Abbey-Roads2

The Virgin of Citeaux.

A friend asked me to print this:

This special relationship of the Cistercian order with Mary was visually represented in sculptures, paintings and stained glass, and the General Chapter from 1335 prescribed that the official seal of every monastery should bear her image.  Mary was sometimes depicted protecting members of the Order beneath her mantle. This was based on the vision of a Cistercian monk who ‘fell into an ecstasy’ and viewed ‘the glories of heaven’. There he saw the angels, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs and confessors, all arranged according to whether they had been canons, Premonstratensians, Cluniacs or whatever order. Yet the monk saw that no Cistercians were represented, being quite troubled,  he voiced his concern to the Blessed Virgin, whereupon she replied that those of the Cistercian Order were so dear and beloved to her that she cherished them in her own bosom. “And opening her cloak, with which she seemed to be clothed, and which was of marvellous amplitude, she showed him an innumerable multitude of monks, lay-brothers and nuns.” - Cistercians

[Art: Image of Dominicans under the protection of Our Lady's mantle.]