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Co-Redemptrix

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Co-Redemptrix (also spelled Coredemptrix; Co-Redemptress is an equivalent term) is a title used by some Christians for the Blessed Virgin Mary, referring to her role in the redemption of all peoples.

Quotes

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  • (About Mater Populi Fidelis) I would dare to use the word ‘pitiful.’ It is an insult to God. It’s only God who produces grace in us. But God wants his creatures to collaborate and cooperate in his work. Precisely because He made us free, He wants us to make use of that freedom. And more than that He wants us to merit, He wants us to work. Our Lady at Fatima said there are so many souls who fall into hell because no one prays and makes sacrifices for them. Which means if you pray and make sacrifices you can really save souls. If that’s true for any souls, how much more for the Blessed Virgin Mary? She had been chosen by God to be His mother.
  • The distinction of the female sex is that a woman was the person who was permitted to help establish God's new kingdom; the distinction of the male sex is that redemption came through the Son of Man, the new Adam.
  • Edith Stein, The Separate Vocations of Man and Woman According to Nature and Grace (1932).
  • One need only consult any pre-conciliar treatise on Mariology to realize the importance that the notion of co-redemption, applied to the Virgin Mary, had acquired in theological thought over the past five centuries. To be convinced of this, one need only recall the words of the popes, from Pius IX, the Pope of the Immaculate Conception, to Pius XII, the Pope of the Assumption.
  • About the Marian title of Co-Redemptrix) The analogy by similarity instinctively (i.e., without critical scrutiny) leads to the emergence of “salvific parallelism.” The document, with surgical precision, dismantles the title not because Mary does not cooperate, but because the term constructs a misleading image. The analogy by similarity works as follows: a. it isolates a point of contact (both Christ and Mary suffered for our salvation. Both were associated with the redemptive event); b. it extends the similarity (if Christ is the Redeemer, and Mary is similar to Him in this work, then she can be called “Co-Redemptrix”); c. it minimizes the dissimilarity (in this process, the abysmal difference—Christ acts as God and Man, the primary and autonomous source of grace; Mary acts as a creature, redeemed and transformed, a derivative and subordinate channel —is flattened. The dissimilarity becomes an appendix, a footnote).
  • Given the necessity of explaining Mary’s subordinate role to Christ in the work of Redemption, it is always inappropriate to use the title “Co-redemptrix” to define Mary’s cooperation. This title risks obscuring Christ’s unique salvific mediation and can therefore create confusion and an imbalance in the harmony of the truths of the Christian faith, for “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). When an expression requires many, repeated explanations to prevent it from straying from a correct meaning, it does not serve the faith of the People of God and becomes unhelpful. In this case, the expression “Co-redemptrix” does not help extol Mary as the first and foremost collaborator in the work of Redemption and grace, for it carries the risk of eclipsing the exclusive role of Jesus Christ — the Son of God made man for our salvation, who was the only one capable of offering the Father a sacrifice of infinite value — which would not be a true honor to his Mother. Indeed, as the “handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38), Mary directs us to Christ and asks us to “do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5).
  • Christ is the only Redeemer; but he wanted to honor his Mother and chose her as his co-worker in this work of Redemption, which does not diminish but, on the contrary, increases the effectiveness of Christ himself ... In the work of Redemption, Christ and Mary are not two independent circles; but concentric ones, with Mary's inside Christ's. Therefore, the titles we defend for Mary must not be silenced.
  • Over the course of time, the Ordinary Magisterium, together with numerous Saints and Doctors of the Church, have taught the Marian doctrines of Coredemption and Mediation, employing among other expressions the specific titles “Co-Redemptrix” and “Mediatrix of All Graces.” Consequently, it cannot be maintained that the Ordinary Magisterium, along with Saints and Doctors of the Church over so many centuries, could have led the faithful astray through a consistently inappropriate use of these Marian titles. Moreover, throughout the ages, this Marian doctrine and the use of these titles have also expressed the sensus fidei—the sense of faith of the faithful. Therefore, by adhering to the traditional teaching of the Ordinary Magisterium regarding Coredemption and Mediation, and by recognizing the legitimacy of the titles “Co-Redemptrix” and “Mediatrix of All Graces,” the faithful do not depart from the right path of faith nor from a sound and well-informed piety toward Christ and His Mother.
  • Rejecting the title of Co-Redemptrix is not simply a matter of language. It is part of an ongoing effort to strip the faith of its supernatural claims, to make the Church appear harmless to a world that hates the cross. The Blessed Virgin is the most perfect human reflection of divine truth. To diminish her role is to diminish the very reality of grace. When her titles are declared “inappropriate”, it is not she who is diminished, but our understanding of Christ, for every Marian truth protects a Christological truth.
  • Msgr. Joseph Strickland, as quoted in Aldo Maria Valli, Monsignor Strickland: “Colpire Maria significa colpire l’Eucaristia. Non restiamo in silenzio!” (November 2025)
  • O Holy Ghost, divine spirit of light and love, we consecrate to Thee our understanding, our hearts and our wills, our whole being for time and for eternity.
May our understandings be always submissive to Thy heavenly inspirations and to the teachings of the holy Catholic Church, of which Thou are the infallible Guide; may our hearts be ever inflamed with love of God and of neighbor; may our wills be ever conformed to the divine will, and may our whole life be a faithful imitation of the life and virtues of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and Thee be honor and glory forever. Amen.
Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us! Our Lady Co-Redemptrix]] and Mediatrix of all graces, pray for us!
Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata. Da mihi virtutem contra hostess tuos.

See also

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