The Crown of Excellence : Chapter 3 : § 4. 3

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.

§ 4. On certain living and animated figures that have represented the MOTHER OF GOD, beginning with Eve, Sara and Rebecca.

Second Figure : Sara

Sara means Lady. Sara calls herself Abraham’s sister in order to save his life

 3   Sara comes after her mother and, according to St John Chrysostom[1] and St Bonaventure[2], she represents for us the MOTHER OF GOD. I shall focus on four parallels, the first of which is hidden in the name of Sara, which means Lady. I shall however say nothing here because this name deserves an entire discussion to itself. This will be found at the end of the second Treatise[3]. St Bonaventure opines that the name Sara also means coal which he links to the ardour of the charity of the MOTHER OF GOD. He adds:

 

Blessed coal, whence came forth the flame altogether heavenly and divine which is none other than Jesus Christ.

The second parallel is the one that the same St Bonaventure drew from chapter xx of Genesis where it says that Abraham, when entering Gerara with his wife Sara, insisted that she should say she was his sister. She could actually say this without lying because , as Scripture makes clear, she was his cousin and thus his sister according to the Hebrew way of speaking. By this means she would save Abraham’s life. The Holy Doctor applies this idea to the Holy Virgin, saying to her in the name of all her faithful children[4]:  

Holy Lady, who art like a Sara to us, we humbly beg thee to say that thou art our sister; forasmuch as only in this way may we hope to be made welcome before God and to guarantee the salvation and safety and  of our lives and our souls. We pray thou wilt make no difficulty about our request to be favoured by thy protection, so that the Egyptians, which is to say the Demons, will be afraid to give thee offence; so that the Holy Angels may be our close allies and support us in our necessities; and so that the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost may show pity and compassion towards us.

Footnotes

[1] Homil. 49 in Gen.

[2] Speculi B. Virg., c. 6 et 13.

[3] Cap. 13.

[4] Speculi, c. 6.

👑       👑       👑

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

The Crown of Excellence : Chapter 3 : § 4. 2

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 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.

§ 4. On certain living and animated figures that have represented the MOTHER OF GOD, beginning with Eve, Sara and Rebecca.

First Figure : Eve

Four links between Eve and the Blessed Virgin. 1. The manner of Eve’s creation. 2. The end of her creation. 3. The name Adam gave her. 4. The excellent qualities she was given.

 2   Eve is the first figure because before the others she received from God Himself the honour of being created and representing the MOTHER OF GOD. You will scarcely encounter any of the ancient Fathers who do not include her in their discussions of the MOTHER OF GOD. It is true that the majority speak of her in opposition to Mary as I aim to show, God willing, when dealing more fully with their differences in the second Treatise. For the present, we are not discussing how one is the antithesis of the other but rather we are focussing on proportion and harmony. I will say only that if my plan was not to postpone this discussion to a later time[1], I would have plenty to say on this figure who provides at the outset four remarkable links. 

The first is found in the way God formed this woman, the Firstborn of all the others. He made her from Adam’s rib whilst Adam was deep in an ecstatic sleep sent by God to show him great and very important mysteries. The second link relates to the end for which God created her : namely, for her to serve the man as a companion and a helper, working with him in the propagation of the human race. The third link concerns the name Adam gave her following the express commission received from God. He called her Eve, which means the mother of the living, as we learn from the text in Genesis[2]. The fourth link may be seen in the excellent qualities that the Author of nature gave to this woman. He did this by the work of His own hands at the birth of the world, with the aim of rendering her the model and paragon for her sex. 

I should be pleased to consider each of these links which provide ample material for discussion but I plan to cover them in the second Treatise where I will deal with them in detail and at greater leisure[3]. It will be for the reader to find what he wants there. In this he will be helped by what is said about the Holy Virgin’s rare qualities and natural perfections in chapter six of this Treatise. In chapter seven, we shall discuss the eminent quality of her grace.

Footnotes

[1] Tract. II, c. 5, § 3.

[2] Cap. 3.

[3] Cap. 1, 5, etc.

👑       👑       👑

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

The Crown of Excellence : Chapter 3 : § 4. 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 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.

§ 4. On certain living and animated figures that have represented the MOTHER OF GOD, beginning with Eve, Sara and Rebecca.

