Mary of Nazareth, Our Lady, Our Blessed Mother was preserved by the future sacrificed of her Son from original sin so that he could dwell in her for nine months as He became the Flesh to save all of us and the world. It is so simple, no? Therefore, by this, Blessed Mary ever-virgin participated in every way in our salvation, even in her own sorrows which Simeon told her, "and as sword will pierce your heart." It is in this that logic simply tells that her part by her fiat, her so be it, to the Angel Gabriel and his message from God meant that she participated in every way. She was a "co" a partner and active participant in our redemption - she was Co-Redemptrix. One does not need to be a theologian to get this and it is to the loss of the Protestants that they continue to deny it.
In today's Matins we read this sermon by St. Leo, Pope:
In any day of the year, dearly beloved, whenever we make our
meditations, we are mindful of the birth from a Virgin Mother of our Lord and
Saviour. Whenever our souls are uplifted in the worship of our Maker, whether
we sigh in supplication, rejoice in praise, or offer sacrifice, there is
nothing which we more frequently or more confidently set our minds upon than
the fact that God, the Son of God, begotten of the co-eternal Father, was also
born by a human birth. But on this day his Nativity, which is to be adored both
in heaven and on earth, is brought before us as at no other time. For today it
is as though a new and radiant light is shining forth in the heavens, in such
wise that the brightness of this wondrous mystery is perceived even by our
senses. And not only do we call to mind what the Angel Gabriel said to the
awe-stricken Mary, but in some sort we seem even to be present at that colloquy
when she conceived of the Holy Ghost. And we marvel both at the promise made to
her, and at her faith in that promise.
In the Collect after the Alma Redemptoris at the end of Lauds, we read this:
O God, who, by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast
bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech thee,
that we may experience her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy
to receive the author of life, Our Lord Jesus Christ thy son. Amen.
Nota bene: "by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation." Co-Redemptrix!
Sandro Magister features an article by Pietro De Marco of the papal
homily. The author, a former professor of the sociology of religion at the
University of Florence and at the Theological Faculty of Central Italy, a
philosopher and historian by training, has for years been known to and
appreciated by the readers of Settimo Cielo.
