Crown of the Virgin: An Ancient Meditation on Mary’s Beauty, Virtue, and Sanctity

In this book, St. Ildephonsus of Toledo provides a powerful, imaginative and lyrical set of meditations on the Immaculate Mother of God, reflecting on her splendor, beauty and sanctity.  This publication is the first translation into English of a Latin work, entitled Libellus de Corona Virginis, or “The Little Book on the Crown of the Virgin.”

Traditionally, it has been ascribed to St. Ildephonsus of Toledo, a great monk, abbot and bishop of the 7th century, St Ildephonsus contributed powerfully to the dissemination of the doctrine of the Perpetual Virginity of Our Lady in Western Europe, and to the popularization of fervent Marian devotion in Spain. In this beautiful, moving and ornate literary portrait, the author imaginatively and lyrically fashions a magnificent crown for the Blessed Virgin Mary, decorated with twelve radiant jewels, six brilliant stars and six fragrant flower blossoms. Each of these is interpreted as representing a particular aspect of the beauty, beneficence, virtue or sanctity of the Blessed Virgin.

A perfect companion for guiding daily devotion to the Mother of Mercy and the Queen of Heaven, each chapter reveals a new and scintillating glimpse into the glories of Mary, sure to inspire the heart of the reader with ever more ardent devotion to the Mother of God, the vessel of all graces and the paradigm and perfection of every virtue. As a guide to meditation and a catalyst for prayer, the Crown of the Virgin is an illuminating mirror of the beauty and splendor of the one who is herself the refulgent and immaculate image of her Divine Son.

Contents of the Book

1. On Why a Crown Is Fitting for Our Lady
2. The Precious Topaz
3. The Morning Star, Sirius
4. The Carnelian Gemstone
5. The Radiant Lily Flower
6. The Precious Chalcedony
7. The Star Arcturus
8. The Precious Sapphire
9. The Aromatic Crocus Flower
10. The Iridescent Agate Stone
11. The Star of the Sea
12. The Jasper Stone
13. The Rose of Spring
14. The Precious Ruby
15. The Sun
16. The Emerald
17. The Violet
18. The Amethyst
19. The Bright and Refulgent Moon
20. The Peridot Gemstone
21. A Sunflower
22. The Precious Gold-Green Jade
23. The Star Orion
24. The Gemstone Beryl
25. The Daisy Flower