MARIAN
Our lady of Hope and Good Health
August 2023
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https://a.co/d/c7BIwnk MARIAN I
https://a.co/d/58QFzqV MARIAN II
https://a.co/d/5ZI70ts MARIAN III
https://a.co/d/5U0o02X MARIAN IV
Post By Editor : Freelance Researching, Writing and Journalism
February 2025 Ms Izabel Langlais
Theme: Hope, Courage, Inspirational, Resilience, Fight of Good against Evil, General Audience,
Characters: Virgin Mary apparitions, children
Image: Google Library
Word count: 16,929 words
_______________________
Chapter1
Isaiah 54,2-3
“2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the
curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen
thy stakes; 3 For thou shalt break forth
on the right hand and on the left: and thy seeds shall inherit the
Gen’tiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited “
Historical background:
Our Lady
of Beauraing Virgin of the Golden Heart
Five children, ages
9 to 15, reported seeing 33 apparitions of Mary between November 1932 and
January 1933. Mary asked for prayer and for the construction of a chapel as a
place of pilgrimage, promising to convert sinners.[60]
According to tradition,
the first apparition is said to have occurred to a young boy
delivering buttermilk to a man, who lived far away. During his travels, the
boy stopped to rest beside a lake that was shaded by a Banyan tree. A beautiful woman,
carrying a child, is said to have appeared, and asked the boy for some milk to
feed her child, which he gave. When he reached the home for his milk delivery,
he apologized for the delay and that there would be less milk in his pot. But
when they opened the lid of the milk pot, the container was brimming with milk
Our Lady of Banneux Virgin of
the Poor
A child named Mariette Beco reported that
Mary appeared to her, calling herself "the Virgin of the Poor".[62] Mary said
"I come to relieve suffering" and indicated a spring through which
miracles of healing would be worked.[63]
Our Lady of
Pontmain Our Lady of Hope
At the height of
the Franco-Prussian War, Pontmain, a hamlet of about 500 inhabitants, found itself between the
oncoming Prussian army and the city of Laval. While two boys, Joseph and Eugène, aged ten and twelve,
were helping their father in the barn, Eugène saw in the night sky an
apparition of a beautiful woman smiling at him; she was wearing a blue gown
covered with golden stars, and a black veil under a golden crown. Joseph came
to look and could see the lady as well. As a crowd gathered, two girls,
Françoise Richer and Jeanne-Marie Lebosse, ages nine and eleven, reported
seeing Mary as well, and described her in the same way. None of the adults, however,
could see Mary, but only saw three stars forming a triangle. The crowd began
praying the Rosary. The children saw a banner unfurl beneath the Lady with a
message: "But pray, my children. God will hear you in time. My Son allows
Himself to be touched." The apparition lasted about three hours. It was
later discovered that the advance of the Prussian troops was halted at the same
time that the apparition began; the general reported that the advance was
blocked by a "Madonna".
Our Lady of Mount Carmel of
Garabanda
Four girls reported
seeing apparitions of Saint Michael the Archangel and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The girls heard Mary
predict a forthcoming "Warning" from God, apparent to the whole
world, that will precede a "Great Miracle". If these do not result in
the conversion of the world, a great Chastisement will follow.
___________________
'Marian ' II Our Lady Of Good Health
According to
tradition, the first apparition is said to have occurred to a young boy
delivering buttermilk to a man, who
lived far away. During his travels, the boy stopped to rest beside a lake that
was shaded by a Banyan
tree. A beautiful woman,
carrying a child, is said to have appeared, and asked the boy for some milk to feed
her child, which he gave. When he reached the home for his milk delivery, he
apologized for the delay and that there would be less milk in his pot. But when
they opened the lid of the milk pot, the container was brimming with milk
Inspired by true events
but fictionned by the author & writer
Noah was a very spirited
child, full of life and energy ... at the Orphanage he was residing in, he
always brought life and good team work to encourage the others to their chores
and all was done early so they could enjoy their free playtime ...
But sometimes the energy was getting a little overwhelming and
no work would be done if they all started to giggles for no reason ... so Miss Clay
was eager to give Noah some responsibilities and have the other kids their
rest, quiet time or do their house chores ... Noah was reliable and very mature
and responsible for his age and so was always rewarded for his extra work in
praises and was more then happy himself to be able to be entrusted with other
duties then the regular house chores they had to do extra then their studying...normally
he also could bring a pair with him and that was fun as he felt responsible ...
sitting fidgeting over his dishes to be washed after breakfast and his peers
drying the dishes, he was looking around, always checking everyone was fine
from his 8 years of age ... the girls were folding the clothes from the clothes
string outside, he assessed from the window in front of the sink, and putting
more new freshly hand washed to the string...the sound of the string rolling
away with the clothes on it was reassuring...the boys were making piles of wood
that had been chopped in a bunch and brought to them by a kind neighbor, early
in the morning...they had to tight the small branches together and the wood
chip was already in a bag they would poured into the pale for it and bring the
whole types of wood for the stove inside at it’s place with bigger, but not too
big, logs...others ones were busy wiping the table and brooming the floor...and
another one was re-stacking the shelf with the clean dishes...He knew all their
assigned jobs because they had to rotate to their week schedule...except for
the laundry and the wood that was specifically for the girls or boys...this
week it was his week to be the dishes washer and he liked and enjoyed it ...
better then the brooming ...
Miss clay came near him and said “Noah, I need you to go get some
milk for lunch as we are running low” she said softly “Francis will replace you
as there are one too many to dry these dishes” she added
“Ok
Miss Clay !” said more then delighted ... in his heart he was hoping he would
be pulled soon to be asked to go do something else
“Rebbecah is done with her chore and so she will go with you “
she added
He froze a little ... Rebbecah ?! ... he thought to himself ... Rebbecah was new at the Orphanage
since few months now ... he looked and indeed the tables were all cleaned
perfectly ... but Miss Clay never assigned him with a girl before ... some disappointed
as he tough he was going with his best
friend Jacob ... Rebbecah heard and came near them ... she didn’t say anything as she was mute
... This was disturbing him...not that she was mute or not like all the other kids ... playing and working well and fast too , so a good team member to count on to be
able to be done quick their chores and have some extra playtime ...and always
eager to help the other girls when she was done first ... but ... he felt
intimidated because if he talked to her she couldn’t answer and she would use
her hands or her writing pad but he , a boy, felt it was taking too much time
and rudely would ask or talk to someone else ...he knew he had hurt her feeling
sometimes doing this and felt guilty...not that he did in purpose...but she was
avoiding him since ...now he was hoping he would continue to wash the dishes
instead...
Miss Clay noting that he was not already on his way as he would
normally have done and was still there frozen, asked “Is everything alright Mr
Noah ?” she asked with a tone
“You know best where the milk is to be brought from and are
reliable and quick...”
“Yes...I want to go “ he said quickly
“Perfect then ...” Miss Clay said again with a tone that they
better be on their way
Noah turned to Rebbecah and talked slowly and louder “I -know –were-
it- is- so- you-follow-me !” he said
Now it was Miss Clay that frozen ...”Noah ...” she said softly “Rebbecah
is mute...not deaf !...” she said insistely
Rebbecah smiled and left to take the empty pale she knew they
used for this chore, as she had observed
“Ok, let’s go “ he walked out the door and felt somehow awkward for
no reason...they left in silence , walking to the place where they would have
milk for them ready from another kind neighbor in the village...
****
When they arrived , the kind neighbor seen them coming and went
to get the pale from Rebbecah ...”Hi Noah “ he said smiling ...he loved kids
and had few of his own...and was always happy to see them and helped them “I
never seen you before ...I am Raphael...and you are ?” he asked joyfully to Rebbecah
She smiled at him and made a hand gestured
He looked surprised and looked at Noah “She is mute “ Noah said ...
He waited expectandly but since Noah didn’t had anything he
encouraged him “And...so what is her name ... ?”
Noah realised what he should have done “Her name is Rebbecah” he
said now confidently “She is new with us for few months now ...” he added smiling
Raphael replied “Nice to meet you Rebbecah” he said smilling at
her
She smiled back and signed with her head like yes
“She works hard ... and she ear well ... “ Noah added now almost
protectively
Raphael could sense the tension lifting from Rebbecah that might
think he didn’t like her ...
“That is awesome ...! “ Raphael said cheerfully “Surely miss
Clay appreciate her work or she would have trust to send her with you “ he said
proudly
He handed the pale of milk full to Noah and placed it on the
little wagon they had for him
Noah took the
wagon handled and was ready to go
“Bye M Raphael...Thank you very much !” he said
Rebbecah made a
hand gesture with her finger tip to her chim and away
Noah jumped “This
means Thank You “ he said defensively
“Ah ... now i
learned sign language “ and he returned the sign to her smilling and she
smilled delighted
*****
On the way back they want
to take a little break for water at the creek behind the tree ... Noah was
doing so everytime ...
