In Apparitione Beatæ Mariæ Virginis

The Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes

Our Lady of Lourdes (1877). Virgilio Tojetti (1851–1901).

Today in 2019 I made a consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the first time, using the method of St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673–1716).

I renewed the consecration on the feast of the Immaculate Conception on the 8th of December 2019, including this time the members of my family.

Thereafter, the consecration has been renewed formally each year on the feast of the Annuntiation, and on a daily basis using the Totus Tuus prayer below.

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per te Maria.

Laudetur Jesus Christus et Maria Immaculata. Amen.

For those desirous of reading True Devotion to Mary, here is one of several on-line sources:

True Devotion to Mary

with preparation for total consecration.

👑   👑   👑

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.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. [Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-3]

In Purificatione Beatæ Mariæ Virginis

Today, we commemorate the feasts of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

The Presentation in the Temple. 
J-J Tissot. Brooklyn Museum.

22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:  23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:  24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons: 

25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.  27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,  28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:  29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;  30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:  32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.  33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.  34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted;  35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

 

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.  37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.  38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.  39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.  40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him. [Luke ii.]

On the occasion of these two feasts, I am renewing the installation first carried out at Candlemas in 2021 which enthroned the Holy Infant Jesus in cubiculo meo.

I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be always in my mouth. In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the meek hear and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me; and let us extol his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he delivered me from all my troubles. [Ps. XXXIII. 2-5]

The basic structure of the prayers remains the same, but some additions have been made since 2021 such as:

• the Sub tuum Præsidium - said to the the oldest known prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God;
• prayers from Papa Stronsay to the Holy Chaplet, incorporating twelve scenes from the life of the Holy Infant as set out in the Rosarium Aureum;
• prayers in French to offer thanks to St Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus, to St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort & le Révèrend Père François Poiré (author of the Triple Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary);
• an offering of the prayers as une petite couronne to Our Lady;
• a prayer to the Panagia Giatrissa (All-holy Healer) and Pantocrator icon.

👑   👑   👑

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.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.

In Conceptione Immaculata Beatæ Mariæ Virginis

Today is the great Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a gift to our gentle Queen and Mother, I am posting the most recent edition of an English verse translation of the last poem written by St Thérèse of Lisieux before she departed from this world in 1897.

You can read the French and my English translation of this poem by clicking on the following link:

👉  Why I love thee, O Mary

+       +        +

The Vladimirskaya Icon. >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.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.

In Memoriam Matris Meæ : 1907-1977 A.D.

On 30 November 1977, on the feast of St Andrew, patron saint of her native Scotland, my dear mother passed away after a long battle with cancer. The local priest had administered the last rites some time previously. Although she had seemed barely conscious, I could see her lips moving slightly when he had invited her to join him in saying one Hail Mary, "slowly". She received Holy Communion and she seemed then to be very much at peace. The priest (a serious, taciturn and tender-hearted man), noted that this was often the case.

✠ Requiescas in pace, mater dilectissima! ✠

Three poems

I was living in Cambridge during this sad time in 1977. For no particular reason that I can recall, I felt prompted to make the train journey across country to pay a visit to my mother in north Warwickshire. I prepared the following poem en route, not knowing that my mother would depart this world only a matter of days after my arrival. She was sitting near the fireside when I arrived, nursing a hot water bottle. I read my poem to her and I could see that she was listening intently. When I had finished, she said: 'Well, how lovely!' She then retired to her bedroom and never left her bed again before her death some days later.

Kirsty bheag is the Scots Gaelic for 'little Kirsty'. She was called 'little' to distinguish her from her mother, who was also called Kirsty. I completed the pen and ink drawing of the boat (21cm x 21cm) several years later and named it 'Kirsty' in honour of my mother. RIP.

Kirsty Bheag

Kirsty. PB

Alone sate she in soft and muted shade,
A fairy child of woodland ferns and flowers,
A slender sylph from Spring's most sacred glade,
A smiling sprite of silent, scented bowers.

Her careless hair was gold as sun-gold corn,
In breeze-blessed streams and tresses lightly flowing;
Her eyes were the smiling blue of a sky-blue morn,
Her cheeks with cheerest roses ever-glowing.

