Is Mary the co-redemptrix / mediatrix?

Answer

Some Catholics perceive Mary as a co-redemptrix or a mediatrix who plays a significant role in the salvation of humanity. (The suffix -trix is a feminine ending in Latin, so a redemptrix is a female redeemer, and a mediatrix is a female mediator.) Within Catholicism, there is a movement to establish a new Marian dogma in which Catholics, as a matter of faith, would be required to acknowledge these three doctrines: (1) Mary participates in redemption alongside Jesus Christ, (2) grace is bestowed by Jesus exclusively through the intercession of Mary, and (3) all prayers from the faithful must pass through Mary, who presents them to her Son. This initiative would essentially redefine the Trinity as a sort of Quartet.

The belief in Mary as a co-redemptrix would be supplementary to the current Catholic doctrine on Mary, which affirms that Mary was perpetually a virgin, that she never engaged in marital relations with her husband, Joseph; that she bore no children other than Jesus; and that she was sinless and was assumed into heaven. These teachings not only lack scriptural support but are directly contradicted by Scripture.

The concept of Mary as a co-redemptrix or mediatrix conflicts with 1 Timothy 2:5, which states, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the Mediator. There is no mediator between humanity and Jesus. Jesus Himself resides in believers; therefore, no intermediary is necessary «to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: », (Colossians 1:27).

Jesus is the perfect and sole Mediator between humanity and God because He is the sinless Son of God. Mary was not sinless. There is no Scriptural basis whatsoever for the assertion of Mary’s sinlessness or her assumption into heaven. This dogma was adopted as a result of papal proclamatiOn. In the biblical narratives, Mary is depicted as a humble and submissive young woman, faithful to God, understanding the implications of what is about to happen to her, and expressing praises and doxologies (Luke 1:46-55). In her Magnificat, Mary states, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (verse 47). By calling God her “Savior,” Mary clearly acknowledges her need for salvation. Like all of us, Mary required a Savior, a Redeemer.

Jesus Himself indicated that Mary does not hold a special position concerning redemption or mediation. In Matthew 12:47–50, Mary and her other sons sought to speak with Jesus while He was teaching. “Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’”

Subsequently, at the foot of the cross, Mary is a sorrowful mother. She did not endure suffering for all of mankind; she clearly experienced her own anguish and grief. She is among those who receive salvation from Jesus, not a participant in His work. She is distressed and is looked after by the apostle John.

Following Jesus’ death and resurrection, Mary was part of the community of believers who continued in prayer and supplication before Pentecost, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14). Mary is described as “most blessed among women,” “and she exclaimed with a loud voice, and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42) because she was the mother of the M

Messiah. However, she is not divine and cannot be viewed as part of the Trinity. She did not save us from sin and cannot be included in the redemptive process.