Fr. Serafino Lanzetta’s reaction to Mater Populi Fidelis document.

I. Initial Impressions and Magisterial Status

Father Lanzetta described reading the document as a “very painful read”. He characterized it as a document that completely opens the door to minimalism.

Cardinal Fernandez stated that since the document has been approved by the Pope, it is now considered part of the ordinary magisterium. However, Father Lanzetta argued that never in the history of the Church has the magisterium said what this document says; instead, it basically states the “right opposite” of what the Church Fathers and previous Popes have historically taught.

II. Critique on Co-redemption and Marian Cooperation

A major point of contention revolves around the understanding and illustration of Co-redemption.

1. Co-redemption: The document illustrates Co-redemption merely as a subordinate participation in the redemption. Conversely, the traditional understanding, according to the speaker, is that Our Lady’s participation in redemption is active and direct. Our Lady is not intended to be a “spectatrix,” or someone who is passive and simply stays there.
2. Cooperation and Reductionism: The Dicastery for the Faith states that Our Lady is present but receiving and “not doing something”. The source notes that the problem is not solely focused on Co-redemption—which the document says should not be used because it is ambiguous and misleading—but extends to “cooperation as such”.
3. Diminished Status: Father Lanzetta claims that the document attempts to make Vatican II “shrink” in its Mariological teaching. He notes that the document says less than Vatican II. Ultimately, the document reduces cooperation in salvation to a “mere reception of grace of salvation”. It describes Our Lady as a “woman favored by grace” but “nothing else than a woman,” which the speaker questions as reflecting authentic Catholic faith or teaching. The speaker also commented that her dignity and status as the Theotokos, Mediatrix, and Co-redemptrix are now under attack and undermined.
4. Historical Usage: The term Co-redemptrix has been used by Popes and is not a misleading word.

Another speaker noted that this new document seems to reflect the ideas previously issued by Pope Francis in a homily on December 12, 2019, on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, emphasizing Our Lady’s role as mother, disciple, and a person with a special place. However, this new progression seems to have “cut off” the unfolding of her role as Co-redemptrix.

III. The Mediation of All Graces

The document also addresses Our Lady’s role as Mediatrix of all graces.

1. Prohibition of the Term: According to the document, it seems that “mediation of all graces is not to be used anymore” because this too is deemed ambiguous.
2. Redefined Role: The document asserts that Our Lady does not give any grace. Her role is reduced to interceding by disposing a soul to receive the grace. This means that Our Lady is again portrayed as a spectatrix (passive) and is there “without doing anything in the end”.
3. Conflict with Popular Piety: Father Lanzetta contrasts this teaching with the devotional life of Catholics. People go to Marian shrines, such as Knock (Ireland) or Pompei (Italy), to pray to Our Lady and ask for graces. They do this because they know she is the Mother of God and the Mediatrix of all graces. While Catholics understand she does not produce the grace herself, they expect her to give them what they ask for due to her capacity for mediation and intercession.

IV. Ecumenical Intent

The ultimate objective (“the end of this document”) is noted to be very ecumenical, focused on finding an agreement with the Protestants. Father Lanzetta stated that Martin Luther “would sign it” and would be very happy with this document.

It was acknowledged that while the document may help with ecumenism, Catholics may struggle with it for a while. The speaker does not believe Catholics will be happy with the document.

V. Conclusion and Recourse to St. Joseph

In light of the fact that the holy wife of St. Joseph is so diminished in her dignity and status in the Church, Father Lanzetta concluded that this is the “best time to have recourse to St. Joseph”. He proposed that through St. Joseph, Catholics may know again who Our Lady is—the Co-redemptrix, the Mediatrix of all graces (as Catholics believe), and the Queen Mother and Queen. St. Joseph is described as the man who points us to Mary.

The hope was expressed that Heaven might send a sign that “they are not pleased” with the document.