Chapter 11 The Tenth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Power of the MOTHER OF GOD
She is an Advocate for men and Mediatrix between them and her Son
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) |
A great Emperor[1] once said that the two poles of the state and the two qualities by which a Prince draws close to God are Justice and Piety. Throughout the Psalms, David acknowledges the Saviour as the first Prince of the world and in various places he praises Him for this double perfection. As for the Holy Virgin, she deliberately refrains from taking part in the prosecution of offenders so that she is able to add her voice to the pleas for clemency. This is confirmed in the roles she has of Advocate[2] for men and Mediatrix between them and her Son. She discharges these roles in such a worthy manner that nothing can be added to her admirable qualities.
Let us firstly consider the King, her Son and her Spouse, seated on the Bed of Justice[3].
Footnotes
[1] Augustus apud Senecam, in Ludo.
[2] The French text has “Advocate General” which has no real equivalent in Common Law jurisdictions but refers to a neutral advisor on legal matters and those pertaining to the public interest.
[3] Lit de justice. In France before the French Revolution: a bed of state in the bedchamber of the king, from which official visitors were received; (later) a ceremonial seat or throne, raised on a dais and surmounted by a canopy of estate, on which the king sat during certain sessions of Parliament or in judicial proceedings.
§ 1. Sovereign Judge : sixth attribute of the King of glory incarnate
1 Just as thou seest the sun, says the Prophet Osee[1], spreading rays of light from his triumphal chariot on all sides, so too is the Prince who, seated on His throne, radiates justice and equity on all sides. Such was King Solomon who whilst he was still young became famous for the words of Justice issuing from his royal lips. St Jerome[2] tells us that:
His father David placed the reins of the government of his kingdom four years before his death; this decision brought him immense satisfaction for he was constantly being told about his son’s incomparable wisdom, proofs of which he was giving to everyone.
St Gregory of Nyssa[3] observed that:
The Holy Ghost expressly mentioned the justice of this Prince in order to highlight the justice of Him who was to be King Messiah and Judge of last resort for all men.
Scripture speaks of Solomon as a judge but we need to remember how the Saviour so far elevated the qualities of a great judge that it would be impossible for anyone else even to come near.
Footnotes
[1] Osee Ch. vi.
[2] Epist. ad Vitalem.
[3] Homil. 7 in Cantic.
Jurisdiction and authority : first quality of the judge
2 Concerning His jurisdiction and authority to judge, first amongst all the Saviour’s qualities as Judge, King David the Prophet spoke of this when he said in a spirit of prophecy[1]: Give to the king thy judgment, O God: and to the king’s son thy justice. That these words refer to the Saviour is the opinion of several estimable Doctors, such as Origen[2], St Cyprian[3], St Athanasius[4], Saint Justin[5], Saint Jerome[6] and several others besides. There is however no need to look for other authorities since the Judge Himself presents evidence of His authority in St John, saying[7]: For as the Father giveth life to whom he will, so do I; and I desire all should know my Father judgeth no man, but hath given all judgment to me, that all men may honour me, as they honour the Father; for he hath given me all power of judgement, inasmuch as I am the son of man. You should in no way be astonished to learn this. The words are given careful consideration by writers such as the learned Tertullian[8], Saint Augustine, St Jerome, Abbot Rupert and the Angelic Doctor St Thomas:
This power of excellence was given to the Redeemer as man so that men might be enabled, as the Prophet Job says[9], to see with their own eyes their Judge and their Saviour, and to hear His words with their own ears.
He commanded the Holy Apostles to preach and spread news of this through all the world, as we learn from St Peter in chapter 10 of the Acts of the Apostles. The Ecclesiastical History contains abundant evidence showing that since receiving this power He has always presided in judgement over men; but the day of the general judgement of the world will provide such convincing evidence that there will no longer be any reason to doubt it.
Footnotes
[1] Psal. LXXI. 2.
[2] Homil. 12 in Numeros.
[3] Lib. II contra Judæos, c. 30.
[4] Tract. de Ps. ad Marcellinum.
[5] In Triphone.
[6] In c. 68 Isai.
[7] John v. 21 et seq.
[8] Lib. contra Praxeam, c. 21.
[9] Ch. ix.
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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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