Co-Redemptrix: Mary’s Cooperation in the Redemption
Co-Redemptrix, Mary’s Cooperation in the Redemption
The title Co-Redemptrix (or Co-Redemptrix) designates Mary’s cooperation in the work of redemption accomplished by Christ. It does not mean that Mary co-redeemed on an equal footing with Christ, but that she actively collaborated in the one redemptive act of the Son of God. For a complete article: Mary Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix.
Foundations
The foundations of Mary’s co-redemption: (1) the Fiat of the Annunciation, which consented to the Incarnation and therefore to the Redemption. (2) the offering of Jesus at the Presentation in the Temple. (3) Mary’s compassion at Calvary, where she cooperated in spirit with the sacrifice of her Son.
The Position of the Magisterium
The Magisterium frequently uses the language of Mary’s cooperation in the redemption (LG 61: “she cooperated in an altogether singular way in the work of the Savior”), but it has never dogmatically defined the title Co-Redemptrix. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has been cautious with regard to a dogmatic definition, holding that the content is already sufficiently expressed in the existing documents.
Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian apparitions, and the Postgraduate Program in Mariology.
Magisterium of the Church
Ita et materna in Filium iura pro hominum salute abdicavit placandaeque Dei iustitiae, quantum ad se pertinebat, Filium immolavit, ut dici merito queat, ipsam cum Christo humanum genus redemisse.
Benedictus XV, Ep. Ap. Inter Sodalicia (22 martii 1918)
📚 Literal translation: Thus she also renounced her maternal rights over her Son in favor of the salvation of men and, to appease the justice of God, so far as it lay with her, she immolated her Son, in such a way that it can rightly be affirmed that she, together with Christ, redeemed the human race.
Singulari prorsus modo in patienti Filio particeps fuit, et cum sacrificio eius se mente et corde coniunxit.
Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Const. Lumen Gentium, no. 58
📚 Literal translation: In an altogether singular way she shared in her suffering Son and united herself with His sacrifice in mind and heart.
Postgraduate Program in Mariology
Would you like to deepen your formation in Mariology? Discover the Postgraduate Program in Mariology of Locus Mariologicus – an academic formation that unites theological rigor, spiritual life, and the living tradition of the Church.
Would you like to study Mariology seriously?
This article grows out of the works in the Locus Mariologicus library. The Postgraduate Program in Mariology takes you to the same source, with academic guidance: Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, and the Magisterium, from the first dogma to contemporary questions.
Responses