‘Miracles of Mary’ by Herolt; 1928 edition; Chapters XVI-XVII; pages 75-76
Chapter XVIA certain woman used to repeat the words “ Hail Mary ! ” always with great devotion. And, having to carry food to her husband in the field, because there was no one to whom she could entrust her child, she began by saying devoutly her prayer “ Hail, Mary,” and so forth, and committed her son to the Blessed Virgin in these words : “ I have no one to put in charge over my child except thee.” And so left the boy and went to her husband in the field.
But in the meantime a fire broke out in the next house and, hearing an outcry, they ran from the field to the house and found it burnt down. Grieving more for the boy than for the house and the loss of their goods the mother cried out : “ O Blessed Virgin, to thee I entrusted my son.” And they searched for the child and they found him entirely unhurt.
Chapter XVII
There is a famous place called Speyer on the Rhine where an image of the Mother of God is worshipped, which on three occasions spoke to St Bernard.
Whilst his mother was praying in the church, a little child holding a slice of bread in his hand went up and, breaking off a morsel, offered it to the image of Christ with these words, which the Germans are accustomed to use in their worship and prayers, “ Pupu ”. At last the image of the almighty Child is said to have returned his embraces and said : “ Pupupe, do not cry. After three days thou shalt eat with me.” The mother heard and trembled. She told an old canon who came up about the miracle, who, wisely perceiving the truth said : “ Watch your son from this day, and after three days you will not have him.” At once the child caught a fever and died within three days and so went to Christ.
Image: Bartolome Esteban Murillo – ‘Aparicio de la Virgen a San Bernardo’