Chapter 4 : The Third Star or Splendour of the Crown of Goodness of the MOTHER OF GOD
She is a source of Favour for her children
Continuing our translation of the 1845 reprint of Fr François Poiré’s Triple Crown of the Mother of God (1643 French edition).
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| Notre Dame des Grâces, Cotignac (Poggi, 2020) |
§ 4. The tenderness with which the MOTHER OF GOD caresses her Favoured children : the third effect of her Favour
St Bridget
11 Who has ever heard the like of the sweet feelings blessed St Bridget[1] felt on Christmas Eve?
Suddenly she felt deep within her heart an indescribable joy, accompanied by what felt like the movements of a tiny infant within her ; this movement carried on for so long that, to reassure herself that it was not an illusion, she allowed a number of spiritual and devout people to see and feel the movements for themselves.
The Mother of goodness appeared to her at the time of the third Mass and told her she should have no fears that this was a trick of Satan for it had nothing to do with him. She explained that it was a favour that she herself had granted to Bridget so that she might share in the joys with which her own heart had been filled when she conceived the divine Word. She also wanted her to know that, just as this extraordinary joy had suddenly flooded into Bridget’s heart without her expecting it, the holy Virgin had felt in the same way (after the words of the Angel) a living and divine mystery moving within her, causing her an exultation unknown to any other apart from God and herself.
Footnotes
[1] Revelat., lib. VI, c. 88.
St. Agnes of Montepulciano
12 Whatever may be claimed on behalf of favour received in this world, it is of necessity short-lived compared with that of heaven. All the sweet benefits claimed by earthly favourites would in fact be considered sour in comparison with what was experienced once by the Blessed St Agnes of Montepulciano.
The following event took place on the eve of the Assumption when Agnes was praying in deep contemplation of the joys of the most sacred Virgin’s triumph[1]. She included in her fervent prayers a request to the MOTHER OF GOD for permission to see her beloved Son and her request was granted immediately; for the Holy Virgin appeared to her with a radiant countenance, such as it was when she brought forth the word Incarnate, and she placed Him in the arms of Agnes. This filled the chaste heart of the dear Virgin with feelings of such sweetness that she would have been unable to bear them if the Mother of goodness had not given her the strength. Eventually she had to return the precious bundle to His Mother, but not without being allowed to retain certain marks serving to prove that she had been in receipt of such a favour ; for she kept a beautiful Cross that the infant Jesus had placed around her neck and this can still be seen to this day, in confirmation of such a great miracle, when it is displayed on the first of May.
Footnotes
[1] Revelat., lib. VI, c. 88.
Blessed Eustochium
13 Whilst we are discussing this particular sort of favour, I have two more examples which concern what happened to two Dominican sisters. The first[1] was the Blessed Eustochium, who died in 15O8.
While she was bedridden as a result of a long and difficult illness, this Saint experienced a strong yearning to see the Infant Jesus. For three whole days she asked her most immaculate Mother to grant her this favour. At the end of the three days, she was led in the spirit to a poor little house where she saw the Infant Jesus lying on some hay and His holy Mother kneeling before Him in adoration. The joy she felt did not stop with being given sight of this scene, for the Holy Virgin placed the little Infant in her hands and she was allowed to kiss Him and to cradle Him. As an additional favour, she was also allowed to embrace the Mother of the Infant Jesus for a considerable time. She later explained that this experience had so affected her that she thought she would not be able to live any longer if she had not been transported back to her bed. Thenceforth, if anyone ever asked what the infant Jesus and his blessed Mother were like, all she could say was that they were both so beautiful and pleasing that no words in the world would be able to describe them.
Footnotes
[1] Chronicon Ordinis.
Blessed Lucy of Narni
14 The second was blessed Lucy[1] who died in the city of Narni in Italy, in 1545.
This girl was only five years old when one day, while she was in Church, she saw an image of the Holy Virgin who was holding her Son in her arms. She gazed at the image for such a long time that her heart was overcome with love. The Mother of love was looking at the little girl attentively and asked if she would like to hold her little Infant. No sooner had Lucy replied in the affirmative than she found that little Jesus had been placed in her arms. He was so handsome and attractive that she could not take her eyes away from Him and when she left the Church she was still carrying this little treasure of heaven and earth. All those who saw her were filled with wonder that such a little girl should be carrying such a lovely child, and they were anxious that because of her age she might let Him fall. There was no reason to fear on this account, however, for He who supports all things in creation was strong enough to support Himself. She arrived back at her home with her precious bundle which she would cradle and caress on her bed for the space of three whole days, to the utter astonishment of all those in the household. It was noticed that during these three days the little Infant was missing from the image of the Virgin but afterwards He returned invisibly to His Mother.
Footnotes
[1] Chronicon Ordinis.
Blessed Angela of Foligno
15 Something very similar occurred to Blessed Angela of Foligno[1] on the Feast of the Purification.
The glorious Virgin appeared to Angela carrying her precious little baby in her arms just as she had once done when making the journey to Jerusalem to present Him in the Temple. Then, as if worn out and weary from the journey, she sat down and handed her dear Son to Blessed Angela, who nursed Him close to her heart. On the one hand, she was overwhelmed at seeing the majestic beauty and royal comportment of the MOTHER OF GOD; on the other, the little Infant she held caused her such joy and contentment as almost to take her breath away. For a while, she saw Him naked, deep in a sweet and gracious sleep and she was worried lest she disturbed Him ; but shortly after, He opened His divine eyes that sparkled more brightly than stars. The adorable Majesty of His little face was such that she could no longer be in any doubt that there was a God hidden in this tiny body. The little Babe looked at the Blessed Angela for a long time with a gaze so gentle and piercing that she felt her soul was being drawn from her body. Finally, He revealed He had come to offer Himself to her so that she might dedicate herself to Him – which she instantly did with her whole soul and with a heart transported by love.
Footnotes
[1] Chronicon Ordinis.
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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
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