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THE CORONATION 193
maternal bosom of Mary to even greater love and esteem
than hitherto; and She desired to attend upon him in
person, at this hour, when her beloved disciple was to
give up his life for the honor and defense of his God
and Redeemer. But the blessed Mother hesitated at the
difficulties, which would arise in her passing through the
streets of Jerusalem at a time of popular excitement and
also in finding an opportunity of speaking publicly to
saint Stephen.
193. She prostrated Herself in prayer, begging the
divine favor for her beloved disciple ;
and She presented
to the Lord her desire of helping him in the last hour.
The clemency of the Most High, which is
always at the
beck of his Spouse and Mother and which was anxious
to enhance the death of his faithful disciple and servant
Stephen, sent from heaven a multitude of angels, who,
with those of her guard, should carry their Queen to
the place where the saint then was. And immediately
the mandate of the Lord was executed : the angels placed
Her upon a refulgent cloud and bore Her to the tribunal,
where the highpriest was examining into the charges
against saint Stephen. The vision of the Queen of
heaven was hidden from all except the saint. He how
ever saw Her before him, supported in the air by the holy
angels in a cloud of heavenly splendor and glory. This
extraordinary favor inflamed anew the divine love and
the ardent zeal of this champion of the honor of God.
In addition to the joy of seeing Mary, the splendors of
the Queen shone from the countenance of saint Stephen,
so that it
gleamed with wonderful beauty and light.
194. On account of this unwonted spectacle the Jews
listened with great attention to his words, as is evident
from the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.
Those that were in that hall looked upon saint Stephen
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