Guarding Christ's Primacy: Theological Safeguards in Marian Doctrine

The Qualified Theological Use of Marian Titles-Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, Coauxiliatrix, and Coadjutrix

This dissertation offers a rigorous defense of the qualified theological use of the Marian titles Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix (of All Graces), Coauxiliatrix, and Coadjutrix. It argues that, when precisely defined and always ordered to Christ's unique mediation, these titles are not only coherent with Scripture and Tradition but also illuminate the richness of Catholic theology, philosophy, and pastoral practice.

Framing the Debate and Methodology

The work begins by situating the debate within the context of contemporary magisterial caution, especially as articulated in the Doctrinal Note Mater Populi Fidelis. The dissertation acknowledges the risks perceived by critics-chiefly, the danger of Christological eclipse and imprecise devotional language-but frames its rebuttal as a corrective, not a contrarian stance. It establishes clear definitions: Co-Redemptrix as participatory, subordinate cooperation in Christ's unique redemptive act; Mediatrix as derivative distributor of graces; Coauxiliatrix and Coadjutrix as maternal, supportive cooperation in salvation. The methodology is interdisciplinary, combining typological exegesis, the four senses of Scripture, philosophical analysis (especially Thomistic causality and participation), and analogies from science and psychology.

Typology and Salvation History

The dissertation's first major argument is typological. It traces the continuity between Old Testament figures-Eve, the Ark of the Covenant, Queen Mother, Hannah, Sarah-and Mary's role in salvation history. Eve's disobedience is contrasted with Mary's fiat at the Annunciation, establishing a recapitulation that permits "with-Christ" language without ontological parity. Mary is shown as the locus of divine presence and mediation, prefigured by the Ark and Queen Mother imagery, and as the maternal mediator who transmits blessing, echoing figures like Hannah and Sarah. This typological approach legitimizes participatory language and grounds Marian titles in the biblical narrative.

The Four Senses of Scripture

Building on typology, the dissertation applies the four senses of Scripture-literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical-to Marian texts. The literal sense focuses on Mary's concrete acts of cooperation in salvation events: the Annunciation, Cana, Calvary, and Pentecost. The allegorical sense tracks Old Testament referents into New Testament typology, warranting titles that imply mediation of presence and blessing. The moral sense presents Mary as the exemplar of obedience and cooperation, justifying participatory mediation at the ethical level. The anagogical sense reads Revelation's bridal and mother images as pointing to Mary's eschatological motherhood, a sign and pledge of the Church's final union with Christ.

Philosophical Clarifications: Causality, Participation, and Analogy

A central pillar of the dissertation is its philosophical scaffolding. Drawing on Thomistic notions of causality, it distinguishes principal (primary) causality from instrumental (secondary) causality, showing how instruments can be essential without being primary causes. Participation (participatio) is developed so that Mary can be said to "share" in Christ's redemptive action without sharing in His ontological identity.