 1   You would take pleasure at the sight of a young apprentice in an artist’s studio who is practising how to copy all the parts of the human body separately, with the proportions and movements of each one. He takes great pains to represent an eye looking up, another gazing down, and others looking to the side and straight ahead. You will note the artist has hundreds of possibilities for his study of the eye: one is open, the other closed tight; there are eyes which are gay, sad, modest, bold, or passionate with love, with hatred, with anger, with languor, with despair: in short, there are representations of all the soul’s sensibilities and all the motions of the heart. Once he has acquired a level of skill in this, the apprentice sets himself to depicting the various gestures and movements of the arm and the hand, the different postures and gaits of the leg and the foot. Once he has learned proficiency in showing how to portray eye movements, how to show a face in three dimensions, how to show accurately the profile of a nose and so on with regard to the rest of the body, he next tries to to join these pieces of art together so as to portray a face in its entirety, then half a body and finally the figure of a person. 

If you have understood what a painter can do in the studio where the apprentice is learning his craft, then you will have no real difficulty in picturing how God conducts Himself here amongst us. Before unveiling to the world the Holy Virgin as a master-piece for all to imitate, He placed in our hands the book of types for us to study and use in our apprenticeship. These types are found here and there and represent a particular feature or part of this beautiful person : some the eye, some the face, some the meekness, some the chastity, some the love, some the choice God made of her, some the heights of her merits, some the greatness of her power; some showed her in profile, some full on, some roughly, some making her appear more naturally. It should be noted that there may be a considerable difference between these types since the ones we have considered so far are things which have no life nor senses. The others are living persons animated by certain traits both natural and extraordinary with a different order of grace than the first group. This is all the more evident when considering that there is a closer resemblance between one woman and another than there is between a rod or an ark and a woman. Accordingly, in the remainder of this chapter I aim to present, whilst fully maintaining the reader’s interest, up to a dozen Ladies from the Old Testament who have been true types of the MOTHER OF GOD. On their faces will be seen a number of the beautiful features of the Virgin’s wondrous countenance which enraptures men and Angels. It must always be remembered with these comparisons, however, that she is unique and quite incomparable.

👑       👑       👑

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

The Crown of Excellence : Chapter 3 : § 3.8-9

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 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.

§ 3. On the three other figures, namely the Ark of the Covenant, Solomon’s Throne and the Cloud of Elias

Third Figure : the Cloud of Elias (continued)

 8   All things being considered, I find there is nothing that represents the Virgin more simply than the little cloud of Elias which is mentioned in chapter xviii of the third Book of Kings[1]. There we read that the Prophet was touched to the heart by the misery of the people who were afflicted by a long famine caused by an exceptional drought. He made his way to the summit of Mt Carmel and there he bowed profoundly to implore the mercy of God. He achieved so much by his prayers that his servant, whom he had set to keep watch, made out a small Cloud in the shape of a human foot. It rose up from over the sea and gradually grew in size, bringing soon a propitious downpour of rain. This was followed on the next day by a general abundance of benefits. Various Doctors have taken great delight in this prefiguring image, notably the Venerable John, fifty-second Patriarch of Jerusalem. He was happy to link this to the glorious Virgin in the book of Monastic Institutions[2], a book recognized by several estimable authors as being produced by this religious Prelate. Some modern authorities[3], however, maintain the work is not by him. It matters little since it is evident that the work is by a serious-minded and ancient writer who provides material for a number of beautiful reflections.

Notice firstly that this Cloud was very small: just so was the MOTHER OF GOD in her own estimation, even though she was considered great in God’s judgement. It is moreover no mystery that the cloud should be compared to a human foot, for this signifies that from this heavenly Cloud would be formed the most sacred humanity of the Word incarnate. Thirdly, although originating from the waters of the sea which is by nature heavy and bitter, the Cloud of Elias left behind these rude qualities to the extent it was drawn up on high : in the same way, although the Holy Virgin was like the remainder of God’s works in sharing the deplorable state of our fallen race, from the moment of her conception she was delivered from all sin whatsoever that may have led her to experience bitterness and heaviness. It must be remembered that the ancient Cloud was not such as a result of its own natural condition but only thanks to the Sun which, removing it from its more earth-bound elements, drew it upwards by the power of its gentle rays : similarly, the prerogatives of the Holy Virgin did not arise from within her or her family but came from the bounty of Him who drew her out of the corrupted mass of sinners. Moreover, although the Cloud of Elias was very small in the beginning, it soon grew larger and eventually covered the whole earth : in this, the Cloud prefigured perfectly the Virgin who, having appeared as nothing during her mortal days, extended her influence soon after in every place where God is recognized and worshipped. Finally, the ancient Cloud was the beginning of public rejoicing, followed by the refreshment of bodies and the earth’s fertility, being a sign of abundance to follow. This was neither more nor less than the birth of the Virgin was the beginning of salvation and the opening up of a way to all the joy we could ever seek.

