Lawrence OP's photostream Pro User

"From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth; and not only creation, but all of us who possess the first-fruits of the Spirit, we too groan inwardly as we wait for our bodies to be set free. For we must be content to hope that we shall be saved – our salvation is not in sight, we should not have to be hoping for it if it were – but, as I say, we must hope to be saved since we are not saved yet – it is something we must wait for with patience."

– Romans 8:22-25, which is part of the Second Reading for the Vigil Mass of Pentecost.

Detail from a mosaic in the Catholic church of St Aloysius in Somers Town, London.

"What grace or mercy was ever given to any angel or any man, what grace or mercy could ever be given as great as the grace and mercy shown to the Blessed Virgin? For it was she whom God the Father chose to be the Mother of his own Son, equal to him and born before all ages"

– St Anthony of Padua.

Detail from the Lady Altar of a Franciscan convent of sisters in Fribourg.

The tower of St Nicolas' cathedral in Fribourg is 74 metres high, nicely framed here by maple trees in the bas ville.

Looking across the valley of the Sarine that runs through the 'basse ville", the picturesque medieval town of Fribourg, Switzerland.

"The Creator of all things rests in the tabernacle of the virginal womb, because here he has prepared his bridal chamber in order to become our brother; here he sets up a royal throne to become our prince; here he puts on priestly vestments to become our high priest. Because of this marital union, she is the Mother of God; because of the royal throne, she is the Queen of heaven; because of the priestly vestments, she is the advocate of the human race".

– St Bonaventure.

Detail from the Lady Altar of St Maurice in Fribourg.