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Jan Mombaer

died 1501

in Rosary of Spiritual Exercises, written in 1494, here edition by A. Tradatum, Milan 1603

Jan Mombaer, born in Brussels and abbott of Livry, was a significant author in the school of the Devotio Moderna (15th century).

Texts quoted in French by Réné Laurentin (in Maria, Ecclesia, Sacerdotium, Nouvelles Éditions Latines, Paris 1952, pp. 106, 179, 201) and translated into English by John Wijngaards.

Mary is high priest, second after Christ
As high priest Mary offered her Son for the salvation of people
Mary received Holy Orders in an equivalent manner

Mary is high priest, second after Christ

‘The Virgin Mary takes second place [=after God] with regard to her hymen, her royal elevation and the sanctity of the priesthood:
for the she is the spouse of God, second in the bridal chamber and the bridal bed;
queen of heaven, second in the Kingdom and on the throne;
high priest, second in the Temple and in the sacrifice [Latin: sacerdos magna secunda in templo et sacrificio].
only after her, all other virgins are led into the Temple of the King.’ Rosetum, title 27, prologue.

As high priest Mary offered her Son for the salvation of people

Finally she experienced the martyrdom of her own will.
Because she stood next to the cross out of her own free will, as Ambrose says; ready, for the salvation of the human race, to also undergo suffering herself, if it had pleased the divine will: offering, as a high priest, the beloved and unique child of her heart, more perfect than Abraham offered Isaac; [she offered her son] for the salvation of people, and interceding for them.
To this St Anselm alludes when he says:
“Oh lady, what floods of tears I could describe erupting from your very chaste eyes when you saw your only son before you being scourged, crucified, cut in pieces and die. And yet, you were so conformed to the divine will and anxious for the salvation of humankind that I dare to say: if no one could be found who would have crucified your son in order that the salvation of people were to follow and God’s will were to be fulfilled according to his reason, if it had been necessary, she herself would have put him on the cross. Therefore no one should believe that you, blessed lady, were of less perfection than Abraham and possessed less obedience to God since he offered his own son to God with his own hands when he was told to kill him and burn him. And because you, Mary, were more ready, you were crucified more in this kind of martyrdom. ” Rosetum, title 24, section 4.

Mary received Holy Orders in an equivalent manner

‘Mary possessed in very perfect fashion all the sacramental graces. She received all the sacraments that had been instituted in her time and generally received by all people.
In this manner nothing of their effects and perfections was lost for her. And, according to Albert [=St. Albert the Great], she received all sacraments except for Holy Orders, but she received these Orders in an equivalent manner, for she possesses their dignity, power and ministry in the Church and has become the sovereign priest after Christ.’ Rosetum, title 24, section 5.

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