Flower of Devotion

On a certain Saturday, when the responsory was sung in the choir: “Hail, O incomparable Virgin!” it seemed to St. Mechtilde that the Blessed Virgin was standing before the altar, and the Archangel Gabriel was standing in front of her. Then she fell at the feet of the Most Pure Virgin and begged her to deign to obtain for her forgiveness a certain sin which she had committed, not out of malice, but in order to calm the mind of a certain person. The Blessed Virgin took her by the hand and said, “Promise my Son that you will never do this again!” The saint answered: “Obtain this for me, O most gentle Mother, with your Son!”
When the poem “Thou shalt be covered with gold within” was sung, the Heart of the Blessed Virgin was opened and two rays came out of it, filling both choirs. And St. Mechtilde received the instruction to greet the Heart of the Blessed Virgin in these seven things.
The saint also greeted the Heart of the Mother of God, first of all, in the most longing desire with which the Blessed Virgin, before all the patriarchs and prophets, desired the birth of the Lord Jesus. Secondly, in that most ardent and humble love by which she became the Mother of God. Thirdly, in the tenderest solicitude with which she so lovingly nourished the Child Jesus. Fourthly, in this contemplative preservation of the words of the Lord Jesus. Fifthly, in imitating the virtues of His Most Holy Son during His Passion and Death. Sixthly, in fervent prayer for the Holy Church. Seventhly, in that which he daily obtains from God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in heaven by sustaining our prayers.
When they sang: “Hail, most noble Queen”, the Blessed Virgin appeared to her again with a very delicate Child in her arms, who, wrapped in swaddling clothes, rested on her virginal breast. The Blessed Virgin stood before her as she sang, “He who nourishes all things.” And when the next responsory was sung, “Know to whom you give your arms”, the Blessed Virgin stretched out her hands and raised the Child above her head, as if to indicate that she wished to show this God-Man to everyone.