WHERE IS HOLY MOTHER CHURCH HEADING AS WE NEAR THE MILLENNIUM?

INTRODUCTION
      The Feature Article, begun in the inaugural issue two years ago, deals with the state of the Church. We continue probing the question that has perplexed the Magisterium and the laity for the past 30 years as the liberal element has left its mark, effecting changes that have seemingly watered down the "Roman Catholic" traditions. Yet, God in His Infinite Wisdom, has allowed this to happen for a specific purpose. He has been preparing us in a special way by sending His very Own Blessed Mother to guide us and remind us of our roots. Through perseverance, prayer and loyalty to Holy Mother Church headed by the Holy Father John Paul II and adhered to by the faithful who will not compromise, the pendulum is beginning to swing back toward the conservative side. In the seventieth installment of this on-going feature series, we continue to sound the clarion as a wake-up call to all Catholics, especially bringing to the attention of all Catholics the necessity to mobilize the laity for the sake of Holy Mother Church. If we don't pay attention, we shall pay dearly as the third millennium dawns. We continue to alert the reader to what is happening and sound the call to arms, to enlist in Mary's army and take up the battle cry. God said it, we believe it, that settles it! Too many Catholics are going their own way with little regard to what their spiritual shepherd - the Vicar of Christ says. Sin is whitewashed. If we're not careful there will be a tremendous backwash and who among us wants to get caught in the vortex of that swirling whirlpool of Justice? With this chapter we bring you the second part, begun yesterday, on Dr. Mark Miravalle's treatise on the Final Marian Dogma, all part of the tableau for the ultimate Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which will signal the beginning of the glorious Reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the new era of peace, the time Our Lady told Saint Bernadette, will be the "Second Golden Age of Mankind." This series is a set blueprint for Catholics everywhere to take up the banner of truth in defending Christ's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as we prepare for this glorious event.

      With the Solemnity of Pentecost this weekend and coinciding this year with the Feast of the Visitation and the day Pope Benedict XV set aside for dioceses from Belgium to anywhere else in the world to honor the Blessed Mother with the title of Mary, Mediatrix of all graces we thought it appropriate to bring you the rationale for this by Mariologist Dr. Mark Miravalle. There has also been quite a bit of speculation that the Holy Father will proclaim the Dogma of Mary as CoRedemptrix, Advocate, and Mediatrix of all graces. While we feel it is highly unlikely and still seems a long shot, we are nevertheless bringing you the second part of this rationale for this "Final Dogma" because of its importance. Dr. Miravalle, professor of Theology and Mariology at Franciscan University at Stuebenville, is author of the book "Mary: Coredemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate."

      Thirdly, Mary is our Advocate for the People of God, in that she takes the petitions of her earthly children, especially in times of difficulties, and brings them through her maternal intercession before her Son and our Lord Jesus.

      In the Old Testament, the Queen Mother brought the petitioned needs of the people of Israel to the throne of her son the king (cf. 1 Kings 2:19). Now Mary is the new Queen Mother and Advocate in the new Kingdom of her Son, who brings the petitioned needs of the People of God to the throne of her glorious Son, Christ the King, particularly in our own present difficult times.

      The Co-Redemptive role of the mother of Jesus as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces, and Advocate for the People of God is already contained in the official and authoritative teachings of the Church's Magisterium. Now, at the summit of the Marian era, what remains is the final proclamation by the Church of this final Marian doctrine as Christian dogma revealed by God.

      The book "Mary Co-Redemptrix Mediatrix Advocate" theologically expounds this coredemptive role of Mary in Scripture, Apostolic Tradition, and the teachings of the Church's Magisterium, and humbly calls for our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, to proclaim and define the Co-Redemptive role of Mary as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate as "Christian dogma revealed by God, in rightful veneration of the Mother of Jesus, and for the good of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Christ." Cardinal Luigi Ciappi, O.P., who served as papal Theologian for every pope from Pius XII to John Paul II, has written the foreword in strong endorsement of this work, and himself asserts, quoting the call for the papal definition of Mary Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate, "I share the hope of Dr. Mark Miravalle."

      Vox Populi Mariae Mediatrici (Voice of the People for Mary Mediatrix) is an international lay organization that seeks to work for the papal definition of our Lady as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate by gathering petitions from the faithful throughout the world in humble support of our Holy Father for this final Marian dogma.

      Vox Populi is distributing this work throughout the world in several languages including English, Spanish, German, Polish, Dutch, Russian, French, and Italian, and has already received over one million petitions from over seventy countries throughout the world.

      This international Catholic movement has also received the endorsement of twenty-one cardinals and numerous bishops from the six continents of the world.

      Mother Teresa of Calcutta gave her signature and support as well, and has asked that Dr. Miravalle's book and petition sheets be sent to over six hundred Missionary of Charity houses throughout the world.

      Vox Populi has received the official endorsement of the international council of the Legion of Mary, which also seeks to gather petitions from its members.

      The two previous popes who defined Marian dogmas, Pius IX and Pius XII, both referred to the international petitions of the faithful as one of the criteria that led to the final acts of papally defining the Marian dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption.

NEXT WEEK: Second part of Father Dominik Maria's article on the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart.