Part III : The Crown of Goodness : Chapter 11 : § 1.1-2

Chapter 11 : The Tenth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Goodness of the MOTHER OF GOD

She is the Consolation of the Afflicted

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)

There is nothing which touches mothers to the quick more effectively than children’s tears, and there is nothing with more power to move the heart of the MOTHER OF GOD than an afflicted spirit. Just as being in this condition renders us more worthy of compassion, so too it marks the point at which the Mother of the afflicted is most inclined to show her sensitive nature.

§ 1. The MOTHER OF GOD  is the Consolation of the afflicted 

 1   Consider the effect which an eclipse has on the sun, green wood on a fire, stormy winds on the air, tempests on the sea, illness on the body, frost on plants, cankers on fruit, rust on metal, or moths on wool and linen – these will give you an idea of the effect of sorrow and affliction upon the spirit, causing a paralysis of the soul’s rational faculties. It is the dark night of the understanding and, for as long as it persists, a person does not know what he is doing nor even where he is going, but he feels surrounded by darkness and takes fright at everything. This acedia disables the will so effectively that it remains unable to move and has no inclination whatsoever for the good. It is like a consumption of the heart, pushing a person to his limits and leaving him like a dying candle, so to speak, with a sputtering flame. His febrile imagination conjures up thousands of fantasies and grotesque shapes in the air, wishing to pass off as infallible truth that which never was and never shall be. It is a debauching of the sensitive appetite which, detecting that reason has been disabled, throws over the traces like a runaway horse, given full rein to every disordered inclination. The passions become like like raging winds which blow hither and thither, exerting total control over the poor soul which is like a ship tossed mercilessly by the waves and the tempests. For this is a time when temptations attack and overwhelm the heart whilst it is powerless and drained of courage. Having almost no feelings for God or spiritual things, the heart is on the contrary aroused and consumed by desires for base and earthly things. This is a spiritual sickness which makes a person disgusted with all things that are good but brings before his senses all those evil things which people normally find repulsive and which we shall not mention here. This is a time of rejoicing by our invisible enemies who, being essentially spirits of darkness, are never more successful than when operating under cover of night. 

 2   This was the state of the holy man Job who prayed[1] the day would perish wherein he was born and not be counted in the days of the year; and the night of his conception should be spoken of only as a time of dark misfortune. It was also the state of poor Moses[2] who, when faced with the seditious words of his people, told God that his life was hanging by a thread; and of the valiant Samson[3] when pursued relentlessly by Dalila who would not allow him a moment’s peace and brought him within an inch of death. It was also the state of the venerable Tobias[4] when he asked God to receive his spirit in peace which had been overwhelmed with woes and tribulations; of Jonas[5] when he complained about his life and wished his final hour had come; and of Elias[6] when he sat under the juniper tree and prayed earnestly that God would take him out of the world; and of the devout Ezechias when he turned his face to the wall[7] next to his bed after hearing the sad news that the Prophet had brought him; and of the indefatigable Saint Paul when he said he had been pressed out of measure above his strength, so that he was weary even of life[8]. This is the state for which the wise Sirach[9] tells us to prepare ourselves when in prosperity so that we may profit therefrom. It is the state for which David has loving recourse to God, begging him[10] not to cast him off in the time of old age, when his strength shall fail. It is that state where we shall need everything heaven can give us and where the help provided will be truly appreciated. 

Footnotes

[1] See Job. iii. generally, and in particular: After this Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day, And he said: Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said: A man child is conceived. Let a darksome whirlwind seize upon that night, let it not be counted in the days of the year, nor numbered in the months. (verses 1-3 & 6] 

[2] Exod. iii. 

[3] Judges xvi.

[4] And now, O Lord, do with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace: for it is better for me to die, than to live. Tob. iii. 6.

[5] And now, O Lord, I beseech thee take my life from me: for it is better for me to die than to live. Jon. iv. 3.

[6] And when he was there, and sat under a juniper tree, he requested for his soul that he might die, and said: It is enough for me, Lord, take away my soul: for I am no better than my fathers. 3 Kings (1 Kings) xix. 4.

[7] 4th Book of Kings (2 Kings) xx. 1-3.

[8] For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, of our tribulation, which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure above our strength, so that we were weary even of life. 2 Cor. i. 8.

[9] Eccli. (Sirach) i.

[10] Cast me not off in the time of old age: when my strength shall fail, do not thou forsake me. Psal. LXX. 9.

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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 2025

Part III : The Crown of Goodness : Chapter 10 : § 4.3-5

Chapter 10 : The Ninth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Goodness of the MOTHER OF GOD

She is her children’s Teacher

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)

§ 4. The love shown by the Holy Virgin in correcting her children : the third office of her teaching role

 3   It is easy for the human mind to be overwhelmed when trying to take in the wondrous goodness and exceptional generosity of this beneficent Mother, along with the ways her love finds of correcting her children in a gentle but nevertheless effective manner. The pious Cæsarius tells the following story[1]: 

There was a young Cistercian monk called Christian who had a singular devotion to the Queen of Heaven. One evening, after the conclusion of Matins, he fell asleep on the altar steps and the Holy Mother appeared and touched him gently with her mantle, saying: 

“Christian, this place is not meant for sleeping but for praying.”

In the life of St Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury in England,  We read of the following incident: 

When he was still young, he promised to recite the prayer O intermarata[2] every day in honour of the most Holy Virgin, but one day he allowed himself to be so carried away by his love of study that he forgot about this daily tribute that he paid to his dear Mother. He did not get away with this fault for very long because that very night, bearing an express commission from her whom he loved so tenderly, St John the Evangelist came to him like an angry teacher carrying a cane. He pointed out the sin of omission that Edmund had committed and then raised the cane as though he was going to beat him ; but he stayed his arm, being content merely to strike fear into Edmund and warning him gravely that he must never in future forget his daily devotions, for whatever reason.     

It is related of the pious Thomas à Kempis that:

Whilst he was still a young monk, he had made it his custom to recite certain prayers daily to the most glorious Virgin, for whom he had a special devotion. One day he failed to say these prayers and he later saw his dear Mother doing the rounds of the dormitory to visit her beloved children and giving them the kiss of peace. Whilst he was waiting for his turn to come, he noticed that she passed him by, tacitly reproaching him for his forgetfulness and neglect. He was so mortified by this experience that never in his life did he again omit the duties he had promised to the Mother of fair love. 

I have no idea what fault it was that blessed Saint Mechtilde had committed but what I do know is :

that the Queen of Angels, her devoted Teacher, once appeared to her with an angry look on her face and wielding a golden whip in her hand which she threatened to use if she ever fell into this sin again. She wanted her to understand that if she did indeed correct her children it was nevertheless done out of love and charity, symbolised by the gold ; she took no pleasure whatsoever in causing them suffering but her aim was simply for them to amend their lives.

 

Footnotes

[1] Lib. IV, c. 11.

[2] O Intemerata was a very popular prayer during the Middle Ages and was invariably found in any Book of the Hours. The earliest known texts are from the 12th century, though it may have been composed earlier. For text, see Treasury of Latin Prayers. 

 4   All things being considered, however, I think we shall find no lesson more gentle than the one she gave to her beloved Herman Joseph of Steinfeld[1], whom we mentioned earlier[2]. 

During the time when he held the office of sacristan in the Monastery, thieves broke in secretly by night and having obtained what they wanted they then made off. This caused Herman to be so consumed by anxiety that the fear he had they might return and do worse things not only deprived him of his sleep but also made him forget his customary devotions. One night as he was keeping watch, he heard a noise and immediately ran to the gates of the Monastery. There all he saw was a poor woman dressed very plainly and, being afraid that she had been waylaid by the thieves who had then made off, he asked her who she was. She replied that for a long time she had been the guardian of the Monastery. Herman recognised from the voice that this was his dear Mother and this brought him indescribable joy but what astonished him was seeing her as an old woman, wrinkled and showing the signs of great age. Seeking to understand what this could mean, he asked what was signified by this change in her face and appearance. Here is what the Virgin replied to him 

“In thy heart and mind now I am just such a one as thou dost see me here – faded and withered like a dying flower. Of what I once was, there remaineth but a faint memory of the beauty and freshness which formerly lit up my countenance at that time when thou wast wont to greet me a thousand times each day and when thou wast so fervent in my service and didst converse so affectionately with me.”

Poor Herman was taken aback by this reproach and sought to lay the blame on the exceptional efforts he had been forced to take in order to safeguard the Monastery; but she quickly left him in no doubt that these were lame excuses which were completely untenable in view of the long experience he had of her fidelity. From this he should have learned that he had no better means of protection against thieves than by praying for her help and commending all things to her with his usual trust. These words were enough to re-awaken the devotion of this devout servant of the Virgin and it would be impossible to describe just how much he gained from this warning he had received which renewed in him a desire to please her from whom he had received so many blessings.

Footnotes

[1] Surius, in ejus Vita.

[2] Ch. 4. § 4. 

 5   Will you not join me, dear readers, in admiring the love and heartfelt affection of our Holy Mother? Would you not wish to be numbered amongst those chosen by Heaven to publish abroad the loving ways in which this Virgin Mother’s heart grants blessings and favours to her children on a daily basis? Do you not experience new feelings of love within your soul towards her who acquits herself so perfectly in her office of Teacher, giving lessons to her children with such tender affection, providing them with exercises and tests in such an adept manner and correcting them with such gentleness? Do you not feel impelled to serve her with renewed fervour, joining the ranks of those on whom she lavishes her most special care? 

I am going to conclude our discussion by applying to her the words which the pious St Bernard has left us in praise of charity, for they suit her perfectly, granted that she is none other than the Mother and Teacher of holy Love. 

What a good Mother the Virgin is to her children. Whether she is showing patience with the weaker ones, testing the more advanced or dealing with those who need correction, it is always with the same Motherly heart that she carries out these different offices. Her remonstrations are good-natured, her nurturing is candid, her chastisement is amicable, her gentleness is genuine, her anger is measured and her reprimands are without arrogance. 

In fulfilling our duties towards her, may we show ourselves to be her true children and good pupils, just as she shows herself to us as a true Mother and a good teacher.  

[End of Chapter 10]

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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 2025

Part III : The Crown of Goodness : Chapter 10 : § 4.1-2

Chapter 10 : The Ninth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Goodness of the MOTHER OF GOD

She is her children’s Teacher

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)

§ 4. The love shown by the Holy Virgin in correcting her children : the third office of her teaching role

 1   You should not find the use of the word correction strange since the Great Apostle St Paul declares[1] that those who do not receive correction from their father and mother do not deserve the title of sons; and that one way of being disowned and disinherited is seeking to avoid being subject to the punishment which is the natural lot of children. After bearing witness[2] to the outstanding virtue of Moses, Aaron and Samuel, priests of the most high, and after noting that God granted them everything they asked for, David later added that to the extent they were remiss in any of their duties he would call them to account on the spot and not overlook a single one. This is how they wonderful St Augustine understands the words of the Royal Prophet when he says: O Lord our God: thou wast a merciful God to them, and taking vengeance on all their inventions[3]. I grant you that the Holy Virgin is always a Mother, but with this maternal spirit she does not omit to reprove her children when they err and to correct them when they deserve it. In this, she shows herself to be incomparably better as a Mother than by turning a blind eye to their failings and through this cowardly connivance maintaining their faults and imperfections. This calls to mind something I read in the life of St Catherine of Siena[4]:

One day she was explaining to the friend of her Confessor (blessed Fr Raymond) how she had been receiving a particular grace from heaven when she paused briefly and looked towards a friar she knew who was passing by at that moment. St Paul reproved her severely for this, on the instruction of the MOTHER OF GOD who was present, and Catherine was so overwhelmed with shame and confusion that she was for a time unable to speak another word. Later she would say that there was no punishment in this life which she would not endure more willingly than to receive such a reproach again.

Footnotes

[1] For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth; and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Persevere under discipline. God dealeth with you as with his sons; for what son is there, whom the father doth not correct? But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are made partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. Hebr. xii. 6-8.

[2] Moses and Aaron among his priests: and Samuel among them that call upon his name. They called upon the Lord, and he heard them: Psal. XCVIII. 6.

[3] Psal. XCVIII. 8. inventions is the Douay-Rheims translation of the Vulgate’s adinventiones, for which the RSV-CE has wrongdoings.

[4] pp 130-132 in Ch. V of The Life of St Catherine of Siena by her Confessor Blessed Raymond of Capua.

