The title, “Co-redemptrix,” refers to Mary’s unique participation with and under her Divine Son Jesus Christ, in the historic Redemption of humanity. The prefix, “Co,” comes from the Latin “cum,” which means “with.” The title of Co-redemptrix applied to the Mother of Jesus never places Mary on a level of equality with Jesus Christ, the divine Lord of all, in the saving process of humanity’ s Redemption. Rather, it denotes Mary’s singular and unique sharing with her Son in the saving work of Redemption for the human family. The Mother of Jesus participates in the redemptive work of her Savior Son, who alone could reconcile humanity with the Father in His glorious divinity and humanity
Mary’s entire existence has been one of cooperation with the Lord. So was it on Calvary. She who was preserved by God from Original Sin at the moment of her conception and heard from the mouth of Simeon that “ a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”.
Despite her enormous grief as she watched her Son die, Our Lady generously “yielded” Jesus to the purpose the Father through the Holy Spirit intended, namely the reconciliation of the human race to its Creator. Although what Mary did on Calvary was secondary and subordinate to what Christ did, it was, nevertheless, necessary because God made it so. In His unparalleled wisdom, the Lord required this all-encompassing—and real—sacrifice from Mary, who said her fiat with incredible trust in God as she had at the Annunciation.
