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The most holy Virgin consoled Her loving heart during this
painful separation by visiting the holy places of Palestine, where Her Son had been during His
life. She frequently visited at one time the stable at Bethlehem, where He was born; at another,
the workshop of Nazareth, where He had lived so many years, poor and despised; now the Garden of
Gethsemani, where He began His Passion; then the Praetorium of Pilate, where He was scourged, and
the spot on which He was crowned with thorns; but She visited most frequently Mount Calvary, where
Her Son expired, and the Holy Sepulcher in which She had finally left Him. Thus did the most loving
Mother soothe the pains of Her cruel exile

It is related that, some days before Mary's death, Our Lord sent the Archangel Gabriel to announce
to Her that the end of Her exile was at hand. "My Lady and Queen;' said the angel, "God has sent
me to tell Thee to prepare Thyself to leave the earth. Come, then, to take possession of Thy
kingdom, for I and all its holy inhabitants await Thee."

What else could our most humble and holy Virgin do, but answer in the same words with which She had
answered St. Gabriel's previous annunciation: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. May the will of My
God and Lord be ever accomplished in Me!"

After receiving this welcome intelligence, Mary imparted it to St. John. We may well imagine with
what grief and tender feelings he heard the news; he who for so many years had attended upon Her as
a son, and had enjoyed the heavenly conversation of this most holy Mother.

Mary then once more visited the holy places of Jerusalem, tenderly taking leave of them, and
especially of Mount Calvary, where Her beloved Son had died. She then retired into Her poor
cottage, there to prepare for death.

Many authors, including St. John Damascene, assert that before Her death, the Apostles and also
many disciples who were scattered in different parts of the world were miraculously assembled in
Mary's room. These our loving Mother addressed in