Part II : The Crown of Power : Chapter 11 : § 2.1-2

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).

Notre Dame des Grâces, Cotignac.(Poggi, 2020)

§ 2. Among all those who speak for us, the Holy Virgin is our unique Advocate

 1   We can be confident that the whole of Heaven is for us and that Holy Jerusalem is full of Advocates who want nothing more than to help us. Putting aside the Saviour Himself (whom I am here considering in His role as Judge), we find the Angels soliciting on our behalf, the Saints intervening for us and even the Holy Ghost praying for us. Yes, the Holy Ghost prays for us – St Paul says it[1], and he explains that this is done with unutterable groans[2], which are indeed heard and understood by Him who sounds the depths of human hearts. St Gregory of Nazianzus[3] has this to say:

The Holy Ghost does not make supplications in person because this would not be proper to God, inasmuch as He is God; but as the principal author of our sanctification, he inspires us to pray, He places thoughts in our minds, words in our mouth, motions in our hearts, sighs and tears in our eyes – which show God our problems and draw His graces upon us. 

That the Angels make representations on our behalf is revealed throughout Scripture and we frequently find in the Sacred text instances of their diligent and loving work on our behalf. They are, moreover, commissioned by His Majesty to provide help for those desirous of taking up their inheritance of eternal salvation[4]. 

All the Saints intercede on our behalf, says Saint Cyprian[5], like our brothers, our allies, our parents and our best friends, who wait for us on high;

St Augustine says[6] they are like those who have an interest in our advancement since their own total happiness is deferred until our arrival (of which St John speaks of in the Apocalypse[7]), and they cannot receive the second robe, that is to say the glory of their bodies, until the number of their brethren be accomplished;

St Ambrose[8] says they are like those who have left for us as signs and tokens of their loving care their mortal remains which we serve with honour and respect;

Theodoret[9] says they are like those who have already travelled along the path that we are now following and have learned through their own experience the sorts of pains and difficulties to which we are subject;

St John Chrysostom[10] says they are like those who, in making our case to God, present him with heads which were cut off by their executioners, with their arms butchered by instruments of torture making use of all the other torments that they were forced to undergo by their persecutors, so as to make the most powerful case that they possibly can on our behalf.

Footnotes

[1] Rom. viii. 16.

[2] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings. Rom. viii. 26.

[3] Orat. 36.

[4] Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation? Hebr. i. 14.

[5] Lib. de Mortalitate.

[6] Serm. 11 de Sanctis.

[7] And white robes were given to every one of them one; and it was said to them, that they should rest for a little time, till their fellow servants, and their brethren, who are to be slain, even as they, should be filled up. Apoc. vi. 11.

[8] Lib. III de Viduis.

[9] Lib. VIII ad Græcos.

[10] Serm. de SS. Juventio et Maximo.

 2   High above this noble company of supplicants may be seen the Mother and the Spouse of the Sovereign Judge in her role as man’s high Advocate. She esteems this honour more highly than any other after that of being MOTHER OF GOD. It is this which caused St Ephrem[1] and George of Nicomedia[2] to call her the censer of solid gold, forasmuch as she presents to God our prayers and requests with greater benefit for us than all the rest of the blessed together. If while she was still on earth her intercession for us was so favourable that she could obtain whatever she asked, how are to think of what she does now in heaven where her love is more ardent and where she was raised, as the Church sings[3], so that she might intercede for us more effectively and more powerfully? This is the same reason which made the pious St Bonaventure apply to her the words which the wise and pious Booz spoke to Ruth[4]: Blessed art thou of the Lord, my daughter, and thy latter kindness has surpassed the former. The Holy Doctor goes on to say

Truly great was the mercy of the MOTHER OF GOD when she was still imprisoned in mortal flesh; but incomparably greater is that which she brings to us now she is in heaven.

If by reason of her first state the Church calls her[5] fair as the moon, from the second she is called bright as the sun; since her present state surpasses the first in mercy and in credit just as much as the sun surpasses the moon in brightness. This subject deserves fuller consideration, especially the efficacy of her intercession.

Footnotes

[1] Serm. de Laudibus Virg.

[2] Orat. de Præsentat. B. Virg.

[3] Orat. de Secreta in Vigilia Assumpt. O Lord, may the prayer of the Mother of God, recommend our offerings to Your mercy, that she, whom You transported from this world, may trustingly intercede for our sins in Your presence.

[4] Ruth iii. 10. "Thy latter kindness": to thy husband deceased in seeking to keep up his name and family by marrying his relation according to the law, and not following after young men. The affection which Ruth had all along displayed towards her husband, deserved applause. C.—Much more did her present endeavours to comply with God’s law. [Haydock comm.]

[5] Cant. vi. 9.

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

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. 

 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

© Peter Bloor 2025