Part III : The Crown of Goodness : Chapter 7 : § 5.43-47

Chapter 7 : The Sixth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Goodness of the MOTHER OF GOD

She is a true model of generosity towards her children

Continuing our translation of the 1845 reprint of Fr François Poiré’s Triple Crown of the Mother of God (1643 French edition).

Notre Dame des Grâces, Cotignac (Poggi, 2020)

§ 5. The Gratitude of the Mother of God towards certain Kings, Queens and other Rulers

Charles IV

 43   Charles IV, the current Duke, follows in this as in many other things the piety of his fathers and the same Congregation I referred to earlier is greatly honoured to see the Duke taking part in the devotions that it organises. It is simply not possible to see him opening his heart before the Virgin’s altar without being affected by his reverence and his sincerity. From this I am quite confident that, just as she has thus far protected him in the midst of many trials, so she will continue to do so in the future, adding still more éclat to the great qualities with which he has been favoured by Heaven.    

Philip the Good

 44   Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy and of Brabant, Count of Flanders and Artois, had a heart totally given over to serving the Queen of the World. He has left so much evidence in the Church of Notre-Dame de Hault[1] as to put the matter beyond any doubt. Consider the following irreproachable examples of the heartfelt devotion of this Prince towards the Holy Virgin : the silver-gilt statue of the Virgin in the middle of the altar, wearing a crown of solid gold and adorned with large pearls surrounding a beautiful ruby; the twelve Apostles in silver; two Angels holding candlesticks, all in silver; two silver figures representing the Duke, one showing him on horseback and the other on foot; to similar figures of solid gold ; and the golden lamp burning before the miraculous image of Our Lady. The learned Lipsius[2], who collated the miracles of Notre-Dame de Hault, observed that the Holy Virgin knew well enough how to repay so many signs of affection. Amongst other favours she granted, she obtained for him the grace of rallying and reuniting all the Provinces in the Low Countries.

Footnotes

[1] This seems to refer to Our Lady of Hal (Halle), a Church known today as the Basilica of St Martin, home to the Black Madonna of Hal(le).

[2] Justus Lipsius (1547-1606). See New Advent article which includes a reference to his writings on the miracles of Our Lady of Hal (1604).

Archduke Albert

 45   The devotion of this Prince towards Our Lady of Hal calls to mind that of his Serene Highness the Archduke Albert, Prince of the Low Countries, who died in Brussels in 1621. He would often go to offer his prayers to Our Lady of Hal in that Church and the beautiful silver lamp which he brought in to burn in perpetuity before the image of the Virgin will serve for centuries to come as a mark of the love and devotion he had for her. His heart, however, was perhaps moved even more by his devotion to Our Lady of Montaigu[1] and it is not surprising that he left in her Church further signs of his piety and his generosity. 

Not only did he build the chapel where this miraculous image is housed but he furnished it and decorated it so richly That you would say that he gave to this church  The most precious things from the inheritance, whether in jewels or ornaments, That he had received from two emperors, Rudolf and Matthias, his brothers. Those who have seen these magnificent presents declare that there are several priceless items of inestimable beauty. For several years before his death, he never missed making a novena each year in front of the holy image, full ways leaving some signs of Royal largesse after he had finished his devotions. When he was required to abandon the robes of Cardinal which had worn for some time, it was in this Chapel that he donned the sacred purple, girding himself with a baldric, declaring that he was changing his status only for the greater service of the Church. He  prayed that his holy Mother would support him now that he had taken on the mantle of Duke and the government of his provinces just as much as she had done when he wore the mozzetta and the rochet. 

In fact no one could deny that the Virgin, ever grateful for services she receives, contributed greatly to make him one of the greatest Princes in a long time. He was outstanding in his justice, his courage, his piety, his wisdom and in all the other qualities that would cause him to be remembered tenderly as a Christian Prince uniquely beloved of his people and respected by strangers.

Footnotes

[1] Known today as the Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel (Belgium). 

 46   It would be a never ending task if I were to try and provide examples here of all those Princes who distinguished themselves in this devotion and who experienced for themselves that it is one of the most blessed and beneficial that God has given to his Church. The little I have already said should suffice to give an idea of what graces and favours they received in return for their devotion. 

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

© Peter Bloor