ is the only Redeemer; there are no co-redeemers with Christ.”
Cardinal Ratzinger (who later became Pope Benedict XVI), while he was head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a doctrinal note in 2002 stating that, “the formula ‘Co-redemptrix’ departs to too great an extent from the language of Scripture and of the Fathers and therefore gives rise to misunderstandings… Everything comes from Him [Christ], as the Letter to the Ephesians and the Letter to the Colossians, in particular, tell us; Mary, too, is everything that she is through Him. The word ‘Co-redemptrix’ would obscure this origin.”
Therefore, MPF declares that, “Given the necessity of explaining Mary’s subordinate role to Christ in the work of Redemption, it is always inappropriate to use the title ‘Co-redemptrix’ to define Mary’s cooperation. This title risks obscuring Christ’s unique salvific mediation and can therefore create confusion and an imbalance in the harmony of the truths of the Christian faith… In this case, the expression ‘Co-redemptrix’ does not help extol Mary as the first and foremost collaborator in the work of Redemption and grace, for it carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ — the Son of God made man for our salvation, who was the only one capable of offering the Father a sacrifice of infinite value — which would not be a true honor to his Mother. Indeed, as the ‘handmaid of the Lord’ (Lk 1:38), Mary directs us to Christ and asks us to ‘do whatever he tells you’ (Jn 2:5).”
The second doctrinal clarification of MPF pertains to the use of the term “mediatrix.” For the same reasons mentioned above about the exclusive role of Jesus in our redemption and salvation, the document states the term “mediatrix” can only be used with “special prudence” when being applied to Mary. Theologically, Jesus is the only proper mediator between God and man. When referring to Mary, it is more proper to speak of her intercession and motherly care. Keeping in mind that Jesus is always the source, Mary’s role is always one that subordinately cooperates with Jesus, and always points back to him. However, it is worth noting, as MPF does, that, “Her intercession does not have the characteristic of priestly mediation (such as Christ’s), but is instead situated in the order and analogy of motherhood.” For this same reason, we are not able to say that Mary can bless objects! This is something that some people claim after they return from devotional pilgrimages to Marian locations. In a word, “Mary acts with the Church, in the Church, and for the Church.”
Overall, I think these statements in MPF provide much-needed clarification, as they help us to focus specifically on what Mary’s role is in the Church, and what it is not. Hopefully, this information will assist us in our devotions. Mary, Mother of good counsel and Help of Christians, pray for us!
Blessings,
Fr. Ammanniti
