Ordo Praedicatorum

Today, our Priory celebrates its patronal feast day, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  In the Office of Matins (Readings) today, the Dominican Proprium allows as one of the options for the second reading a selection from St. Thomas Aquinas’s Devotissima exposito super salutatione angelica.   This work on the Angelic Salutation was probably written by the Angelic Doctor in 1273, a year or so before his death.  The image on the left is the statue of Mary the Immaculate Conception which stands over the main doorway to our Priory here in Washington, DC. 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. This salutation is divided into three parts. The first contains the words of the Angel: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women. The second part is composed of the words of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist: Blessed is the fruit of thy womb. The third part was added by the Church, namely, Mary: for the angel did not say, Hail Mary, but Hail, full of grace; this name, in its interpretation, will be made plain.

With regard to the first part, we must observe that of old it was no insignificant occurrence that angels appeared to men, or that men paid reverence to them. Such a thing was recorded as deserving of praise. Hence it is mentioned in praise of Abraham that he gave hospitality to angels and paid them reverence. But it had never been heard that an angel should show reverence to a human being until one of them greeted reverently the Blessed Virgin, saying: Hail.

Mary was full of grace as regards the overflow of grace from the soul into the flesh. For while it is a great thing in the saints to be endowed with grace that their souls are holy, the soul of the blessed Virgin Mary was so full of grace that it overflowed into her flesh, thus fitting it for the conception of God’s Son from it. Thus Hugh of Saint Victor says, The Holy Spirit had so kindled in her heart the fire of divine love that it worked wonders in her flesh, even so that she gave birth to God made man, for the Holy One that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Mary was so full of grace that it overflows on to all mankind. It is, indeed, a great thing that any one saint has so much grace that it conduces to the salvation of many; but most wondrous is it to have so much as to suffice for the salvation of all mankind: and thus it is in Christ and in the Blessed Virgin. Thus in every danger you may find a refuge in the same glorious Virgin: A thousand shields, that is, protections from peril, hang from her. Again, you may obtain her assistance in every virtuous deed: In me is all hope of life and virtue. She is, therefore, full of grace, surpassing the angels in that plenitude: for which reason she is rightly called “Mary,” which signifies “enlightened,” in herself: The Lord will fill the soul with brightness. Enlightening others throughout the world below, she is compared to the sun and to the moon.

Hence no greater praise could be addressed to her than that which is contained in the words: The Lord is with thee. She well deserved to be reverenced by the Angel, in that being the Mother of our Lord, she is our Lady. Consequently, she is fittingly named “Mary,” which in the Syrian tongue signifies “Lady.”

She excels the angels in purity, because not only was she pure in herself, but she obtains purity for others. In fact, she was most pure, being most immune both from sin—for she was free from both mortal and venial sin—and from punishment. Accordingly she was free from every curse, and therefore, blessed among women; inasmuch as she alone lifted the curse, brought us a blessing, and opened the gates of heaven. Thus the name “Mary” is fitting for her, for it signifies “Star of the sea”: since just as the star of the sea guides sailors to port, so are Christ’s followers guided by Mary to heavenly glory.

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