| V. Choir | 23 January |
|---|---|
| Angel of the Virtues of Mary | Marriage of Mary |
Just as there are various groups of people on earth who have joined together closely because of a common task, a common way of thinking or living, or for the sake of a common goal, so we must imagine that there are also such groups within each choir in the world of the holy angels. In the angel whom God sets before us today,
Saint Sophitiel,
from the Choir of the High Powers, we can recognise this. This choir section consists of a group of twelve, a group of seven, a group of four and of a single angel in the middle. The group of twelve represents God’s covenant with the people of the Old and New Covenants. The group of four contains the corner pillars, carrying the covenant of God with mankind in faith, hope, love and the power of the Holy Church. One bears the will of God for the Cross, the victorious power of the folly of the Cross.
Saint Sophitiel
stands in the centre of the group of seven:
- the first of the seven bears the power of innocence over the Heart of God in view of the Birth of Christ;
- the second bears the power of the Cross (and of all crosses) over the Heart of God in view of Christ’s sacrificial Death;
- the third bears the power of the Church over the Heart of God in view of the Son, who fulfilled the will of the Father and accomplished the law;
- the fourth is Saint Sophitiel. He stands in the middle of this group. He bears the power of the God-bearer over the Heart of God with regard to the integrity, beauty, virtues and pains of Mary;
- the fifth bears the power of the Word of God over the Heart of God with regard to salvation;
- the sixth bears the power of all of those consecrated and bound to God over the Heart of God with regard to the Face of Christ; and finally,
- the seventh carries the power of God’s love and justice over the Heart of God with regard to judgement.
Thus, these seven formers stand ready to fulfil God’s will for humanity, to bring it home as a perfect bride. Saint Sophitiel wears his task like a jewel, covered by a mantle—a cloud—as a sign that, in view of Mary, all virtues are offered to the women of the earth, but in secret, so that the marvellous enamel of this adornment may not be touched and lost by the poison and dust of the world.
Prayer: Mary, Virgin, Mother and Queen, let us salute and praise Thee with all the angels and saints for the splendour of Thy virtue, now and for all eternity! Amen.