 8   It would be difficult to describe how another St Catherine[1], the daughter of St Bridget, benefited from the reprimand she received from the Holy Mother. 

She had left her country to go and see her mother who was in Italy at the service of Our Lord and whilst there she learned of the death of her husband. They had both taken vows to preserve their virginity in marriage and events were to show that this was to prove of great benefit.  Henceforth she placed herself at her mother’s service and was an inseparable companion on all her journeys, deriving no mean benefit from this experience. 

It is rare, however for pious plans to be formulated which do not attract the attention of the old enemy and this case was no exception since he quickly applied himself to thwarting Catherine’s holy intentions. Her mother used to go out frequently in order to visit the holy sites in Rome and to visit the Station Churches. This meant that she was forced to leave Catherine in their lodgings, fearing she might be subjected to the unwelcome attentions from men exploiting the absence of the Popes who were at that time based in Avignon. The cunning Serpent made use of this opportunity and one day, when St Bridget had left to carry out her customary devotions, he inveigled himself into Catherine’s soul with such evil artifice and skill that he seemed on the point of successfully ensnaring her. He painted a vivid picture of how she was living the life of a slave, with no opportunity to practise exercises of piety in the way others were doing with such spiritual benefit to themselves and which she could herself be doing if she were only in her own country. These dark thoughts and feelings seized her mind and heart, and plunging her into such a gloomy and stubborn silence that St Bridget could hardly get a word out of her when she came back. She decided to allow this tempest of sadness to run its course and this played no little part in restoring Catherine’s peace of mind. She fell into a sudden slumber and felt that she was surrounded on all sides by fire, the only place free from the blaze being a little corner where the MOTHER OF GOD was standing. Catherine immediately prayed to her, imploring her help in this her hour of need. The Holy Virgin’s countenance, however, had a stern aspect and she said that she did not want anything to do with someone so cowardly as Catherine who had returned to her country notwithstanding the solemn promises that she had made to the contrary. She was scorning the advice of her own dear mother, of her spiritual director and of all those who were concerned for her own good.

Just as sometimes lancing boils can bring relief to sufferers, restoring them to full health, so too in this case the words of reproval spoken by the Holy Virgin to Catherine in her gloomy state did her so much good that she suddenly knelt at the feet of the Mother of fair love, humbly begging her pardon and promising to do what she wanted. The Virgin made use of this wonderful opportunity to remonstrate with her regarding her fault, enjoining her to present herself to her mother and her confessor by way of satisfaction, and exhorting her to to show more courage henceforth in resisting temptations. Catherine obeyed these instructions so perfectly that, after reconciling herself with her mother and her spiritual director, she made a vow of perpetual obedience in the presence of her confessor and promised God and the Holy Virgin that she would never abandon her mother. This proved to be of great benefit to her since her mother served as a true model of virtue for her and guided her on the path to perfect holiness.     

Footnotes

[1] Surius, in ejus Vita, mense Martii.

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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 2025

Part III : The Crown of Goodness : Chapter 10 : § 3.7-8

Chapter 10 : The Ninth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Goodness of the MOTHER OF GOD

She is her children’s Teacher

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)

§ 3. The Holy Virgin’s second office as Teacher : training her children how to put into practice what they learn

St Gertrude

 7   St Gertrude herself writes[1] of the day when Our Lord gave her to understand that for her greater spiritual profit she would be visited by certain tribulations, whereupon she suddenly felt assaulted by temptations undermining her trust and filling her with doubts. The Saviour then appeared in person to give her strength and encouragement, presenting as her Teacher and Mother the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of Mercy. He told her that as soon as she felt anxious in her heart or that she was being assailed by some adversity she had only to throw herself into her Mother’s arms where she would not fail to obtain comfort and assistance. 

She was to experience this on several occasions, one of which in particular stands out. It was around the time of the Feast of Saint Bartholomew when she was surprised to find herself under attack and she felt as though she had been plunged into a brackish and turbulent ocean of sadness and darkness. She quickly had recourse to her dear Mother who, at the end of Compline on Saturday when the customary antiphon was being chanted, caused the dark cloud that had enveloped her to melt away and Gertrude’s heart was filled with heavenly joy.

