Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

Who is Mary?

The mother of Jesus has long drawn people closer to her Son, but she has also caused a lot of controversy, especially between Catholics and Protestants disagreeing how much praise this holy, human woman deserves. When does appreciation become veneration? When does veneration become worship? How far is too far, and how little is not enough?

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith recently released a doctrinal note, “Mater Populi Fidelis” (“Mother of the Faithful People of God”) clarifying the Church’s position on Mary. It discouraged using the titles “co-redemptrix” and “co-mediatrix” noting that such titles caused confusion for many. The titles have been used, unofficially, for several decades, without formal approval and without clear definition of what they mean. This has caused arguments over implications of Mary’s role in salvation history.

“Co-redemptrix,” the note said, “carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ” in salvation.

“Co-mediatrix” could imply that Mary could somehow mediate the grace that she herself received and should not be used in a way that casts doubt on “the unique mediation of Jesus Christ, true God and true man.”

Two Gentlemen of Rome

Today is the feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Like Sts. Peter and Paul’s joint feast day, this feast combines the dedication of the two basilicas in Rome which bear their names.

I’ve always found it odd that they share a feast day. Both are such huge powerhouses in the life of the Church you would think they each get their own day. Plus, they have such strong, differing personalities; I can’t imagine during their earthly life they would have been pleased to know they would always be lumped together. (Though I’m sure now, perfected in heaven, they’re fine with it.)

Both St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls were built by Constantine in the 4th century, over the site where each saint was buried. Despite several miles separating them, the two basilicas were originally connected by a long colonnade.

But perhaps they are most connected because pilgrims have long come to these places to pay respects to these apostles and martyrs. In fact, bishops are required to go to “the tombs of the Apostles” during their ad limina visits every five years. For most pilgrims, like me, it’s more of a once-in-a-lifetime visit. I was able to visit both basilicas and receive a testamonium from the Church, acknowledging my journey to their tombs.

Reels aren't Reality

Everyone should have the right to express their opinion. But my goodness, why do we listen to so many of them? The explosion of influencer culture in the past 15-20 has created echo chambers, breeding grounds of conspiracies, and cults of personality like no other time in history. Loud voices, streaming for hours on end every day, spouting ideas and infecting susceptible minds. At best, they are vacuous noise, posting entertaining click bait for money. At worst, they are maliciously spreading harmful ideologies and misinformation in order to cause division.

We’re all susceptible to it. Unless completely offline, the algorithms feed us whatever keeps us interested. But I’ve never been able to understand the parasocial relationships that develop around podcasters and content creators, especially those who have no expertise on which they speak. Some of these people generate hours of content a day; who is listening to all of that? Apparently, millions are. It baffles me.

I particularly find this phenomenon interesting in the Church. Christian/Catholic content creators, just talking and talking, spreading ideas that may or may not be that grounded in the faith, influencing millions of people. Why should I take this person’s interpretation as truth? How have they earned my time and money?

I think people are drawn to this type of content because it is easy: it’s available whenever, wherever you want it. It talks about things that your real-life community doesn’t, be that politics or scripture or a specific interest. It’s convenient and tailor-made and asks nothing but your attention.

Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput

Today is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the see of the Archdiocese of Rome, the pope’s cathedral. It is the first and oldest basilica in the West. The full name of the church is the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. But it most commonly referred to as St. John Lateran, after the Laterani family, on whose land it was built. The Laterani property had been seized by Emperor Nero and was now property of the emperor. After his conversion, Constantine gave the land and family palace to Pope Miltiades as the first official papal palace.

The archbasilica was built in 324. It was originally dedicated to the Most Holy Savior. It was later also dedicated to St. John the Baptist, then later St. John the Evangelist. From the fourth century until the Avignon papacy, St. John Lateran was the home of the pope and the center of the Catholic Church. Five ecumenical councils were held there (in 1123, 1139, 1179, 1215, and 1512). The Lateran Treaty of 1929, establishing Vatican City as its own state, was signed at the Lateran Palace.

In 897, an earthquake heavily damaged the building. In the 1308, there was a major fire that destroyed much of the structure. In the 1600s, the interior was redesigned in the Baroque style. In 1735, the neo-classical façade was added. So it has been evolving over and over. There are twelve statues around the nave, one for each apostle, along with friezes of twelve prophets.

On the archbasilica’s front wall is inscribed: "Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput" ("Mother and Head of all Churches in the City [of Rome] and the World"). It is for this reason that the dedication of the archbasilica is celebrated around the world today: the cathedra of the pope is there, and so the archbasilica serves as the Mother Church for all Catholics.

I am glad I got to visit St. John Lateran recently. With so much going on across town at St. Peter's in Vatican City, I think the Lateran doesn't get as much attention as it deserves, as it is still the pope's official cathedral. It is rightfully the central point of the Church, and has been since Constantine. Despite all the overwhelmingly beautiful art and side altars, I most remember St. John Lateran for buying stamps and going to Eucharistic adoration. But I suppose that's an appropriate pilgrim memory to hold.  

Eternal Rest, Grant unto Us

On All Saints Day we celebrate the souls in heaven and ask for their prayers, and All Souls Day we remember those who have died and pray for them. But how do we know who gets sorted into which category? Other than the canonized saints, how are we to know who is a soul praying for us in divine glory or a suffering soul in need of our prayers?

From our perspective, it’s a rather nebulous distinction. We have no way of knowing for certain the state of others’ souls. At best, we must rely on a person’s reputation and private revelation. We may feel the assurance of a passed loved one watching over us, or sense the urgent need to pray for another. But ultimately, we have to rely on faith.

We have to trust God that all will be sorted appropriately in the hereafter. Maybe that means years of purification. Maybe that means an empty hell. Maybe it means that annoying neighbor is now desperately praying for you. We may have our ideas of what that may be and who may be where, but we are working blindly, reaching out in the dark with only the faintest outline of what that reality is. 

Still, we reach, because we don’t want to sever that connection. We want to know what happens next. We want to still feel connection with passed loved ones. We want to believe in healing and justice and comfort and mercy and peace. 

If we pray for the dead who need prayers and ask the saints for prayers, I trust that God can sort out any categorical errors on our part. The important thing is to pray. And in seeking grace and comfort on the other side, maybe we can realize the need in praying for those around us as well, and working to make this time on earth one of mercy and peace too.