OFFICIAL DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
DE TITULIS MARIANIS “CO-REDEMPTORIS” ET “MEDIATRICIS”
(On the Legitimate Catholic Use of the Marian Titles “Co-Redemptrix” and “Mediatrix”)
Issued by the Vatican in Exile
Prot. N. VI-SCB-2025-1105
Die V Novembris A.D. 2025 – Feria IV post Festum Omnium Sanctorum
SUBSCRIPTIONES
:
✠ Sanctitas Sua Michael II,
Dei gratia Summus Pontifex Vaticanus in Exilo
Bulacan, Philippines
Co-Subscriptor et Promulgator:
✠ Fr. Cyrillr Sam Comba,
Praefectus Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei Vaticanus in Exilo Res Publica Camerunensis
Co-Subscriptor et Amanuensis Apostolicus
✠ Fredericus Clary,
Archiepiscopus Minnesotensis,
Praefectus Sacrae Congregationis Episcoporum, Vaticanus in Exilio
I. Praefatio – Preamble
In filial loyalty to the unbroken Apostolic Deposit of Faith, and in defense of authentic Marian doctrine as handed down by the Popes and Saints before 1958, the Vatican in Exile solemnly reaffirms the Catholic legitimacy of the titles Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix as applied to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We declare as contrary to the Faith any view, such as that presently issued by the Conciliar Church headquarters in Rome, which forbids or diminishes these venerable names of Our Lady. Properly explained, these titles magnify the work of Christ and safeguard His unique mediation, for they proclaim the mysterious cooperation of Mary — entirely subordinate and dependent — within the divine economy of Redemption.
II. Clarificatio Doctrinalis
Christ alone is Redeemer and Mediator in the strict sense (unicus Mediator).
Mary’s cooperation is real yet dependent — as Mother, Associate, and Handmaid (ancilla Domini).
The prefix co- in Co-Redemptrix means “with”, not “equal to.”
Lat.: Iesus Christus est unicus Redemptor et Mediator in sensu proprio; Virgo Maria est socia subalterna Redemptionis et Mediatrix gratiarum in sensu participato.
Eng.: Jesus Christ is the sole Redeemer and Mediator in the strict sense; the Virgin Mary is a subordinate associate in the Redemption and Mediatrix of graces in a participated sense.
Source: Synthesis of scholastic formulae in S. Thomæ Aquinas, Summa Theologiae III q. 26 a. 1–2 and Pii XII, Mystici Corporis Christi (29 Iun. 1943), AAS 35 (1943) p. 247.
III. Historicus Progressus
S. Irenaeus Lugdunensis († c. 202)
“Quod alligavit virgo Eva per incredulitatem, hoc virgo Maria solvit per fidem.” — “What the Virgin Eve bound by unbelief, the Virgin Mary unloosed by faith.”
Source: Adversus Haereses III 22 § 4.
S. Ephraem Syrius († 373)
Marian hymns in the Carmina Nisibena et De Nativitate Domini: “Per te nobis patuit porta coeli.” — “Through thee the gate of heaven was opened to us.”
Source: Ephraem, Hymni de Nativitate XI (Opera Omnia t. 2, Roma 1743).
S. Bernardus Claraevallensis († 1153)
“De plenitudine fontis omnis abundantia ad nos per Virginem quasi per aquaeductum manat.” — “From the Fountain’s fullness every abundance flows to us through the Virgin as through an aqueduct.”Source: Sermo in Nativitate B.M.V. ‘De Aquaeductu,’ § 4 (PL 183:441).
S. Bernardinus Senensis († 1444)
“Omnia quae a Deo habemus, per manus Mariae transeunt.” — “All that we have from God passes through Mary’s hands.” Source: Sermones de Tempore et de Sanctis, Sermo 51 art. 3 cap. 3 (Opera t. 4, Venetiis 1745).
S. Ludovicus de Montfort († 1716)
“Ad Iesum per Mariam.” — “To Jesus through Mary.”
Source: Traité de la Vraie Dévotion à la Sainte Vierge, § 50.
S. Alphonsus de Liguori († 1787)
“Deus omnes gratiarum dispositiones in manus Mariae posuit.” — “God has placed all the dispensations of graces in Mary’s hands.”
Source: Le Glorie di Maria, Parte II, Discorso 1 § 3.
Leo XIII (1878-1903)
“Beatissima Virgo, omnium gratiarum Mediatrix et Advocata.” — “The Blessed Virgin, Mediatrix of all graces and Advocate.”
Source: Encycl. Adiutricem Populi (5 Sept. 1895), ASS 28 (1895-96) p. 129.
Benedictus XV (1914-1922)
“Beatae Mariae Virginis Mediatricis omnium gratiarum.” — “Of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of all graces.”
Source: Rescriptum S. Congr. Rituum 22 Ian. 1921 approbans Officium et Missam pro Festa Mediatricis (AAS 13 [1921] p. 509).
