Leo XIII – in October (1891): Mary, Co-Redemptor and Mediator of all graces (Pontifical Doctrine IV, nn. 372-388)

# The Encyclical *Octobri Mense* (22nd September 1891) by Pope Leo XIII

The encyclical *Octobri Mense* is, according to Mariologists, the most significant and theologically rich of Leo XIII’s thirteen encyclicals on the Rosary. This document expands on the doctrine of Mary’s cooperation in redemption, known as “corredenção,” with unprecedented precision and depth within papal teaching. Numbers 372-388 of *Doctrina Pontificia IV* cover this encyclical.

## Collection
*Doctrina Pontificia IV: Marian Documents, nn. 372-388*

## Pope
Leo XIII (1878-1903)

## Document
*Encíclica Octobri Mense*, 22nd September 1891

## Themes
Mary as co-redemptor, universal mediation, Rosary as a path to salvation

# The Doctrine of Corredenção

*Octobri Mense* presents the most audacious formulation by Leo XIII on Mary’s role in salvation. The Pope develops the parallel between Eve and Mary initiated by St. Irenaeus: just as Eve cooperated with Adam in the fall of humanity, Mary cooperated with Christ in the redemption of humanity.

> *”Quod [Deus] Filium suum unigenitum dare decrevit… eam [Mariam] quasi Matrem elegit; et propter hanc tam praeclaram dignitatem voluit ut omnium beneficiorum, quae nec in terra nec in caelo obtineri a nobis possunt nisi per Iesum Christum Mediatorem nostrum, per Mariam quoque intercedente Maria haberentur”*
>
> *”What God decided to give us His only Son… He chose her [Mary] as Mother; and because of this so illustrious dignity, He willed that all the benefits which cannot be obtained on earth or in heaven by us except through Jesus Christ our Mediator, should also be had through Mary’s intercession.”*

## “Nihil nos Deus habere voluit quod per mariam non transiret”

The most frequently cited phrase from the encyclical, *”Deus quis que nada nos viesse sin pasar por Maria”* (God willed that nothing should come to us without passing through Mary), encapsulates Leo XIII’s doctrine on Marian mediation. This phrase, attributed by Leo XIII to St. Bernard, became one of the classic axioms of Mariology regarding mediation, repeated by Pius X, Pius XII, and Blessed Paul VI.

# Mary as the New Eve in the Rosary

Leo XIII presents the Rosary as a contemplative path for the new Eve: from the Joyful Mysteries (Mary’s cooperation in the Incarnation) to the Sorrowful Mysteries (her cooperation in Christ’s Passion, at the foot of the Cross) to the Glorious Mysteries (Mary’s glorification in Heaven). Praying the Rosary is to contemplate Mary’s cooperation in salvation history.

# Significance for Contemporary Mariology

The *Octobri Mense* of 1891 anticipates several dogmatic definitions of the 20th century:

– **Assumption (Pius XII, 1950 – *Munificentissimus Deus*):** Leo XIII already asserts that Mary is glorified in Heaven.
– **Kingship (Pius XII, 1954 – *Ad Caeli Reginam*):** Leo XIII uses the title of “Queen” in the context of the Rosary.
– **Lumen Gentium VIII (Vatican II):** The doctrine of Mary’s cooperation that Leo XIII elaborates is systematically taken up by the Council.

## Additional Reading

Explore **Mariology**, the *Rosarium Virginis Mariae* (John Paul II, 2002), *Munificentissimus Deus*, *Ad Caeli Reginam*, and **Post-Graduate Mariology**.