Withal a shape so supple, slim and svelte
As like a willow-sapling's lithely grace;
A light and happy spirit therein dwelt,
Whose dancing smiles did play upon her face.

Upon her lap an open book she lay,
Whose lines she scanned with fond and eager gaze;
Then 'loud the alien words she 'gan to say,
In heart to grave for all her mortal days.

Alone sate she, this darling Highland child,
In woods, in fields, by many a mountain stream;
But now in time long-lived to old age mild,
Of these her girlhood joys she doth but dream.

Envoi

Learn friends, this fairest She, she is no other
Than my own dear, beloved mother.
 © PB 1977


My mother was to suffer enormously from cancer before she died on the 30th November. As someone born in the Scottish Highlands, it was altogether fitting that she should have passed on the Feast of St Andrew. I wrote 'Curse' mindful of the echoing metre used by the witches in the "Scottish play."

Curse

Burn in Brimni's blazing bane,

Die in cruel and crazing pane!

Slowly burning, slowly maiming,

Never easing, never resting,

Bitter raw with deadly fest'ring;

Vicious jaws within thee gnawing,

Biting, ripping, tearing, savage,

These thy entrails hotly ravage.

Burn in Brimni's blazing bane,

Die in cruel and crazing pain!

© PB 1977

In this same year, my mother had already lost her first-born son (aged 44) as well as a favourite brother. This triple loss inspired the following lines.

This Weeping Year

This weeping year,

This year of ache and pain;

This heart-sore year,

This year with sorrow stain'd.

O woeful year,

Unweary of thy ever-wearing woes;

Black-visaged year,

Unyielding midst thy yield of deadly throes.

The Fates, they three,

This fated year of three,

Death-fated three

And dealt three fatally.

© PB 1977

+       +        +

The Vladimirskaya Icon. >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.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.

Anniversary of Baptism in 1953 : Ad Jesum per te, Maria!

The Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Today is the anniversary of my Baptism, which took place when I was three weeks old, on Friday the 27th of November 1953, the feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, in the church of St Theresa of the Child Jesus (Perry Bar, Birmingham). I discovered this very late in life and, Deo volente, I shall never cease to thank Our Lord for everything He did to make this possible on His Mother's feast day and in a Church dedicated to Ste Thérèse de l’Enfant Jésus; and I cannot thank my earthly mother enough for organising my baptism, handing on the faith which she had received at her own Baptism in 1907.

Laudetur Jesus Christus et Maria Immaculata!

The Traditional Rite of Baptism

See here for a PDF showing the powerful words and actions that the Church included in the traditional rite of Baptism before the tragic excisions and alterations that followed in the wake of the Second Vatican Council.

A small gift to the Holy Mother of God

The Holy Mother of God.
FaceMePLS from The Hague. CC BY 2.0.

Whilst listening to a "Song to the Moon" from Antonin Dvorak's lyric fairy tale Russalka (1901), I was overwhelmed by the the haunting melody, the Czech lyrics and the beautiful voice of Patricia Janečková. The emotion grew when reflecting on this singer's heart-breaking death from cancer at the tragically young age of 25 (on the 1st of October 2023).

👈    The image shown is venerated in the Chapel of the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius, Lithuania. Some sources trace this painting to the 14th century (or earlier) in Crimea. Although there is no agreement on the date, both the Orthodox and the Catholics lay claim to this image, proof of the deep and ancient tradition of veneration and love for the Holy Mother of God found in both wings of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.  Let us pray that our holy Mother will intercede for all her faithful sons so that, from East to West, they may be united as they once were.

    The painting features prominently a crescent moon, which is quite common in images of the Blessed Virgin, recalling the words of St John in Chapter xii of the Apocalypse:

And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet... [Apoc. xii. 1]

and echoing the words from the Canticle of Canticles:

Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair [pulchra] as the moon ... terrible as an army set in array? [Canticles (Solomon) vi. 9].

