DOCTRINAL NOTE ON MARIAN TITLES: MOTHER OF THE FAITHFUL, NOT CO-REDEMPTRIX

DOCTRINAL NOTE ON MARIAN TITLES: MOTHER OF THE FAITHFUL, NOT CO-REDEMPTRIX

Implications for Marian Devotion and Our Traditional Prayer Booklets

Fr Lawrence Ogundipe SDV

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has recently offered an important doctrinal clarification on the way the Church understands and speaks about the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the mystery of salvation. While reaffirming her unique place as the Mother of God and the most exalted member of the redeemed, the document emphasizes that the faithful should refer to Mary as “Mother of the Faithful,” not “Co-redemptrix.” This clarification is not a demotion of Mary in Catholic devotion. Rather, it aims to protect the central truth that Jesus Christ alone is Redeemer and that Mary’s role, although singular and incomparable, always remains subordinate and dependent on the saving work of her Son.

This doctrinal note helps the Church speak with precision, avoid misunderstandings, and ensure that our Marian devotion remains both beautiful and theologically sound.

Why “Co-redemptrix” Is Not an Official Title

The Church has long been cautious with the term “Co-redemptrix.” In popular piety, some used the title to express Mary’s cooperation in God’s plan of salvation, especially her free consent at the Annunciation and her presence at the foot of the Cross. However, in theological language, “co-” can be misunderstood as “equal partner,” suggesting two redeemers. The Dicastery therefore stresses that redemption is a work accomplished solely by Christ’s divine person.

Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasized that Mary is a disciple and mother, not a co-redeemer equal to Christ. In earlier decades, the Church had already avoided defining the title despite petitions to do so.

The new Note simply reaffirms what has long been the mind of the Church.

 Mary as “Mother of the Faithful”

The title “Mother of the Faithful” beautifully expresses Mary’s true mission in the Church. On Calvary, Jesus entrusted her to the beloved disciple, and through him to all believers. Mary accompanies the Church, intercedes for her children, and reflects the holiness toward which all Christians strive. She remains the perfect model of faith, obedience, humility, and discipleship.

This title is rooted in Scripture and tradition, and avoids doctrinal confusion.

But What About the Saints and Popes Who Used “Co-redemptrix”?

The Doctrinal Note does not deny that many saints and popes have used the term in devotional or poetic ways. Among them:

Saints who used or tolerated the expression

St. Bernard of Clairvaux highlighted Mary’s compassion and cooperation at Calvary in poetic language that later theologians connected to the concept of co-redemption.

St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote about Mary’s intimate participation in Christ’s sufferings and used the term in a spiritual sense.

St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort strongly emphasized Mary’s cooperation in redemption, though he focused more on consecration and mediation.

St. Maximilian Kolbe, in the twentieth century, used the term often in mystical and devotional writings.

Popes who used the term in a non-doctrinal sense

Pope Leo XIII Pope St. Pius X, and Pope Benedict XV I used the expression “co-redemptrix” to describe Mary’s cooperation with Christ, but never defined it as dogma.

Pope St. John Paul II occasionally used the term in a devotional context but repeatedly clarified that Christ alone is Redeemer and that Mary’s role remains subordinate and participatory, not parallel.

The new DDF note respects the devotional history. It simply teaches that the expression is not suitable for precise doctrinal formulation today.

Implications for Marian Devotion Today

The Church is not reducing devotion to the Blessed Virgin. She is ensuring that our devotion remains Christ-centered and doctrinally pure. The implications include:

1. A purification of language, not a rejection of devotion

Devotional books, novenas, and prayer leaflets that use the title “Co-redemptrix” may now need gentle revision. The prayers themselves are not condemned. What the Church proposes is a clarification in titles, not suppression of Marian love.

2. A focus on Mary’s true mission: Mother, Intercessor, Model of the Church

Rather than seeing the clarification as limiting, it is an invitation to rediscover Mary’s beauty through titles that the Church strongly affirms: Mother of God, Mother of the Church, Mother of the Faithful, Seat of Wisdom, Help of Christians, Star of the Sea, Queen of Heaven.

3. A call to Christ-centered Marian devotion

Authentic Marian devotion always leads us to Christ. The document encourages believers to deepen devotion through Scripture, liturgy, and the rosary, seeing Mary’s life as a “yes” to God that we must imitate.

4. A reminder that piety must harmonize with doctrine

Many well-loved prayer booklets were written in a devotional era when theological language was less precise. The new clarification is an opportunity to revise them in continuity with tradition but with clearer teaching.

What Does This Mean for the Prayer Booklets We Have Used for Years?

The implication is pastoral, not punitive. Our existing Marian booklets can still be used, but where titles like “Co-redemptrix” appear, pastoral leaders are encouraged to:

Replace them with titles approved and recommended (Mother of the Faithful, Mother of the Church, Mediatrix of Grace in the proper sense).

Add brief catechetical notes explaining why the Church refines language but not devotion.

 Emphasize the Christ-centered meaning of every Marian prayer.

 Guide the faithful gently, without creating confusion or the impression that older devotions were wrong.

The aim is continuity with purification, not rejection.

 How We Can Maintain the Beauty of Marian Devotion

The faithful can continue to honour Mary deeply in ways fully aligned with Church teaching:

1. Continue praying the Rosary daily

The rosary remains the strongest Marian devotion and fully reflects Mary’s place in salvation history.

2. Consecration to Jesus through Mary

St. Louis de Montfort’s spirituality emphasizes Christ first, with Mary as the sure path. This remains fully valid.

3. Marian feasts and processions

The Church’s liturgy already expresses Mary’s role with theological purity. These celebrations should be encouraged.

4. Marian virtues as a model for Christian life

Humility, obedience, purity, faith, charity—these remain the core of every authentic devotion to Mary.

5. Marian intercession

The Church continues to teach that Mary intercedes for her children. Her maternal care remains a source of strength for the faithful.

6. Updating prayer booklets without losing devotion

New editions can preserve beloved prayers while refining language in harmony with the Church’s doctrinal clarity.

Conclusion

The new Doctrinal Note invites the Church into a deeper, purer, and more Christ-centered Marian devotion. It does not reduce Mary’s role but places it in its proper divine context. The faithful are encouraged to continue loving, honouring, and invoking Mary with confidence. She remains our Mother, our helper, our advocate, and our sure guide to Jesus.

In this way, the Church maintains the beauty of Marian devotion while speaking with theological precision and unity. Mary has not lost a title; she has gained one that expresses more clearly the truth of her vocation—Mother of the Faithful, a gift to all who belong to her Son.