SIXTH APPARITION, SATURDAY, JULY FIRST, 1876
It is in Thy presence, O my God, that I relate the visit I received last night from Thy Blessed Mother, notwithstanding my nothingness and my sins. May it tend to Thy glory.
When I knelt to say my prayers, my mind, as usual, reverted to the visions I had seen in February. Immediately afterwards I took up a book to read a few lines, as I did not wish to go to bed late, as I had been forbidden to do so. It was a quarter past ten o'clock. I was on my knees before the fireplace, when all of a sudden I saw the Blessed Virgin, surrounded by a soft radiant light, as she had formerly appeared, only this time I saw her whole figure from head to foot. What beauty! What sweetness! The ends of her cincture nearly reached the hem of her dress. She was all in white, and remained standing. Her feet seemed to be on a level with the floor, which was apparently somewhat lower than usual. When I first perceived her she had her arms stretched out, and from her hands there fell drops like rain. She looked at something fixedly, then taking one of the tassels of her cincture, she raised it to her breast, on which she crossed her hands. She smiled and, looking at me, said: "Be calm, my child, have patience; you will have sorrows, but I will be with you." The tassel of her cincture, which she held, fell from her hands; it passed quite close to me. I said nothing. I could not speak. I felt too happy. The Blessed Virgin remained a little while longer, then she said to me: "Courage, I will come again." She then disappeared very slowly, as she had done in the month of February. Why have I not been able to follow thee, my good Mother, but thou wilt come again? (Written the 2nd of July. This vision took place on the eve of the Feast of the Visitation of the. Blessed Virgin, which was also that year the eve of the Consecration of the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes.)
SEVENTH APPARITION, SUNDAY, JULY SECOND, FEAST OF THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
Since I am to publish your glory, I will now, through obedience, relate your visit this past night.
I went to bed at half-past ten o clock. It cost me something to retire to rest, as I had seen the Blessed Virgin the night before, about the same hour. I fell at once into a profound sleep. I awoke at half-past eleven, aroused myself thoroughly, got up, and partly dressed myself, to see what o'clock it was. I thought I had slept much longer. Seeing what time it was, I hoped to see the Blessed Virgin before midnight. I knelt down and said half the "Hail Mary". The Blessed Virgin stood before me. I could not finish the prayer. I was too happy. She appeared the same as she did last night: the drops of rain falling from her hands, and, as she stood there, in a soft halo of light, there was, in the background, a wreath of roses surrounding her. She remained thus for some time. Then she crossed her hands upon her breast. Her eyes were fixed upon me. "You have already published my glory." Then she confided to me a secret which I cannot reveal. "Continue to do so. My Son has also some souls attached to Him. His Heart bears such love for mine that He cannot refuse me any requests. Through me He will touch the most hardened hearts." "Continue." She looked most beautiful as she spoke. I was able to ask her something. I remembered the pile of papers I had seen on the 15th of February; so I said to her: "My good Mother, what must be done with this paper?" "It will serve to publish this recital in the manner several of my servants think it ought to be done. There will be much opposition; but fear nothing, be calm." Then I wished to ask her for something else; that is to say, for a proof of her power, but I felt embarrassed; I did not know how to express myself. At last I said: "My good Mother, for your own glory, if you please " She understood me and, with a loving smile, replied: "Is not your cure one of the greatest proofs of my power? I have come especially for the conversion of sinners." And, while she was speaking, I was thinking of the various ways in which she might manifest her power. She replied to my thoughts: "It will be seen later on." She remained with me a good while longer, and then slowly disappeared. The wreath of roses remained after she was gone; then gradually faded away, together with a surrounding halo of light. I remained on my knees for a short time, then returned to bed. It was half-past twelve o clock. I slept but little during the rest of the night; and it is only through obedience that I have written these lines.
All for thy glory, my good Mother; thanks for thy favours. May the Divine Son also be touched by these small efforts which it has been in my power to make, in order to publish thy glory. Estelle.
[The first part of this account was written soon after the Apparition, at one o'clock in the morning. The rest of it in the morning of the 3rd of July.]
EIGHTH APPARITION, MONDAY, JULY THIRD
Last night I saw again the Blessed Virgin. She appeared the same as she did the other night; but she only remained five minutes. She reproached me gently: "I would wish that you were still more calm. I will not disclose to you the day nor hour on which I intend to return. You require repose. I will remain only a few minutes." At this moment I desired to express my wishes to her. She said to me, with a smile: "I have come to end the feast." She remained a few moments longer; then went away, as she did on the other nights. It was not yet midnight. Estelle.
[Written on the 4th July, 1876. The 3rd July, 1876, was the Feast of the Coronation of Our Lady of Lourdes.]
On to the September Apparitions.Reproduced from Public Domain Material.
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