    The word "woman" used by St John in the Apocalypse recalls the word used by Christ on the Cross, entrusting the beloved disciple to His Holy Mother:

When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son... Behold thy mother.   [John xix. 26-27]

    I felt moved to conceive a paraphrase, slightly adapting the original lyrics and re-interpreting or super-interpreting them in the form of a prayer to the Blessed Virgin, praying for her help in drawing closer to her Divine Son. This prayer is reproduced below under the title Ad Jesum per te, Maria! ("To Jesus through thee, O Mary"). These words form part of the motto that I have used in recent years as a personal seal to close posts and written work (see close of post).  Scriptural references have been included in the Footnotes after the prayer, together with the original Czech lyrics for those who wish to follow the sung performance.

 

Patricia Janečková.1998-2023. 

👈 Here is a picture of the soprano, taken from her recording of Mozart's Laudate Dominum.

✠ REQUIEM æternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. ✠

ETERNAL rest grant unto her , O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her . May she rest in peace. Amen.

Here is a link to an audio-file of her performance:

👉  Song to the Moon

+       +        +

Below is the poem-prayer which I wrote and which I offer as a gift to our gentle Queen and Mother on this her feast day, the anniversary of my baptism.

Ad Jesum per te, Maria!

To Jesus through thee, O Mary!

Hail O beautiful moon,[1] our Mother in the highest heaven,

Whose gentle gaze sees far and wide;

The light of thy maternal love streams down

Upon thy children here below.

O radiant moon, our Queen, please pause awhile

And tell me, O tell me where He is who hath so loved me; [2]

Help me to tell Him, O Heavenly Mother,

To tell Him my heart yearns for us to draw close;

How I pray that for a little while

I may be present to His thoughts;

With the light of Grace, I ask thee to show me His distant dwelling, [3]

Tell Him, O tell Him that someone is seeking Him...

And knocking for His attention; [4]

May this little plea prompt a recollection;

Beautiful moon, our gentle Queen and Mother, don't leave me, don't leave me...

Don't leave me!

[1] Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in array?  [Canticles (Solomon) vi. 9].

And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet... [Apoc. xii. 1] 

[2] For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; [John iii. 16]

Father ... I have made known thy name to them, and will make it known; that the love wherewith thou hast loved me, may be in them, and I in them.

[John xvii. 25-26]

[3] Who only hath immortality, and inhabiteth light inaccessible, whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting. Amen. [1 Tim. vi. 16]

[4]  Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.

For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. [Matt. vii. 7-8]

Song to the Moon : Czech lyrics

Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém,

světlo tvé daleko vidí,

po světě bloudíš širokém,

díváš se v příbytky lidí.

Měsíčku, postůj chvíli,

řekni mi, řekni, kde je můj milý!

Řekni mu, stříbrný měsíčku,

mé že jej objímá rámě,

aby si alespoň chviličku

vzpomenul ve snění na mě.

Zasvit' mu do daleka, zasviť mu,

řekni mu, řekni, kdo tu naň čeká!

O mně-li duše lidská sní,

af se tou vzpomínkou vzbudí!

Měsíčku, nezhasni, nezhasni!

Měsíčku, nezhasni!

+       +        +

The Vladimirskaya Icon. >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.

Maternitatis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis

The Feast of the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Ste Thérèse: Priez pour nous!

Here is an excerpt from the writings of St Thérèse of Lisieux:

Peu avant sa mort, Thérèse a réaffirmé la dimension maternelle de la Vierge Marie, qui prime sur sa royauté.

On sait bien que la Vierge est la Reine du ciel et de la terre.

Mais elle est plus Mère que Reine 

Source :

Thérèse de l'Enfant-Jésus, Derniers entretiens, 21.8.1897.

Here is my translation:

Shortly before her death, Thérèse re-emphasized the maternal aspect of the Virgin Mary which takes precedence over her royal status and role.

“We know that the Virgin is Queen of Heaven and of earth, but she is more Mother than Queen...”

 

By way of tribute to the Motherhood of our heavenly Queen and Mother, here is a prayer I discovered this morning during my work on The Triple Crown of the Holy Mother of God which I am translating on our sister-blog, Rosarium Aureum.

O Intemerata

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.

