The Crown of Excellence : Chapter 3 : § 5.1

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 François 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.

§ 5. On Mary (sister of Moses), Axa and Jahel

First Figure : Mary, sister of Moses

1. Linked by the name Mary. 2. Linked by virginity. 3. Linked through the Canticle they both sang.

 1   Mary, sister of Moses, is understood to prefigure the MOTHER OF GOD.  This is the view of writers such as St Ambrose[1], St Gregory of Nyssa[2], St Peter Chrysologus[3], St Antoninus[4], Aponius[5] and several others. There are three points of similarity. The first is the most venerable name of Mary which they both share, one as a type who prefigures and the other as the one truly prefigured. The Doctors of the Church, ancient and modern[6], normally give five main meanings to this beautiful name. 

Firstly, they say that it means Lady.

Anne, which signifies grace, says St John Damascene[7], brings forth Mary, i.e., the Lady; rightfully named, for she was the Mother of the Creator of the universe.

The name Mary, says Arnoul de Chartres[8], Priest at Bonneval, and a close friend of St Bonaventure, represents for us her seigneurial dominion over all creation; even though she declares herself to be the handmaid of the Lord, this position as handmaid is greater in honour than all the Royal titles in the world.

St Bonaventure discusses this title in some depth[9], something we may save for a more suitable time for those interested.[10]

Secondly, Mary means Mistress[11], or she who teaches. I will cover this name when discussing the figure of Judith.

Thirdly, the name means bitter Sea.

Sea, says St Bonaventure, because of the flow of graces from God, represented by the Saviour in the Gospel by swirling rivers of living water flowing from the belly of those who believe in Him.[12] These rivers flow from all sides into Mary who receives grace from the Patriarchs, the Prophets, the Apostles and universally from all the Orders of the Church.

Bitter Sea, either because of the pain we cause to her when she brings us forth in labour (as I shall show elsewhwere),[13] or because of the violent death of her Son, or because of the effects of her gaze upon demons, bringing them ruin and death, just as the waters of the Red Sea swallowed up the Egyptians pursuing the people of God.

This meaning is not very different from that given by St Epiphanius,[14] who called her Myrrh of the sea, inasmuch as myrrh betokens bitterness. This led one of the most devoted servants of the Virgin to write:[15]

If you find yourself drawn to, or even partly won over by the pleasures of the flesh, plunge yourself immediately into the bitter waters of this sea, utter this holy name, and you will learn unfailingly by experience that it is not without reason that she bears the name of Mary.

Now if anyone were to say this word myrrh meant in this context a sort of precious stone used in ancient times to make prized drinking-cups, I would say that this might well be the reason St Bonaventure called the Blessed Virgin Heaven's Cup-bearer, being the one who serves nectar and sweet drinks to the blessed souls in heaven.

Footnotes

[1] Sub finem exhortationis ad virgines.

[2] Lib. de Virgin., c. 6.

[3] Serm. 142, 146.

[4] Parte IV, tit. XV, c. 14, § 2.

[5] Comment. 6 in Cantica.

[6] S. Chrysologus, loco cit. ; Hieron., de Nominibus Hebraicis ; Idiota [nom de plume of Raymundus Jordanus], Contemplat. de B. Virg., c. 5 ; Epiph., Orat. de Laudibus Virg. ; Bonavent., Speculi B. Virg., c. 13 ; Canisius Marialis, c. 1 ; Spinel-lus, de B. Virg, c. 14, num. 11 ; Cornelius a Lapide, in c. 15 Exod. 

[7] Lib. IV Fidei orthod.

[8] Lib. de Laud. Virg.

[9] Loco cit.

[10] Tract. II, C. 13.

[11] Idiota [nom de plume of Raymundus Jordanus], loco cit.

[12] John vii. 38.

[13] Tract. II, c. 6.

[14] Orat. de S. Deipara.

[15] Albertus Magn., in c. 1 Luc.

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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