Chapter 13 : The Twelfth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Goodness of the MOTHER OF GOD
She safeguards her children at the hour of death and provides them with their passport to Heaven
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) |
§ 2. How the Holy Virgin fortifies her children against their natural fear of death
Blessed Giacomo Bianconi
19 Our sixth example concerns Blessed Giacomo Bianconi from Tuscany who died in the year 1301.
It is said of him that on the night of his birth three Moons could be seen in the sky and in the middle of each one was a Dominican Friar. When daybreak came, an unknown boy could be seen running through the city, calling upon the little children to go to school. When he was asked why he was doing this, he replied:“Because last night were born into the world three Masters who are making ready to begin teaching.”Giacomo had a truly remarkable devotion to the Holy Virgin who, to show him how pleased she was with his service, appeared to him eight days before his death. She promised that he would depart this world eight days thence and that she would come to help him in his final struggle – which is what she did.
St Margaret of Hungary
20 The seventh example relates to Blessed St Margaret, daughter of Béla, King of Hungary. I have spoken of her devotion elsewhere[1].
This most remarkable Princess had fallen seriously ill and was near to death when the Holy Virgin came to her, accompanied by a host of countless Saints and Blessed Spirits. After greeting Margaret, she placed a crown upon her head. At the same time, Margaret could see a ladder reaching up into the heavens and it seemed that the holy Virgin started to ascend the ladder. Margaret followed her one step at a time, feeling a sense of indescribable happiness by reason of the crown of glory she wore upon her head.
Footnotes
[1] Chap. 7, § 5.
St Aldegund
21 We follow this Princess who became a nun with a companion who was also of royal blood. This is blessed St Aldegund, Abbess of Maubeuge in Hainault. After her we shall consider several other virgins of similar merit, all having a special devotion towards the glorious Virgin.
Throughout her life, this saintly soul had shown a heart filled with tenderness and love towards the Queen of Angels. About five days before her death, she received proof of the Holy Mother’s affection for her. Blessed St Waltrude (her sister), whilst elevated at a high level of contemplation, saw the glorious Virgin in a vision entering Aldegund’s room accompanied by a group of Saints. After tenderly caressing her for a while she called upon Aldegund to go with her and led her to Heaven amidst unparalleled rejoicing. The grace and serenity which Waltrude later saw on her dear sister’s face was a sure confirmation of the truth of her vision.
St Mary of Oignies
22 Throughout the course of a long illness suffered by Blessed Mary of Oignies before her death,
the Saviour and His most Holy Mother paid her frequent visits. Angels used to stand ready at the patient’s side, raising her when necessary and then placing her back in bed. A short while before her death she became filled with an indescribable sense of joy and began to sing the Magnificat in honour of the Queen of Angels. The Blessed Spirits who were present accompanied her with their heavenly harmonies. As the time for her departure from this world drew nearer, the Saviour warned her to make herself ready to receive Extreme Unction, during which He himself was present along with His Blessed Mother and His Holy Apostles. He also showed her His favour by placing with His own hands a beautiful Cross at the foot of her bed so that she could fix her dying gaze upon it. Finally, accompanied by those present, He led her to Heaven where she was received with triumphant celebrations and placed in the ranks of His spouses.
St Clare
23 St Clare was a dear follower of Blessed St Francis and the foundress of the Order of Poor Ladies or Clares, from which so many saintly souls were to be taken and transplanted into Heaven. Following the example of St Francis, she loved the glorious Virgin with a tender devotion and her life of service was rewarded by seeing her and being consoled by her as death approached.
She saw her coming accompanied by a great retinue of virgins, all clad in white robes and wearing crowns of solid gold. The glorious Virgin stood in their midst like their Empress, wearing an Imperial diadem with dazzling precious gemstones. Her countenance was radiant with a splendour surpassing that of the sun. She drew near to the lowly handmaid of the Lord, embraced her and gave her the kiss of peace, filling her heart with a feeling of vitality and consolation altogether celestial. All the virgins in the retinue then gathered around her bed and covered it with cloth of gold as though it were the nuptial couch for the Spouse who would soon be arriving to see His Bride and escort her into heaven.
St Lutgardis
24 Blessed St Lutgardis died on the first of July in the year 1246 and she too was rewarded with the same grace before her glorious departure from this world.
The Holy Virgin, accompanied by the Blessed Precursor Saint John the Baptist, invited her to the joys of Paradise , saying:“Thou hast dwelt long enough on earth , for now the Blessed Spirits are awaiting thee and have already begun rejoicing to see thee on high with them.”
Saint Clare of Montefalco
25 Saint Clare of Montefalco died sixty-two years later and also received the same favour – although in a different manner.
An Angel had come to visit her during her final illness, having been sent by the Queen of Heaven herself. Clare found the courage in her humility to ask the Angel to inform her Mother most Amiable that she was still languishing in this vale of tears, praying he would take her to Heaven so that she would have more opportunity to praise and bless her forever, along with her beloved Son. The Mother of Mercy heard this prayer but before Clare departed this world she saw the heavens open and the Holy Virgin waiting to bring her without more ado to rejoice in her nuptials with the celestial Spouse.
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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
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