The Mother of God
The Virgin Mary

In his general audience of 8 September 1982, John Paul II declared:

 “Mary, although conceived and born without the stain of sin, participated in a wonderful way in the sufferings of her divine Son, to be the Co-Redeemer of humanity.”

The word Co-Redeemer, may mean to some listeners an equality with Christ, as both Co-Redeemers and this is wrong. It is one of the reason the Church has refrained from making it a dogma.

Derived from the Latin prefix "co-" (meaning "with") and the feminine word "redemptrix" (meaning "redeemer" or "one who buys back").

We know that the only one who paid back our sins is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, with His Blood and His Suffering and Death at the Cross.

To better grasp the concept of co-redemption, we need to understand also the concept of "Victim Soul".

A "victim soul" is a belief related to redemptive suffering : a person chosen by God to suffer more intensely than others, willingly accepting this condition based on Christ's example, for the redemption of others. This is considered a matter of private revelation, not official dogma, and we have many examples in the Church : saints like St Gemma Galgani, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and St. Faustina Kowalska, who willingly offered their suffering to God for the sake of others' souls. Other figures include Blessed Alexandrina of Balazar,  Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart, St Padre Pio, and many other saints with Christ stigmata.

Mary who suffered with Jesus, from the early years till the Cross and beyond, is the prototype of redemptive suffering.

Jesus, who chose to come to us through Mary, 

• the immaculate conception, 
• who remained a virgin, 
• suffered with Him and 
• was assumed body and soul into heaven, and 
• being the Mother of God and queen of heaven and earth, 

gave Mary a key role in salvation history .

All the previous dogmas converge into Mary's Mediation and Co-Redemption.

Saints who spoke of Mary as Mediatrix

The title Mediatrix (often expressed as Mediatrix of all Graces) has ancient roots and was used by many saints, highlighting Mary's subordinate role in conveying graces from Christ.Key saints include:

• St. Ephrem the Syrian (4th century, Doctor of the Church): Attributed a prayer that calls her "after the Mediator, you (Mary) are the Mediatrix of the whole world."
• St. Bernard of Clairvaux (12th century, Doctor of the Church): Frequently used the title, often employing the analogy of Mary as the "aqueduct" who receives grace from the divine spring and dispenses it to us.
• St. Bernardine of Siena (15th century): Taught that every grace is dispensed from God to Christ, from Christ to the Virgin, and from the Virgin to us.
• St. Louis Marie de Montfort (18th century): Referred to her as the "dispenser of his graces, mediatrix on behalf of men" in his work True Devotion to Mary.
• St. Alphonsus Liguori (18th century, Doctor of the Church): Explained this doctrine extensively in his work, The Glories of Mary.

Saints who spoke of Mary as Co-redemptrix

The title Co-redemptrix focuses on Mary's singular participation in the suffering of Christ on Calvary, cooperating with him in the work of redemption. The prefix co- here is understood as "with" (in a subordinate and dependent manner), not "equal to."While the term itself became more common later (appearing as a correction to "Redemptrix" around the 15th century), the doctrine of her unique cooperation was discussed by early Church Fathers.Key saints and figures who have used the title or similar concepts include:

• St. Irenaeus (2nd century, Church Father): Referred to Mary as the "cause of our salvation" (causa salutis) and the New Eve whose obedience contrasts Eve's disobedience, thereby cooperating in the restoration of life to the human race.
• St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa): Is noted for having accepted and affirmed the title.
• St. John Paul II: Used the title Co-redemptrix on multiple occasions, emphasizing that Mary's participation does not cease with the glorification of her Son.
• St. Maximilian Kolbe: Honored Mary as Co-redemptrix.

It's important to note that the use and promotion of these specific titles, particularly Co-redemptrix and Mediatrix of all Graces, have been a subject of ongoing theological discussion and caution in recent Church documents, though the underlying doctrine of Mary's unique cooperation in redemption and her role as a Mediatrix (Advocate, Helper, Benefactress) is affirmed by the Second Vatican Council.