The Two Crowns

That night, I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me, a Child of Faith. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked me if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both.

St M.M. Kolbe


Thinking over just-quoted words of St.M.M.Kolbe brings me to the following -- obvious, but at the same time forgotten -- conclusion: 
No matter whether you, my dear reader, are called to preserve purity of your mind (in the marriage) or mind & body(as a priest, religious sister, brother etc),  suffering may(and probably will) be the significant part of your way to the heavenly glory.

--
Tomasz, Racibórz +

The Crown of Stars

The Blessed Virgin with the Child is chosen, as we all know, as the main source of inspiration by many fine artists.

Sometimes Mary depicted by them wears some metal crown, seldom her head is surrounded by twelve stars.

The second example of Immaculata's depiction, in spite of many opinions, seems to be more appropriate if painter's intention is to truly honour both Mary and her divine Son: A traditional crown is nothing more than a piece of precious metal, whereas crown of stars -- even if not so valued in our eyes -- is actually put on Mary's head by Jesus himself*.

--
Tomasz, Racibórz +

* Your disability has the potential to become just-mentioned crown of stars: where some sinners are proud of their great-looking, yet finite bodies, you – as the man faith – may be proud of your greater share in the undervalued, nevertheless real and eternal beauty that is appreciated by Our Lord.