We know very well that the Blessed Virgin is Queen of heaven and earth, but she is more Mother than Queen; and we should not say, on account of her prerogatives, that she surpasses all the saints in glory just as the sun at its rising makes the stars disappear from sight.
My God! How strange that would be! A mother who makes her children’s glory vanish! I myself think just the contrary. I believe she’ll increase the splendor of the elect very much.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Last Conversations: The yellow notebook, August 21
Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as Sassoferrato (Italian, 1609-1685)
Oil on canvas
Musée du Louvre
Carmelite Quotes 