On another occasion[2] she was extremely ill and was, moreover, so lacking in spiritual resilience that she felt nothing could prevent her from sinking into a deep abyss of sorrow. She prayed about this to the Blessed Virgin who immediately appeared to her, saying  

“Dearest daughter, I can tell thee that just as thou hast never suffered so grievously in either body or spirit, so too thou hast never been so well disposed to receive the extraordinary graces that my beloved Son is resolved to grant thee. He will give thee to understand most clearly how it was not without reason that He prepared thy spirit to receive His inestimable gifts through the harsh treatment He permitted thy body to suffer.” 

I knew a beautiful soul who had such a close rapport with the most sacred Virgin that, even amidst the powerful trials which God sent to test her virtue and patience in suffering, she never failed to feel a certain forewarning by means of an interior prompting which sounded like an alarm clock, so to speak, preparing her heart for what was to come. I have no doubt whatsoever that if our own hearts were faithful and well disposed we too would be able to hear the voice of her who calls upon us to take up the Cross ourselves and who, with an indescribable love, provides us with opportunities to embrace the Cross and acquire thereby a great store of merits. 

Footnotes

[1] Revelat., lib. III, c. 1.

[2] Thomas Cantipratensis, in ejus Vita, 16 Junii.

 8   What, my soul? Do these considerations not instil thee with courage to detach thyself from the ties of this mortal body so as to soar into the heavens on the wings of thought and there realise the level of glory attained by the children of the MOTHER OF GOD, as a result of the way she put them to the test here on earth? Thou wilt be able to identify them easily enough amongst the others because they wear the livery of the Mother of goodness and thou wilt hear them singing along with the Royal Prophet a hymn of thanksgiving, saying: We have rejoiced for the days in which thou hast humbled us: for the years in which we have seen evils[1]. We have passed through fire and water, and thou hast brought us out into a refreshment[2] which we now enjoy. Thou shalt partake of the joy they receive from the memory of past trials and thou wilt join them in the paeans of happiness and the hymns of thanksgiving they offer up to the Queen of Heaven; for they been purified by her like gold tried in the furnace[3], being considered worthy to suffer something for God. Thou wilt behold these wonders and thy heart shall rejoice, blessing her who poureth down blessings upon her children and crowneth them with mercy. 

Footnotes

[1] Psal. LXXXIX 15.

[2] Psal. LXV 12.

[3] For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) ii. 5.

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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 2025

Part III : The Crown of Goodness : Chapter 10 : § 3.3-6

Chapter 10 : The Ninth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Goodness of the MOTHER OF GOD

She is her children’s Teacher

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)

§ 3. The Holy Virgin’s second office as Teacher : training her children how to put into practice what they learn

Saint Lutgarde

 3   In this connection, I recall the case of Blessed St Lutgard, a native of Tongres in Brabant, a young lady of the highest virtue who had chosen a spouse in heaven[1] rather than the one proposed for her in this world. She placed herself at the service of God in St Catherine’s Monastery under the rule of St Benedict. The Virgin Mother had drawn Lutgarde to join her son’s retinue but provided a stiff test for her right at the beginning of her calling. 

The Sisters in the Monastery had noticed she displayed signs of extraordinary virtue but instead of profiting from her example they took it as an opportunity to attack her in various ways. They scornfully referred to her as the Fervent one and the Holy one ; they told her she would not be able to continue without falling away from the brave start she had made because she had been too impetuous and this meant she would soon become weary. Since she was truly humble, these and other similar comments made her feel anxious that the predictions made by the Sisters might come true and in the end she would fall away from her initial fervour. Finding herself gripped by this fear, she turned to the glorious Virgin who was quick to console her and tell her that she should not worry unduly about their words which would disappear like smoke in the wind. Not only would she never look back, but from from now on she would make progress daily along the path of Virtue and this is exactly what happened. 

Footnotes

[1] Thomas Cantipratensis, in ejus Vita, 16 Junii.

Blessed Margaret of Savoy

 4   Blessed Margaret of Savoy, Marchioness of Montferrat, had a great devotion to the Holy Virgin.  

One day she was experiencing terrible pain from the gout and she prayed earnestly to God that He might mitigate her suffering. The Blessed Virgin appeared to her and told her it was her Son’s will and her own that she should carry this cross until the end of her life. These words brought about such a change of heart in Margaret that henceforth she was never heard to utter a single word of complaint about her condition. If perchance anyone asked her how she was keeping, she would reply: 

“Very well, since God’s will is being accomplished in me.” 

