Neitsyt Maarian lahja: ynnä muita legendoja

by L. Onerva

"Neitsyt Maarian lahja: ynnä muita legendoja" by L. Onerva is a collection of legends and stories written in the early 20th century. The opening tale focuses on a young noblewoman during the time of the Crusades who is mourning her husband, the noble knight Bertrand, who is presumed lost in battle. Filled with despair, she turns to the Virgin Mary for solace and makes a heartfelt promise regarding her unborn child. The beginning of the work introduces us to the depths of the young lady's sorrow as she grapples with the loss of her husband and the impending birth of their child. As she prays, the Virgin Mary appears to her, acknowledging her sacrifice in promising her child to the divine cause of protecting the Holy Land. The narrative shows the contrasting personalities of her twin sons, Bertrand, who embodies the spirit of a knight and seeks fame through valor, and Félicien, who is sensitive and gentle, struggling against the notion of violence. Their destinies seem tied to their mother's prayers and the broader implications of their choices, setting the stage for a poignant exploration of faith, sacrifice, and the duality of human nature.