“We -will ...” then he
stopped himself realising he was doing this again ...”Sorry ...” he lowered his
voice “ We will stop here for fresh water “ he said and parked the little wagon
by the tree “We can’t use this milk
because it is warm ... also we have to save it “ he said in charge
Rebbecah was following him
They went around the tree
and stopped
A beautiful women was
there standing by the creek with a baby in her arms
She had a glow around her
She smiled at them both
and they felt Blessed
“I am Virgin Mary ... Would you give me some of
your milk for my baby ?” she asked
Noah though ... they didn’t
had extra with all the kids that were had the orphanage ... but this lady here
in the shade with a baby ...surely she didn’t know where to get milk on her
own...she couldn’t go to walk in the sun with a baby either ...
“Yes ...” he said sternly “we
will give you some of our milk
She had a small pale too
and he opened the lid and went to rinse it at the creek in the fresh water
...then he took the big scoop they had with them and used it to fill her small
pale ... this took almost half of what they had ... Rebbeccah smiled at the
women and gestured with her head to take her pale ... Noah handed her the pale
...inside he was pleased to help her but he knew there would be shortage at the
orphanage by the morning and Miss Clay would be disappointed... what if she thought
they would have spilled it or drank it for themselves and not send him again
... he tried to shove the thoughts away from him and gave the pale to her
knowing he was doing the right thing and he would deal with the shortage later
... inside it felt nice to help her and her baby ...
The women took the pale
and smiled and thanked them warmly
They drank some fresh water
and left Noah explained to Rebbecah “We did the right thing ...she can’t go
with a bay in the sun and try to find milk...it is better she stay here in the
shade by the fresh water...we can’t go back to the farm to ask Raphael either
for refilling it because we are half way and lunch is soon ... we will just
have to explained what has happened and you write the truth so Miss Clay do not
think we have spilled it or drink it for ourselves and not send us again” he
said to her in a low tone like a team
Rebbecah smilled and
gesture from her head...yes
****
They arrived at the
orphanage and Miss Clay came to meet them with the other kids ...
She felt something wrong
Rebbecah wrote on her
board and Miss Clay read “We gave milk to this women for her baby by the creek “
Miss Clay looked at Noah ... “There was a women at the creek with a baby in her arms ...she asked milk for her baby so we filled her pale...” he explained "She said she was Virgin Mary ..."
The kids listen and seemed interested and puzzled at the same time ...feeling there was some sort of happening in the air ...
Miss Clay took the pale on
the wagon and it seemed heavy ... “Ah ! “ Noah said and Rebbecah puzzled too
Miss Clay opened the lid
of their pale on the wagon and it was overfull ...some even spilled on the side
when the lid was off as it was so full ! ...
Rebbecah and Noah looked
at each other with wide eyes and started to giggled ... Miss Clay and the other
kids looked at the pale full and to each other and to Miss Clay giggling too
...
"Thank you Virgin Mary ..." Noah and Rebbecah said together loudly
***
'Marian I Our Lady of Beauraising Virgin of the Golden Heart”
Our Lady of Beauraing Virgin of
the Golden Heart
Five children, ages
9 to 15, reported seeing 33 apparitions of Mary between November 1932 and
January 1933. Mary asked for prayer and for the construction of a chapel as a
place of pilgrimage, promising to convert sinners.[60]
Inspired by true events
but fictionned by the author & writer
The days were getting fresher ... All Saints day was passed and the fields were ready to be harvested ...pumpkins and corn... their job was to fill the wagons the adults were bringing with them ... the fives kids were delighted ... this was a lot of work, but together they had fun and it was better then sitting still the whole day...at least they had each afternoon off in permission from their mother to the teacher ... as most kids also at this time of the year, mostly if their parents owned themselves a farm ... and they were bringing some money in exchange of their work home for their mother for the winter ... and this felt good too ... Imelda was the youngest at 9years old but she wanted to help and she was very capable to pick the smallest ones ... Isaac and Mathew twins of 15 years old were the responsible for their sisters and to pick the bigger ones ... Elizabeth 13 years old and Sarah 12 years old were keeping most together and making sure Imelda the youngest was also fine ...their mother had sent lunch with them as a picnic and by that time they would be by the creek and so they could refill their water bottles ...
As they were busy
and absorbed they heard their little sister Imelda talking behind them ...
Elizabeth stopped looked at Sarah beside her and it wasn’t her...it wasn’t
their brothers because it was a girl voice ... she turned and seen Imelda
smiling looking in front of herself ... “Ok ... I will tell them ...” she
turned and ran to her sister “Who were you talking to ? “ Elizabeth asked “ The
Lady ...” she turned to show her but no one was there so she stopped looked
puzzled ... “She was just there talking to me ...” she said to Elizabeth ... by
then Sarah who had stopped and had heard as she was just by Elizabeth ...
looked there and at her sister ... “Imelda ... i see no one ... what sis the
Lady told you ...” she asked kindly to get her sister to confess ... “She said
she was Virgin Mary and needed us to pray for her ...” she replied looking at her sisters ...they
both looked at each other and went were Imelda had talked to her and looked and
found only a white pebble on the floor ... Imelda seen it first and took it
very quickly and happily ... “Look !” she presented it to her sisters so happy
because this was proof the Lady was really there because there wasn’t any
pebbles here and mostly not white one like in the river ... “Wow ...!” her
sisters exclaimed now certain their sisters was saying the truth ... “What is
happening ? “ Isaac asked curious followed by Mathew as they had noticed the
girls had stopped their work and some sort of event was happening “look ! “
Imelda showed proudly the pebble to Isaac that took it and wondered and Mathew looking
at it ... he looked around and asked “Where did you find it ?”
Then she hesitated
before to answer, and looked at her sisters
Sarah looked at
her with encouragement to say smilling
“It was here where
the Lady came talking to me before ...” she said to him
“A lady ... ? Here
? ...” Isaac said a little doubtful
“She said she was
Virgin Mary and needed us to pray for her ...” she said to explain
He looked at her
not certain how to react ... and then looked at his brother also puzzled and
then at his 2 sisters ... Elizabeth said ...I heard her talking to someone and
turned and she came to me to explained and then when we went to look...we found
this pebble on the ground ...
They looked at
each other not sure ... Mathew looked around the wagon and under and in the
distance and seen no one ... He presented the palm of his hand open to have the
pebble and Imelda placed it in it ... he looked at it and closed his hand
around it to feel it ... He smiled and Isaac wanted to have it too and they all
took it at turn and felt it in the palm of their hand ... “keep it Imelda ...
She gave it to you ... keep it preciously ...” and Sarah gave it back to her
...
*****
The next day ...
they went to school in the morning ...Imelda was feeling agitated and couldn’t
wait to go back outside to work on the harvest and was wondering if the Lady
would be there again ...
They worked for a
good hour and Imelda was again feeling edgy ... her brother Isaac said “Imelda
... if the Lady come to talk to you today ... you tell us ok ...” he said
firmly but softly “And stay close to us ok ...” Mathew added
They moved closer
to their sisters and tried to talk low ... “ We just have to keep an eye on her
... you know it could be anyone pretending and trying to get her to follow them
...” Isaac said “True...Mathew added ...here the field is low and we can see
each other and in the distance ... but when we are at the corn ... maybe we
shouldn’t bring her ... what if she go see her or talk to her ...we don’t know who
it is for sure us ...” Elizabeth and Sarah looked at each other “You are right
...” Sarah said “ We better keep her at all time by our side “ she added
Elizabeth listened
and decided to go talk to Imelda and tell her to stay visible and beside them
at all time
She turned on her
heels and left to go to Imelda and seen her absorbed ... she wasn’t far...
maybe few feet away from them ... as she got closer she was to call on her and
the Lady was right there observing her working ... “Imel ...da “
Elizabeth said and she looked up with the pumpkin in her arm ... “ Elizabeth
... this is the Lady is talked to you yesterday ...” she said looking at Elizabeth and then at the
Lady ... She was radiant and wearing a blue veil on her hair and dress in white
... she smiled at Elizabeth ... Elizabeth looked at her smiling but couldn’t
talk ... “I am Virgin Mary, Please pray
to me “ she said softly “ Ok ...”Elizabeth
said and turned around to call in her brothers and sisters “ Sarah ... Math
& Isaac “ she called not too loud almost whispering at the distance ... They looked at her and she gestured to
come by “Come here “ ...she said
She turned back
and the Lady was gone ... they got closer “She was just here ...” Elizabeth
said
“The lady ... you
saw her ...?!” Isaac exclaimed
“Yes ... she talked
to me ...” Elizabeth said
“I told you she
was really here yesterday ! “ Imelda said and she bent down to look at the
ground and found another white pebble ... “See ...” she took it and gave it to
Elizabeth
Elizabeth smiled
...
