Apocalypse 11:19; 12:1, 10
And the temple of God was opened in heaven; and the ark of His testament was seen in His temple, and there were lightnings and voices, and an earthquake and great hail. And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: Now is come salvation and strength and the Kingdom of our God and the power of His Christ.
Haydock
Apocalypse 11
Verse 19. The temple of God was opened…. the ark of his testament was seen; which P. Alleman applies to the cross that appeared in the air to Constantine. Such applications may be probable, but cannot be called certain. Wi.
Apocalypse 12
Verse 1. A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet. By this woman, interpreters commonly understand the Church of Christ, shining with the light of faith, under the protection of the sun of justice, Jesus Christ. The moon, the Church, hath all changeable things of this world under her feet, the affections of the faithful being raised above them all. — A woman: the Church of God. It may also, by allusion, be applied to our blessed Lady. The Church is clothed with the sun, that is, with Christ: she hath the moon, that is, the changeable things of the world, under her feet; and the twelve stars with which she is crowned, are the twelve apostles: she is in labour and pain, whilst she brings forth her children, and Christ in them, in the midst of afflictions and persecutions. Ch. — Under the figure of a woman and of a dragon, are represented the various attempts of Satan to undermine the Church. — On her head… twelve stars, her doctrine being delivered by the twelve apostles and their successors. Wi.
Verse 10-12. Now is come salvation… rejoice, O ye heavens. The blessed in heaven rejoice for the victories of the faithful on earth, and also for the reward and glory which would shortly be given them in heaven. Wi. — Wo to the earth, &c. Both Pastorini and Calmet refer this wo to the persecution of Dioclesian. The dragon, the devil, is more irritated than ever against the Christians; he therefore stimulates the pagans to exercise their utmost cruelty against them, knowing that a Christian emperor (Constantine) would in a short time extend the reign of Jesus Christ over the whole world.