.👑   👑   👑

Mater Dei. By author's daughter ETB.

O INTEMERATA et in aeternum benedicta, singularis atque incomparabilis Virgo Dei Genetrix Maria, gratissimum Dei templum, Spiritus Sancti sacrarium, ianua regni caelorum, per quam post Deum totus vivit orbis terrarum. Inclina, Mater misericordiae, aures tuae pietatis indignis supplicationibus meis, et esto mihi miserrimo peccatori pia, et propitia in omnibus auxiliatrix.

O UNSPOTTED and forever blessed, unique and incomparable virgin Mary, Mother of God, most graceful temple of God, sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, gate of the kingdom of heaven, by whom next unto God the whole world liveth, incline O Mother of Mercy thy ears of piety unto my unworthy supplications, and be merciful to me a most wretched sinner, and be unto me a helper in all things.

O Ioannes beatissime, Christi familiaris et amice, qui ab eodem Domino nostro Iesu Christo virgo es electus, et inter ceteros magis dilectus, atque in mysteriis caelestibus ultra omnes imbutus; Apostolus enim et Evangelista factus es praeclarissimus: Te etiam invoco cum Maria matre eiusdem Domini nostri Iesu Christi salvatoris, ut mihi opem tuam cum ipsa conferre digneris.

O most blessed John, the beloved and friend of Christ, which by the same Lord Jesus Christ was chosen a virgin, and among the rest more beloved, above all instructed in the heavenly mysteries, for thou wast made a most worthy Apostle and Evangelist: thee also I call upon with Mary, the mother of the same Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour, that thou wouldst vouchsafe to afford me thy aid with hers.

O duae gemmae caelestes, Maria, et Ioannes. O duo luminaria divinitus ante Deum lucentia, vestris radiis scelerum meorum effugate nubila.

O ye two celestial jewels, Mary, and John. O ye two lights divinely shining before God. Chase away by your bright beams the clouds of my offences.

Vos enim estis illi duo, in quibus Deus Pater per Filium suum specialiter aedificavit sibi domum et in quibus ipse Filius Dei unigenitus ob sincerissimae virginitatis meritum, dilectionis suae confirmavit privilegium in cruce pendens, uni vestrum ita dicens: Mulier ecce filius tuus: deinde ad alium: Ecce mater tua.

For you are those two in whom God the Father through His own Son, specially built His own house, and in whom the only-begotten Son of God as the reward of your most sincere virginity confirmed the privilege of His love while hanging on the Cross, saying thus to one of you: Woman, behold thy son, and then to the other, Behold thy mother.

In huius ergo tam sacratissimi amoris dulcedine, qua tunc ore Dominico, velut mater et filius ad invicem coniuncti estis, vobis duobus ego miserrimus peccator commendo hodie corpus et animam meam: ut in omnibus horis atque momentis, intus et exterius firmi custodes, et pii apud Deum intercessores mihi existere dignemini.

In the sweetness therefore of His most sacred love, through which by our Lord’s own mouth you were joined to each other as mother and son, I, a most wretched sinner, commend this day to you my body and soul, that at all hours and moments, inwardly and outwardly, you would vouchsafe to be unto me steadfast guardians and devout intercessors before God.

Credo enim firmiter et indubitanter fateor, quia velle vestrum velle Dei est et nolle vestrum nolle Dei est; unde et quicquid ab illo petitis sine mora obtinetis. Per hanc ergo tam potentissimam vestrae dignitatis virtutem poscite, quaeso, mihi peccatori, corporis et animae salutem.

I indeed firmly believe and accept beyond any doubt that one who wants to be yours will belong to God and one who does not want to be yours will not belong to God, for you can obtain whatever you ask from God without delay. By virtue of your most powerful worthiness, beg, I beseech you, for the well being of my body and soul.

