Not only is man invited to share in the fruits of the Redemption for his own sake, by entering into union with Christ through baptism, but God in his infinite love, wanted humanity to share in the process of universal Redemption.
It is with this meaning in mind that Saint Paul asserts that we “are partners with [his Son] Jesus Christ” (1 Co 1: 9).
Mary, a human being like all mankind, is beneficiary as all the redeemed, of the fruits of the Redemption
Moreover, the Virgin Mary is first of the redeemed, because she was spotless from the moment of her conception by an act of special grace (as she was to become Mother of the Word Incarnate), thus benefiting from the fruits of the Redemption which shielded her alone from original sin. Thus, as the constitution of the Second Vatican Council (Lumen Gentium § 62) observes, Mary’s cooperation as one of the “redeemed” remains that of “cooperation in a subordinate role.”
Uniquely, Mary is “the bride and escort who complements and brings the work of the bridegroom to fruition”
More than any other, not only does Mary in her own body “to make up all the hardships that still have to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church" (Col. 1:24) as Saint Paul says of us all, but also she does this by virtue of her unique position. This is what Father Marie Dominique Philippe, (o.p.) writes on this subject in his book “Morning Star (L’étoile du Matin published by Fayard):
“In comparison with the mystery of the Lamb, it may be seen how Mary, through her faith, hope and love, can offer up in sacrifice something which Jesus Himself cannot offer. In this respect, Mary is indeed the bride and escort that complements and brings to fruition the work of the bridegroom. This is why Mary completes Jesus’ mission. By offering Jesus to the Father, Mary completes the offering that Jesus Himself makes. This is the sublime vocation of the faithful who, through Mary, complement the vocation of Christ himself. A calling to the ministry cannot achieve this, as the priest acts in persona Christi.”
Moreover, Mary is the only person in the whole of Creation who can hold the position, unknown among God’s creatures, of Mother of God and “Mother of the Redeemer,” which gives her an absolutely unique role in the Redemption of the world through her Son, our “Only Savior” ...
MDN Team
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