mariologydogmati00pohl - Carmel Apologetics

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DIGNITY OF DIVINE MOTHERHOOD 21
sole exception of her Divine Son, ("the first-born
of every creature," with whom, of course, she
cannot be compared either from this or any
other point of view), she is undoubtedly the love-
liest flower that ever bloomed on the tree of
humanity, and we are perfectly justified in ad-
dressing her as "Mystic Rose" and "Spiritual
Lily." We show a still profounder conception
of her dignity and mission when we venerate
her as the human organ specially chosen by the
Holy Ghost for the miracle of the Incarnation,
whereby she became a most precious "Spiritual
Vessel," for, as we pray in the Ave Maria:
Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus."
How are we to define Mary's relationship to her fellow-
creatures ?
She is not, of course, the " head " of the human race.
That dignity belongs solely to Jesus Christ, the " second
Adam," who restored our lost innocence. Mary gave
birth to her own spiritual and supernatural head in the
person of Christ. Her unique position in the mystic
body of the Church has been likened to that of the
" neck," 17 but she is perhaps more appropriately compared
to the heart, which of all the bodily organs most
perfectly reflects the energy of the head and most effect-
ively sustains its vital functions. 18 Thus Mary's Divine
Motherhood takes on the character and functions of a
spiritual motherhood in relation to all men, especially
those who are living members of the body of Christ.
17 " Collum corporis mystici."
18 Cfr. Scheeben, Dogmatik, Vol. Ill, p. 512.