 Something was to happen, however, which enabled her to see that it was not through want of love that she was being treated in this way but that it was for her greater good. Her niece, who had married the King of Cyprus, had fallen dangerously ill and Margaret prayed for her recovery. In response to her prayers, the Holy Virgin generously granted her niece that which she had refused when Margaret had asked the same for herself. 

We could never realise how much our sufferings can be pleasing to Heaven if we did not have irrefutable evidence in the lives of nearly all the Saints.

St Lidwina

 5   Blessed St Lidwina had already undergone seventeen long years of painful suffering when by way of consolation she experienced the following vision. 

It was around the feast of St Thomas when, being raised in the spirit, she saw a group of Angels placing the instruments of the Passion on the bed where she lay. Shortly after this, she saw the Saviour arrive accompanied by His glorious Mother. At first, He appeared to her in the form of a little child but almost in an instant He changed into a fully grown man. Then she saw Him on the Cross, with blood streaming from wounds all over His body. Whilst the servant of God was contemplating and wondering at this change, the Saviour imprinted the wounds of His sacred body within her. Once that had been done, the most sacred Virgin gathered with her own hands the instruments of the Passion, kissed them lovingly and offered them to St Lidwina to do the same. The vision then came to an end, leaving the Saint’s heart with a renewed desire to suffer and to offer her life like a Phoenix consumed in the flames of divine Love.

Footnotes

[1] 1 Cor. ix. 25.

[2] Matt. vi. 20.

[3] Exod. ii. 6-10.

Henry de Castus

 6   Henry[1] was a devout member of the Order of St Dominic and whilst he was at prayer in his cell one day,

suddenly his candle went out. At the same time, he was surrounded by radiant light and heard a woman’s voice calling to him. Totally taken aback, he cried out: 

“Dear Lord what is this I am hearing?”

Then the Holy Virgin spoke to him saying 

“I am Mary, the Mother of Jesus.”

Henry, more astonished than ever, knelt down before her, saying: 

“Dearest Lady! Since it is thee, do thou show me thy fair countenance.”

To which the Virgin replied: 

“Henri, my dear son, thou art still but a child; I prithee continue to grow and then thou shalt see me.”

After this visitation, he was put to the test by suffering in various different ways – which is what the MOTHER OF GOD had meant when she said he was still a child. On one particular day he was struck by such a violent heart attack that he thought he would die and he immediately became aware of a host of demons. They were surging around him and screaming out as loudly as they could, without daring to touch him: 

“Thou art ours; thou art coming with us!”

Poor Henry. overcome with terror, defended himself to the utmost of his power but his enemies simply redoubled their assault and cried out unceasingly :

“It’s all over for thou art ours, and thou art coming with us!”

This oppressive attack seemed to go on for a long time until finally Henry, more dead than alive, summoned the help of the Queen of Angels. She finally came to him radiant with resplendent light – which had the effect of a bolt of lightning upon the hideous demons who had been attacking him and they all fled, whereupon the Holy Virgin said to him:

“It is I; be not afraid[2].”

Henri asked why her beloved Son had permitted him to be treated in this way and she replied: 

“With this little that thou has suffered, everything God found displeasing in thee hath been purified, like unto gold in a furnace. When men leave thee in peace, then demons will put thee to the test; but do thou be of good heart for the end is drawing nigh and thou wilt soon be with me.”

Footnotes

[1] Henri de Castus seems to be Henry Suso (1295 – 1366) who was a German Dominican friar known for his extreme mortifications and author of the phrase Suffering is a short pain and a long joy : see Ch. XIII.: “On The Immeasurable Dignity of Temporal Suffering” in his work: A Little Book of Eternal Wisdom (Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd, 1910)

[2] Cf. Ego sum, nolite timere: John vi. 20.

