Blanche of Castille, the Queen of France, was deeply grieved because twelve years after her marriage she was childless. When St. Dominic went to see her, he advised her to pray the Rosary every day to ask God for the grace of motherhood. She faithfully carried out his advice. In 1213, she gave birth to her eldest child, Philip, but he died in infancy.

This disappointment did not make her bitter or angry, nor did she lose hope. Blanche offered up this heavy cross and renewed her petitions with an even greater confidence and fervor. The Queen also had Rosaries distributed to all the members of her court, and to the inhabitants of many of the surrounding cities in the area.

The Queen and France were rewarded for their persevering trust and confidence in Our Lady's intercession before Jesus Christ, Almighty God. In 1215, after praying the Holy Rosary daily for nearly two years, Queen Blanche gave birth to Saint Louis IX - the French prince who would later become a canonized Saint of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

But what would have happened if the Queen had gotten angry at God, and stopped praying her Rosaries for a child? What if she had given up on her prayer ever being answered? And what if Blanche had never wanted a son? What if she felt that she had enough already - or just didn’t want any at all?

There definitely wouldn't have been a little French prince. France would never have enjoyed the virtuous ruling of a Saintly king. There would not be a French king that we know as St. Louis IX. A Saint that is loved and honored by many... would not be.

We never know who it is that might be born; what kind of good they will bring to thousands of people; the happiness they could give to God - who they might be. Queen Blanche's miracle baby - who is now honored as the glory of France, a model for all kings, and a great Saint - was born through the persevering, confident offering of the Holy Rosary to Our Blessed Virgin Mary.