“What she said ? “
Mathew asked excited
“She said she was
Virgin Mary and needed us to pray her ...” she said looking at them “she is beautiful and have some of a glow ...” she added
“and she wears a white robe and a blue veil on her hair ...” Imelda
added quickly
Then again they
all looked and felt the new pebble and Elizabeth was to keep it ...
*****
The next day they were all agitated ...
When they got to the pumpkin field in the empty wagon and the tractor
left ... Isaac said “ Ok Imelda you stay ALWAYS beside your sisters ... “ He
said firmly but softly
They worked for few hours as they had a small lunch before to
leave school and were waiting to be at the creek to have their full lunch
together ...
No sign of any one else then the other peoples Harvesting in
group close to their own wagons ...
Arriving at the creek together ... they were the last group as
the other adults were here for the lunch time since they started in the morning
and the wagon were moved one at a time by the tractor so one group at a time
was close to the creek for a break ... by the time the 5 of them were there ...
the previous ones were already back to their harvesting ... They washed their
hand in the creek and their bottles and refilled them and sat together on the
blanket their mother had sent and Elizabeth placed all the food container in
the centre for them to pick what they wanted ... they were all sitting around
the food went the Lady came from around the tree ...
The looked at her in awe “ I am Virgin Mary and need you to pray
to me ...” they were staring at her and
Mathew said “Ok ...” like in a bliss
they cling eyes and she was gone ... they looked at each other in
astonishment and Imelda ran to the place and found 3 white pebbles ...
*****
At home after they had done all their school works and had dinner , they each went to get ready for bed ... Their mother washing the dishes ... all the kids came to her one to say good night and hug her ... which made her so happy ... “ This is all very nice ...” she said surprised “ This field harvest work is doing you lots of good ...” she said smiling at her kids “Yes ... and maybe it is the nice Lady that inspires us to be nice ...” Imelda said proudly
“Nice Lady ... ?!” their mother asked
They looked at each other trying to guess who would say
something “ Mom... I am happy you asked finally ...” Elizabeth said like she
had something heavy coming from her shoulders “ You know i can’t keep a secret
...” she said to her mother
“ Please tell me ...” their mother said
“ Maybe we sit first “ Isaac said
Their mother seemed worried for a second but then she seen that
they all looked excited and that they were eager to tell her so she was a
little comforted ...they all sat at their place at the table and were not talking
... since Imelda had started , her mother holded her hand and asked her “
Please tell me who you seen that makes you all so nice “
“ It is Virgin Mary ...” Imelda said serious ... “She talks to
us and ...”
Her mother looked at her with a giggled expression and then to
all of them thinking maybe it was a prank they were making on her ... then
seeing they were also all serious she asked
“Are you sure it is not just a nice person ... “ she tried
“No ... it is really her Mom ...” Imelda said defensively
Then again their mother looked around the table at her kids that
were silent but half giggling like they thought their story too incredulous for
their mother to believe them ... the mother looked a little irritated “ If this
is a prank...this is not amusing ... we don’t make jokes about such thing ...”
she said seriously
“No Mom ... I am also sure she is who she said ...” Mathew spoke
Their mother was startled “You seen her too ...” she said and
now it was her that seemed excited ... “Yes ... we all seen her ...” Sarah
added “ She is radiant and speak softly and comforting... like you Mom but if
she was somewhere else ...not clear like you ...” she tried to explained “And
she is not there and then she is and then we blink and she is gone ...” Elizabeth
added too ... seeing their mother was believing them and was excited too they started
to talk about it all together ... where was the first time and who seen her
first and what she said and what she looked like and all ...
Their mother seemed to calm the mood with a solemn tone “There
have been many stories of Virgin Mary apparitions ... around the world ... she
brings Blessing ... It is a very important role to have been selected by her
for a request ... “ she said softly ... “This is very complimenting and I am
honoured my children were to been chosen
by her to help her with something ... you have to show great respect and do as
she said ... “ she looked at each of them with love “Please tell me what she
asked from you again ...” she asked Isaac
“She asked us to pray her ...” he said ...”just this ...”
“And ... did you ? “ she asked them
“ We want to but we don’t know what she really mean ...” Imelda said confessing “That is why I said something
so you can help us ...” she said to her Mom
Her mother smiled ... “you did the right thing to tell me ...”
she said proudly and touched to be in the confidence “Did she gave you anything
special ?” their mother asked
“ No but when she leave we find white pebbles on the ground
where she was ...” Elizabeth said and she opened her hand and showed the pebble
that she had got the day before
Her mother took it and holded it in the palm of her hand ...”It
is beautiful ...” she said “This is a real sign ...” she said serious
She gave the white pebble back to Elizabeth “ we will make a
special place to pray to her in this home and make her proud and happy of our
family ...and if you want you can place the pebbles there on a small Altar we
will make for her ... “That is a great idea ... Imelda said and she ran to the
Living room area followed by Isaac and Mathew and their sisters ...Their mother
brought a lovely cloth and placed it on this area she cleared of this side
table and they all placed their pebbles on it ...then they stood around it
together and they followed their mother guidance and reapted what she was
saying all together
Hail Mary
...
The Lord is with you ...
You are Bless among All
women ...
And Jesus, the fruit of
Thy Womb is Bless too ...
Holly Mary Mother of God
...
Pray for us sinners ...
Now and at the hour of our
deaths ...
Amen
*****
The next days, the Harvest was good and the work easy ... the kids were settled at school and lunch time was there fast ... it seemed the days were lighter and they felt more like a bliss ... at home they started to help their mother after dinner and did their homework well all together at the table ...
Every night they
did their family prayer in the living room after dinner ...
The mother was
delighted by their improved mood
The next day the
teacher called the mother and they had a nice conversation ... she wanted to
congratulate the mother on her kids and their lovely attitude and asked if
there was any change at home that had brought this improvement ... the mother
explained her the night prayer to Virgin Mary they started to do , but didn’t mentioned
the apparitions seen by the kids ...
The next day
before the class started the teacher proposed to do a prayer to virgin Mary
with the whole class ... the kids from the family smiled and were delighted and
stood up at their desk first ... followed by the other students that felt shy
or unsure at first ... the teacher wrote the words on the chalk board and they
recited the prayer all together ...
After the prayer
time they started their work individual with their own goals ... some reading
... some calculating ... some writing ... some drawing ... all were busy and if
they had a question they could go see the teacher at the front ...
After an hour,
their teacher went to write the dictation word on the board ... after she was
done and placed back her chalk on the chalkboard lipshelf and returned to her
desk ...she paused and took something on her desk and looked at the class
smiling and puzzled at the same time ... “ Thank you class ... “ she said “That
is very thoughtful ...” she said touched and looking at it “It is very
beautiful ...” she said softly
They ran to her
desk to all look what it was “A medal ! “ one exclaimed ... “Oh! It is pretty ...”
another one said ... “ I eard these are for protection ...” one boy said
joyfully “We will keep it here in the class then ...” the teacher agreed ...
and they all wanted to hold it and see it ... and the teacher never noticed that
none of the kids already had seen it ...
*****
The rest of the
month went by fast with the harvest of the pumpkin finished and the new ritual
of prayer at home with their mother ...
The school class Virgin Mary medal was displayed
on the school board and the morning prayer was helping everyone to feel more
settled the whole morning and to be done their work faster so to have less
homework later ...
The kids were
anxious to maybe see the apparition of Virgin Mary again ... or have a sign
from her ...
One day at their
late lunch by the creek , Imelda said “I would like to see Virgin Mary again
... “
Her sister Elizabeth
made a quiet sign to her lip with her finger and said “ You shouldn’t talk like
she can’t ear you ...”
“ Seeing her once
is already an huge honour ...” Isaac added
She made a sad
face and added determined “ Still I think we should do something special ... “
she said confidently ... the younger one
“ Maybe she is
right ... “ Mathew said “ you remembered
the medal at school when the teacher had
this great morning prayer “ he said sternly ... more observing the reactions of
his brother and sisters since they hadn’t talked about it since that day ...
They eyed each other smiling
“Ok ... maybe you
are right ... we should think of something here ...since she came to us one day
here “ Sarah proposed whispering like they were accomplices of a secret
Imelda proposed at
her turn “Maybe we can say the grace before we eat ?! “ and she paused waiting
for their approval of her idea
“ That is a great
idea... “ Mathew said “ How we do this ...” he asked hesitating to the others
They looked at
each other saddened because they didn’t know what to say exactly
“Isaac ...”
