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.
‘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.
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 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.
