Meaning: The fortitude of the Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross
Explanation: Taking the words of Christ Mulier ecce Filius tuus as starting point, this Consideratio meditates on the following question: “Why does Christ in the Cross name the Blessed Virgin and Mother of Sorrows woman and not mother?”
As Ginther explains, the reason is to favour the assimilation of Mary with two biblical prefigurations: the strong woman of Proverbs (Mulier fortis quis inveniet? ) and the woman who, according to the Genesis, will bruise the head of the serpent (Inimicitias ponam inter te et mulierem […] ipsa conteret caput tuum).
In this regard, Mary shows her huge fortitude when, while the rest of the world collapses, she firmly stands at the foot of the Cross, containing every human affection and accepting the martyrdom of her Son in favour of the Redemption of humankind.
In relation to this and connecting with the passage of the Proto-Gospel, the involvement of the Virgin in the Passion and Death of Christ permits completing the so-called process of recapitulation which leads to the Salvation of Men.
For all this it makes perfect sense the emblem chosen by Ginther this time: a rock that despite being beaten by the fury of winds and heavy swell remains immobile, hence the motto taken from Psalms Non commovebitur (It will not be shaken).For a detailed explanation, click HERE (in Spanish)
Explanation: Taking the words of Christ Mulier ecce Filius tuus as starting point, this Consideratio meditates on the following question: “Why does Christ in the Cross name the Blessed Virgin and Mother of Sorrows woman and not mother?”
As Ginther explains, the reason is to favour the assimilation of Mary with two biblical prefigurations: the strong woman of Proverbs (Mulier fortis quis inveniet? ) and the woman who, according to the Genesis, will bruise the head of the serpent (Inimicitias ponam inter te et mulierem […] ipsa conteret caput tuum).
In this regard, Mary shows her huge fortitude when, while the rest of the world collapses, she firmly stands at the foot of the Cross, containing every human affection and accepting the martyrdom of her Son in favour of the Redemption of humankind.
In relation to this and connecting with the passage of the Proto-Gospel, the involvement of the Virgin in the Passion and Death of Christ permits completing the so-called process of recapitulation which leads to the Salvation of Men.
For all this it makes perfect sense the emblem chosen by Ginther this time: a rock that despite being beaten by the fury of winds and heavy swell remains immobile, hence the motto taken from Psalms Non commovebitur (It will not be shaken).For a detailed explanation, click HERE (in Spanish)
This very same emblem can be found in:
• Chapel of Saint Anthony of Egypt, Balsthal (Canton of Solothurn, Switzerland) (Meaning in relation with the asceticism and saintly virtues of the patron saint of the chapel)