Elizabeth said with an authoritative tone “ I propose you for leading the grace
and we will repeat after you like with Mom “ she said sternly
Isaac looked at
her smiling from the compliment and honour but also crossed how was he to do
this “ Also since you are the oldest ...”
Mathew added smilling
Isaac smiled again
“Only by few hours ... “ he added he answered giggling
When there was a
confusing moment they were always playing this card on him ...
He closed his eyes
few seconds and holded his hand face up on each side of him so his both sisters
on each side could hold his hands and then to their brother and sister next to
them ... He smiled at them in approval and took a deep breath “ This lunch we
would like to dedicate to Virgin Mary for her Blessings and to protect all our
friends and families in our village ... “ he paused “And to thank her for the
Great Harvest this year ...” he said quickly having an inspiration smiling satisfied “Lets recite the Hail Mary
for her ...” he added serious and they did so all together
Hail Mary
Full Of Grace
You are Bless
among All Women
And Jesus fruit
if thy Womb is Bless too
Holly Mary
Mother of God
Pray for Us
sinners
Now and at the
hours of our deaths
Amen
Their eyes closed and holding hands
After the prayer they opened their eyes and on the picnic cloth
was a medal ... like the one at school they got that day
*******
At the field for harvest
in the next afternoon ... the children were deciding ...
“ Now we are to harvest the corn ... “ Mathew said
“It is lighter and easier and more fun then the pumpkin ... “ he
added serious “But there is always the
chance to get lost as the stalks are high and there are no indications within
the field ... “ he continued “ the tractor will take the stalks out only after
we are done rows after rows in the
evening ... like this there is less chance to get lost in the middle ... “ He
added serious “ we are to collect the corn following the row from each side ...
but not go into the field ... even to play “ he insisted “ we will be following
each others ... there will be a lot of walking this way but it is much more
safe ...” he stated
“ Will the tractor follow us ? “ Elizabeth asked
“ They will come to move it few times they told me “ Isaac
replied
Sarah said “Mom said they would send baskets to fill ...” she said
pensive and went in the wagon left and found few baskets and took them out “Yes
... they have send some ...” she said happily
“ Maybe me and Sarah can get the corns from the stalks and give
them to Imelda to fill the basket ... and Isaac and Mathew, you can get the
basket to the wagon to fill with ...” she said asking
“yes that is a great team work this way “ Isaac said
“ Imelda, you are to keep to your work seriously and stay on the
outside at all time so we can see you at all time ...” Mathew said stern
“ Ok ... don’t worry” Imelda said
And so they started at their own team task as decided
After an hour they were at the creek and happy to rest ... this
was fun but more tireying then the pumpkins ... they sat and prepared their
lunch as usual after refilling their water bottled and wash their hands and
faces at the creek fresh water ...
Imelda took the Virgin Mary medal they had got days before and
they all took it to look at it ... “tomorrow, you can carry it ... “ she said
to Elizabeth “Thank you Imelda ...” Elizabeth said “ we will have a day each
... interrupting her Isaac jump in “and we are 5 ... so maybe a day each ...”
he proposed
“Great idea ...” Mathew exclaimed ... “ I am Wednesday “ he
stated
“Ok ... I will be Thursday “ said Sarah
“ And me Friday then ... “ Mathew added
“ Ok ... then me and Elizabeth will keep Monday and Tuesday “
she added and they all looked at the Virgin Mary medal and felt lighter even if
so tired
They did the grace together lead by Isaac again ... and this
happened automatically ...
After they had ate and packed their belongings from the picnic
... they went back to the wagon ... Mathew and Sarah looked behind to see if
Virgin Mary was there but she wasn’t ... understanding each other they just
looked sad at each other and left ...
At the wagon, Elizabeth had the Virgin Mary medal in her hand
and kissed it before to placed it in her tiny wallet in her pocket ...
Then someone was talking to them ... thinking it was the farmer
they turned around quickly and seen that it was her ... Radiant and glowing ...
the beautiful Virgin Mary with a child
in her arm ... they felt surprised and relieved at the same time to see her ...
Imelda said first “ Virgim Mary ... we have pray your prayer “ she said looking
at her
And we did the grace together at lunch “ Mathew added “ smiling
too
And we do the morning prayer to you at school “ Isaac added
She smiled and they felt comforted “ This is very good ... “ she
said softly
“ I have one more favor to ask you ...” she said
They all listen carefully
“I need you to build a chapel for me ... “ she started serious “
it will be used for pilgrimages ... “ she continued “ and there, I will convert
sinners ... “ she added
They listen carefully ...blinked ... and she was gone before
they could ask any more questions ...
They stare at each other smiling and puzzled “Wow ! ... a chapel
?! “ Mathew said pensive “ how are we going to do this ?! “ he added with a
discouraged tone
They looked at each other puzzled ...
Imelda started “ Maybe we will find how soon ... “ she added
encouragingly
“We will tell Mom tonight
and see if she has any idea ...” Elizabeth proposed
“ Yes ..” Imelda exclaimed “ like for the prayer when we were
puzzled what to do and then it was great ...” she added excited
Isaac still pensive said in a serious tone “ Mathew is right ...
this is a huge task ... and a sign of great compliment as she asked us before
... we must not disappointed her ...” he said even more serious
Sarah added “ Yes ... we better think well as we work and then
we will gather more ideas with Mom ... this is still very exciting to be chosen
for this though ... “ she added encouragingly “ we have to be able to do this “She
said stern
They looked at each other smiling and proud of having been asked
... feeling excited ... and also totally puzzled how they were going to do this
...
**************
After dinner at home while they were undressing the table
helping their mother, washing and drying the dishes ...
Noticing their pensive but edgy attitudes like they were excited
about something, their mother asked “So...how was school today ? “
“ Great ... “ Mathew answered first
“And the work at the field ? “ she asked again
“It went very well Mom “ Isaac added “ The corn harvest goes
quickly and is high to collect & light so it is easier ... we will be done
in few weeks “ he added in a proud comforting tone that she should not worry
about a thing ... she smiled ...
“Anymore encounter with Lady Virgin Mary ?” she tried
Imelda threw her dish cloth on the counter top and ran to her
seat at the table and called excited “ Mom ! ... I am so happy you asked “ she
said in a breath like she was waiting for this moment since the afternoon ...
her sisters, Elizabeth and sarah did the same and came to the table and sat
also “ She appeared to us today again ...” Elizabeth said in a serious joyful
tone
Mathew and Isaac also joined them at their seat serious and
smiling
“ She asked us if we did pray for her “ Sarah continued
Their mother was listening incredulous and proud
“We explained her how well we are doing with the graces at the
table and at our picnic, and our prayer family time at home with you “ she
added
“And we told her about our teacher and the school morning prayer
“ Imelda continued
“ That is great “ their mother said ... “She must have been
proud you did as she asked “
“Then she asked us one more things to do for her “ Mathew said
They looked at their
mother silent and smiling like she was supposed to know already and tell them
the answer
“What is it she asked you to do ...?” their mother asked them
excited
Isaac started “ She want us to ... “ he stopped as there was a noise
coming from outside and then someone knocked at the door
They looked at each other and their mother went to the door and
their neighbour was there ...
The kids went outside and seen he was with his wagon pulled by a
truck that he had parked close to the tree at the edge of their fenced side
yard ... they were curious and started to listen what he was saying to their
mother “I have cleaned my yard and I
have all these stones and don’t need them ...I thought you might not mind if i
used this spot by your side yard ... between our lot ... to piled them there
... if you or me ever need them they will be just there to use ... but I really
don’t know where to place them since I levelled the backyard and pulled them
out to add grass instead ...
“Oh ... that is perfect there by the tree ...” she said “This is
out of out our lot anyways “she added calmly
“If you need them ... just use them for your garden or so ...”
he said
The kids were looking at the pile of stones in the wagon and to
each other ...the neighbour went to it after saluting their mother and them and
pulled the front of the wagon up and Mathew and Isaac went to help him...once
the front started to lift the back lowered to the ground and the stones started
to fall to the ground in a pile ... he pulled his truck few steps and all the
stones were out of the wagon ...
The kids looked at this incredulous like they had received a
gift of something smiling ... inside they felt it meant something ...
“Bye kids ! “ The neighbour said “ Take care of yourselves and
your mother ... “ he waved and left “Bye ...” they all said loudly “ Thanks !!!
“
They looked at the pile and Isaac took one stone in his hand
looking at it ... “ They are like big pebbles “ he said evasive
Elizabeth took one too
and said “ They are light ...” she added pensive
Their mother came to them and took one too “ nice stones ...”
she said pensive too “They could be good for the garden maybe
“Actually ... Mom “ Imelda said sternly and proudly “They are
for a Chapel ! “ she said looking at her mom smiling and confident
**********
NEW The following weeks went
fast, with finishing the corn harvest at the field every day after school in
time before the Holidays ... and building the Chapel ...
