Part IV : How to give thanks to the Mother of God : Chapter 13 : § 1.1-3

Chapter 13 : Advancing in the service of the MOTHER OF GOD and magnifying her glory – twelfth 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)

The time has now come to conclude our discussion on how we are obliged to acknowledge the greatness of the MOTHER OF GOD. I cannot think of any better way of doing this than by considering how we can advance in her service and magnify her glory. In my opinion , this represents the crowning glory of all the other forms of thanksgiving we have covered. 

§ 1. How advancing in the service of the MOTHER OF GOD and magnifying her glory is a most pleasing form of gratitude to her and how we are obliged to do this

 1   The holy Prophet Job says[1] of God that in his hands he hideth the light, which is the symbol of glory, as being his dear possession. You should not imagine, however, this means He hides it from the most sacred Virgin, His beloved Daughter, so that she is prevented from enjoying it. How could He deny it to her, since she is herself called a fountain of light by St John Damascene[2] (following the devout Chrysippus[3], a Priest of Jerusalem) ; and since she is called the Mother of Light itself by Hesychius[4], a Priest of the same Church, following St Epiphanius?

“Most Holy Virgin,” writes the latter, “Mother of Eternal Light; I am speaking of that light which shineth on high upon the Angelic host, which enableth the Seraphim to be so clear-sighted, from whom the sun takes its brightness, banishing darkness from the world and with the beauty of its rays bringing joy to Heaven and earth!”  

How could He refuse to share this with her whom He himself rendered incomparably more lustrous than the stars at daybreak and brighter than the Sun at noon? How could He be so miserly with His glory when it came to her whom He created to be a platform for glory? How could He possibly withhold His favours from her who spared no effort to extend the frontiers of His kingdom and all of whose virtues were like so many censers giving off unceasingly the pleasing fragrance of God’s glory? Did He not give His word to glorify her who was such a worthy instrument of His glory and who had taken such great care in seeking out ways to glorify Him? And if He is obliged by reason of His express promise, can He go against the contract He agreed? It would be a crime to doubt the faithfulness of the Prince of Heaven. When we consider the honour rendered her everywhere and the glory she enjoys through the length and breadth of God’s domain, we can recognise no Author or Promoter other than God Himself. Who else could have moved people’s hearts so powerfully, inflamed and inspired their wills so ardently, binding and engaging their affections so effectively as to make a whole world render so much honour to a mere creature? It could only have been God, for He alone governs men’s hearts disposes their wills and holds the reins of their affections. Let us accordingly admit no contradiction when we say that it was Him who inspired the first movements and the first instincts within men’s souls, and who drew the peoples from East and West, from North and South, to come and present her with homage indescribably higher than that which is due to other creatures. Let us adore the designs that He had for her, and let us confess that this Lady cannot only be delighted by the care and diligence with which we promote her service, receiving what we offer her as a most pleasing form of gratitude for the blessings that come to us from her hand.

Footnotes

[1] In his hands he hideth the light, and commandeth it to come again. He sheweth his friend concerning it, that it is his possession: Job xxxvi. 32-33.

[2] Orat. 1 de Nativit. B. Virg.

[3] Orat. 2 de Sancta Maria.

[4] Serm. de Laudib. Virg.

 2   The perfect conformity she has to have with the will of God and the dazzling splendour in which she currently finds herself means this must be so. Since she clearly understands that God has resolved to show forth His glory and make His name resound throughout the universe, why would she be in opposition to this? Indeed why should she not be grateful to those who are employed by God in such an honourable undertaking? Why would she not accept their goodwill? Why would she not value their affection? Why would she not be pleased to accept their gratitude? Why would she not support their intentions? But especially in the state in which she now finds herself – in the secure strength of God’s truth, free from the assaults and surprises of vanity, where the honour rendered to her goes straight to God as to its source and end – can she not desire and seek all this without fear and without apprehension? For if the Sacred Scriptures attest that the Saints, once they come close to God, ask Him for vengeance, the pursuit of which is no less dangerous but actually much more so than that of glory; and if enjoying God’s presence so strengthens their minds to good purposes that they cannot fail in the entreaties they make against those who have treated them badly, why would we not believe that they will not be pleased by the honour we render them, and be grateful for the affection we show in making them known and honoured?

 3   Let us consider it a settled matter, then, that the MOTHER OF GOD has very special feelings for those working to advance in her service and increase her glory; and that, among all her children, these are the ones on whom she has bestowed the most exceptional favours and for whom she is preparing the greatest rewards. Let us now proceed to consider what her faithful servants have done in this regard, and what propriety requires of us.

© 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.