Part IV : How to give thanks to the Mother of God : Chapter 9 : § 4.1-3

Chapter 9 : Devotion – an eighth feature of the gratitude we owe 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)

§ 4. Fourth sign of devotion : the frequent recitation of the Little Office of Our Lady

 1   The Office of the Holy Virgin, containing the most beautiful words of praise taken by the Church from Sacred Scripture in order to honour the same Virgin, was composed (or at least arranged) by Blessed Peter Damien[1], Bishop of Ostia in the time of Gregory VII, around six hundred years ago. It later came to be most highly esteemed when at the Council of Clermont every means was being sought to obtain the help of the MOTHER OF GOD for the Church in her affliction, and especially asking her to take the Crusaders bound for the Holy Land under her protection. In the year 1094 Pope Urban II required all those under an obligation to say the Canonical Office to add that of the glorious Virgin, although later Pope Pius V in 1571 modified this requirement, limiting it to recitation in Choir and only on those days specified in the Breviary. He did not, however, omit a stirring exhortation to Christians encouraging them to recite her Office privately, making generous dispositions of the Church’s treasures available to them in this respect. This may be seen in the Bull which is included at the beginning of Our Lady’s Hours, which we find today widely used amongst the Christian people.

Footnotes

[1] Blosius, lib. IX de Signis Eccles., c. 8.

 2   There are very few members of either sex in the religious Orders singing in Choir who have not taken upon themselves the requirement to say the Little Office every day, seeking to obtain for themselves by this means the graces and favours of the Queen of Heaven.

The first to adopt this devotion were the Benedictine monks, in particular those of a certain monastery called Ganagobie. Lacking the will to continue saying the Office, they abandoned it after three years, only to find themselves then visited by all manner of illnesses, looting, theft and every sort of evil and wretchedness – to the extent that they almost began to grow weary of life. Peter Damien made use of this opportunity to reproach them for their laziness and weak will, telling them that it was no wonder that misfortunes had come into their house since they had evicted the Mother of pity and mercy. This made them open their eyes and humbly beg pardon for their sins, promising to take up the Office of the Virgin once more and never again to abandon it. They soon experienced the generosity of the same Virgin, for they were straight away delivered from all their troubles and enabled to enjoy the satisfaction they previously had.

I have described elsewhere the reason why the Carthusian Fathers decided to recite this Office right from the beginning of their institution[1]. They have continued to say it most religiously, with so much success that it would be impossible to list here the favours they've received from Heaven in return for this devotion. 

 

We could say as much about other religious Orders but it is sufficient to include them in what has already been written.   

Footnotes

[1] Part I, ch. 12, § 7.

 3   It would also be too time-consuming to call the roll of all those who have unfailingly followed this holy devotion by reciting it every day.  

I have spoken earlier about St Louis[1] who would not allow all the occupations and duties of his Kingdom to prevent him from discharging this duty. St Charles used to say it on his knees without ever missing it. St Vincent Ferrer took up the devotion whilst he was still young and followed it faithfully until his death. The same may be said of blessed James, also a member of the Dominican Order, who died in the year 1314. We read the same about St Elizabeth Queen of Portugal, St Bridget and St Catherine of Sweden her daughter, about our young Stanislaus[2] and others so numerous it would be difficult to count them. St Francesca Romana did no less and it is written of her in the Bull of her canonization that whilst she was reciting the Office outdoors in a heavy rainstorm, not a single drop of water fell upon her. The book of Hours which she possessed was carefully preserved and God has since made use of the volume to perform numerous miracles. Alphonsus Rodriguez, a lay brother in the Society of Jesus, recited every day the Little Office of the Immaculate Conception which the Holy Virgin had taught him. He derived enormous benefits from this devotion, as do an almost infinite number of people today who follow his example.

The day will come (God willing) when we will rejoice with them in the countless favors that the Mother of goodness has obtained for them in recognition of all the praises they have given her.

Footnotes

[1] Part III, ch. 7, § 5.

[2] BlessedStanislaus Kostka (Stanislaw Kostka, 1550-1568) S.J. (canonised in 1726).

© Peter Bloor 2026 

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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.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.