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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 2025

Part III : The Crown of Goodness : Chapter 10 : § 3.1-2

Chapter 10 : The Ninth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Goodness of the MOTHER OF GOD

She is her children’s Teacher

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)

§ 3. The Holy Virgin’s second office as Teacher : training her children how to put into practice what they learn

 1   Saint Ambrose wrote about the action of Salome, mother of St John and St James, when she prayed the Saviour would respond favourably to her sons’ request (which she considered perfectly natural[1]).The Saint found the most obvious explanation of her presumption was the strength of her motherly love.  

Just remember, he says, that it is a mother who is speaking here and take into account the maternal feelings which would be natural to her.  

In truth, there is a great difference between the love of fathers and mothers, as the moral philosopher Seneca quite rightly observes ; for fathers get their children up early in the morning and they scarcely let them off even on feast days; they make them work until they are ready to drop and do not react unduly if they start to cry. Mothers, on the other hand, always want to have their children with them, cradling them on their laps; if it were up to them, they would never feel the wind or the sun; they simply cannot bear to see them looking sad or to hear them crying; and they are always anxious that they may be working too hard.        

It is true that there are foolish mothers, perhaps a great number of them, but it is nevertheless possible to find wise ones and we are not wanting examples of many valiant ladies who have replaced weak feminine qualities with true and courageous traits aiming for the good of their children and who have not made a big issue of the effort they would have to make in order to acquire virtue. Indeed, they have gone so far as encouraging and exhorting them to scorn this passing and ephemeral life and exchange it for an eternal one, by means of various trials which are in fact quite short lived. These may be considered true mothers and also doubly mothers, in the sense that they are both physical and spiritual mothers. St Cyprian gives them salutary words of advice when he asks them to remember that:

Practice is hope’s custodian, providing a firm foundation for faith, a light for the path of salvation, food and upkeep for a good nature and proficiency in the virtues. 

Clement of Alexandria says no less in the following wise words:  

Those who seek only to make their children happy actually have little love for them. Those, on the contrary, who display a certain strictness do so in truth to obtain lasting benefits for them. God Himself has a tender love for us but does not hesitate to take away from us some fleeting pleasure in order to put us in possession of a happiness which is eternal.  

Seneca, the philosopher whom I cited earlier , puts it very well when he says: 

When it comes to his dearest children, God has the heart of a true father and loves them dearly. Just as he wants them to make excellent progress and acquire great accomplishment, so he does not hesitate to make them always work hard and be prepared to struggle to achieve their goals.  

Footnotes

[1] Matt. xx. 20-28.

 2   In imitation of the heavenly Father, the Holy Virgin shows herself to be a most perfect Mother when it comes to the training she gives to her true children. She prefers to see them working for a short period of time rather than suffering from hunger throughout eternity. She encourages them put up with tiredness in consideration of the rest and repose without end that may be theirs. The more she cherishes them, the more she urges them to work; the more she encourages them in the exercise of piety, the more she presents them with opportunities of suffering; the more she tests their courage, the more she sharpens their virtue – for she understands very well that through these means she will be doubling their crowns[1] and multiplying the treasures they are laying up for themselves in heaven[2]. This is what she revealed one day to blessed Saint Bridget by way of a simple comparison. 

Just as Pharaoh’s daughter, Our Lady said, tenderly loved the child Moses whom she saw floating in his basket on the water[3], and the only thing that mattered was that he was not considered the son of that Princess and declared legitimate heir to the crown of Egypt; in the same way I am moved by feelings of care and concern towards those whom I see weeping bitter tears and in the midst of tribulations. These are the ones for whom I happily keep crowns in store and whom I advance in the favour of my beloved Son. 

Just as it is true that Pharaoh’s daughter found this tiny child to be so beautiful and did not have the heart to leave him to the waters and the risks of storms, in the same way the Mother of fair love cannot contemplate her dear children in the midst of distress and affliction without immediately taking them up into her arms, pressing them against her heart and giving them a kiss of peace. It is simply impossible for her to allow them to be subject to lengthy trials without giving them some refreshment. She is not saddened to see them weep for she collects their tears in order to present them to her Son; she rejoices when they suffer through being put to the test but she wipes away their perspiration with wondrous tenderness; with her own hands she places the Saviour’s yoke on their neck, but she helps to support its weight for fear that they might be overburdened. It pleases her to see them take up their Crosses, but she offers them glances of consolation as she passes them by, uttering a few words of encouragement worth more than any earthly sweetness. 

