Who is Mary?

Who is Mary? What can we rightly say about the woman who accepted the incomparable call to be the Mother of Jesus, our Redeemer? And more specifically, how does her intercession for us relate to the Cross of her Son? Picture her in your mind. The image you paintings, holy cards. Scripture and prayers like the Rosary and Litany of Loreto present her faith, trust, obedience. Devotional reading, private revelation, and personal prayer depict various aspects of her times, her inner spiritual life, her compassion.

On October 7, Pope Leo approved a document entitled Mater Populi Fidelis: Doctrinal Note on Some Marian Titles Regarding Mary’s Cooperation in the Work of Salvation. The Latin means “the Mother of the Faithful People of God.” As a “Doctrinal Note” from the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith, its intention is to provide guidance in distinguishing terms applied to Mary from popular devotion, poetic tributes, and artistic expressions from a properly theological understanding of the unique role of Jesus, “the one Mediator between God and humanity,” the Son of God “who has bestowed on us every spiritual blessing in the heavens.”

For its complex topic – how Mary’s unique role is part of her Son’s redeeming work – and for its technical language, the document requires a patient, open, and careful reading. But it rewards with a rich history of the development of Marian devotion and theology over centuries, in both the East and the West. It shows that all authentic Catholic faith is rooted in revealed truth, contained in Scripture and the Church’s Tradition, guided by the promised Holy

Spirit.

Two terms come under special consideration: Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix. Each of these originated from secondary meanings that presumed the all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ and then reflected on how Mary participates in that work. Over time, those original meanings have changed for some and doctrinal proposals come forth that may confuse the faithful. Thus Mater Populi Fidelis states: … This document considers such proposals to indicate how some respond to a genuine Marian devotion inspired by the Gospel, and how others should be avoided since they do not foster a proper contemplation of the harmony of the Christian message as a whole. Like Mary, we participate in implementing the saving work of the Cross through prayer, sacrifice, and service. This is not because something is lacking in what Jesus has done, but an outgrowth of his infinite power. As he united a human body through Mary’s cooperation to the divine Nature of the Son, so he continues to unite our humanity to him by Word, sacrament, and works of mercy done in his name. He allows us to share in making that salvation known. But he does not need us for salvation to occur for the world. That is complete in his Paschal Mystery. We may accept grace, collaborate with it, announce it. But no saint, angel, or even the Mother of God substitutes for, adds to, or remedies some lack in the mystery of our salvation in God’s infinite love.

The document says:

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, for “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). … 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).

There is a long discussion of the proper appreciation of Mary’s role as Mother, her maternal intercession and care, and her participation in communicating the Word of God’s mercy just as she did at Bethlehem and at Calvary. Mater Populi Fidelis summarizes: As at Cana, Mary does not tell Christ what he should do. Instead, she intercedes by presenting him with our deficiencies, needs, and sufferings so that he may act with his divine power: “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3). Even today, she helps to prepare us for God’s action: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). Mary listens, decides, and acts to help us open our lives to Christ and to his grace, because it is God alone who works in our innermost being.

Why does all this matter? Understanding Mary correctly assures that we are understanding Jesus, and our salvation in his mercy, correctly.

To know Mary is to learn how we can imitate her humble and unshakable love for her Son.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving and offer our gratitude to God for all the gifts of nature and grace that bless us, we also approach Advent and Christmas. In these days, spend time simply speaking to and listening to Mary. She is not a topic of theological debate or a dogma to be defined; she is our Mother, and we can depend on her to pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.