On November 4th, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released a doctrinal note entitled Mater Populi Fidelis. As we have seen in the past, this document has not disappointed in terms of all the reactions that have surfaced, which highlight all the misunderstanding that is out there regarding the role of Mary in salvation history…misunderstandings that exist on all sides of the argument.
On one side, I heard some take the opportunity to falsely claim an “I told you so” moment as they perceived the document to be a change in Church doctrine to more align with the principles of protestantism, and in the process attack the principle of infallibility.
On another side, I heard some take the opportunity to falsely claim a “how dare you” moment as they perceived the document to be a change in Church doctrine to strip Mary of dogmatic honor, and in the process attack the principle of papal authority.
Of course, like usual, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Mater Populi Fidelis did not change a single Church doctrine; but rather, confirmed what the doctrines truly are and encouraged the faithful to limit certain Marian titles to situations where the context of the title can be fully understood.
There was probably a point in time of history where someone would hear the words co-redemptrix and mediatrix and have a reasonably high chance of understanding them in the proper context of Saint Paul’s letter to the Colossians: “for we are God’s co-workers”.
However, we do not live in those times anymore. These words have simply become a point of confusion and a barrier to evangelization.
As it says in the document, “When an expression requires many, repeated explanations to prevent it from straying from a correct meaning, it does not serve the faith of the people of God and becomes unhelpful. 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.”
Ultimately, no Church doctrine has changed. Mary is still everything she ever was, the manifestation of everything that can happen to the human person that completely surrenders to the will of God.
Mary has a unique participation in salvation history solely through her cooperation with grace. Through her cooperation with grace, she became a conduit of grace to the world. (By the way, each of us have that opportunity to cooperate with grace and therefore become a conduit of grace to the world around us…particularly through missionary discipleship, practicing the works of mercy, and simply living the sacramental life of the Catholic Church.)
Today’s memorial celebrates one of the occasions of Mary cooperating with grace.
At the age of three, Mary, accompanied by Anne and Joachim, walked to the Temple to be solemnly offered to God. From that point, she was to sleep in the Temple apartments and live a life of prayer and assistance to the Temple priests and Levites.
It is said that after hugging and kissing her parents one last time, without hesitation, she climbed the 15 steps of the Nicanor Gate where two priests met her and accompanied her into the Temple to join the other girls that were in service to the Temple at that time.
At this point, Mary offered her entire life and will over to the care of God, which included vows of poverty and virginity. She remained in service to the temple until she was later betrothed to Joseph, at which point she continued her perpetual virginity (to “know no man”) and live a life of humble poverty.
Today is a good day to enter into the mystery of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to offer or renew our consecration to God through our Lady. Sacramentally climbing those 15 steps ourselves as we fervently offer everything we have, everything we were, everything we are, and everything we are ever going to be to God through the Mass. Opening ourselves to the grace of Christ, the grace of the sacraments, as we receive Him in the Eucharist to be His conduit of grace to the world. And then pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance to use that grace to set the world of fire.
Through our participation in grace, the Almighty has done great things for us, and holy is His Name.
Thanks be to God!
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