Pius XII (1939-1958)
“Stabat iuxta Crucem… suum Filium Patri obtulit pro omnibus… Mater nobis facta in ordine gratiae.” — “She stood by the Cross… offered her Son to the Father for all… and became our Mother in the order of grace.”
Source: Encycl. Mystici Corporis Christi (29 Iun. 1943), AAS 35 (1943) pp. 247-248.
IV. Theologica Ratione
Scripture: Mary’s fiat (Lk 1:38), presence at Calvary (Jn 19:25-27), prayer with the Church (Acts 1:14).
Tradition: Eve–Mary contrast: her obedient faith participates in Christ’s victory.
Soteriology: Her cooperation is singular as the New Eve who gave flesh to the Redeemer.
Grace and Mediation: All grace from Christ Head flows through Mary Mother in the order of grace.
V. Momentum Spirituale et Pastorale
Deepens love for Christ’s Incarnation.
Teaches humility and cooperation with grace.
Inspires confidence in prayer.
Strengthens family and apostolic life under Mary’s care.
“Quidquid de Maria dicitur, de Christo melius intelligitur.” — “Whatever is rightly said of Mary helps us understand Christ better.”
Source: Traditional maxim cited by S. Anselmus, Orat. 51 PL 158:957.
VI. Responsiones ad Obiectiones
1 Tim 2:5 affirms one Mediator — Christ in the primary sense. Mary’s is a secondary, maternal mediation within His.
The prefix co- means cum = with, not equality; her cooperation is dependent and ministerial.
VII. Declaratio Normativa
The titles Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix are legitimate Catholic expressions, rightly understood as subordinate.
Clergy and faithful shall teach them with precision and devotion.
Votive observances in honor of Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces may be celebrated according to approved rubrics.
Rosary, Angelus, Marian Consecration, and First Saturdays are encouraged as living expressions of these truths.
Latin Decree: Tituli Corredemptricis et Mediatricis, recte intellecti, sunt legitimae locutiones catholicae, quibus manifestatur singularis et subalterna participatio Beatissimae Virginis in opere Redemptionis Iesu Christi ac in distributione gratiarum. Unicus Mediator manet Iesus Christus; Mariae munus est maternum, dependens, ministeriale — ad maiorem gloriam Filii.
English: The titles Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix, rightly understood, are legitimate Catholic expressions manifesting the unique yet subordinate participation of the Blessed Virgin in the work of Christ’s Redemption and the distribution of grace. The one Mediator remains Jesus Christ; Mary’s office is maternal, dependent, and ministerial — to the greater glory of the Son.
Summary of Faith
“Credimus Mariam, sub Redemptore suo, partem habere in opere salutis; credimus eam Mediatricem gratiae, materna caritate pro nobis intercedentem.”
“We believe that Mary, under her Redeemer, shares in the work of salvation; we believe that she is Mediatrix of grace, interceding for us with maternal love.”
Prayer
“O Maria, Corredemptrix et Mediatrix omnium gratiarum, custodi nos fideles Filio tuo, unico humani generis Redemptori; coniunge dolores nostros Cruci Eius et fac vitam nostram donum pro animabus. Duc nos semper ad Sacratissimum Cor Iesu. Amen.”
“O Mary, Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of all graces, keep us faithful to Your Son, the one Redeemer of mankind; unite our sufferings to His Cross and make our lives a gift for souls. Lead us always to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Amen.”
Benedictio Finalis
“Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genetrix; nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus nostris, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta.”
“We fly to thy protection, O Holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin.”
Source: Earliest Marian prayer, Papyrus Rylands 470 (3rd century).
Datum Vindobonae, in Austria, die quinto mensis Novembris, anno Domini 2025
✠ Michael II
Summus Pontifex Vaticus in Exilio
✠ Fr. Cyrille Sam Comba
Praefectus Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei
✠ Fredericus Clary
Archiepiscopus Minnesotensis
Praefectus Sacrae Congregationis Episcoporum
ADPENDIX A – Summarium Catecheticum
De significatione titulorum
Appendix A – Catechetical Summary
“Cum Filio suo dolens, in passione cooperata est ad salutem generis humani.” — “Suffering with her Son, she cooperated in the salvation of the human race.” (Pius XII, Mystici Corporis Christi, 1943)
“Ad Iesum per Mariam.” — “To Jesus through Mary.” (St. Louis de Montfort, Traité de la Vraie Dévotion, §50)
“Credimus Mariam, sub Redemptore suo, partem habere in opere salutis; credimus eam Mediatricem gratiae, materna caritate pro nobis intercedentem.” — “We believe that Mary, under her Redeemer, shares in the work of salvation; we believe that she is Mediatrix of grace, interceding for us with maternal love.” (Adapted from Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus, §39)
END OF DECREE