Supplement to the Sacred Anthologies

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...is understood: therefore the mountain of myrrh and the hill of incense are the lofty souls of the Saints through contemplation. original: "mons ergo myrrhæ, & collis thuris" St. Thomas Aquinas, On Song of Songs, chapter 4.

Dove. original: "Columba" The faithful soul has four wings: namely, fear, repentance, hope, and love. Lobbetius, Glory of the Patriarchs, question 2, regarding St. Bruno.

Chariot of GOD. original: "Currus DEI" Holy souls are understood by the name of a chariot. Blessed Paul the Deacon, volume 15 of the Library of the Fathers, Paris, 1654. The soul is the chariot of GOD, so that its anger, lust, fear, and all worldly desires may be reined in. St. Ambrose, book 2, On Psalm 118.

House of GOD, original: "Domus DEI" is the mind and conscience of the faithful. Venerable Bede, cited by St. Thomas Aquinas in the Golden Chain on Mark, chapter 11.

Cavalry, original: "Equitatus" from Song of Songs 1. You will not wonder that a single soul is compared to a multitude of cavalry—to my company of horses, etc.—if you notice how many battle-lines of virtues are held in that one soul, which is so holy; what great order exists in its affections—or if that does not please you, know that a soul of this kind is never without the guardianship of Angels. Therefore, supported by angelic ministries and surrounded by a heavenly troop, the bride proceeding is like the cavalry of the Lord: specifically like that people (Israel) who once triumphed over the chariots of Pharaoh by such a stupendous miracle of divine aid. St. Bernard, Sermon 39, On the Song of Songs.

Fig Tree of GOD, original: "Ficus DEI" is the holy soul, according to John 1. Its bark is humility; it is stripped of its bark when it is despoiled of humility. Its branches become white because its works, when shown to human eyes, shine brightly; but they also wither. St. Gregory the Great, Moralia, book 8, chapter 37.

Daughter of the King, original: "Filia regis" is the faithful soul, from Psalm 44. St. Bonaventure, The Diet of Salvation, title 5, chapter 1. Daughter of the Prince. The reason for this is: because just as the daughter of a prince goes before the groom on her wedding day notably associated with Barons, knights, and squires, so does the good and holy soul go with Angels. Authority: What will you see in the Shulammite, but the dances of the camps? Song of Songs 7. The "Shulammite" refers to the bride in the Song of Songs. Note: "Shulammite" is interpreted as "the mortified one." St. Vincent Ferrer, sermon 3, first Sunday of Advent. Souls are the "daughters of Jerusalem." St. Isidore of Seville, On Song of Songs 1.

Glowing Iron. original: "Ferrum ignitum" Just as glowing iron is malleable, so is a soul full of charity. St. Bonaventure, The Diet of Salvation, title 5, chapter 2.

Sword, original: "Framea" from Psalm 34. This can be understood as either the vengeance of GOD, the soul of Christ, or any righteous person, who are the sword of GOD against the wicked. St. Thomas Aquinas, On Psalm 35.

Dwelling of GOD. original: "Habitatio DEI" The soul of a righteous and virtuous man is the dwelling of GOD; a place of joy, a place of light, and a place of ordered love. St. Bonaventure, cited title 5, chapter 1.

Garden. original: "Hortus" Every holy soul is understood to be an "enclosed garden." St. Gregory the Great, On Song of Songs, chapter 4.

Jerusalem is what we call our soul, provided that the King of Peace rests within it. Arnobius, On Psalm 64.

Polished Stone. original: "Lapis politus" For the construction of the celestial temple,

the souls of the Elect are brought in like certain polished stones. St. Isidore of Seville, Commentary on 1 Kings 6. The source says "3 Kings," following the older Vulgate numbering.

Tree. original: "Lignum" Just as a tree is planted by the run-off of waters, so also the soul, irrigated by the flowing streams of Divine Scripture, is nourished; it brings forth timely fruit, which is right faith; and it is adorned with leaves that are evergreen, which are the actions of thanksgiving to GOD. St. John Damascene, On the Orthodox Faith, book 4, chapter 18.

Lily. original: "Lilium" The lily, although it is pricked by thorns, nevertheless retains its whiteness, emitting a stronger scent than if it were not pricked. So the soul, the bride of GOD, although she is pricked, strives to preserve the whiteness of a good conscience and the scent of a good reputation. St. Albert the Great, The Paradise of the Soul, chapter 4, regarding Patience. Lilies are holy souls. St. Thomas Aquinas, On Song of Songs, chapter 4. What is meant by lilies, if not pure souls? St. Gregory the Great, On Song of Songs, chapter 2. Lilies are blessed and chaste souls. St. Thomas Aquinas, Opuscula on the Sacrament of the Altar, chapter 3.

Moon. original: "Luna" It is compared to the Moon shining at night: for thus the soul, by converting itself, lives as a good example. St. Gregory, On Song of Songs, chapter 2. St. Herman saw the soul of St. Engelbert, Martyr and Archbishop of Cologne, going to Heaven in the appearance of a Moon. Author of the Life of St. Herman, chapter 30.

Pearl. original: "Margarita" A holy soul in this life is like a pearl in a dunghill. St. Gregory, Homily 40 on the Gospels.

Mountain. original: "Mons" "Rejoice, O mountains," that is, natures endowed with reason, you who rise to the summit of spiritual contemplation. St. John Damascene, Oration 1 on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. Mountains are lofty souls; hills are the little ones. St. Augustine, Tractate 1 on John.

Wall of GOD. original: "Murus DEI" The wall is the soul of a saint. The Church also has her walls, which, being now more perfect, says: I am a fortified city. St. Ambrose, book 2, On Psalm 118.

Myrrh. original: "Myrrha" Through these trees (myrrh and aloes), the continence of the flesh and chastity are designated; for decay is usually used to designate lust. Therefore, in the Garden of the Church, there are myrrh and aloes, which are chaste minds. St. Thomas Aquinas, On Song of Songs, chapter 4.

Ships of Tarshish, original: "Naves Tharsis" are pious souls, carrying the necessities for the temple to Solomon. St. Ambrose, Commentary on Psalm 1.

Palm Tree. original: "Palma" It signifies the soul of every faithful person who is mindful of the Lord, who says in John 16: I have overcome the world. St. Thomas Aquinas, On Song of Songs, chapter 7. The palm tree is narrow at the bottom and wide at the top: so the soul that wishes to ascend to GOD must be narrow regarding earthly pleasures. St. Vincent Ferrer, sermon 1, Palm Sunday.

Branch. original: "Ramus" Just as a branch on which fruit hangs, and like an ear of corn full of grain: so is the humble soul, which is burdened with the fruits of good works and full of the grains of virtues. St. Bonaventure, The Diet of Salvation, title 7, chapter 1.

Rebecca. Note that by Rebecca, every soul can be understood mystically, for Christ...