Josbert
or Valbebertus, a Benedictine monk of Saint Bertin, near Saint-Omer in
the diocese of Arras, France, was known for his devotion to Mary. Legend
has it that after his death, a rosebush bloomed out of his mouth, whose
flowers bore the name of Mary.
On November 30,
1186, the feast day of Saint Andrew, the monks of Deols had gathered for
the office of matins. The abbot went through the choir and checked if
everyone was there. His eyes came to an empty stall. “Where is our
brother Josbert?” He asked. No one knew.
The abbot hurried
out. After a few moments he returned, pale and weeping: “My brothers,
something important has happened. Blessed Josbert is in heaven. Come
look at the great miracle that has happened to his body.” The monks
rushed to enter the cell where a wonderful sight awaited them—wrapped in
his black habit as in a shroud, his hands clasped, his face turned
upward, Josbert lay lifeless on his mat. Two scarlet roses sprouted from
his eyes, two more blossomed from his ears, and a fifth one was between
his lips. Each flower bore within its calyx a letter of the Virgin’s
name.
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