wise described as she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun." [1] The brightness of the sun is a fitting symbol for the enlightening power of the Church's teachings.
The moon was beneath her feet. St. Gregory the Great and St. Augustine see in this the dominion of the Church over the whole world, and her contempt for the perishable goods of this life. The moon with its ever changing phases is a figure of the transitory things of earth.
The crown of twelve stars represents the twelve Apostles and through them the whole ministry of the Church. It may also denote the assembly of faithful nations symbolized by the mystic number twelve.
2. The Church is ever in labor to bring forth children to eternal life. In the sad days here predicted the sorrows and pains . of delivery shall be increased many fold. In this passage there is an evident allusion to some particular son of the Church whose power and influence shall be such that Satan will seek his destruction at any cost. This person can be none other than the Pope to be elected in those days. The Papacy will be attacked by all the powers of hell. In consequence the Church will suffer great trials and afflictions in securing a successor upon the throne of Peter.
The words of St. Paul to the Thessalonians may be a reference to the Papacy as the obstacle to the coming
- ↑ Canticle of Canticles vi, 9.
