Blessed Francisco Palau had a great devotion to Our Lady of Virtues. This title of Mary is not well-known in America. The site of the original shrine outside of Lisbon is in ruins, as far as I could ascertain. But, this name of Mary and her shrine was popular in the Medieval period.
A list of her virtues and an explanation of these may be found
here. Someone may want to translate those around Mary in the painting.
- Most Pure (Mt. 1:18, 20, 23; Lk 1:27,34)
- Most Prudent (Lk 2:19, 51)
- Most Humble (Lk 1:48)
- Most Faithful (Lk 1:45; Jn 2:5)
- Most Devout (Lk 1:46-7; Acts 1:14)
- Most Obedient (Lk 1:38; 2:21-2, 27)
- Most Poor (Lk 2:7)
- Most Patient (Jn 19:25)
- Most Merciful (Lk 1:39, 56)
- Most Sorrowful (Lk 2:35)
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