Footnotes

[1] 1 Cor. ix. 25.

[2] Matt. vi. 20.

[3] Exod. ii. 6-10.

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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 2025

Part III : The Crown of Goodness : Chapter 10 : § 2.7-8

Chapter 10 : The Ninth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Goodness of the MOTHER OF GOD

She is her children’s Teacher

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)

§ 2. The perfection of the Holy Virgin in the first of her offices: teaching her children

St Bridget

 7   Amongst all the examples that have come down to us, however, it would be difficult to find a person for whom the Holy Mother had served as Teacher in a more special way than she did in the case of St Bridget, as we learn from the book of her Revelations. From the beginnings of the spiritual life until the highest points of sublime perfection, there is nothing that she has not covered in her lessons to Bridget.  

She instructed her about :

    • the nature and characteristics of sin, and of the danger there is in retaining an affection, howsoever slight, for the least of these sins ;

    • the means by which the soul is purified;  

    • the patience needed when suffering from the absence of feelings that accompany consolation and devotion; and

    • the fruits of suffering and the various trials sent by God.  

She revealed a thousand beautiful secrets to her about :

    • right intention – which the soul must have in all things;

    • the love she must have for being truly poor in spirit; 

    • the high esteem she must have for obedience and the merit which comes from decisions ruled or moderated thereby; 

    • accepting the ill humours and imperfections of other people; 

    • rejection of perishable things and temptations to bodily pleasures;

    • distrust for the wisdom of this world, discernment of spirits, love of God, zeal for souls and every sort of virtue generally.   

She taught her how to receive communion in a holy manner and with profit ; how to defend herself against the snares of the invisible enemy, to profit others by her sound judgments and her salutary advice. 

She revealed to Bridget :

    • the wonders of the mysteries of the Virgin’s own life, and of her beloved Son’s life – especially those of His most bitter passion;

    • the love He has for the souls redeemed by His own blood;

    • the wondrous operations of His divine Providence, especially for people of goodwill, and how everything turnsw to their advantage; and

    • the workings of His mercy and of His justice.

To sum up, she enlightened her mind with countless beautiful revelations, of which even the least is worth more than all the knowledge naturally acquired in this life.

 8   But who will be able to describe the joy found in all this heavenly teaching ? Who will be able to understand the blessings and benefits enjoyed by those who have the honour of being admitted into the school of the MOTHER OF GOD, and of receiving her instruction every day, every hour and every instant? With good reason we might envy blessed St Francesca Romana, who was so close to her guardian Angel that he served her as a visible teacher and master, telling her when to get up, when to pray, when to take her meals, when to begin or conclude a particular activity for the glory of God, and how she was to conduct herself in all her actions. Such a favour, in fact, cannot perhaps be valued too highly, but do we think that Heaven would have been any less solicitous in the case of those who have the Holy Virgin for their Teacher and Guide?  I think that it would be greatly to their advantage, as I shall explain later, if she were to cut them off from these sensible consolations ; but are we to judge that she wishes them less well and labours with less love for their progress and salvation ? Let them simply reflect upon this for a moment, and I am confident that not a single day will pass by when their minds do not receive a thousand illuminations, and when their hearts are not inflamed with just as many desires to please God. Let them strive to be worthy of hearing the interior voice of her who is teaching them, and I swear that they will never have recourse to her in their necessities without receiving from her a sudden ray of light. Let them form the habit of going straight to her in all their needs and on my word I promise them that she will immediately come to their aid and they will see clearly the progress they can make in the study of virtue. Not that I wish to limit her teaching and guidance to virtue alone, as if there were no place for the acquisition of knowledge or for other activities – but it is altogether right and fitting for people who has the Queen of Heaven for their Mother to relate all their actions to virtue and to God, having for their one and only aim the greater glory of God. As for me, I am with Solomon and hold it for certain that there is neither sweetness nor wealth comparable to the joy of having for our Mother and for our Teacher her who is the Mother of Wisdom herself, to whom the Great St Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople, offers the following words of praise:  

Unless she opens the way for us it is impossible to become spiritual and to adore God in spirit, since man could never have really known what the spirit was until she had been made the abode of the Holy Spirit. 

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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 2025