NINTH APPARITION, SEPTEMBER NINTH
(On the Saturday within the Octave of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, it being also the eve of the Holy Name of Mary.)
Since thou dost ask I should publish thy glory, my good Mother, it is solely in order to please thee that I am about to write thy words.
For several days I have wished to revisit the room in which I had been cured. At length, on the 9th September, I have been able to do so. I was finishing the Rosary when the Blessed Virgin appeared. She was the same as on the 1st July. Before speaking to me, she looked around in silence, then she said: "You deprived yourself of a visit from me on the 15th of August; you were not sufficiently calm. You have indeed the French character, wishing to know all without learning anything, and to understand everything before knowing it. I would have come to you yesterday, too; again you deprived yourself of it. I was waiting for this act of submission and obedience from you." At that moment I understood perfectly that if I had not been submissive and obedient I would have deprived myself of ever again beholding her. She paused; then said: "For a long time the treasures of my Son have been open. Let them pray." Saying these words she raised the small piece of woollen cloth which she wore upon her breast. I had always seen this, but without knowing what it meant; for hitherto it was always pure white. As she took it up I perceived a red heart, which appeared distinctly in relief. I thought all at once that it was a Scapular of the Sacred Heart. She said to me, holding it up: "I love this devotion." She paused, then added: "It is here I will be honored."
[This vision took place about a quarter to three in the afternoon; it lasted seven or eight minutes.]
TENTH APPARITION, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER TENTH, FEAST OF THE HOLY NAME OF MARY
On the 10th of September, the Blessed Virgin came at nearly the same hour. She made no delay, saying: "Let them pray. I show them the example." While speaking she joined her hands, then disappeared. The bell for Vespers rung out at the same moment.
Estelle.
[The Blessed Virgin wore the Scapular she had revealed on yesterday, and also in each of the succeeding Apparitions.]
ELEVENTH APPARITION, ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER FIFTEENTH, FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
On the 15th of September, with the permission of my mistress, I went to pray in my room. What a happiness for me! Why cannot I spend my life there? I went there twice, but it was only on the second occasion that I saw the Blessed Virgin. It was then a quarter to three o'clock. She appeared as usual, her arms stretched out, drops of rain falling from her hands; she remained a long time silent before speaking to me. She looked about in every direction, and then told me some things which refer only to myself. "I will remember the efforts you have made to be calm. It is not only for your own sake, I ask this, but also for that of the Church and for France. In the Church there is not the calm I desire." She sighed and shook her head, saying: "There is something else, then." She paused; she did not tell me what it was, but I understood immediately that there was some discord. Then she continued slowly: "Let them pray and let them have confidence in me." The Blessed Virgin looked sad, as she added: "And France, what have I not done for her? How many warnings, and yet she refused to listen! I can no longer restrain my Son." She appeared deeply moved as she said: "France will suffer." She laid particular emphasis on these words. Then she paused once more and continued: "Courage and confidence." At that moment the thought occurred to me, 'if I say this it is likely no one will believe me'. The Blessed Virgin understood me, for she replied: "I have arranged all beforehand. So much the worse for those who may not be willing to believe you. Later on they will recognize the truth of my words." Then she gradually disappeared. O my good Mother, there is still time, thy encouraging words will increase our confidence and love for thee. Thou art "all-merciful and mistress of thy Son." Thou hast said: "The treasures of my Son are open." Ah! If it pleases Him to try us still more, and to punish us as we deserve, at least we shall have the consolation of drawing from this inexhaustible source, which issues from His Sacred Heart. This devotion, which thou dost love, my good Mother, I will speak of it as much as I possibly can; and thou wilt permit that my good-will to please thee may serve for thy glory. Estelle.
The Scapular is now revealed; the mission of Estelle becomes public, and it is worthy of remark that henceforth witnesses will be found present at every succeeding Apparition. Mdlle. Blanche de Tyran had followed Estelle into her room. The following is an abridgment of her deposition: Estelle began to say the Rosary, kneeling almost in the middle of the room. She had said about a decade and a half, when Mdlle. de Tyran, who remained about two feet away from her, no longer heard the words, the sound of her respiration, nor the slightest noise of her beads moving. Estelle remained thus on her knees about three-quarters of an hour, perfectly motionless, her hands joined and slightly extended. At the end of that time she drew a long, sorrowful sigh, seemed to wipe away her tears, and asked Mdlle. de Tyran if she had not seen the Blessed Virgin. The latter, placed a little distance behind her, could not see her eyes, but saw quite plainly the deep flush on her cheeks. Estelle then described to her the Scapular of the Sacred Heart, and told her some of the details of her vision.
On to the November Apparitions.Reproduced from Public Domain Material.
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