 9   Finally, to make a link between ancient History and modern times, who would not see that the Cloud which appeared before the deliverance of the city of Orleans, was itself a true figure of the glorious Virgin, being a sign of the help she was to give to her children?  I say this with a good degree of assurance because the event is very similar to the one recounted about Elias and also because this noble town has always had a special devotion to the MOTHER OF GOD. St Gregory of Tours recounts in his History of France how the city of Orleans was surrounded and laid under a pressing siege by Attila, king of the Huns. The walls were no longer able to hold back the assault of the enemy who had cast them down in ruins. Filled with alarm, the people had recourse to St Aignan[4], their good and pious Bishop. This kind-hearted Prelate was moved with compassion and first of all sought to give them encouragement. He gave them hope and urged them to prayer, setting an example by being the first to pray. After a time, he sent word to the ramparts to see if anything was happening.  When his messengers reported that nothing could be seen, he was successful in causing prayers to be redoubled. For a third time he prayed, now more ardently, and he promised the citizens that if they had a firm trust in God then without fail they would receive help from heaven before nightfall. He himself began to offer heartfelt prayers and then he sent for word from the ramparts. This time, his messenger returned full of joy, saying that he had made out in the distance a little Cloud. Then the Saint, filled with the spirit of God, cried out: Take heart, dear children, this is without any doubt help that is coming to you from Heaven! He said this and it was true. Teudo, king of the Goths, had joined forces with the valiant Aetius and that same day arrived to lift the enemy’s siege. Consider, therefore, how true it is that the Cloud is the Messenger in ordinary1 for bringing good news from Heaven.

Footnotes

[1] Behold, a little cloud arose out of the sea like a man's foot. 3 Kings xviii. 44. 

[2] Lib. de Institut. Monachorum, c. 32.

[3] Bellarm., Lib. de Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis, et Baron. in Annal.

[4] Aignan or Agnan (Latin: Anianus) (358–453), seventh Bishop of Orléans, France, assisted Roman general Flavius Aetius in the defence of the city against Attila the Hun in 451. 

👑       👑       👑

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

The Crown of Excellence : Chapter 3 : § 3.7

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 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.

§ 3. On the three other figures, namely the Ark of the Covenant, Solomon’s Throne and the Cloud of Elias

Third Figure : the Cloud of Elias (continued)

 7   For all these considerations and for several others, the Holy Spirit has often used the Cloud in Sacred Scriptures to signify the MOTHER OF GOD. In this way, St Ambrose[1], St Jerome[2], St Cyril[3], Procopius[4], Eusebius of Caesarea[5], St Germanus of Constantinople[6] and several others have understood the glorious Virgin to be represented by the nubes levis (swift cloud) of Isaiah[7], on which God was borne when He made His entry into Egypt to cast down the false gods of this idolatrous people. 

Mary is represented by nubis levis, says St Ambrose[8], because of her virginity, the sincere intention she always had of pleasing God and her temporal generation of the divine Word which she had conceived in a fashion altogether heavenly and admirable. 

She is called nubes levis, says Procopius[9], because of her generous rejection of everything base and earthly. She is called the triumphal Chariot of the Saviour, victorious over the idols in Egypt; He was carried in the arms of the Holy Virgin into that country when He was a little child and on His entry the statues of the false gods were cast down. 

In fact, the historians Rufinus[10] and Palladius testify to having seen a Temple in the Thebaid region near Hermopolis which the Saviour entered, causing all the idols to fall to the ground. St Epiphanius[11], St Andrew of Crete[12], and several others compare the Virgin to the Pillar of fire[13] which guided the children of Israel across the desert towards the promised land, as we have seen earlier. I say The same holds true, in my opinion, for the white Cloud[14] on which the Son of man was seated, in the fourteenth chapter of the Apocalypse.

