Chapter 8 : The Seventh Star or Splendour of the Crown of Power of the MOTHER OF GOD
She is the Protectress of the Church
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) |
§ 3. The second Image represents the wondrous care shown by the MOTHER OF GOD towards the Church : the second quality she shows as Protectress
5 One of the fiercest persecutions to be raised against the Church since the time of the pagan Emperors was that of the Emperor Henry IV which began towards the beginning of the year 1100. He was in opposition to the Holy See on the question of the investiture of Bishops and managed to win over to his side the greater part of the Empire. He wanted to take this right by force, along with many other which he claimed but without any basis in justice. During the years that this storm raged, God gave signs of His wrath so clearly[1] that the most passionate of those involved in this struggle could not deny that He was greatly angered. It seemed that everywhere, but especially in the lands of the Empire and throughout Italy, houses, châteaux and towns were devastated by fire from Heaven; there were earthquakes, floods, extraordinary signs in the sky, and rivers were swallowed up by terrible landslides; the river Po burst its banks and when its rising waters were later heard returning to their natural course, the sound could be heard from far away; there were avalanches and rock falls in the mountains, and other dangerous events which made some people fear these were signs presaging the end of the world and the final judgement. The result was that almost the whole of Italy went on a fast and kept the fifty hours devotion. At that point, something remarkable happened which was described by a famous historian of the time[2]:
In the city of Cremona, there was a little baby still in his cradle and being breastfed; he called out to his mother to tell her that he had seen the Saviour on a royal throne, with His holy Mother next to Him; she was humbly yet earnestly imploring Him to suspend the judgement of the world which He seemed eager to begin. Once the baby had passed on this message, he became silent and did not utter any words until that time when infants normally start to speak.
Footnotes
[1] Sigebertus, in Chronico ; Nauclerus, Rogerius, Baron., ab an. 4 ejus Imperii.
[2] Dodechinus, an. 1117.
6 In the picture which I described earlier, I remember having seen the Holy Virgin positioned above the ship like the Star of the Sea and the heavenly cynosure[1] which serves as one of the principle guides for mariners. This awakened in me the memory of a wonderful story told by St Anthony.
In the year 1128, he says, the city of Soissons was severely afflicted by an illness in which the main symptoms were poisonous pustules and dangerous inflammations. Several people died whilst others, having recourse to the Holy Virgin who had been honoured in that city for a long time, received the relief and healing that they had hoped for. One day there was a public procession, and it so happened that a poor woman who had a little boy aged 11 (who used to watch over a flock of sheep) found that he had been struck by this illness. His mother carried him to the church where he fell asleep by her side until the return of the procession. As people slowly started to appear inside the church, the boy suddenly woke up and, giving thanks to God and to his holy Mother, he cried out in a loud voice with words so moving as to bring tears to the eyes all those who heard him. They crowded around him and wanted to know what had happened. He explained quite openly that during his sleep he had seen the MOTHER OF GOD kneeling before her dear Son, imploring Him to calm His just anger and to extinguish this plague He had cast upon the city, which was one she had taken under her protection. The Saviour had replied to her:
“My dearest Mother, thou art the Star of the Sea; may what thou desirest be accomplished.”
Events were to seal the truth of this narrative, for the spread of the illness came to a halt and a prediction also made by the boy came true, namely that he would not survive very long, for he did indeed die a month later.
Footnotes
[1] cynosure [dog’s tail]: The northern constellation Ursa Minor, which contains in its tail the Pole-star; also applied to the Pole-star itself.
7 If a single spark of God’s anger is capable of engulfing a great city in flames, let us take just a moment, dear Reader, to consider what would happen if He were to apply the torch of His wrath in its entirety? Reflect a little upon the wretched state of those bound hand and foot who are thrown into the furnace of His indignation which he Himself had lit and which would consume through eternity those driven crazy through their sins. Just think on what a dreadful state the Church would be in if God had withdrawn this gentle Star which provides it with light, consoles it, guides it and protects it in the midst of so many dangers and tribulations. After this reflection, join with me, or rather with her devoted St John Damascene[1], when he says:
“Most holy Lady, thou art the sacred anchor for all our hopes in this storm-tossed barque;”
and with the pious St Ephrem[2]:
“Thou art the Queen of all, hope for the hopeless, safe haven for the shipwrecked, deliverance for those in prison, mother for orphans, ransom for captives, joy for the afflicted and the salvation of all men.”
I will borrow next the words of her faithful servant St Bernard[3]:
“Whoever you may be, make this belief truly your own, namely: when amidst the turbulence of this world you find yourself borne away by the storms of the raging sea or when you no longer find yourself on solid ground, be sure that you do not take your eyes off the beautiful Star above if you do not wish to be swallowed up by the waves. When the winds of temptation blow strongly, when you are being forced on to the reefs of tribulation, look up to the Star and call on Mary. When you come up against the swollen flood of pride, or the surging waters of ambition, detraction and envy, look up at the Star and call on Mary. If you are being swamped by a rising tide of anger and avarice, or by the torments of carnal desire, keep your gaze fixed upon Mary. If it seems that the very excess of your sins, the weight of your conscience and the dread of final judgement are making you sink into the depths of sadness and engulfing you in an abyss of despair, remember Mary. Have recourse to Mary every time you encounter danger, distress and tribulation; she should ever be in your heart just as her name should always be on your lips. To be more confident of receiving the help of her intercession, take great care to imitate the good examples that she gives you. By following her, you will never go astray; by imploring her aid, you will never fall into despair; by thinking on her, you will not fall into error; when she holds you safely, you will never fall; when she is protecting you, you need have no fear; when you follow her as your guide, you will not weary; and for as long as Mary offers you her help and support, you will achieve any worthy goals you set yourself.”
Footnotes
[1] Orat. de Assumpt.
[2] Orat. de Laudibus Virg.
[3] Homil. 2 in Missus.
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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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