"CHRIST is the principle of grace, authoritatively as to His Godhead, instrumentally as to His humanity: whence (Jn 1:17) it is written: "Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." But the Blessed Virgin Mary was nearest to Christ in His humanity: because He received His human nature from her. Therefore it was due to her to receive a greater fulness of grace than others."
~St. Thomas Aquinas: S.T. III, q. 27, art. 5.
The Ghent Altarpiece: Virgin Mary (detail), by Jan van Eyck.
Oil on wood, 1426-29; Cathedral of St. Bavo, Ghent.
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"THERE is no reason why creatures should not be called mediators after a fashion, in that they co-operate in our reconciliation, disposing and ministering to men's union with God."
~St. Thomas Aquinas: S.T. III, q. 26, a. 1.
Mediatrix of All Graces
La Madonna del Popolo, by Federico Fiori Barocci.
Oil on panel, 1575-79; Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.
