Thursday, May 5, 2011

Mary Coredemptrix - Part 4

When Does the Coredemptrix Perform Her Role?

          The answers to the next three journalistic questions, when, where, and how, will progressively build upon each other to reveal the specifics of Mary’s role as Coredemptrix. First, when does Mary perform this role? Simply, Mary is the Coredemptrix from the time of the Incarnation of Jesus, when she says “yes” to the announcement of the angel and consents to become the mother of the Redeemer; through her daily life as a mother who encounters trials, struggles, and sufferings; to the Passion of her Son, when she suffers with Him as only a mother can. (27) Furthermore, her care for her spiritual children, given to her by Jesus as He hung on the Cross, (28) does not cease with the death of her Son. As Lumen Gentium #62 teaches, Mary continues to act on behalf of humanity even after her Assumption as an “Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix,” bringing her children “the gifts of eternal salvation” in a heavenly extension of her position as Coredemptrix. (29)

Where Does the Coredemptrix Perform Her Role?

          Logically, then, Mary performs her role as Coredemptrix wherever she is from the time of the Annunciation in her home at Nazareth; throughout her travels to Elizabeth’s house, the Temple, and Egypt; as she accompanied Jesus in His public ministry; to the foot of the Cross on Calvary; wherever she went during the time she remained on earth after the Resurrection; and finally in Heaven as she continues her coredemptive tasks as Mediatrix of All Graces and Advocate. Mary’s role as Coredemptrix never ends; no matter where she is, she always cooperates with her Son in bringing salvation to the human race.

27. Miravalle, introduction, x-xi; Cf. Vatican II Council, “Lumen Gentium,” Chapter VIII, Section II, on the cooperation of the Blessed Virgin from the Annuciation through Calvary and beyond.
28. See the discussion on the Mary at the foot of the Cross in Scripture below.
29. Vatican II Council, “Lumen Gentium,” 419; Miravalle, introduction, xi.

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