Every morning the kids would go to class, then work at the field
and have their lunch together ,then prepare their plans for the Chapel in
drawings ... then they would help their mother dressing the table and doing the
dishes and then they would all pray the Hail Mary together with their mother
...
The first weekend came of December where they had no class or field work ; so they got
busy trying to organise their work of the Chapel from the drawings plans they
made ... they gathered at the pile of stones and all look in silence as if they
didn’t know where to start ... Where are we going to start Sarah asked taking a
stone and Elizabeth to do the same ... Isaac was looking at the ground
observing ... Mathew was looking at the drawing ... “ Thank Goodness you
insisted on us making a plan first “ she said “ This is not as easy as it
seemed from this pile to do a Chapel like this plan ?! “ she added
“Yes, I agree “ Elizabeth said “I thought we were loosing time
but now I am not sure how to start ...thankfully we at least agreed first on a
plan ”
“ I think we have to first set the outer line from the ground ...
like a foundation ...” Isaac tried “Then
we will pile the stone when it is set fine from the first layer “ he suggested
“That is a perfect idea “ Imelda cheered “ Maybe we pray to
Virgin Mary together first and then we start ... to bring good luch for work “
she proposed
“good idea “ Sarah said and she placed the stone back on the
ground and they all stood together holding hands together
“ Hail Mary full of Grace,
Lord is with Thy,
You are Bless among all women,
And Jesus fruit of thy womb is Bless too,
Holly Mary mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hours of our deaths,
Amen “
Then they started and it was going great ... the afternoon went
fast and they had already the whole “foundation” outlined and mapped on the
floor to the size it would be ... it was time to pile the second layer of stone
on top of the first one ... this was taking more time as the stone were not
very sturdy ...
Mathew tried to place a third layer of stone as a test and a
fourth one and the stones fell ... They all look at it fall disappointed “Oh no
! “ Imelda said
“They are not staying solid enough ?!” Sarah added
“I think it will all collapse if we just pile them like this
after few rows ...” Mathew said pensive
Then their neighbour that had gave them the stones arrived and
curious asked “What you children are doing ?”
Imelda answered “ We are making a Chapel for Virgin Mary “ she explained
He looked at her a little shock and seeing that they were
serious he suggested “ Ah ! This is awesome ... how will you make it ?”
Mathew shoed the plan they had made “ This is the foundation
outlined ... “ he showed him the first row “ and now we have to pile them ...
But ... they fall down “ he said with the frustrated tone of disappointment
“You just need some concrete cement to glue them together “ he
said jovial and went to his pick up truck and brought a bag “ You need a wheel
barrel and some water and you mix it with this and then you add some and after
the stone and when it dry you add the other row “ he explained “ it is still
warm enough that it should dry with this type of concrete “
“ Thank you “ Elizabeth said happily
“No problem ! That is my pleasure to help such fine family “ he
said and gave Mathew the “truelle” to use
Imelda went running to get her plastic wheel barrel
“That could work but the concrete wet is very heavy and it might
break it ... you borrow mine and return it when you are done “ and he took it
from his truck and placed it on the ground
“Thank you “ Imelda said
“ We have a ose for the garden “ Isaac went to get the ose
“Hej ! “ said 2 boys coming by
“ Hej ... hi guys “ Mathew said to them
“What are you guys doing ? “ one asked
“We are making a Chapel ... “ Isaac said and he hesitated before
to continue “ In honour of Virgin Mary “ he stated
“With theses stones ?” the second one asked looking
“Yes ... our neighbour here have given them to us and we will
use them to make it ... this will be the outline ... look at the plan we made ...
it is suppose to look like this after ...” Elizabeth explained and they went to see the
plan Mathew had after examining the first rows of stones ... they all look with the neighbour too
...
“Peoples will be able to bring flowers and pray her here after “
Imelda explained
“Can we help ?” the first
boy offered smiling “Yeah ... I want to do this too “ the second one said
happily and excited
“Thanks ... that is great ...” Sarah joyfully said
And so the neighbour showed them how to make the concrete mix
and they started the first row and piled the stone over the concrete like he
showed them ... after they were done this layer he said “ Now ... you have to let it sit like this until
tomorrow before to add to it another row ... “ he explained “ and also rinse
all the concrete with the ose from the wheel barrel and the “truelle” if you
want to be able to use it tomorrow “ he added with an insisting tone
“ We will for sure “ Isaac said
“ By the way I am M Raphael ...” he said presenting his hand to
to one of the new boy that came to help
“ I am Michael ...” the first one said shaking his hand “ and
this is my brother “ Gabriel ... “ he
said and the second boy shook his hand too “ we are in the same class with
Mathew and Isaac
“ Great you all work so well all together in a good deed project
for the town here “ he congratulate them
“ WE will all be here tomorrow to continue ... if you want to
come and help work with us ... “ Imelda said
“ Sure we will come by tomorrow “ Gabriel said
And they all went to their own home as the day was getting lower
... and all shared their amazing project work with their own love one at their
own home ... excited to continue tomorrow ...
******
NEW The next day was a day off school and harvest again as it was
Sunday; the children were anxious to go and continue their work as it was one
complete day to do so ... they got breakfast quick and went to the Chapel
construction site they had started ... they hoped Mr Raphael would come to help
again ... Michael and Gabriel were already there sitting and waiting for them
to start ...
They got organised
quicker today as they knew now what to do ... Isaac went to get the water ose
while Mathew, Michael and Gabriel were filling the wheelbarrel with the sand
for the cement ... then Isaac poured water on the cement and they took turn to
mix it as it was heavy and difficult ... the girls were watching and then
started to sort stones that would fit for the second row and placed them beside
the first row ready to pile them ... Imelda went to touch the cement from
yesterday and exclaimed that it was dry and solid ... they cheered and started
to add a second row of stones ...
It took few hours
... by lunch they were done the second row ...
Their mother came to meet them and congratulated them warmly for
their good work ... “ This already look like it will be a building of some sort
“ she said “ It will be beautiful ...” she added
“ It is very much
difficult then we thought “ Isaac said
“ Yes ... maybe we
will make it more simple then our plan “ Mathew added
She looked at the
plan and indeed it was a little complicated with an entrance and a hotel inside
... and a roof “ yes ... this seems a little complicated “ she agreed
“ Also the weather
won’t stay nice and we have school and harvest to finish before Christmas “
Mathew added “ There won’t be enough time to make it like this ... we have to
wait between each row to have it dry solid before to add a new row M Raphael
said to us “ he said
Their mother said
“ You know ... a Chapel for pilgrim is anything that is especially dedicated
for the Virgin Mary and for her pilgrim to make the trip to pray to her ... but
it doesn’t have to be like a church or a close building “ she said
Elizabeth joined
in “ Mom ... tell us how we can make it the way you say ... “ she asked her
mother
“ You could let it
open without a roof for example and build only a half moon wall ... Important
is flowers ... peoples will bring flowers and maybe a fountain ... in the
summer ... you could have a wall taller at the back and make the side lower as
shelf for flowers ... and we could try to find a fountain for the centre ?! “
Isaac and Mathew
listened and tried to visualised what their mother had in mind ... Michael and
Gabriel too ... they started to look at each other smiling and Isaac and Mathew
gave a big hug to their mother ... “ Mom ... now I think your idea looks even
better ! “ Mathew said “ yes ! and easier !!! “ Isaac said laughing and they
were delighted that it would look better even if easier and ready soon ...
“ Why don’t your
friend come to join us for lunch ... they have worked hard too ... “ their
mother said
“ We have to clean
this “ Sarah said looking at the wheelbarrel and the left cement inside it
almost empty
“You can clean all
this after a good meal” their mother said assertive
“Ok ... that sound
good “ Elizabeth added
And they all went for lunch inside and had a good chilli
their mother had just made ...
Mr Raphael came
while they were eating and cleaned all the cement and truelle for them and left
a note ... “ This looks fantastic kids !!! M Raphael “ he wrote
After lunch ...
the children went back to the site and found everything cleaned ... they were
so happy as they were tired now ...
They looked and it
started to look great already with 2 rows done ...
