The Crown of Excellence : Chapter 3 : § 3.8-9

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

Third Figure : the Cloud of Elias (continued)

 8   All things being considered, I find there is nothing that represents the Virgin more simply than the little cloud of Elias which is mentioned in chapter xviii of the third Book of Kings[1]. There we read that the Prophet was touched to the heart by the misery of the people who were afflicted by a long famine caused by an exceptional drought. He made his way to the summit of Mt Carmel and there he bowed profoundly to implore the mercy of God. He achieved so much by his prayers that his servant, whom he had set to keep watch, made out a small Cloud in the shape of a human foot. It rose up from over the sea and gradually grew in size, bringing soon a propitious downpour of rain. This was followed on the next day by a general abundance of benefits. Various Doctors have taken great delight in this prefiguring image, notably the Venerable John, fifty-second Patriarch of Jerusalem. He was happy to link this to the glorious Virgin in the book of Monastic Institutions[2], a book recognized by several estimable authors as being produced by this religious Prelate. Some modern authorities[3], however, maintain the work is not by him. It matters little since it is evident that the work is by a serious-minded and ancient writer who provides material for a number of beautiful reflections.

Notice firstly that this Cloud was very small: just so was the MOTHER OF GOD in her own estimation, even though she was considered great in God’s judgement. It is moreover no mystery that the cloud should be compared to a human foot, for this signifies that from this heavenly Cloud would be formed the most sacred humanity of the Word incarnate. Thirdly, although originating from the waters of the sea which is by nature heavy and bitter, the Cloud of Elias left behind these rude qualities to the extent it was drawn up on high : in the same way, although the Holy Virgin was like the remainder of God’s works in sharing the deplorable state of our fallen race, from the moment of her conception she was delivered from all sin whatsoever that may have led her to experience bitterness and heaviness. It must be remembered that the ancient Cloud was not such as a result of its own natural condition but only thanks to the Sun which, removing it from its more earth-bound elements, drew it upwards by the power of its gentle rays : similarly, the prerogatives of the Holy Virgin did not arise from within her or her family but came from the bounty of Him who drew her out of the corrupted mass of sinners. Moreover, although the Cloud of Elias was very small in the beginning, it soon grew larger and eventually covered the whole earth : in this, the Cloud prefigured perfectly the Virgin who, having appeared as nothing during her mortal days, extended her influence soon after in every place where God is recognized and worshipped. Finally, the ancient Cloud was the beginning of public rejoicing, followed by the refreshment of bodies and the earth’s fertility, being a sign of abundance to follow. This was neither more nor less than the birth of the Virgin was the beginning of salvation and the opening up of a way to all the joy we could ever seek.

 9   Finally, to make a link between ancient History and modern times, who would not see that the Cloud which appeared before the deliverance of the city of Orleans, was itself a true figure of the glorious Virgin, being a sign of the help she was to give to her children?  I say this with a good degree of assurance because the event is very similar to the one recounted about Elias and also because this noble town has always had a special devotion to the MOTHER OF GOD. St Gregory of Tours recounts in his History of France how the city of Orleans was surrounded and laid under a pressing siege by Attila, king of the Huns. The walls were no longer able to hold back the assault of the enemy who had cast them down in ruins. Filled with alarm, the people had recourse to St Aignan[4], their good and pious Bishop. This kind-hearted Prelate was moved with compassion and first of all sought to give them encouragement. He gave them hope and urged them to prayer, setting an example by being the first to pray. After a time, he sent word to the ramparts to see if anything was happening.  When his messengers reported that nothing could be seen, he was successful in causing prayers to be redoubled. For a third time he prayed, now more ardently, and he promised the citizens that if they had a firm trust in God then without fail they would receive help from heaven before nightfall. He himself began to offer heartfelt prayers and then he sent for word from the ramparts. This time, his messenger returned full of joy, saying that he had made out in the distance a little Cloud. Then the Saint, filled with the spirit of God, cried out: Take heart, dear children, this is without any doubt help that is coming to you from Heaven! He said this and it was true. Teudo, king of the Goths, had joined forces with the valiant Aetius and that same day arrived to lift the enemy’s siege. Consider, therefore, how true it is that the Cloud is the Messenger in ordinary1 for bringing good news from Heaven.

Footnotes

[1] Behold, a little cloud arose out of the sea like a man's foot. 3 Kings xviii. 44. 

[2] Lib. de Institut. Monachorum, c. 32.

[3] Bellarm., Lib. de Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis, et Baron. in Annal.

[4] Aignan or Agnan (Latin: Anianus) (358–453), seventh Bishop of Orléans, France, assisted Roman general Flavius Aetius in the defence of the city against Attila the Hun in 451. 

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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