Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix

"NOTHING hinders certain others from being called mediators, in some respect, between God and man, forasmuch as they cooperate in uniting men to God, dispositively or ministerially."

~St. Thomas Aquinas: Summa Theologica, III, Q. 26. A. 1.

The Coronation of the Virgin, by Bernardo Daddi.

Tempera on wood, 1340-45; National Gallery, London.

Mary, Mediatrix of grace

"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.

"Mary was nearest to Christ"

September 12th: Memorial of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"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.