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Catherine Nicolette;
I read the recent doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis - doctrinal note on some Marian titles regarding Mary's cooperation in the work of salvation - with interest. Point 22 of the note states 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." [1]
Later in the note, point 45 states, "If one considers the fact that the Trinitarian indwelling (uncreated grace) and our participation in the divine life (created grace) are inseparable, we cannot think that this mystery depends on a "passage" through Mary's hands." [1]
Possible ramifications
Well, now. To my mind, there would appear to be ramifications connected to the newly-deemed unsuitability of the title "Co-redemptrix." Many years of usage of the term "Co-redemptrix" in relation to Mother Mary, by pontiffs such as Saint John Paul II, Pope Pius XI and Pope Pius XII, have laid the fabric of church tradition.
Against this background, many faithful have peacefully followed the devotion, and found succour and peace. Some exorcists - when faced with unduly vexatious exorcisms - would hesitate to eschew the strong aid of invocation of titles of Mother Mary such as "Co-Redemptrix" and "Mediator of all Graces."
In Exorcist diary #248: Mary, Mother of Exorcists, Monsignor Rossetti writes, "satan's pride blinded him and he became enraged against Jesus and all of humanity, perpetually dedicated to destroying it.
In response, Jesus sends a "lowly" woman from Palestine to cast him out. Her only "weapons" are her love for Jesus, her total humility, and her obedience to God. It is precisely in these that we humans triumph over evil. According to Divine justice, satan is enduring a reality he never learned: the essence of true power belonging to God. As St Paul says: "I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me" (2 Cor 12:9).
I personally believe that the entire ministry of exorcism has been delegated by God to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the Mother of Exorcists: I believe she is spiritually present at every exorcism: and she often makes her presence directly felt in casting out satan.
I do not know a seasoned exorcist who does not have a deep, heart-felt devotion to the Mother of God. In fact, I tell new exorcists in training that such a devotion is not simply a pious addition to one's ministry. It is essential. We begin every exorcism invoking the aid of the most powerful Mother of God.
Mary, Mother of Exorcists, pray for us." [2]
Popes, saints and mystics have used the Marian titles
It is possible that the doctrinal note could cause confusion, rather than create certainty? Dr Miravalle noted that the doctrinal note has understandably caused a lot of confusion, precisely because "so many popes, saints, and mystics have used the titles" throughout Church History; Alleged News.[3]
Canonically approved institutes with Marian Co-redemptrix charism
A number of faithful have raised canonically approved institutes with charisms inspired by Mother Mary the Co-redemptrix. We consider Congregazione Figlie Maria SS. Corredentrice, founded in Catania, Italy in 1953 and approved in 1964. Members of this Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Co-Redemptrix offer their lives to the Lord in union with the priesthood of Christ, while working in the spirit of the Virgin Co-Redemptrix. Then there is the Pia Associazione di Maria SS. Corredentrice (Pious Association of Mary SS. Co-redemptrix), approved by the Archbishop of Reggio Calabria, Italy in 1984.
Hijas de Maria Immaculada y Corredentora (Congregation of Daughters of Mary Immaculate and Co-Redemptrix) of Lima, Peru, was founded in 1978 and approved in 1980.
Instituto de Misioneras de Maria Corredentora (Institute of Missionary Sisters of Mary Co-Redemptrix) in Ecuador, was founded in 1964 and approved in 1969.
Associación de Fieles al Servicio de María Corredentora y Reina de la Paz (Association of the Faithful at the Service of Mary Co-redemptrix and Queen of Peace) in Venezuela, was founded and approved in 1992 by the Archbishop of Barquisimeto, Venezuela.
The seminary of the Society of St. Pius X [SSPX] located in Moreno, Buenos Aires, Argentina, is named Seminario Nuestra Señora Corredentora (Seminary of Our Lady Co-redemptrix). [4]
Rightful place within the church
When a charism has been carefully discerned, canonically established and lived with fidelity over generations, it carries within it a rightful place within the life of the church. To see that charism - in this instance one honouring Mother Mary under a title long acknowledged within the church - now deemed inappropriate, may give rise to a sense of uneasiness. In practical terms, how does one freshly eschew a Marian title, when one's own religious identity is canonically bound to that same title?
