TWELFTH APPARITION, ON NOVEMBER FIRST, FEAST OF ALL SAINTS
Thou hast not spoken to me, my good Mother; yet, nevertheless, for thy glory I will describe the visit with which thou hast deigned to favor me to-day. For the last fifteen days, notwithstanding all my efforts to refrain from desiring to see the Blessed Virgin again, I could not succeed in doing so, and at the very moment I resolved most firmly not to think of it, my heart would leap within me at the thought of again beholding her. Today, at last 1st November, I once more saw this good heavenly Mother. She appeared as usual, with her arms stretched out and wearing the Scapular she had shown to me on the 9th September. As usual, also, she gazed intently on something I could not see, then looked around on all sides. She did not speak, but at last, casting her eyes on me, with an expression of the greatest kindness, she disappeared. Oh! If I could only follow thee, my good Mother. This is always my first thought when I see her. Today, immediately after the departure of Our Blessed Lady, when I looked around the room, everything appeared dark to me. What grief I felt; my God, what dost Thou wish me to do? I am ready. Do with me what Thou dost wish. And as for Thy most holy Mother, who is so good and merciful, what does she require from a poor creature like me? What am I to do? Speak, O most holy Mother! I renew the promise I have made before thee. I will do all that depends on me for thy glory. Estelle.
[This Apparition took place about half an hour after mid day. It lasted only a few minutes. Mdlle. de Tyran was present during this Apparition.]
She relates that when she had seen Estelle enter the room, she followed her, accompanied by Madame de La Rochefoucauld. After about a quarter of an hour they both left it together, but Mademoiselle soon returned and found Estelle in the same fixed, motionless state as she had been when she saw her on the 15th September. This lasted only a few minutes, but she remarked afterwards to Madame de La Rochefoucauld that Estelle must assuredly have seen the Blessed Virgin.
Estelle was depressed that evening, because she had not heard the Blessed Virgin speak, as on former occasions. Monsieur le Cure, in order to ascertain her opinion, said that perhaps it was a farewell visit, that it was true the Blessed Virgin had not spoken, but that she seemed to indicate by her Scapular that it should be propagated. "I do not know if I shall see the Blessed Virgin again. This does not appear to me like a farewell visit, but I think I shall see her again."
THIRTEENTH APPARITION, ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER FIFTH
About half-past two o'clock, I went to my room to say my beads, and when I had finished it I saw the Blessed Virgin. She looked as beautiful as ever. As I gazed upon her I reflected how unworthy I was of her favours, that so many others were more deserving of them than I, and could do so much more to publish her glory. Then she looked at me and smiled, saying: "I have chosen you." Oh! how happy I felt! What goodness in her look, and what mercy! She wore her Scapular; how beautiful it was! She paused a moment, and then continued, smiling: "I choose the little ones and the weak for my glory." Again she paused, then said: "Courage! the time of your trials is approaching." Then she crossed her hands upon her breast and disappeared. All for thee, my good Mother.
This vision lasted a quarter of an hour, according to the testimony of Sister Maria Theodosie, the superioress of the nuns, who was present at the time. She states that she entered the room with Estelle, who knelt to pray, but not in her usual place. After a few minutes the sister went back to the church, where she remained about ten minutes, after which she returned to Estelle. The noise she made on entering the room did not disturb Estelle, who was then kneeling in her usual place, and whose state of ecstasy she remarked, as she approached within two feet of her, so that she might clearly see her face and watch her eyes. Her face was calm; her eyes fixed. The sister could not hear her breathe; however, she saw her respiration, but her lips did not move. She remained during the whole time perfectly motionless. At the end of the vision she heaved deep sighs and the sister saw her wiping away her tears. Notwithstanding the announcement of her trials, Estelle was cheerful and even joyous after the Apparition. This was remarked by all who saw her on that and the following day.
FOURTEENTH APPARITION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER ELEVENTH
On yesterday, Saturday, I again beheld the Blessed Virgin. I went to my room to pray, having felt for several days previously an impulse to do so which I could not account for. I even wished to set out in the morning so that I might have more time, but God had now His designs; I could not go until the afternoon, and it was about four o'clock when I reached my room. I had finished my beads and said a Memorare, when the Blessed Virgin appeared. She looked as usual; her arms were stretched out and she wore the Scapular. How beautiful it is, and how prominent it appears on her breast! When she appeared she remained silent for some time. Then she looked at me and told me something for myself alone. She also said to me: "You have not lost your time today; you have worked for me." (I had made a Scapular.) She smiled and added: "It will be necessary to make many more." She paused for some time and afterwards became somewhat sad, and said to me: "Courage." Then she disappeared, crossing her hands upon her breast. Have pity on me, my good Mother.
Estelle.
Five persons were witnesses of Estelle's ecstasy during the Apparition, which lasted twenty minutes. Mdlle. de Tyran was present during the whole time; also three sisters, Marie de Jesus, St. Chrysostome and St. Angelique, and Mdlle. Thersile Salmon during the last five minutes. Mdlle. de Tyran deposed to the same fixed look and immobility of body during former ecstasies. The mother of Estelle, making some noise, came into the room to speak to Mdlle. de Tyran, but Estelle did not appear to hear her. She had been on her knees, in her usual place, for ten minutes, when the first four persons mentioned above entered the room. They were talking, and one of them lit a taper quite close to Estelle. They heard noise outside, but Estelle was insensible to everything. They all state that the eyes were fixed without any movement of the eyelids. At the end of the vision Estelle raised her hand as if to grasp or follow something. She heaved a deep sigh and big tears rolled down her cheeks. She remained a few moments longer motionless, and appeared quite astonished at seeing a taper lit and five per sons close beside her. As Estelle had been seen by Mdlle. de Tyran, first saying her Rosary, and then some other prayers, she did not remain less than forty minutes altogether on her knees.
On to the December Apparitions.Reproduced from Public Domain Material.
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