Mater Populi Fideis

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

This past Thursday, November 6th, the Church published a document called Mater Populi Fideis (The Mother of the Faithful People) that talks about the Blessed Virgin Mary and her role. It was approved by Pope Leo XIV on October 7th and signed by the Prefect, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández. This document tries to answer all the questions and ideas about Marian devotion and the titles given to the Mother of God.

According to Vatican News, “Mater populi fidelis (MPF) is the fruit of a long and complex collegial effort. It is a doctrinal document on Marian devotion, centered on the figure of Mary, who is associated with the work of Christ as Mother of believers. The Note provides a significant biblical foundation for devotion to Mary, as well as marshalling various contributions from the Fathers, the Doctors of the Church, elements of Eastern tradition, and the thought of recent Popes. In this positive framework, the doctrinal text analyses a number of Marian titles, encouraging the adoption of some of those appellations and warning against the use of others. Titles such as ‘Mother of Believers,’ ‘Spiritual Mother,’ ‘Mother of the Faithful’ are noticed with approval in the Note. Conversely, the title of ‘Co-redemptrix’ is deemed inappropriate and problematic. The title of ‘Mediatrix’ is considered unacceptable when it takes on a meaning that excludes Jesus Christ; however, it can be used appropriately so long as it expresses an inclusive and participatory mediation that glorifies the power of Christ. The titles ‘Mother of Grace’ and ‘Mediatrix of All Graces’ are considered acceptable when used in a very precise sense, but the document also warns of particularly broad explanations of the meaning of the terms.” (source)

I know that all of these are confusing for many people, perhaps for some of you. What the Church wants to say in this document is that we cannot place the Blessed Virgin Mary at the same level as Jesus. Jesus is truly man and truly God. Mary is just a human being. We call Mary “Mother of God” because of her relationship with the Lord Jesus. Mary is the Mother of Jesus, and Jesus is God; therefore, Mary is the Mother of God. This doctrine is called Theokokos and was established by the Church in the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. The only redeemer is our Lord Jesus Christ. Mary is praying for us, as we say in the Hail Mary, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners…” The Maternal role of Mary is to love all her children and pray for their salvation. Mater Populi Fideis in the number 71 says, “The Second Vatican Council preferred to call Mary our ‘Mother in the order of grace,’ which expresses well the universality of Mary’s maternal cooperation. This title is undeniable in a precise sense, for she is the Mother of Christ: he who is Grace par excellence and the Author of every grace.” Let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to continue to pray for us. Let us love, honor, and respect her for her courage to say “yes” to God’s will. Let us imitate her virtues, and like her, let us always obey the Word of God.

I invite you to read this document.

Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!

God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always.

Fr. Jorge Ramirez