Chapter 12 : The Eleventh Star or Splendour of the Crown of Excellence of the Mother of God
Continuing our translation of the 1845 reprint of Fr François Poiré's Triple Crown of the Mother of God (1643 French edition).
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| Notre Dame des Grâces, Cotignac.(Poggi, 2020) |
She has been and is still recognized and called blessed by all generations in the world
§ 6. She has been recognized and honoured by all the Orders, firstly by the Military orders
The Order of the Templars
5 In the year 1118, the Templars came to their rescue1. The sheer number of pilgrims had attracted the attention of countless robbers and brigands on the roads. This meant the pilgrims needed armed protection as they made their way to the Holy places. The white habit they received by order of Popes Honorius II and Eugene III is enough to persuade me that they originated thanks to the help and support of the MOTHER OF GOD.
The Teutonic Order
6 As for the Teutons or Germans, the matter is beyond dispute as they considered themselves from the outset to be soldiers of the Virgin. They began with a hospital[1] founded by a rich German lord who had been resident in the Holy land a long time. It was for those of his compatriots who might need help in a foreign land where they did not speak the language. He built for them at the same time a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. In the year 1491 some rich citizens from Bremen and Lubeck in Germany who had pooled their resources into a common fund followed the earlier example and built a magnificent hospital in the city of Acre which was at the time occupied by Christians. They took the title of Teutonic Knights, or the Order of the Teutonic Knights of the Virgin Mary’s Hospital in Jerusalem. For their first Master they nominated Henry Walpot, a brave and valiant Knight. They adopted the rule of St Augustine along with white robes and cloaks, having on the breast a full black cross with a white cross doubly potent[2]. Several writers noted the presence around their crosses of an embroidered rosary, indicating their devout service of the Virgin. In the presence of Heraclius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, they swore vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. In 1295 Pope Celestine III gave his approval and ordered them to say each day and each night two hundred times the Pater noster and the Ave Maria, together with the Apostles’ Creed.
Footnotes
[1] Meaning here : “a house or hostel for the reception and entertainment of pilgrims, travellers, and strangers; a hospice. Hence, one of the establishments of the Knights Hospitallers” [OED 1.]
[2] The French text refers to une croix... potencée, corresponding in English heraldry to a cross potent, also known as a crutch cross.
The Order of the Knights of Aviz
7 At the same time as the Teutons were coming to the aid of Palestine[1], Afonso Enriquez was the first King of Portugal and in the year 1147 he conquered the Moors, regaining the city of Évora. He attributed his victory to God and the most holy Virgin Mary. To hold the city against the Moors, he summoned certain soldiers in his kingdom who had a reputation for their feats of arms and for their courage. He stationed them in Évora, commissioning them to defend it well and promising that he would give the city to them if they conducted themselves with valour. They did this to the great satisfaction of the King who was keen to be no more remiss in keeping his word than they had been wanting in courage. He did not limit himself to that but also laid plans for an Order of Chivalry under the protection of Our Lady of Cîteaux, dedicating to her in perpetuity the city of Évora together with all its dependent holdings. The members of the Order were first known as the Brothers of St Mary of Évora. The number of Knights grew on a daily basis along with the generosity of the Portuguese. Accordingly, the King assigned to them his own castle at Aviz in 1181 and they were known from then onwards as the Knights of Aviz. At this time they took a white habit in honour of the Virgin, with a red cross on the shoulder. Their arms incorporate a cross of sinople green terminating in fleurs-de-lys, on gold; and with two birds en pointe[2], like ravens, sable. Approval was granted by Pope Innocent III in 1204, Sancho (son and successor of Afonso Enriquez) being King of Portugal
Footnotes
[1] Marian., lib. II de Rebus Hispan., c. 8, etc.
[2] Near the point at the base of an escutcheon.
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SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.
The Vladimirskaya Icon. >12th century.
Totus tuus ego sum
Et omnia mea tua sunt;
Tecum semper tutus sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam.
© Peter Bloor 2024
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