Posted on 11/04/2025 2:13:46 PM PST by ebb tide
The Vatican has declared the Marian title “Co-Redemptrix” to be both inappropriate and theologically “unhelpful.”
The statements came in a doctrinal note titled Mater Populi Fidelis (“Mother of the Faithful People of God”), issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) on November 4 and signed by its prefect, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández. The document was approved by Pope Leo XIV on October 7.
“When an expression requires many, repeated explanations to prevent it from straying from a correct meaning,” the note stated, “it does not serve the faith of the People of God and becomes unhelpful.”
It stated that the title “Co-Redemptrix” risks “eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ” and “would not be a true honor to his Mother.”
The note also discouraged the widespread title “Mediatrix of All Graces,” suggesting that it lacks solid grounding in Revelation and carries “limits that do not favor a correct understanding of Mary’s unique place.”
Instead, the Vatican encouraged faithful to adopt titles rooted in Mary’s motherhood, such as “Mother of God” and “Mother of the Faithful People of God.”
Speaking to LifeSiteNews, Fr. Dave Nix said: “Mary is not just the object of our sweet devotion. She is also known as the exterminatrix of all heresies.”
“This is why the modernists despise her. And those bad guys in the Vatican know their time is limited as we quickly approach the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart.”
Fernández’s preface to the document noted a rise in devotional language “intensely expressed through social media” and warned against what he described as confusion arising from certain “Marian reflection groups,” publications, and proposed Marian dogmas.
In fact, both titles have been a part of popular piety for centuries. While the Vatican notes that “Co-Redemptrix” emerged in the 15th century, theologian Father Juniper B. Carol traced its use to a 14th-century liturgical book from Salzburg.
He added that the novelty of a word does not disqualify its legitimacy, pointing to terms like “transubstantiation” and “Theotokos,” which were once new but became doctrinal cornerstones.
He also argued that the title forms a part of the ordinary magisterium, being “consecrated by ecclesiastical usage” in 20th century papal texts.
A Mass in honor of “Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Graces” appears in the traditional Roman Missal, under the section for Masses for Various Places – a liturgical recognition that underscores the historical acceptance of the title. (p. 194)
While the titles in question have deep roots in Catholic devotion and theology, the note signals a clear departure from this trajectory, placing renewed emphasis on Mary’s receptivity rather than her active participation in Christ’s work of redemption or the sanctification of Christians.
The document’s tone echoes prior post-conciliar efforts to scale back theological language seen as obstacles to ecumenical dialogue. It frames the new restrictions as an attempt to deepen “fidelity to Catholic identity” while supporting ecumenical efforts towards unity with non-Catholic bodies.
The note’s approach recalls the post-Vatican II shift toward ecumenical accommodation. Archbishop Annibale Bugnini, chief architect of the liturgical reform, famously stated that Holy Week rites had to be revised to “remove every stone that could even remotely constitute an obstacle” to unity with “the separated brethren.”
Traditional theology holds that Roman Congregations’ decrees, especially when approved in specific form by the pope, call for religious assent. However, the intended authoritative weight of Mater Populi Fidelis remains ambiguous. At the time of writing, a Latin version was not visible on the DDF website, and it was unclear whether Pope Leo XIV had approved it in specific or general form.
The note also adopts a more discursive tone, presenting its rejection of the titles Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix as a matter of theological prudence and ecumenical concern.
Nevertheless, its practical implications are clear. The note is expected to guide bishops’ conferences and theologians in enforcing revised norms for Marian language — representing a decisive departure from centuries of liturgical precedent and theological affirmation.
Ping
Is Catholic Caucus for Catholics only? I want to say yes.
Yes
I pray the Rosary almost daily & I agree with calling Our Lady the Queen of Heaven & Earth, but I find labeling her Co-Redemptor or Co-Mediatrix of the World to be a little much. I think the Blessed Mother, as humble as she was, would be happy that we honored her but not if we elevated her to the level of Jesus.
If you had read the sources, neither title elevates Our Lady to “the level of Jesus”.
That’s a lie.
I just ignore these Vatican Pronouncements. I will still see Mary as Mediatrix.
As noted in the piece, this is Bugnini style pandering to the tastes and sensibilities of the Protestant brothers down at the lodge
Saint John Paul II referred to Mary as ‘Co-redemptrix’ on at least seven occasions, particularly relating this title to the salvific value of our sufferings when they are offered together with the sufferings of Christ, to whom Mary is united especially at the Cross” (18).
What has changed to ignominiously remove this title?
Why are you asking me? I've not commented on it one way or the other.
From what I can gather from the article and document, this clarification has been under development for several decades, taking so long because of the sensitivity of the issue. As you know, many Catholics are strongly attached to these titles, others have doctrinal reservations, and most are oblivious to the whole issue. Anti-Catholics, who claim Catholics put Mary in the place of Jesus and have characterized them as defined Christian doctrine (which it never has been), it's been a handy tool for Catholic bashing. So a lot of complex factors were involved, as the document says.
The fact that JPII and other have used these titles does not make them doctrine. The point is that we all have a salvific role to play by joining our sufferings to Christs (Colossians 1:24), preeminently Mary, but she doesn't need a special title to accomplish that especially one that might cause confusion. This is all in the document and not my idea; I'm just the poster of the article.
I recommend you refer to the Mass of "Mater Admimirabilis" celebrated on October 20th, in the traditional calendar.
Secret: Through thy mercy, O Lord, and the intercession of blessed Mary ever virgin, may this oblation give us prosperity and peace both now and forever. Through our Lord.
I asked you because I wanted your opinion.
You seemed to have no problem with this latest missive from Tucho, which also is not “doctrine”.
O God, who didst wonderfully exalt the lowliness of the blessed Virgin Mary in the Incarnation of Thy only-begotten Son, mercifullly grant that, by the intercession of that most Admirable Mother, we may attain to the divine adoption of sons. Through the same our Lord.
I think both you, and I, know why it has been "sensitive".
It's not ecumenical!
Then you probably should have said, "Why do you think...?" Still, I'm flattered that you asked for my opinion even though it doesn't mean a hill of beans.
Since the popular titles weren't defined doctrine before, and they still aren't defined doctrine now, I'm kind of feeling kind of flat about this. It's more of a clarification than anything else. In my mind, it doesn't take anything away from Our Lady. While I've never been one that was attached to these titles, I'm somewhat relieved that Church has clarified in at least one official statement that the titles are not what people commonly confuse them to mean. I have no problem with people using these titles in their private devotions just as long as it doesn't breed doctrinal muddiness among the uninformed. I'm more about clarity than anything else.
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