The Crown of Excellence : Chapter 3 : § 3.5

Chapter 3 : The Second Star or Splendour of the Crown of Excellence of the Mother of God

Continuing our translation of the 1845 reprint of Fr Poiré's Triple Crown of the Mother of God (1643 French edition).

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

That from the beginning of the world she was announced by the Prophets and represented by ancient figures

In the previous chapter, I presented the Holy Virgin as a trial design by God when considered in relation to the Saviour, who was Himself the first actual masterpiece in the world. In comparison with the rest of creation, however, it cannot be denied that Mary was the second masterpiece by God who produced hundreds of preparatory sketches, as will be seen in the following discussions.

§ 3. On the three other figures, namely the Ark of the Covenant, Solomon’s Throne and the Cloud of Elias

Second Figure : the Throne of Solomon

 5   Solomon’s Throne is also an excellent figure for the MOTHER OF GOD – according to Richard of St Victor[1], St Bonaventure[2], St Anthony[3], Fr Guerric[4] and several authors. It seems to me, however, that no-one deals with this so adequately and effectively as the devout Peter Damian[5] who produced a whole piece of which I offer an abbreviated extract. 

The Doctor points out firstly that this ancient throne was built by King Solomon; the new Throne, about whom we are speaking, was the work of Jesus, the true Prince of Peace[6] and Mediator, as St Paul says[7]. The old Throne was made of ivory which has three beautiful qualities: whiteness, solidity and coolness. By these, the Holy Spirit represents three very rare qualities of the most Holy Virgin, namely her innocence, her strength and her chastity. It is expressly stated it was a great and powerful throne of ivory;[8] but what in the world could be greater and more powerful than She who keeps safe within her the fulness of the Divinity? Consider the Cherubims, or higher still the Seraphims, and you will see nothing comparable amongst them. Solomon covered his throne from top to bottom in purest gold, a sign of the sanctifying grace with which the MOTHER OF GOD was filled. This was nothing less than the substantial grace of the Divinity with which she was clothed and adorned. There were six steps leading to the Throne, prefiguring the six rare dispositions of the soul that the Holy Virgin had brought to render herself a worthy MOTHER OF GOD, namely meditation in her thoughts on heavenly things, discretion in her speech, justice in her actions, love of her neighbour, contempt of the world and of herself, and perseverance in good things once begun. This seat was round behind[9], representing the perfection of the consummate glory of the Blessed Virgin, whose wonders the Holy Fathers will describe in due course[10].

Upon the steps were twelve little lions, six on the one side and six on the other. They were a figure  for the twelve Apostles contemplating this Holy Lady, captivated by the thought of her heroic virtues. There were two armrests in the form of hands[11] on this throne; they symbolized action and contemplation. The two hands of the Virgin rested there, which is to say, all the actions of her life were supported thereon. Two lions stood, one at each hand, representing the Angel Gabriel and St John the Beloved disciple. One was guardian of the Holy Virgin’s soul, the other of her body[12]; two roaring lions and true sons of thunder, making the world resound with the most powerful voices ever heard. One announced salvation for men, the other brought news of the Divinity of God’s Son. The sacred Historiographer brought consolation to the Virgin’s faithful servants, saying that nothing comparable had ever been heard of in all the Kingdoms of the world. This utterance was as true as it was magnificent, and no less to the glory of the sovereign craftsman than to the great joy of His handiwork, as will appear in the discussions of her incomparable greatness.

This is a summary of what was written at much greater length by this devotee of the MOTHER OF GOD.

Footnotes

[1] Serm. de Annuntiat.

[2] Orat. 1 de Dormit. B. Virg.

[3] IV part., tit. XV, c. 44, § 7.

[4] Serm. 1 de Annuntiat. B. Virg.

[5] Serm. 1 de Nativit. B. Virg.

[6] Isai. ix. 6.

[7] For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus: 1 Tim. ii. 5.

[8] Thronum ex ebore grandem / a great throne of ivory.  [3 Kings (1 Kings) x. 18].

[9] the top of the throne was round behind / summitas throni rotunda erat in parte posteriori. 3rd Book of Kings (1 Kings) x. 19. 

[10] Cap. 12..

[11] there were two hands on either side holding the seat: and two lions stood, one at each hand. 3rd Book of Kings (1 Kings) x. 18.

[12] After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. John xix. 27.

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The Vladimirskaya Icon. >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 2024