The qualities of the material rose vividly represent the attributes of
Mary, the Mystical Rose. The perfume of the rose signifies the joys of
the Most Blessed Virgin; its thorns represent to us her sorrows; and
the beauty of its colour her glory in heaven.
Mary is the beautiful Lily who looks down from her high throne upon
all other flowers, and sees them inferior to herself.--_St. John
Damascen._
The difference between material and spiritual rose-trees is this, that
in the former, the roses fade and the thorns remain; whilst, in the
latter, the thorns pass away and the roses remain.--_St. Francis of
Sales._