Chapter 11 : Imitation – tenth 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).
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| Notre Dame des Grâces, Cotignac (Poggi, 2020) |
§ 10. On her perfect resignation and how it should be imitated by everyone
1 Resignation to the divine will is the centre and essence of all Christian virtues. The Holy Virgin’s resignation was most humble, most complete and most tranquil.
The Virgin’s resignation was most humble
2 It was most humble in the estimation the Virgin had of herself. When she compared herself to all other creatures, she considered herself to be as nothing; and when she compared herself to God she viewed herself as even less than nothing. She was most humble since in order to acquiesce perfectly to God’s will she abased herself even to the lowest level of service that she knew; and this in such a way that when she uttered the words which showed the universe her wondrous resignation[1]: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to His holy will, she had in mind everything that the human understanding can conceive as being lowest in terms of submission. She was saying more than Abraham[2] did when he called himself dust and ashes; she went further than David did when he likened himself to a dead dog, a flea[3] and a worm[4]. In short, she made a solemn declaration accepting God’s command in the lowliest position that could befall a creature. She was most humble in the way she subjected herself to His sovereign Majesty, considering herself totally unworthy of the care He was taking of her and her life. She was utterly astonished that His most adorable greatness would deign to stoop so far as thinking of her and being mindful of her.
Footnotes
[1] Luke i. 38.
[2] Gen. xviii. 27.
[3] 1 Kings (1 Samuel) xxiv. 15.
[4] Ps. XXI. 7.
The Virgin’s resignation was most complete
3 Her resignation was most complete in that it was unbounded because the most sacred Virgin submitted herself to the will of God in an unqualified manner, with no restrictions or limitations. Even though the words I just cited might seem to relate solely to her acceptance of the offer that had been made for her to conceive the divine Word, it is nevertheless beyond doubt that in her own soul she was giving carte blanche to God so that in her His will might be done in all things. Her feelings were those of David when he declared[1] My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready, for she was ready to be governed by His divine Majesty in whatsoever way might please Him : “whether I am to serve Him in a high capacity or a lowly one, whether I am to be great or small, whether He maketh use of me or not, let Him use me as He deemeth fit; for myself, I have nothing to say other than that I am totally at the service of His divine providence. Let him order my natural life in sickness or in health, in strength or in weakness, in an enclosed life at home or one where I go out into the world – I have no preferred inclination for any of these states more than another. Let him dispose of my worldly life with honour or dishonour, mixing with others or in solitude, favour or disfavour – my heart will only seek ever to do His will in all things. As for my spiritual life, it is my wish and intention that in likes and dislikes, in progress and delays, in abundance and in want, and generally in all the accidents and vicissitudes on the way to grace and glory, His holy will be entirely fulfilled in me.”
Footnotes
[1] Ps. LVI. 8.
The Virgin’s resignation was most tranquil
4 It was most tranquil because her indescribable peace came from the way she surrendered herself into the embrace of God’s paternal affection. The peace of her soul was so great that no matter what events happened she never lost her composure. She would not even think about whether something might be useful or prejudicial to her for fear of showing a lack of trust, however slight, in the loving care of Him who thought she was able to deal with it. She wished to have no other will than God’s and for it to operate in her without her own will contributing anything in the least. How gently this chaste lover rested on her Beloved’s breast! With what pleasure she quaffed in long draughts the holy forgetfulness of herself and the recollection of God! How pleasing it was for the Spouse of her heart to hold her clasped tightly in His arms and to prevent anyone from unsettling her peace! With what love He called upon the daughters of Jerusalem not to interrupt her sleep or to disturb her in any way, no matter the reason! What a wonderful example she has given to her dear children of perfectly resigned tranquillity and perfectly tranquil resignation.
5 But where will I find the thoughts or the words to proclaim the obligation her children have to imitate her and the fruits that they can expect from such holy imitation? Who will help me to make known my conception of the heights of a resignation which is humble, complete and tranquil, like that which is exemplified by the MOTHER OF GOD? Who will dispose the hearts of the servants of Mary to seek the embrace of eternal Providence with these three conditions which are like a threefold cord[1] with which they can bind themselves inseparably to the principle of their happiness? Humble resignation : how captivating are these words and what they represent! Complete resignation : words which connote the very height of perfection! Tranquil resignation : What an ocean of sweetness and gentleness! Humble resignation : What in the world could be more reasonable? Complete resignation : What could be more useful and beneficial? Tranquil resignation : What could be more delightful?
Footnotes
[1] Ecclesiastes iv. 12.
© Peter Bloor 2026
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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.
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.
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