Is Mary the 'coredemptrix'?

Al Kresta explores some misconceptions about the possible fifth Marian dogma . . .

Al Kresta

While not her Son’s equal, Mary occupies a special place in salvation history, continuing to unite souls with the same Lord she agreed to bring into the world.

Let’s be clear. Jesus is the redeemer of humanity; Mary is not. Further, while “Mary, Coredemptrix” has been part of Catholic thought and devotion, it is not yet clear whether this title will receive dogmatic definition (Click here for a related story).

All admit, however, that this designation of Mary has long been part of the Church’s devotional life and was further developed during the pontificates of Popes Pius X, Pius XI and Blessed John Paul II. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, though no systematic theologian, wrote: “The papal definition of Mary as Coredemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate will bring great graces to the Church.”

The first application of the word coredemptrix to Mary dates back to the 14th century. The concept, however, is already present in the writings of St. Irenaeus and St. Justin Martyr in the idea of the Second Eve. Just as Adam and Eve killed the life of God dwelling within them by disobedience, so too do the Last Adam and the New Eve restore that life by obedience to the will of God. Eve hands the instrument of death to Adam in the Garden; Mary hands Jesus the instrument, a body, that brings eternal life (Heb 10:10).

Unfortunately, in English coredemptrix sounds like cochair or cocaptain, implying that Jesus needed to split the office of Redeemer with someone else because the task of dying for the sins of the world was just a little too much for him. Rather, the “co” in coredemptrix refers to a “cooperator” or “collaborator” with the Redeemer. To say that Mary plays a singular role in salvation history is not to claim that she’s equal to the Redeemer. In the title “Coredemptrix,” we don’t claim that Mary is equal to Christ, but rather that she freely cooperates with Him in suffering for the sake of the gospel.

While a hot brick warms, it receives its warmth from something other than itself, some heat source like a furnace. While the furnace is the “warmer,” the brick mediates the furnace’s heat to others. In this sense the brick can be called a “co-warmer.”

Mary receives the title “Coredemptrix” because of her unique maternity. She holds the title for all of us since she is the mother of all Christians. Under her feet, the God of peace will crush Satan (Rom 16:20).

Al Kresta is CEO of Ave Maria Communications and host of Kresta in the Afternoon. This column is reprinted with permission from his book “Why Are Catholics So Concerned About Sin?” (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2005).