Message by Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi
Mater Populi Fidelis – Mother of the Faithful People of God – is the title of the note recently published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF). It expresses with depth and pastoral resonance the Church’s understanding of Mary’s maternal role toward the People of God.
The purpose of this document is to clarify, in a doctrinal-theological way, how certain titles attributed to the Virgin Mary, particularly those related to her cooperation in salvation, should be understood, and which titles the Church recommends or discourages, in order to avoid confusion.
The Note encourages the expression “Mother of the Faithful People of God”. This title emphasises Mary’s maternal role vis-à-vis the Church and all believers, grounded in her cooperation with Christ’s salvific mission. Marian devotion, including pilgrimages to shrines and venerations, is affirmed as an important spiritual practice. These are a “treasure of the Church”, offering believers consolation, hope, and spiritual strength.
The Note explains why the term “co-redemptrix” (co-redeemer) can be problematic. This title “carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ” in the work of redemption. Even the use of “Mediatrix of all Graces” is discouraged when it suggests that Mary mediates grace in a way that competes with or parallels Christ’s unique mediation. The document insists that while Mary does intercede and accompany the faithful, the communication of sanctifying grace remains exclusively Christ’s work, exercised through his humanity.
The publication of Mater Populi Fidelis responds to decades of pastoral and theological debate. Some Marian titles, though popular in piety and devotional literature, have often led to confusion about Mary’s role in salvation, even among the faithful. This document aims at providing clarity, ensuring that Marian devotion remains Christ-centered and does not slip into theological exaggeration.
Furthermore, by grounding its reflections in Scripture, Patristic tradition, and the doctrinal heritage of the Church (East and West), the document reaffirms that Marian devotion can be both deeply traditional and doctrinally sound.
For believers and pastors alike, this guidance is important: it supports an authentic spirituality – one that honours Mary as Mother of believers, encourages devotion and intercession, but always in harmonious subordination to Christ.
The expression ‘Mother of the Faithful People of God’ is deeply coherent with the Church’s longstanding Marian doctrine. From the earliest centuries, Christians have recognised Mary as both Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church. This understanding was most clearly articulated by the Second Vatican Council in the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, which describes Mary as “our mother in the order of grace”. As the new Eve, she stands at the origin of Christian life, welcoming God’s Word in faith and offering her maternal intercession to all believers.
The Note underscores not only Mary’s role in salvation history, but her ongoing presence within the journey of the Christian people – guiding, protecting, and inspiring them to fidelity. It emphasises relationship, care, and continuity: Mary is the mother who accompanies the Pilgrim Church through the ages.
For Catholics seeking to deepen their Marian devotion, or for pastors guiding the faithful, this document offers a roadmap: love Mary, venerate her, draw from her maternal affection, but always walk in humility, with clear eyes fixed on Christ, the one Redeemer and Mediator.
✠ Joseph Galea-Curmi
Auxiliary Bishop
This article was first published in The Times of Malta on 14 December 2025.
