Mediatrix

Article summary

Mediatrix is a title given to Mary, mother of Jesus used by some Christians. It refers to the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a mediator by intercession in the salvific redemption by her son Jesus Christ, the one proper Mediator by action. Mediatrix is an ancient title that has been used by many saints since at least the 5th century. Its use grew during the Middle Ages and reached its height in the writings of Louis de Montfort and Alphonsus Liguori in the 18th century. A general role of intercession is attributed to Mary in Catholicism, Evangelical Lutheranism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Oriental Orthodoxy, and the term "Mediatrix" was applied to her in the dogmatic constitution Lumen gentium of the Second Vatican Council. "This, however, is to be so understood that it neither takes away from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficaciousness of Christ the One Mediator." The use of the title Mediatrix and the doctrine of Mary having a highest level of saintly intercession (called hyperdulia; owing to her special relationship with her son Jesus) is distinct from the theological issues involved in the establishment of Mediatrix of all graces as a dogma. Further to the intercessory mediation is the claim that God bestows graces through her as the mechanism of the incarnation.…

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