Footnotes

[1] Exhort. ad virg., et Lib. de Inst. virg.

[2] In c. 19 Isaiæ.

[3] In c. 19 Isaiæ

[4] In c. 19 Isaiæ

[5] Lib. VI de Demonst. Evang., c. 20.

[6] Orat. de Nativit. B. Virg

[7] Ecce Dominus ascendet super nubem levem,(Vulgate)  Behold the Lord will ascend upon a swift cloud, (Douay-Rheims); levis , e: (adj.), of little weight, light; thin, slender; delicate, tender; fleeting, fleet, swift, flying; flitting, airy. (FriezeDennisonVergil)

[8] Exhort. ad virg., et in Psal. 118, serm. 5.

[9] Loco cit.

[10] Lib. I, c. 7.

[11] Histor. Lausiac., c. 52.

[12] Serm. 1 de Laudib. Mariæ.

[13] Exod. xiii. 21.

[14] Behold a white cloud; and upon the cloud one sitting like to the Son of man, having on his head a crown of gold, and in his hand a sharp sickle. Apoc. xiv. 14.

👑       👑       👑

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

The Crown of Excellence : Chapter 3 : § 3.5

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 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.

§ 3. On the three other figures, namely the Ark of the Covenant, Solomon’s Throne and the Cloud of Elias

Second Figure : the Throne of Solomon

 5   Solomon’s Throne is also an excellent figure for the MOTHER OF GOD – according to Richard of St Victor[1], St Bonaventure[2], St Anthony[3], Fr Guerric[4] and several authors. It seems to me, however, that no-one deals with this so adequately and effectively as the devout Peter Damian[5] who produced a whole piece of which I offer an abbreviated extract. 

The Doctor points out firstly that this ancient throne was built by King Solomon; the new Throne, about whom we are speaking, was the work of Jesus, the true Prince of Peace[6] and Mediator, as St Paul says[7]. The old Throne was made of ivory which has three beautiful qualities: whiteness, solidity and coolness. By these, the Holy Spirit represents three very rare qualities of the most Holy Virgin, namely her innocence, her strength and her chastity. It is expressly stated it was a great and powerful throne of ivory;[8] but what in the world could be greater and more powerful than She who keeps safe within her the fulness of the Divinity? Consider the Cherubims, or higher still the Seraphims, and you will see nothing comparable amongst them. Solomon covered his throne from top to bottom in purest gold, a sign of the sanctifying grace with which the MOTHER OF GOD was filled. This was nothing less than the substantial grace of the Divinity with which she was clothed and adorned. There were six steps leading to the Throne, prefiguring the six rare dispositions of the soul that the Holy Virgin had brought to render herself a worthy MOTHER OF GOD, namely meditation in her thoughts on heavenly things, discretion in her speech, justice in her actions, love of her neighbour, contempt of the world and of herself, and perseverance in good things once begun. This seat was round behind[9], representing the perfection of the consummate glory of the Blessed Virgin, whose wonders the Holy Fathers will describe in due course[10].

Upon the steps were twelve little lions, six on the one side and six on the other. They were a figure  for the twelve Apostles contemplating this Holy Lady, captivated by the thought of her heroic virtues. There were two armrests in the form of hands[11] on this throne; they symbolized action and contemplation. The two hands of the Virgin rested there, which is to say, all the actions of her life were supported thereon. Two lions stood, one at each hand, representing the Angel Gabriel and St John the Beloved disciple. One was guardian of the Holy Virgin’s soul, the other of her body[12]; two roaring lions and true sons of thunder, making the world resound with the most powerful voices ever heard. One announced salvation for men, the other brought news of the Divinity of God’s Son. The sacred Historiographer brought consolation to the Virgin’s faithful servants, saying that nothing comparable had ever been heard of in all the Kingdoms of the world. This utterance was as true as it was magnificent, and no less to the glory of the sovereign craftsman than to the great joy of His handiwork, as will appear in the discussions of her incomparable greatness.

This is a summary of what was written at much greater length by this devotee of the MOTHER OF GOD.

Footnotes

[1] Serm. de Annuntiat.

[2] Orat. 1 de Dormit. B. Virg.

[3] IV part., tit. XV, c. 44, § 7.

