Mary as Co-Redemptrix - 02/26/2005

Hi, I love your website.  I have some questions.  I was wondering if you tell me exactly where you obtained the Catholic doctrine of the co-redemptrix of Mary.  I tried searching through the Catholic encyclopedia, but I couldn't find it.  Also, do Catholics believe we are saved through works as well as faith, because if they do, not too many of them admit it or come right out and so say.  Furtheremore, I read that the Catholic Church was not founded until the third or fourth century.  Is that really true?
 
As a side note, I used to be part of the Mormon Church for a short time.  Since then, I have done much research and found many reasons why their religion is false.  Of some of the rediculous beliefs that they have, one of them is the idea that we can become like God.  A few days ago, it dawned on me that that is the same lie that Satan used to deceive Eve.  It blows my mind that the Mormons still continue to believe such a thing.
 
In Christ, Evan




CONTENDER MINISTRIES RESPONSE:


Hi Evan.  I think you'll find that most Catholics use terminology differently, and define things differently.  So a Catholic will tell you that salvation comes by grace, and they cannot earn salvation, they also believe that one can only be justified through adherance to the seven sacraments.  As for Mary's role as co-redemptrix, I've provided a few quotes for you.  The first three come from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as posted on the Vatican website, and the third sums it up quite clearly.  The last quote is from one of the prayers to Mary. 
 
"This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ's virginal conception up to his death" -- Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 1, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 9, Para 6, 964.
 
"Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things..."  -- Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 1, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 9, Para 6, 966.
 
"Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation .... Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix."  -- Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 1, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 9, Para 6, 969.
 
"O MARY, conceived without sin, prayer for us who have recourse to thee.
HOLY MARY, pray for us!
IMMACULATE HEART of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
SWEET HEART of Mary, be my salvation!
OUR LADY, Queen of Peace, pray for us!" -- From the RCC's Marian prayer known as Aspirations to Mary.  There are many Marian prayers with similar allusions to her as a source of salvation. 
 
Now while many Catholics may object to the term "co-redemptrix", you can see it is quite appropriate.  Some Catholics have been lobbying the Vatican to make that one of her official titles, so not all Catholics object. 
 
We praise God that you were able to see that Mormonism is a false gospel based upon a false prophet.  And you're quite right in pointing out the original lie of Satan that still deceives people today. 
 
In Christ,
 
Ben Rast
Contender Ministries