“Maybe we will
make a third row everywhere all around and then only the back ?! “ Micheal
proposed
“Yes...” Isaac
took a stone and placed it on the top to see the height ... “ Maybe like you
say ... then a fourth half to the back ... then a fifth only to the back for
few rows “ he added
“Yes ... that
would look nice “ Elizabeth said “ Like some lower for flowers ... and then a
little higher for more flowers ... and then the back wall “ she explained while
visualising it
“ I hope we can
find a fountain next summer “ Imelda said
“ That would be so
perfect “ Sarah exclaimed
“ Ok so when can
we continue ? “ Michael asked
Isaac replied “ We
have to be finishing the corn harvest this week ... it will be totally done before
the weekend “ he explained “ And we have class “ he said pensive “ I guess it will
have to be next weekend again “ he said
“ Ok then ... “ Gabriel
said “ We will come and help next Saturday and Sunday again “ he said happily
They all looked satisfied
at their work walking around it and inside the half moon shape of stone that looked
like a small wall already ... going inside imagining they were the pilgrims ...
they had a thought to pray together like at the harvest when they had their lunch
together and at class in the morning ...
Imelda proposed “ Maybe
we should pray to virgin Mary now to see if it feels fine for Our Chapel ?! “ she
said
“ Yes ... that is a
good idea ...” Mathew said hoping their new friend would join in
They stood together
inside the low wall they made already and Michael and Gabriel joined too
Hail Mary full of Grace
Lord
is with Thee
You
are Bless among all women
And
Jesus fruit of Thy womb is Bless too
Holly
Mary Mother of God
Pray
for us sinners
Now
and at the hours of our deaths
Amen
***********
The week pass quickly for
the children; the corn harvest got all done by Wednesday and the farmer told
them a huge appreciation ... he had some
gifts cards for each of them as a thank you and their cash pay also ... perfect for their Holiday gifts shopping
...
Their class was
over for the Christmas Holidays at the end of next week ...
The weekend
arrived and they couldn’t wait to go continue the
Chapel ...
Michael and Gabriel came to help again and stayed for a late
lunch as last week ... While they were working, few of their schoolmates, that
had heard them talk, came by to see this Chapel they had heard about, they
stopped on their bicycles and asked about it and Isaac and Mathew explained the
plans and what they were doing ... Their schoolmates thought this was awesome
and left after observing the work for a while, waiving as they left ...
After the weekend,
a fourth row was up already and there was a stone shelf made over the third
wall as they started the fourth row only few feet from the edge ...
The last week of
school went fast and all ran out at the end of the last day with some crafts
they had made for the Holidays and cards they had given to each others ...
Everyone were laughing to be off school for a whole 2 weeks ...
As they walked
home together, over the creek bridge , they could already see their little
house ... on the side, from the end of the bridge, they check their work of the
Chapel as they walked by, just in front of the tree ... and a lady was there, in the center of
the half moon wall ... she seemed praying as her chin was rested on her hands
together in a prayer position and she was still ...
They walked
without disturbing her and after greeting their mother and leaving all their
school belonging inside ...they ran to the Chapel together ...
The lady was still
there ... they hesitated ... they didn’t wanted to disturbed her and were to
leave but she turned around smiling and said “ This is a very nice work
children “ she said softly and they recognized her “ Virgin Mary !“ Imelda said
“ We have worked so hard to keep our promised to you ...” she said quickly and
smiling at her delighted
“ You like the way
we built it ? “ Isaac asked “ We decided
to make it open so it is easier to bring flowers and easier to build ...” he
said and his brother Mathew added “ yes ... with the cold coming ... we had to
make sure to be able to finish it ! “ he said
Elizabeth came to
show the rows of stones and explained “ We are making it this way so peoples
can place flowers on the different rows as shelves ... “ she said showing the
different height with her hands “ and at
the back we will make the wall high ...” she added “ But just to the tree first
branch so the tree can go over it “ she said proudly
“ And we will try
to find a fountain to place here in the middle “ Sarah said looking for her
approval
Virgin Mary seemed delighted by all this and was smiling at them
warmly “ Yes... this is all perfect ...” she replied “ and i like the tree that
will go over ... a fountain would be nice ... “ pensive she added “ or a bowl
of fresh water to fill from the creek here every morning ... and sprinkle seeds around ... “ she added
excited
“This would be very nice too ... “ Sarah said
“ And easier to
find and maintain ... “ Isaac added
She smiled looking
at them and gave Isaac something ... he opened his palm and she placed
something in it and thanked him for leading the graces at lunch with his
brother and sisters ...
He felt blissful
and he looked down at his hand and opening his palm he smiled ... his brother
and sisters came to look what it was Virgin Mary had given him and they looked in
awe ... then to her ... but she was gone ... all they heard in their heart was “
Share it with your peers that have helped you build this Chapel for me ,on Christmas
“
They looked at each
others smiling ...
******
The first week off for
the Holiday went fast with helping their mother with the baking, Holidays
decorations, Christmas tree and wrapping the presents ... the children were
making some of their presents by hand with crafts , bake goods, carved wood,
hand made papers, cards, tree decorations, preserved jars ... the whole house
was bustly with life and their mother was delighted to have them all around
her... they wrapped all their presents and piled them under the tree with names
on them ...
Early morning on Christmas Eve ... Isaac called on his brother
and sisters and remind them of the favour Virgin Mary had asked them to do for
Christmas ... they decided to go for few hours and give the present from her to
their friends and team ... they promised to be back for lunch to their mother
... they went to their neighbour Mr Raphael
and left a card of Thank you Elizabeth made with the present inside, in
a sealed envelop ... then they went to their friends Michael and Gabriel and
dropped, also in their mailbox, one envelop each with a hand made thank you
card Elizabeth had made, and the present inside ... one for each ... then they
left and went back home for lunch and their mother was waiting for them with a
delicious smelling pasta dish ... they all ran to the table hungry ...
“Where did you all go ? “ their mother asked almost taking her
first bite
“Mom wait ... “ Sarah said “Isaac will do the Graces ... as he
does at lunch at the Harvest “ she said looking smiling at him proudly and they
all open their hand to hold each other hands ... their mother with almost tears
of joy and proudest in her eyes did as they asked ... and Isaac did as he had
did for the last 2 months
“Bless us Oh Lord, and these thy gifts we are about to receive
... Amen” he said serious and blissful
“Amen ...” they all replied
And they started to eat with appetite and told their mother where
they went ... “We have one for you too Mom ... “Imelda said
Sarah made sign not to tell as it was supposed to be a surprise
She only laugh instead ...” You know I can’t keep a secret ...” she
said proudly ... and they All laugh with her
******
Christmas Eve the children were sitting in the living room
waiting for their mother ... she came with trays of treats to eat, plates with
cheese slices, crackers, dry fruits, a bowl of fruit, chips with dip, anti-pasto,
hors d’oeuvres, olives and pickles, some fresh bread with oil&balsamic
vinegar&salt to dip it ...
“This looks wonderful Mom”
Sarah said
“Yes ... this is perfect ...” Elizabeth added
“Mom ... “ Isaac started “We have something to give you “
“ But it is not Christmas yet ...” their mother said
“ It is FOR Christmas Eve ... “ Imelda reassured her
Mathew presented to their mother a small wrapped package and she
took it and opened it
“How beautiful “ she said as she pulled it from the wrapping
paper ... Imelda and all the children came close to their mother around her and
looked ... like their didn’t wrap it themselves ... like they were seeing the
gifts for the first time ... it was a rosary in beads of blue gemstones on a
silver string ...
“ We thought it is a nice necklace “ Imelda said
Their mother smiled “ It is a rosary ...” she said serious “
See...there are beads at the same count and space ... series of 10 Hail Mary to
one Our Father ... then 10 more Hail Mary ... then one Our Father ... and like
this for 10 sets of 10 Hail Mary ...” she said smiling
“Oh! That is a rosary ... this must take time to do this ...”
Mathew said pensive and now looking more deeper into it
“It is very blissful
though “ their mother replied and thinking while observing it through her
fingers “ You can borrow it anytime to use it if you wish “ their mother said
“Thanks you Mom “ Isaac said
“ Was is a gifts from Virgin Mary ?” she asked
“Yes ... we seen her few times at the Chapel ... “ Elizabeth
said “ she liked it ...”
“ She loved your idea Mom ... about the open idea with the tree
above and the wall that makes shelf for the flowers until the full wall at the
back “ Isaac added
“ We all have one too ...” Imelda showed her she had in her pocket
“ and she had gave few ones for who had helped us build the Chapel ... “ she added
excited
They all showed theirs ... they were all different ... with different
beads ...
“That is wonderful “ their mother said laughing
“ We want to place them in the tree tonight ... and if we need to
use it, we can use ours at the little altar we made ... “ Sarah said
“That would look beautiful ... “ their mother said
“ and be auspicious !!! “ they all said together imitating their
mother ... and they laughed as they placed each their rosary in the tree as ornaments
for Christmas ...
