Our Lady of Grace

The parish priest of Cotignac, in charge of the service of this pilgrimage, soon found himself unable to suffice for the crowd of pilgrims who demanded his ministry; and he proposed the service of the chapel to a community of eminent priests, some canons, others doctors of theology or theologians from Grasse and Marseille, on the condition that they would observe the rule of Saint Philip Ne ri. Clement Clément VIII Pope who approved the reform of the Trinitarians. VIII approved this project, and the community began immediately.

This house received a great honor from the Blessed Virgin. Brother Fiacre, a Discalced Augustinian, was earnestly praying to the Blessed Virgin to obtain for Anne of Austria an heir to the throne of France, when, on November 3, 1637, Mary appeared to him and gave him the assurance that Anne of Austria would have a son, but on the condition that the queen would have three novenas performed, the first of which would be to Our Lady of Grace, at Cotignac. What the Blessed Virgin had ordered was carried out; the pregnancy of Anne of Austria was secured, and, on September 9, 1638, sh e gave bi Louis XIV King of France during the ministry of Olier. rth to a child who was later Louis XIV.

From that moment on, the chapel of Our Lady of Grace became dear and venerable to the court of France. After the death of Louis XIII, the Queen had her son depicted kneeling, offering his crown and scepter to the Virgin, and commissioned Brother Fiacre to carry it to Cotignac, accompanied by one of his fellow religious. The painting was placed on the wall on the Gospel side, almost in the middle of the nave, and remained there u ntil 1793 Louis XIV King of France during the ministry of Olier. . Louis XIV, once grown, seized every opportunity to show his gratitude to Our Lady of Cotignac; and when, during the journey he made to the borders of Catalonia to marry the Infanta of Spain, Maria Theresa, he visited several cities in Provence accompanied by Anne of Austria, the Duke of Anjou, and a large retinue, he did not fail to remember Our Lady of Grace: he arrived there on February 21, 1660, by a road newly built expressly for him, which is still called today the Road of Louis XIV. He offered his prayers there, and upon his departure, he attached his blue ribbon to the bust of the Virgin, at the same time that Anne of Austria founded six masses to be said in perpetuity in the holy chapel.

Upon returning to Paris, the monarch had a statue of the Infant Jesus made in gilded silver, of ordinary size, for Our Lady of Cotignac; and if, following certain advice given to him, he diverted it from its destination to send it to Our Lady of Loreto in Italy, he compensated Our Lady of Grace by sending her, through Brother Fiacre, a magnificently bound volume containing the act of his marriage and the Treaty of the Pyrenees, t traité des Pyrénées Peace treaty placed under the protection of the Virgin of Cotignac. o place both under the protection of the Blessed Virgin.

In 1684, Our Lady of Grace became a retirement home for infirm or elderly religious; and the pilgrimage was more frequented than ever. Unfortunately, 1793 arrived; the religious were driven out, and the chapel, as well as the buildings attached to it, were demolished; but the memory of so many graces obtained in this place was too deep for these ruins to remain in the dust forever. On September 8, 1810, a new chapel was inaugurated, rebuilt by the piety of the faithful, on the dimensions and plan of the old one; and, since then, the pilgrimage resumed its course.

ELEVENTH DAY OF AUGUST

In Rome, between the two Laurels, the birth into h eaven of Sai saint THYRSE Martyr in Rome under Diocletian. nt THYRSUS, martyr, who, during the persecution of Diocletian, having walked barefoot on burning coals, and persevering more than ever in the confession of Jesus Christ, was sent by the judge Fabian about three miles from the city, where he was beheaded. 286. — Also in Rome, Saint SUSANNA, a virgin of high birth, and niece of Pope Saint Caius, who merited the palm of martyrdom under the Emperor Diocletian by losing her head for Jesus Christ. 295. — At Comana, in Pontus, Saint ALEXANDER, b ishop, surnamed saint ALEXANDRE Bishop of Comana and martyr. THE CHARCOAL-BURNER, who, having become from a very eloquent philosopher skilled in the sublime science of Christian humility, was raised to the episcopal throne of that Church by Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, and became very illustrious, not only by the brilliance of his preaching, but also by a generous martyrdom which he endured in the flames. 350. — On the same day, Saint Rufinus, bishop of the Marsi, and his companions, martyred under the Emperor Maximian.

4th c. — At Evreux, Saint TAURINUS, made bishop of this city by Pope Saint Clement; he greatly extended the Christian religion by the preaching of the Gospel for which he accomplished great works, and fell asleep in Our Lord, famous for the brilliance of his miracles. 5th c. — At Cambrai, Saint GAUGERIC, bishop and confessor. 614. — In Further Abruzzo, Saint Eupicius, abbot, whose holiness is attested by Pope Saint Gregory. Circa 340. — At Todi, a city of Italy (Spoleto), Saint Digna, virgin. Uncertain era.