[4] Serm. 1 de Annuntiat. B. Virg.

[5] Serm. 1 de Nativit. B. Virg.

[6] Isai. ix. 6.

[7] For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus: 1 Tim. ii. 5.

[8] Thronum ex ebore grandem / a great throne of ivory.  [3 Kings (1 Kings) x. 18].

[9] the top of the throne was round behind / summitas throni rotunda erat in parte posteriori. 3rd Book of Kings (1 Kings) x. 19. 

[10] Cap. 12..

[11] there were two hands on either side holding the seat: and two lions stood, one at each hand. 3rd Book of Kings (1 Kings) x. 18.

[12] After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. John xix. 27.

👑       👑       👑

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

The Crown of Excellence : Chapter 3 : § 3. 3-4

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 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.

§ 3. On the three other figures, namely the Ark of the Covenant, Solomon’s Throne and the Cloud of Elias

First Figure : The Ark of the Covenant

 3   The old Ark had golden rings at its four corners and bars were put through them so that the Ark might be carried from place to place; gifts of the Holy Spirit were placed into the intellectual powers of  the new Ark making her gentle and responsive to all His movements. When the old Ark was lifted up and placed on the shoulders of the Levites, the Priests chanted the motet Moses had composed, saying[1]: Arise, O Lord, and let thy enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee, flee from before thy face.  And when it was set down, they said: Return, O Lord, to the multitude of the host of Israel.[2]

In the same way, says St Bernardino of Siena[3], through the exaltation of the MOTHER OF GOD the forces of our enemies are weakened and with her comes always the mercy of God. Immediately the old Ark appears, the walls of Jericho come falling down, the idol of Dagon is thrown down[4], and all those who treat the Ark with a lack of reverence are punished in an exemplary manner[5].

In this way, at the sight alone of the Holy Virgin, the resistance of obstinate hearts is overcome, the devil is vanquished and all those who speak ill of her fall into the hands of God’s avenging justice. The old Ark was hidden away by the Prophet Jeremiah on Mt Nebo[6], for fear that it would suffer at the hands of the infidels. Since then, it has never again been seen by any mortal man but is kept safe in the same location ready to be produced in time for the last days and to renew the covenant between God and this ruined people. By the design of God which inspired the Holy Apostles, the new Ark was laid in the tomb at Gethsemani, whence she was assumed into heaven to be seated on the throne of glory;  there, she discharges her office as Advocate, reconciling errant sinners to God.

Footnotes

[1] Num. x. 35.

[2] Num. x. 36.

[3] T. III, serm. 11, art. 1, c. 2.

[4] Behold Dagon lay upon his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord: and they took Dagon, and set him again in his place. 1 Sam. v. 3.

[5] Vid. e.g., 2 Sam. vi. 6-7.

[6] 2 Mach. ii.

 4   I must not forget to mention the Propitiatory (Mercy seat), since it is the principal element in this figure. It is worth noting that the Virgin is called the Propitiatory for the whole earth by St Methodius[1], St Andrew of Candia[2], St Ephrem[3] and several other writers[4]. The Propitiatory was made of a sheet of pure gold which covered the Ark of the Covenant; in the case of the new Ark, the soul of the most Holy Virgin was purest love and charity. The Propitiatory was the seat of God and the place where he rested; there are hundreds of references in the writings of the Holy Fathers where the Holy Virgin is called the Throne of the Divinity. From the Propitiatory, God delivered His prophecies and made known to men His will; through the mediation of the Virgin, we have learned of His thought s for peace and the good that He desires for us. The Cherubims were presented kneeling on the Propitiatory, their gaze fixed on the centre of the Ark and adoring in fear and trembling the Majesty of Him who dwelt there. Holy Angels are also ever-present around the glorious Virgin, gazing on her as the chosen dwelling for His divine Majesty. The Propitiatory was a place of sanctuary for all the chosen people and the place where they would come from all parts to appease the wrath of the Lord. The Holy Virgin is the place of safety where the whole of Adam’s posterity can withdraw to seek God’s pardon for their sins and restoration into the good grace of their Creator.

Footnotes

[1] Orat. in Hipapante.

[2] Orat. 1 de Dormit. B. Virg.

[3] Orat. de Laudibus Mariæ.

[4] Epiph., de Laudibus Deiparæ.

👑       👑       👑

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