Expert: Edward Bode - 12/22/2010

Question
Edward,
  I saw a speaker on EWTN the catholic network. I thought I heard this person refer to Jesus and Mary as the "co-redeemers." Now, Mary was not the Son of God, not the Lamb of God, and did not die on a cross,so I don't understand how this can be possible. Or maybe I misunderstood what the person said. please explain.
                               Thanks
                                 Bob

Answer
What the speaker may have said is that Jesus is the Redeemer, and Mary is referred to a co-redemptrix or co-mediatrix or co-dispensatrix.  These titles derive from her role as spiritual mother of the redeemed.  He certainly could not have intended Mary as an equal to Jesus, the God-man, in the work of redemption.
The Marian titles, which do have some differing nuances, refer to her special role with Jesus because of His choosing her to have a special relationship with Him.  Her spiritual maternity is based upon her consent to the Incarnation and her compassion beneath the cross.
Properly understood, these Marian titles do not deny the unique and solitary role of Jesus whose passion, death, and resurrection make Him the one Savior and Redeemer of all.
As a start: to understand the spiritual motherhood of Mary, please read The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 963-975 -- online at:www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm  These paragraphs contain some quotes from Vatican II.
That Mary is dispensatrix means that by reason of God's will, all graces come to us through the intercession of Mary in heaven; her intervention is directly with Christ [subordinate to Him]and through Him to God.  In other words, she dispenses all graces, which are given through her intercession based, not on necessity, but on the will of God and Christ. The theology of Mary as dispensatrix can be found as early as the eighth century and in Thomas Aquinas and most recently in 19th and 20th century papal encyclicals.
I hope these thoughts, Robert, are of some help. If you wish more from me on these titles, please feel free to write again.
Best wishes for a blessed Christmas.