Graces shed upon those who ask for them
Many faithful trust that Mother Mary assists with our difficulties in life, through mission entrusted to her by her Son, Jesus Christ. Mother Mary appeared to St Catherine Labouré in the Rue du Bac. These apparitions were approved as authentic by the Church.
In the second apparition to Sr Catherine, Mother Mary appeared in the chapel, in the form of a picture, standing on a globe, with shafts of light streaming from her hands emanating from jewels on the rings adorning her fingers.
"These rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them," Our Lady told Sr Catherine. "The gems from which rays do not fall are the graces for which souls forget to ask." (Some of the jewels on Our Lady's rings were not shining).
Not incumbent to believe in apparitions
True, it certainly is not incumbent upon faithful to believe in Marian apparitions. Although some apparitions are approved as authentic by the church, they do not form part of the matter for belief by the magisterium.
However, many of us derive deep comfort and support through pilgrimage to holy shrines. Many decades ago, I went in pilgrimage to Rue du Bac, which was a holy and insightful time for me. Thereafter, I have retained devout love and honour for Mother Mary of Rue du Bac, as well as deep respect and affection for St Catherine Labouré. My personal experience of Mother Mary when I prayed in the chapel at the Rue du Bac, is that graces I prayed for, were granted by Almighty God. Just saying . . .
Where to from here?
After reading the Dicastery note, I mulled for a long time. Especially about congregations who quietly and devotedly have served the church so well, under spiritual banner of Mary Co-redemptrix.
Then I sighed, and got up. I realized that, to be honest, my heart goes out to these congregations. And, most of all, to Our Lady.
Mother Mary continues to work in the life of the church, millennia after her first call by Almighty God. Holy Mother must surely sit in Heaven at times, and wonder about all that takes place here on earth...
At the foot of the Cross we remain
In quiet pews where candles softly burn,
The faithful read, hearts within them turn;
A title loved, once spoken without blame,
Now questioned with a sense of shame.
“O Mother dear,” their whispered prayers rise,
“Have we then loved thee wrongly in God's Eyes?”
Yet still they see thee standing, steadfast, near,
Beneath the cross, where redemption conquered fear.
There with Jesus Christ in agony and grace,
Saint John beside thee in that hallowed place,
Thou wast given as Mother, tender, true -
“Behold thy son” - and we were given too.
Through centuries thy children learned thy name,
In love, not pride, in reverence, not shame;
Not equal thou, but closest to His side,
A Mother’s heart where sacrifice abide.
Those who toil where burning sun beats down,
Who bear the Cross in field, in street, in town,
Still pray with thee, their patroness and guide,
At Calvary’s foot; where redemption doth abide.
O can they now from such devotion part,
When it has shaped the rhythm of the heart?
When popes and prayers and ages long have sown
This filial love the faithful call their own?
Though language trembles, shifts, or bends,
Deeper truth no passing voice suspends:
That thou, O Mother, in thy hidden way,
Dost lead thy children still, from day to day.
For where else shall thy weary children go,
Who learned thy love through centuries of woe?
The cross remains, its shadow ever wide -
Thou art there, still standing at His side.
[1] Mater Populi Fidelis. 2025
[2] Rossetti, Monsignor Stephen. 2023. Exorcist Diary #248. Mary, Mother of Exorcists
https://www.catholicexorcism.org/post/exorcist-diary-248-mary-mother-of-exorcists
[3] Eternally Catholic. "The forgotten story: Vatican statement on Mary's Co-Redemptrix title contradicts 2000 years of teaching;" Alleged News
[4] Miravalle, Mark. "Pope Francis and the Coredemptive role of Mary, the "Woman of Salvation." What does it mean to say the Mother of God is Co-Redemptrix?" Alleged News. Page 8
https://eccematertua.com/sites/ecce/files/miravalleemtvol3.pdf
[5] Miravalle, Mark. "Mary Co-Redemptrix is Catholic tradition." Alleged News
https://eccematertua.com/sites/ecce/files/emt_vol_12_final.pdf
Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle, "At the foot of the cross"
With thanks to vatican.va, catholicexorcism.org, eternallycatholic.com and eccematertua.com
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