From Sunday March 1 through Tuesday March 3, Star of the Sea will host a Lenten parish mission with the theme “Mary, the Eucharist and Reconciliation.” The mission will be preached by noted Mariologist Monsignor Arthur Calkins.

In a 2002 interview with kath.net, titled “Why it’s the Right Time for a Dogma on Mary as Coredemptrix,” Msgr. Calkins said “If it is true that God has given Mary a unique role in the work of our redemption, we need to recognize it, to celebrate it and to benefit from it. The first four Marian dogmas (divine maternity, perpetual virginity, Immaculate Conception, Assumption) have to do with her person and have unfolded in a providential way.

“Now, I believe, is the time to underscore her role as the principal human collaborator in the work of our redemption, her role as the Mediatrix whose unique mediation derives totally from his (cf. Lumen Gentium #60), her role as Advocate (after Christ and the Holy Spirit) who never ceases to intercede for her children until the last of them are led into their heavenly home (cf. Lumen Gentium 62). The more we avert to her role, the more we can be enriched by it.”

In the essay The Theology of the Alliance of the Hearts Of Jesus and Mary, Msgr. Calkins clarified what the term coredemptrix does not mean:  “The term Coredemptrix usually requires some initial explanation in the English language because often the prefix “co” immediately conjures up visions of complete equality. For instance a co-signer of a check or a co-owner of a house is considered a co-equal with the other signer or owner. Thus the first fear of many is that describing Our Lady as Coredemptrix puts her on the same level as her Divine Son and implies that she is ‘Redeemer’ in the same way that he is, thus reducing Jesus ‘to being half of a team of redeemers.’  In the Latin language from which the term Coredemptrix comes, however, the meaning is always that Mary’s cooperation or collaboration in the redemption is secondary, subordinate, dependent on that of Christ. This is an exact parallel to the role of Eve in our fall.”

All three sessions of the parish mission will begin at 7:00 p.m.. The first evening’s session, on  Sunday March 1 at 7:00 pm, will focus on the sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance).  The session on Monday, March 2 will reflect on the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The mission concludes on Tuesday, March 3, with a presentation on Holy Mary. The sacrament of Reconciliation will be available all three evenings.

To learn more, visit www.starparish.com/events