*****
The Holiday season was over and time to go back to class and
back home after as the Harvest time was over ... white powdery snow had covered
the ground during the Holiday and still a little bit under the trees ... the
air was cold and it was time for ‘mittaines’ and hat and boots ...
The children were worried that they wouldn’t be able to finish
the Chapel before spring; at recess, Michael and Gabriel came to talk with them
in low voices about this ...
“ What are we going to do now ... ?” Gabriel said worried
“We were almost done ...
“ Michael said sad and disappointed
Imelda suggested “What if we prayed Virgin Mary for some warmer
weather ?” she said excited about her idea
“ Imelda ...” said Elizabeth “ This would be a great idea ...”
she said with a tone that meant there was more to it “But ...winter is
necessary for the ecosystem ... we shouldn’t ask a prayer to change the outcome
God has made ... “ she said serious
“ Elizabeth is right “ Isaac stepped in “You will learn next
year in class about this ecology and about what ALL affects the next summer
harvest and animals and insects and life “ he said just as serious
They were all listening pensive
“ True ... “ Mathew added “If the weather warms up ... the
shoots will started to open and the plant blood will started to climb in the
trees and when it is cold again ...” he looked at her like he was trying to
terrifies her “ the plant blood and shoots will all freeze too ! “ he eyed her
to check if she was terrified “ and there will be no fruits ! “ he added
staring at her
She gulped and Michael and Gabriel also without showing it as
they had thought Imelda idea to be genial
“ Oh no !!! “ Imelda exclaimed “ I don’t want to do this to the
plants ... “ she said loudly and some other kids turned to look at what was
going on “ We need fruits and good harvest “ she said sad and resigned “ We
will have to wait the spring then “
“ I am sure that Virgin Mary understand ... “ Sarah said eyeing
Mathew at her turn about his drama he had put on their poor younger sister “
maybe ...we can pray she gives us patience until the spring then “ she
suggested
They thought and relaxed a little
“Yes ... that is a great idea ! “ Isaac exclaimed
“ We will help you as soon as spring arrive and in 2
weekends it will be done for sure ! “
Gabriel said
“ And maybe there will
not be many people that comes for a pilgrimage in the winter anyways ...”
Mathew said and Sarah elbowed him gently smiling
A voice in their hearts agreed with them that it would be ok
“ Yes ... maybe for march break then ?! “ Michael added excited
“ Ok ... “ Imelda said resigned “ That is only in 2 months
And so they now decided to get together when the weather will be
warm again at spring time and to focus on their studying ... and the winter
sports for the time of the winter season ...
***
NEW After school walking back home ... they seen a man alone in the
center of the Chapel ...
They went home very quick “ This will be hard to be patient “
Imelda said “ peoples need this Chapel “ she said with leadership that
surprised her sisters and brothers
At this time ... a knock came to the door and the neighbor was
there “ Hi M Raphael “ the children said
“ I brought you something special ...” he said leaving as they were to follow him
They put their jackets and boots on and went outside to see
“This is the already prepared special cement that builders can
use outdoor in the winter ... it is already prepared and dry very fats and even
if it is cold ...” he said
They all look as he opened the pale and showed them and the
label that indicated it dried to -10C ... “Oh! “ Imelda said smiling
“ It is only -5C and they are not announcing more snow or colder
weather until next week ... “ he added with a serious tone
“ You better finish it this week if you want ... then it will be
really cold ...” he said
“Thank you M Raphael “ Mathew said
“yes thanks so much ! “ the other ones added
Isaac was pensive and then added
“There is too much to do for just 2 days ...” he started “ but
we can do like the fall with the harvest, and do some right after school each
day ... and the wall at the back don’t have to be very very high ... or wide “
he said thinking
“ As high at the back as the man who was here earlier “ Imelda
added
“ yes ... “ Elizabeth joined in “ The tree is lovely as a
natural roof over ... “ looking over her “ Even without leaves like this ...
maybe high up to here ... “ she showed with her hand over her head to a certain
level to the others
Mathew went beside her
and looked above his head “ Yes ... I think this is a good height he said “ and
they decided to start the next day after school ...
They told their new friend Michael and Gabriel and their sister
Grace, the age of Imelda, wanted to come too ...
They had their glove and hats and boots and all warm clothing,
with their older jackets, their mother had insisted they wear, not to ruin their new ones ... and they
started the same way as they did before the Holiday ...
They got warmed with the work and had removed their hats and
mittaines and open up their jackets
It was easier actually as the cement was prepared and in one
hour they had did the new row ...
“So we just have to close this and leave it here ? “ Sarah asked
“The pale open should come inside I think “ Mathew said
They looked at him smiling proudly to hear him so knowledgeable
“ Ok ... we will also bring the truelle inside to wash it for
tomorrow “ Elizabeth said
And so everyday after school they worked and the cement was dry
by the time they came the next day ... after 3 days on Friday they agreed to be
able to finish the back wall over the weekend and met for Saturday and Sunday
afternoon early , as the days were shorted now and it was dark early ...
On Sunday they were done the wall and it looked perfect ... They
were so happy and the boys stood in front of the back wall in the center and it
was as high as them and over was the tree branch ... It looked lovely
Isaac came with the garden ose and his sisters started to
applause ... the other 3 were puzzled and looked at each other ...
“ You will all be welcomed for some outdoor skating as soon as
this is frozen ... “ Isaac said smiling
“ Skating ! “ Grace exclaimed excited
“ It is getting colder this week and the ground have to be
soaked for it to work ...” he explained “We do this every year and so we have
the perfect spot there “ he showed
“And we will see the Chapel from it too “ Sarah said
So Isaac started to soak the ground in the backyard area on
their lot few feet from the Chapel
“ Isaac !” Mathew called “I have this idea “ he said to him “If
it will be so cold ... maybe we can spray the Chapel and it will be more solid
to have it in ice for the cold season ... “ he said
Mathew looked at him and thought “Yes ... “ he said “ Maybe this
would help ?! “ he added thinking
“ It would look nice ... like a ice Chapel “ Grace said
Imelda looked at her smiling “Yes ... it would look nice “
And so Isaac sprayed gently the whole Chapel with the ose and
the ground where they were to have the skating later ...
Their mother open the spot light outside as it was getting
darker and the 3 new friends had to leave soon ... as they said bye to tomorrow
at school ... they looked at the Chapel and with the spotlight reflecting of
the water Isaac had just sprayed on it ... it was shining like the streets on a
rainy night ... It looked beautiful !
“ Beautiful ! “ Grace said
And they all smiled and the 3 new friends left to their home and
Isaac finished watering the ground; Mathew closed the water ose outside and
placed it in the basement by the outdoor door access, after emptying it all
from the water in the ose, not to do a mess inside ... they were going inside
and looking at the Chapel now that it was almost dark outside , it looked so nice
... and there they seen that she was there walking around and looking at their
work ... they hesitate ... should they go see her ... but she turned to them
and waved bye before to go around it ...
They went inside their warm home and their mother waiting with
some hot chocolate ...
***
Winter went fast with the new friends and skating
***
Spring arrived ... the days were warmers and longer, the birds
were signing ... the river was flowing with this nice sound over the frozen ice
melting ...
The leaves started to bloom and the grass greener ...
One day after school on Friday ... the children went to the Chapel
and were checking their work ... it was solid ... Everything their work had last
and was solid ...
They were happy about their work ...
As they were all cheering
up with their 3 new friends, Michael, Gabriel and Grace ... the 8 of them smiling
proudly ... Virgin Mary came in close to them “ Good work children ... “ she said
... she was radiant ... “ She presented a present to Grace ... one the didn’t got
one at Christmas ... a rosary for her too in purple gemstones ... The she placed
a bunch of fresh new spring flowers she had in her arms on the wall shelf on one
side “ Thanks you all for this beautiful gift ...” she said softly “ pilgrims will
come here and pray to me and i will convert sinners “ she said
And she was gone ...
Grace was looking at the rosary
amazed and to her brothers
“ So It was true !” she said
to herself
****
' Marian' IV
'Our Lady of Banneux Virgin of the Poor'
"A child named Mariette Beco reported that Mary appeared to her, calling herself "the Virgin of the Poor".[62] Mary said "I come to relieve suffering" and indicated a spring through which miracles of healing would be worked.[63]"
Inspired by true events but
fictionned by the author & writer
At lunch the children were all anxious to get their trays ...
sitting still was already much to ask for them ... to stay on their own chair
and not run around was already a success ...
Their teacher came to congratulate them for their good behaviour
even if un perfect ... the tray were coming from the kitchen and few older
student were bringing them to each child so they would not run around ...
They ate their food as fast as can ... and nothing was left over
after they had come to the dining for lunch ... they were always hungry and
growing fast ...
