Vatican Recognizes 19th-Century French Marian Apparitions at Pellevoisin
FREE Catholic Classes
The Vatican has recently encouraged devotion to Our Lady of Mercy at the Marian shrine of Pellevoisin. This follows the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith's approval, which highlights the importance of the apparitions that took place there in 1876. The Blessed Mother appeared to a young woman, Estelle Faguette, who was suffering from tuberculosis, leading to her miraculous healing.
Highlights
9/10/2024 (3 weeks ago)
Published in Living Faith
Keywords: Marian apparition, Vatican-approval
Estelle, born into a poor family on September 12, 1843, worked tirelessly as a laundress and maid to support her family. Her health deteriorated in her 30s due to tuberculosis. Rather than succumbing to despair, she turned to the Blessed Mother with a letter asking for healing. According to Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, head of the Dicastery, Estelle's letter expressed not just resignation but also a "resistance" to the illness that disrupted her life plans. She surrendered to God's will but begged for the strength to continue supporting her parents.
"This generous dedication to others," Cardinal Fernandez remarked, "is what touched the Mother's heart the most: 'The Mother knows how to recognize all the good that is hidden behind our words.'"
The apparitions began when Estelle was 32, and by the fifth apparition, she was healed. However, the Vatican emphasizes that "everything is attributed to Christ." As Cardinal Fernandez clarified, "Estelle's healing is not directly attributed to Mary but to Christ, who heard his Mother's intercession."
Estelle documented the Blessed Mother's comforting words during the apparitions: "Do not be afraid, you are my daughter," and "If you want to serve me, be simple." But even more moving to Estelle was the silent presence of the Blessed Mother. Estelle wrote, "My God, how beautiful she was! She remained still for a long time without saying anything [...] After this silence, she looked at me; I don't know what I felt; how happy I was!" Describing the Blessed Mother's gaze, she recalled, "What beauty and sweetness!" and "What kindness in her gaze and what mercy!"
The apparitions also had a Christ-centered message. The Blessed Mother revealed a scapular bearing the image of the Sacred Heart of Christ, asking Estelle to spread devotion to His loving heart. As Cardinal Fernandez explained, "Mary says: 'For a long time, the treasures of my Son have been open [...] I love this devotion.'" The scapular of the Sacred Heart would become a powerful symbol for the faithful.
After her miraculous healing, Estelle lived a life of humble service, entering the Dominican Third Order in 1925, where she lived a religious life until her death at the age of 86.
Devotion to the Marian apparitions at Pellevoisin has long been encouraged by the Church. Pope Leo XIII granted indulgences to pilgrims who visited Pellevoisin in 1892 and, in 1900, recognized the scapular of the Sacred Heart. In 1915, Pope Benedict XV described Pellevoisin as a special place where the Virgin Mary chose to spread her graces.
With the Vatican's recent approval, the shrine of Our Lady of Mercy at Pellevoisin will continue to be a source of inspiration and devotion for the faithful, reminding them of the power of Christ's love and the intercession of His Blessed Mother.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your support makes stories like this possible!
Catholic Online is completely donor supported, allowing us to report on what truly is happening in the world, free of charge and uncensored. A donation to Catholic Online will ensure millions around the world can continue to come to our site to find the faith people are so desperately searching for in life.
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Celebrate St. Francis of Assisi with the top 10 quotes from and for him
-
From St Francis of Assisi to the Faithful: We Must be Simple
-
From Plows to Profit: The Rise of Industrialized Agriculture in America
-
Nehemiah's Wall: A Testament to Faith, Leadership, and Restoration
-
Adorable animals PRAY on St. Francis of Assisi's feast day (PHOTOS)
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Saturday, October 05, 2024
- St. Faustina Kowalska: Saint of the Day for Saturday, October 05, 2024
- Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi: Prayer of the Day for Saturday, October 05, 2024
- Daily Readings for Friday, October 04, 2024
- St. Francis of Assisi: Saint of the Day for Friday, October 04, 2024
- St. Francis of Assisi's Vocation Prayer: Prayer of the Day for Friday, October 04, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.