Distinction: Christ the Redeemer and Mary the Co-Redemptrix
@chrisgriffin
The objection argues that Christ is the Sole Mediator in a way that excludes secondary or cooperative roles, rendering the titles "Co-Redemptrix" and "Mediatrix" false.
Major Premise (Universal Principle of Mediation): The saving office of Redemption and the ultimate Mediation between God and humanity must be held by one, unique, and infinite Source of grace. (This premise asserts the exclusivity and uniqueness of the principal saving office).
Minor Premise (Application to Mary's Titles): The titles Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces attribute to Mary roles that appear to share or divide this singular saving office of Redemption and Mediation. (This premise assumes that "Co-" and "Mediatrix" imply an equality or a conflict with the unique Source).
Conclusion (The Objection): Therefore, the titles Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces are not only unacceptable, but false, as they compromise the dogma of Christ's unique Redemption and sole mediation of all graces.
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The Theological Rebuttal (The Scholastic Syllogism)
Rebuttal and Conclusion: He who does not distinguish confounds…
Ad majorem, Christus Redemptor omnium et Mediator omnium gratiarum, concedo simpliciter.
Distinguo ad minorem, tituli Mariae:
The Catholic theological response, based on the Scholastic distinction, denies the Minor Premise by defining Mary's role as strictly by association, secondary, subordinate and instrumental, thereby confirming Christ's unique primary role.
Major Premise (Universal Principle of Primary Redemption and Primary Mediation): Christ is the sole Redeemer and unique principal Mediator and the Source of all grace, by virtue of His Divine and Human Natures. (This premise is affirmed by both sides).
Minor Premise (Application of Subordinate Mediation): Mary's roles as Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix are entirely by association, secondary, subordinate, instrumental, and dependent upon Christ's principal mediation, acting merely as a collaborator and channel for the graces Christ merited. (This premise re-defines the nature of Mary's role as secondary, denying that it is equal or compromising).
Conclusion (Rebuttal): Therefore, Mary's titles of Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces do not compromise Christ's unique mediation but rather emphasize the universal distribution of the grace He alone Originated.
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The theological tradition, particularly within Scholasticism exemplified by the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, systematically distinguishes between the unique, principal causality of Jesus Christ in the work of salvation and the singular, subordinate cooperation of Mary, the Mother of God. This distinction reserves the Source and Originator of grace and redemption to Christ alone, while assigning the role of Collaborator and universal Dispenser to Mary.
I. Christ: The Redeemer and Originator of Grace
In the economy of salvation, Jesus Christ possesses the unique and singular role as the Redeemer of humanity.
Sole Mediator: Christ is the one, perfect Mediator between God and man, uniting the divine and human natures in His person (Hypostatic Union).
Source of Grace: As the Incarnate Word, Christ is the Originator and Source (or Fount) of all supernatural life and grace. His soul, united to the Godhead, possesses the fullness of grace (plenitudo gratiae), from which all graces flow.
Merit of Redemption: Christ merited salvation de condigno (by intrinsic worth and strict justice). His Passion and death on the Cross possessed infinite value, constituting the single, sufficient, and principal payment for the sins of the world.
Christ's work is thus principal and sufficient—He is the ultimate agent, the one who possesses the power of grace and redemption in His own right.
II. Mary: The Co-Redemptrix and Dispenser of Grace
Mary participates in the work of salvation in a manner that is entirely secondary, dependent, and instrumental to her Son. Her titles of Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix/Dispenser of Grace reflect two distinct, yet related, aspects of this cooperation.
A. Co-Redemptrix (Cooperation in Acquisition)
The title Co-Redemptrix (Latin cum meaning "with") emphasizes Mary's active and unique collaboration in the acquisition of salvation itself, reserving the principal act of redeeming to Christ.
Necessary Cooperation: Mary's consent to the Incarnation (Fiat) was necessary to bring the Redeemer into the world. She is thus intrinsically linked to the redemptive work from the beginning.
Spiritual Suffering: She cooperated remotely and proximately by offering her Son and suffering spiritually in union with Him at the foot of the Cross, a participation known as the Compassio.
Merit of Cooperation: Her cooperation is understood as having merited redemption de congruo (by fittingness and charity), in contrast to Christ’s merit de condigno. Her cooperation is dependent on and derivative from Christ's merits.
God the Father chose His Divine Son as Redeemer and Mediator. This is Divine Prerogative.
God the Son chose Mary, the Mother of God, His Mother, to be Co-Redeemer and Co-Mediatrix (Channel) of All Graces. This is Divine Prerogative.
From Jesus through Mary. Through Mary to Jesus. This is the order of salvation by God’s Will. Who are we to argue?
Thus, the devotion of and to the United Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
B. Mediatrix and Dispenser of Grace (Cooperation in Distribution)
The title Mediatrix (often specified as Mediatrix of All Graces) emphasizes Mary's role in the subsequent distribution(or application) of the graces that Christ merited.
The Channel: Having brought the Source of Grace (Christ) into the world, Mary is now the universal Dispenserand Channel through which the graces of Christ are administered to humanity.
Intercession: She acts as the most powerful intercessor, obtaining and distributing the Father's gifts to man by virtue of her Maternity and Queenly power.
Mary's causality is thus subordinate and instrumental—she is the collaborator and channel through whom Christ, the Source, conveys His gifts. Her entire status is derived from her relationship to the Redeemer.
Ex. 1. Water Source. 2. Aqueduct. Each is necessary by God’s Holy Will. Could God have delivered the water directly to each person directly without the channel? Yes, in absolute terms, in the realm of possibles, God is All-Powerful. However, the question at hand here is not what is “possible” to God in this case but the ORDER of salvation actually chosen by God as is His Right as Creator, and Author of Life and death. Could God have required Isaac’s sacrifice? Yes, in strict justice. However, in the order of salvation actually chosen by God, Isaac was spared; whereas God’s Only Son, Jesus Christ was not. Both are very great mysteries that we should contemplate often.