I remember over 10 years ago having a conversation with a monk about the doctrine of Co-redemptrix and getting very angry. Indeed, I rejected it. I thought that it was an abominable idea, the idea that in some way the Lord’s Redeeming Act could be shared or that someone else might have a title, which seemed to be the feminine of Redemptor. And it is. Redemptrix is the feminine version of Redemptor, redeemer.

How can we possibly elevate Our Lady to that point? “She wouldn’t want that,” was my response over 10 years ago. “She wouldn’t want to be in that position.” But oh, she would, because to elevate Our Lady with that title is not to pole vault her over the rest of humanity in such a way as to present her as a second and alternative god or a fourth member of the Trinity. But instead, it is to signal to us how you and I also are called to be co-redeemers and co-redemptresses with our Lord.

It is the whole purpose of going to Mass. By participating in the sacrifice of Calvary, you are able to assist the Lord with your presence.  In presenting your bodies as the holy sacrifice, living and acceptable, you are able to bring out the redemption of the world in your time and in your space. And therefore, Our Lady,

standing not crouched over,

not sobbing,

not in some way being weak and willowy at the foot of the Cross,

but standing,

gives us a model of participation in the Lord’s Redemptive Act. That is gold; the idea that we do not have to be crucified ourselves, though some have suffered martyrdom.  We do not have to be crucified ourselves to participate, not in the idea of the Lord’s saving act, but actually in the Lord’s saving act. For Our Lady, it was to stand at the foot of the Cross and to consent to the offering of her Son to the Father. And by so consenting, that is what gives her the title of Co-redemptrix.

You and I as well are called to consent to the sacrifice of the Son to the Father, because we are enfolded into that royal family. Through Baptism, we are entitled to receive Our Lady as Mother. Indeed, she was given to us at precisely that moment, “Behold your Mother.” And as such, we do what Our Mother teaches us. Our Mother teaches us to consent to the sacrifice of her Son, the most unjust punishment that could possibly be imagined, but the only one that could ever possibly save us.

Whilst it is true that perhaps it is not the right time for this doctrine to be formally promulgated, like the Assumption was formally promulgated in 1950, but it has been believed for, well, time immemorial, frankly.  Perhaps it is not the right time, because it would cause more confusion amongst the faithful in a time when theological precision is not exactly the priority. Nevertheless, the teaching is true, and the teaching is beautiful. The most Christian way of participating is to participate in the redemptive love of Calvary. And Our Lady shows us the way.