Agite, quaeso, agite vestris sacris precibus, ut cor meum invisere, et inhabitare dignetur spiritus almus, gratiarum largitor optimus, qui me a cunctis vitiorum sordibus expurget, virtutibus sacris illustret, et exornet: in dilectione Dei et proximi mei perfecte stare, et perseverare me faciat: et post huius vitae cursum ad gaudia ducat electorum suorum benignissimus paraclitus. Qui cum Deo patre et filio coaeternus et consubstantialis cum eis et in eis vivit et regnat omnipotens Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Plead, I beseech you, plead for me by your holy prayers that the loving Spirit, the best giver of graces, may vouchsafe to visit my heart and dwell therein, the self same Spirit who may thoroughly purge me from all filth of vice, lighten and adorn me with sacred virtues: who would cause me to stand perfectly and to persevere in the love of God and my neighbour and, after the course of this life, may this most benign Comforter bring me to the joys of His elect; He, who with God the Father and the Son, is co-eternal and consubstantial with them and in them liveth and reigneth as Almighty God, for ever and ever. Amen.

[Reproduced with acknowledgements to Preces Latinae by © Michael Martin ]

.👑   👑   👑

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.

On the Feast of St Francis

I was confirmed with the name of Francis on the 25th of June 1961 at the age of seven by Bishop Humphrey Penderell Bright† in St Benedict's Church (which is in Atherstone, Warwickshire). In thanksgiving and in celebration of this feast at the beginning of Our Lady's month of the Rosary, here is a prayer said to have been composed by St Francis in her honour.

A Prayer of St Francis to the Blessed Virgin

Ave Domina, sancta Regina, sancta Dei genetrix Maria, quae es virgo ecclesia facta et electa a sanctissimo Patre de caelo, quam consecravit cum sanctissimo dilecto Filio suo et Spiritu sancto Paraclito, in qua fuit et est omnis plenitudo gratiae et omne bonum. Ave palatium eius; ave tabernaculum eius; ave domus eius. Ave vestimentum eius; ave ancilla eius; ave mater eius et vos omnes sanctae virtutes, quae per gratiam et illuminationem Spiritus sancti infundimini in corda fidelium, ut de infidelibus fideles Deo faciatis.

[From Directorio Franciscano]

👑   👑   👑

Hail Lady, Holy Queen, Holy Mary Mother of God, who art the Virgin made Church, chosen by the Most Holy Father of Heaven, whom He consecrated with His Most Holy beloved Son and with the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete; Thou in whom was and is all fulness of grace and every good.

Hail His Palace;

Hail His Tabernacle;

Hail His Home.

Hail His Vestment;

Hail His Handmaid;

Hail His Mother

and all ye holy virtues, which through the grace and illumination of the Holy Spirit are infused into the hearts of the faithful, transforming the unfaithful into God's faithful. Amen.

👑   👑   👑

Salut, Marie, Notre Dame, sainte Reine, Sainte Mère de Dieu, vous êtes la Vierge devenue Eglise ; choisie par le très saint Père du ciel, consacrée par lui comme un temple avec son Fils bien-aimé et l'Esprit Paraclet ; vous en qui fut et demeure toute plénitude de grâce et Celui qui est tout bien. Salut, Palais de Dieu ! Salut, Tabernacle de Dieu ! Salut, Maison de Dieu ! Salut, Vêtement de Dieu ! Salut, Servante de Dieu ! Salut, Mère de Dieu ! Et salut à vous toutes, saintes Vertus, qui, par la grâce et l'illumination de l'Esprit-Saint, êtes versées dans le cœur des fidèles, vous qui, d'infidèles que nous sommes, nous rendez fidèles à Dieu ! Amen.

👑   👑   👑

The Virgin and Child Appearing to Saint Francis of Assisi,

(1599).

By Francesco Vanni (Italian, 1563-1610)

"This painting by Francesco Vanni, a leading Sienese artist in the late 1500s, depicts the Virgin Mary’s miraculous appearance to Saint Francis of Assisi. As he embraces the infant Jesus, his older companion has fallen asleep while meditating on a skull, a symbol of mortality. Commissioned by the Italian Cardinal Buonviso Buonvisi, the canvas was offered to the monastery of the Cordeliers de l’Observance in Lyon, France, where it hung in the Chapelle des Lucquois, reputedly designed by Michelangelo." 

[See RISD Museum]

👑   👑   👑

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.