From the Pastor November 15/16

Jesus the Redeemer

Sometimes the finer points of theology can seem rather arcane to the average lay person but the recent release of a Vatican document on titles for the Virgin Mary is of interest to most Catholics. The letter from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith was entitled Mater populi fidelis, or in English “Mother of the Faithful People.” The letter is claimed to be the most comprehensive Vatican reflection on Marian terminology since the Second Vatican Council. It offers correction on the use of two titles sometimes used to describe the Virgin Mary and also the evaluation of the authenticity of Marian apparitions. The two disputed titles for Mary are “Co-Redemptrix” and “Mediatrix of Graces.” 

The letter argues that use of these titles risk creating confusion about the unique and exclusive salvific role of Christ. The letter was written to make clear that, while Mary, by saying yes to becoming the Mother of God at the Annunciation, played a vital role in bringing about our redemption, but God would have found other means had she refused God’s request. 

The letter is quoted to say, referring to Jesus, “Every grace, every redemption, proceeds entirely from Him.” A report by the Zenit News Agency reported, “[The letter] affirms that while Mary’s participation in salvation history is real, intimate, and material, it is always derivative and subordinate. Her greatness, it insists, lies not in standing beside Christ as a second redeemer, but in her total receptivity to divine grace: “She is what she is because of Him.” 

The letter reports on theologians examination of the Sacred Scriptures and the writings of the early Church Fathers and finds no basis for any belief other than that Jesus Christ was the “one Mediator between God and humanity.” It also warns that “titles which require constant theological explanations to avoid misunderstandings cease to serve the faith of the people and should therefore be avoided.”

The titles Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of Graces were developed back in the 15th Century as a response to heightened levels of Marian devotion during the Middle Ages. They served as a tempering to the use of the term Redemptrix for the Virgin Mary. According to the letter the title never really gained traction in the Church but was revived in some devotional circles in the early 20th Century. 

The letter impacts the evaluation of Marian apparitions because one of the factors used to determine their authenticity is whether the Virgin Mary is alleged to proclaim something contrary to established Church dogma. A case in point is Mary’s pronouncement to St. Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes that she should be officially recognized by the title of the Immaculate Conception. This was a title already long affixed to the Blessed Virgin. 

The controversial case regarding the redemptrix title occurred after the Second World War when alleged Marian apparitions were claimed in Amsterdam by Ida Peerdeman. Peerdeman claimed the Virgin Mary requested to be known as “The Lady of All Nations and to be proclaimed “co-redemptrix, mediatrix and advocate” as the final Marian dogma. Those apparitions were declared nonauthentic because there was no theological foundation for the use of the titles co-redemptrix or mediatrix. 

The letter has an important impact for all Catholics because it reminds us that when expressing our faith, exact words matter, and it reasserts that while the Virgin Mary acts as a steadfast intercessor in prayer for all Christian her role is always subordinate to the one Holy Redeemer, Christ the Lord. 

November Book of the Dead

November is the traditional month for Catholics to pray for the souls of the faithfully departed. Annually the parish compiles a Book of the Dead listing the names of parishioners who died last year and those of our faithful departed. The book will be reverenced with incense at the beginning of weekend Masses throughout November. 

Advent Woman’s Retreat

The Advent Women’s Retreat sponsored by the Diocese of Fall River is being held again this year on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Corpus Christi Church, E. Sandwich from 9 am-2:30 pm. Featured presenters will be Catherine DiNuzzo, international speaker and Licensed Professional Counselor, and podcaster, and author Allison Gingras, well known to Holy Redeemer parishioners, and Liz Cotrupi-Pfunder Catholic musician and songwriter. Cost for the day is $20 per person. That includes Morning Mass, Continental breakfast, Lunch, Eucharistic Adoration, and celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To register, visit: https://bit.ly/AWR2025.

Hosting Relic of St. Carlo

The parish will be hosting a relic of newly canonized St. Carlo Acutis the weekend of November 29/30. St. Carlo is the first millennium saint. As a child St. Carlo developed a deep devotion to the Eucharist while continuing to enjoy video games, soccer, and his pets. Very tech savvy he developed a website cataloging Eucharistic Miracles from through Church history. He referred to the Eucharist as his “highway to heaven.” Tragically Carlo contracted acute leukemia and died at the age of fifteen. His relic will be available for prayerful devotion after the masses on November 29/30. One of our Small Faith Sharing Groups is under the patronage of St. Carlo. They are providing prayer cards and other spiritual materials to help foster prayer to St. Carlo. Plan to participate on the First Sunday of Advent. 

Unless the Lord Builds” 2025 Capital Campaign 

The 2025 Capital Campaign has so far received donations and pledges of $XXXX. Our goal is to raise $750,000. Various capital improvements to the parish facilities will be paid for by the campaign. Replacement windows for the Rectory is one of the projects on list. A parish couple has chosen to pay the $50,000 cost of this project. We have received acceptable quotes for the project and await Bishop DaCunha’s approval. With luck the windows will be installed before winter gets too entrenched. Please prayerfully reflect on your making a truly sacrificial gift to the 2025 “Unless God Builds the House” Capital Campaign. 

Retreat Week for Fr. Sullivan

Please keep Fr. Sullivan in your prayers this week as he is on retreat at the St. Edmunds Retreat Center at Enders Island in Mystic, CT. Fr. George Bellenoit will cover weekday Masses and Fr. Sullivan will be back for the weekend.