Co-redemption: Her Suffering for Your Soul

The Blessed Virgin is typified by Judith, not only in her victory over the enemy, but because of her great heroism. Few Catholics consider the indomitable will of the Virgin Mary as she stood fearlessly at the foot of the Cross. The seven sorrows of Our Lady are referred to as the ‘Via Matris’ or the ‘Way of the Mother’; however, these seven are only the highlights and do not include all the sorrows of her life. She suffered greatly when Our Lord bid farewell to her at the beginning of His public life, when He was heckled and criticized during His preaching, when He was struck and beaten during His Passion. At the supreme moment of Our Lady’s pain, as she stood by the Cross, she remained strong and steadfast, offering up her Son, along with all her own suffering, to God the Father. Not only did she share in our Redemption, but she also dispenses the graces one for us. There are three roots of the Virgin Mary’s role as Co-redemptrix: her Immaculate Conception, her merit, and her compassion in suffering with Christ. If we truly appreciate the depth of her suffering, we will appreciate the value of our immortal souls.