Chapter 9 The Eighth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Power of the MOTHER OF GOD
She commands the Church’s armies
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) |
§ 7. The first victory of the MOTHER OF GOD : defeating the Demons, enemies of her Son and His followers
The third characteristic
9 The last characteristic of her victory is that she has cast down her enemy so effectively that it will never be possible for him to recover. The blow that laid him low was so powerful that he cannot regain his feet and the memory alone of the day of his defeat makes him tremble with fear and dread. Just the sound of her name is enough to drain him of every ounce of his courage, showing how redoubtable she is to the whole of hell’s empire. St Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople[1], has written:
No matter how determined the demons are in their bitter pursuit of poor souls, they are obliged to hold back and flee at the mere mention of the name of the holy Virgin.
St Bridget[2] observes:
They are like vultures desperate to feast on their prey but they have to release their talons as soon as they hear the name of Mary.
The Seraphic St Bonaventure[3], following Saint Bernard, explains:
Just as a small band of men is filled with alarm when they see a great army coming towards them, so too these rebellious spirits are terrified by the name of Mary and by the help and example she gives to people – whose loving imitation of her example leaves them with a sweet memories of her. This causes the demons’ courage to melt away just as quickly as wax when fire is brought near.
The learned Prelate William of Paris has written a commentary upon the words of the Spouse in the first chapter of the Canticle of Canticles[4]: To my company of horsemen have I likened thee, O my love, who pursued the Pharaoh’s chariots until they were swallowed up and drowned. He says:
She alone has filled the hordes of hell with greater terror that all the heavenly hosts of the God of battles, composed of millions of glorious spirits.
Footnotes
[1] Orat. in Zonam Deip.
[2] Lib. I Revelat., c. 9, et lib. VI, c. 21.
[3] Speculi Virg., c. 3.
[4] Cant. i. 8.
10 This third characteristic is also illustrated by the way the Church, guided by the Holy Ghost, implores so frequently the efficacious assistance and power of Mary in the course of the exorcisms she carries out against demons, referring to Mary as she who is victorious and triumphant over demons, whom she puts to flight with one breath from her mouth. The pious servant of the Virgin, Denys the Carthusian[1], gives his opinion as something which has been witnessed and confirmed by the experience of several people:
that one of the most powerful remedies we have against panic attacks, night terrors and the phobias of troubled spirits is the loving invocation of Mary’s name; this causes the wretched spirits to fall back as they can never forget the rod that punished them, the hand which overpowered them and that day of their irreparable discomfiture.
This is illustrated by a memorable incident in the life of St Dominic[2].
When the enemy of mankind began to experience the harm inflicted on him everywhere by the children of this great servant of God and of the Holy Virgin, he attacked them himself and through his minions so fiercely, especially in Paris, that it seemed to some that their heads were on fire, to others that they could see before their eyes flaming dragons and various other horned beasts attacking them. These visions were such to deprive the majority of their sleep and all of them of their peace of mind. Indeed, God permitted the evil spirits to go so far as to possess the bodies of some and to torment them in a visible manner. This terrible phenomenon did not stop until the Order required all its members to take part in processions, offering public prayers to God and to His Holy Mother. Every day they sang the Salve Regina to her, which was so pleasing to her that she immediately brought an end to the ferocious persecutions of the demons, casting out all those who had entered into possession of bodies. What was even more noteworthy was the incomparably sweet way she deigned to appear in their midst when they were singing this Antiphon. Some noticed that as they were singing in Choir the words: O dulcis Virgo Maria, she would bow her head gently, as though in acknowledgement. As they withdrew at the end of the prayer, she also took her leave of them, returning to Heaven.
Footnotes
[1] Lib. III de Laudib. Virg., art. ultimo.
[2] Flaminis in vita S. Dominici ; Bzov., an. 12, nº 10.
11 All that remains now is to offer a few words to those who want to know how the demons can have been so weakened and beaten down when we see every day the devastation they are causing, not only in defeating some of the boldest but also in conquering provinces and entire kingdoms, subjecting them to their laws. I think you should know that over twelve hundred years ago St Augustine[1] dealt with this particular objection, saying in the first place that perhaps those who raise it would pause if they had seen how these unchained spirits treated and govern the world before the arrival of the Saviour; and if they think that the demons still seem to wield too much power, then they should remember this is rather a proof of our want of courage than of their strength.
The Devil, according to this Doctor, is a dog that has been chained up; he can bark and show his teeth from a distance, but he can bite only those who get too close to him.
They must remember to beware for he guards the way leading to wealth and riches, he is hidden under the shadowy places wherein worldly pleasures are spawned, and he watches for those who seek to scale the giddy heights of ambition. If you try to observe him close up and attack him on his own ground, who is there to blame other than yourself if he wounds you with his claws or his teeth? Be sure to avoid such dangerous encounters and keep well away from his haunts. Make sure you stay close to her who has crushed his head, and then not only will you be able to mock his roars but you will also share in the victories of this Lady and you will bless for all eternity those who reduced your enemy to this condition.
Footnotes
[1] Serm. 177 de Tempore.
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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 Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.
Totus tuus ego sum
Et omnia mea tua sunt;
Tecum semper tutus sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam.
© Peter Bloor 2025
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