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THE CORONATION 361
Ephesus.
"Empress
Presently one of them addressed Her saying:
of heaven and our Lady, the most high Lord
and God bids you immediately to hasten to Jerusalem to
console his great servant James, to assist him in his
death and to grant all his loving and holy desires." This
favor the most blessed Mary joyfully and gratefully
acknowledged. She praised the Most High for the pro
tection granted to those who trust .in his mercy and put
their lives in his hands. In the meanwhile the Apostle
was led to execution and on the way thereto he wrought
great miracles upon the sick and ailing and on some pos
sessed by the demons. There were a great number of
them, because the rumor of his execution by Herod had
spread about and many of the unfortunates hastened to
receive his last ministrations and counsels. All that
applied were healed by the great Apostle.
399. In the meanwhile the holy angels placed their
Queen and Mistress upon a most refulgent throne, as they
had done on other occasions, and on it bore Her to Jeru
salem and to the place of the execution of saint James.
The holy Apostle fell
upon his knees in order to offer his
life to the Most High in sacrifice, and when he raised his
eyes toward heaven, he saw in the air near him the Queen
of heaven, whom he had been invoking in his heart. He
beheld Her clothed in divine splendors and great beauty,
surrounded by multitudes of the angels. At this heavenly
spectacle the soul of James was moved to new jubilee and
his heart was seized with the ardors of a divine love.
He
as the Mother
wished to proclaim the most blessed Mary
of God and the Mistress of all creation. But one of the
sovereign spirits restrained him in this fervent desire and
said :
"James,
servant of our Creator, restrain within
thy own bosom these precious sentiments and do not mani
fest to the Jews the presence and assistance of our Queen ;
for they are not worthy or capable of knowing Her, but
instead of reverencing Her will only harden themselves
in their hatred."
Thus advised the Apostle forebore and
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