After lunch they had their cookie with milk and then they could
bring their trays to the place beside the kitchen set for it ... and empty
their ustencils in one bin and the plates in another and pile the trays over
one another...
They then could ran to play outside before to go home ...
The teacher was looking at them pleased with her success ... she
had proposed the idea at the beginning of the school year to the parents, and
it had worked wonders since ... she used the excuse that the children were so
sad when class was over to all split for lunch and that since they were
sticking around the playground area for at least an hour each day after class
before to go home ... and sometimes more ... that it would be a good idea to
give them lunch before they would go home, and like this if they played, they
would not skip a meal before they get home ... knowing that some parents were
also working and that the children would probably have to cook themselves and
maybe forget ... the parents were delighted and accepted the idea ... and so
since September ... the teacher was satisfied to send the children home with a
full belly everyday home after lunch ...
Mariette was the gifted one of the class and loved to play a
little with her friends too after class ... but she had strict requests from
her mother to not stay too long and to come right home after half hour ...
After playing with her friends a little she looked at her watch
and said bye to go home and left
Some friends were still playing and some walked a little with
her and then split and went their way to their home ...
She lived just across the big city tree that was decorated at
Christmas by the big Clock and the City
Hall ... she loved to walk there and look at the beautiful buildings ... her
mother had said they were 100 years old ... she thought this fascinating ...
After the place there was a little creek and she could see her
home from there a little outside of the main street
She was going to run home as usual after she walked by this area
... but she hesitate today as a women was there looking at her ... She was
radiant and seemed very gentle ... she smiled at her and was looking at the
small creek ...
Mariette couldn’t help but look at this beautiful women and she
thought to herself that when she would grow up she would like to look like her
... She had a blue dress and a white veil over her hair ... some curly strand
of hair were coming out of her veil
around her face ... she wanted to go talk to her but maybe her mother would be
upset ... maybe she just wave Hi and leave ... and she did and smiled and ran
home ...
****
The next day at was the same and this time as she was by the
creek at the place where she normally could run as fast as she could ,which she
enjoyed ...she looked to see if the lady was there today ... and she was ...
she was looking at the creek this time and didn’t seemed to have seen her ...
Mariette went a little closer and said HI ... the lady still few
feet away from her turned around as she heard her and in her arms was a little
baby ... Mariette loved babies ... she smiled at him or her and the baby
returned her smiled ...
“Hi !” Mariette said again “Are you a new neighbour ?” she asked
...
“ I am the Virgin of the Poor” she said
Mariette could hear her but her voice seemed from far away
“ I will make this spring a healing one and relieve suffering
here” she said softly and pointed at the place few feet from there where the
creek was coming out of the rocks from a little hill with trees above and the
water coming softly in a little cascade to the creek and under the road
“ That is beautiful indeed “ Mariette said ...
She said bye and ran home trying to run her fastest as if she
was competing against herself ...
*******
The next day the same happened and the lady said again that she
was the Virgin of the Poor and showed her the spring coming out of the rocks
few feet further then the creek beside the road and with trees above ... and
that she would make this spring a healing place to relieve suffering
*****
After a week all the same happened and every day the lady was
there with the baby and told her she was the Virgin of the Poor and that she
had come to relieve suffering and that she would make this spring a healing
place ...
****
The next week ... arriving at home ... her mother was sitting
with her leg resting on a stool and a bag on her feet , and looking not too
well ... Mariette asked what was wrong and her mother showed her her ankle ... it was all swollen and she
explained she had sprained it in the morning ... she seen it was very sensitive
and her mother couldn’t walk on it ... the doctor had said to just rest ...
Mariette was thinking as she didn’t like to see her mother like
this and was trying to see how she could help ...
Then she got an idea !
“ Mom ! ...” she said ... her mother looked at her “ I will be
back in one minute “ and she left by the front door ... her mother said so she
could hear her “ do not go too far !“
Mariette ran to the creek and was hoping the lady was there as
she was earlier but she wasn’t ... she felt a little disappointed as she always
talked about relieving suffering and healing and she was here just few minutes ago
... She tried to concentrate and remember what the lady had said and a voice came
in her heart “I came to relieve suffering
... through this spring will happen healing “
Then she got a clear idea and took her scarf and dipped it into the
running water from the rock ...
Then she ran back home and told her mom to let her help her ... she
placed the scarf on her ankle and it was cold but she said she felt better
*****
The next day Mariette woke up and it was Saturday ... she remembered her mother and her ankle and ran to her to see how she was and if she could help her ...
She found her cooking breakfast “You are awake sweetheart J “ her mother told her in a smile
“Mom ...” Mariette said “ You are cooking and standing on your
feet ... ! “ she added looking at her mother ankle “ The doctor said not to
stand on it “ she added serious like motherly “I will make the breakfast “ she
said stern
“I am ok darling “ her mother said smiling “ it is sore but
look” and she showed her daughter to see that her ankle looked fine now
“It is all fine Mom!” Mariette said excited “It worked !!! “ she
added not careful her mother would ear and to herself
“Worked ?! ...” her mother replied “ What is it you did but
bring water with your scarf and pamper me ?! not some magic I hope ?! “ her
mother added with a soft frown to add to her insisting on it
Mariette answered quickly “ No Mom ... I didn’t ... “ and she
just looked at her mother ankle while she was cooking impressed and smiling
delighted
Her mother brought the plates to the table and they sat to eat
breakfast ...
They were going to eat but then Mariette stopped her mother in
her track “Mom !” she exclaimed as her mother was going to have her bite to her
mouth ... her mother stopped to look at her worried something was wrong with
the food “We should do the grace “ Mariette said serious “Before we eat” she
added smiling
Her mother surprised , but thinking it must come from her ankle to
be healed today “Yes! ... that is a great idea” she added smiling to her
daughter ... and she couldn’t be more delighted as she always wished they do
this
Bless us Oh Lord, and
these thy gifts we are about to received !
Amen
“We offer these leaven breads for the Poor and the Ill to be
healed by Virgin Mary’ Spring ! “ Mariette added her eyes closed and solemn ...
Her mother was happily surprised to see her so dedicated and
thought this made a lot of sense too ... she repeated after her daughter “We offer
these leaven breads for the Poor and the Ill to be healed, by Virgin Mary’s
Spring” she said as solemn following the her daughter’s lead
The they ate with appetite and Mariette helped her mother to the
dishes as usual and clean the table
After all was done she went in the cupboards and started to take
jars out and place them on the table
“What is this for ?” her mother asked
“It is for ...” then she thought “ a project I have “ she said
“ Mom ... why don’t you sit and relax for the afternoon and I
will be back soon “ Mariette said looking which jar she was going to take with
her
She ran to her fall boots and jacket and placed 2 lovely glass
jars in her jacket pocket
“ I will be back soon “ she said to her mother leaving
She ran as she always loved to do ... the fastest she could to
win a race to her own self ... it was surely her best race indeed ... right to the creek where she had seen this lovely lady and looked to find her hoping to
tell her about her mother ... she got disappointed that she wasn’t there ... “You will know in your
heart what to do “ a voice in her heart said
*****
Mariette thought and remembered what Virgin Mary had said
“ I am the Virgin of the Poor” ... “ I will make this spring a
healing one and relieve suffering here”
Then she knew what to do ...
She took the little glass container she had brought with her,
and went to the Spring coming out of the rock at the bottom of the tree, and
filled it with the water ...
The she left saying loudly since the Lady wasn’t there “Thank
you Virgin Mary” and then she tough ... maybe she was suppose to make a prayer
for Virgin Mary for the water ... then she felt like a comforting approval and
prayed looking at the water she had just filled
‘’Hail Mary Full of Grace
Lord is with Thee
You are Bless among all
women
And Jesus fruit of Thy
womb is Bless too
Holly Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners
Now and at the hour of our
deaths
Amen’’
Then she ran and
Thanked Virgin Mary again leaving ; she went to her grandmother ... found her
lying down but so happy to see her ... her aches were terrible ... she offered
to rub her back and neck ... her grandmother gave her the menthol cream smiling
as she was so happy she offered to do this for her ... Mariette did as she
asked and then offered her own surprised idea ... her grandmother asked if it
was from the Church ... holly water ? ... Mariette smiled surprised ... she
didn’t even knew this ... she explained her she had collected the water herself
at the creek by their house and had just filed the jars herself ... and that
she had prayed to Virgin Mary to the jars ... so her grandmother accepted as
more pampering was certainly welcomed and it felt fresh she said to Mariette
... she was so impressed by her grand daughter...
Mariette left her with the 2 jars she had brought, and gave a
nice kiss on the front head of her grand mother ... she had her eyes closed and
seemed so relaxed ...
*****
Arriving at home she told her mother she had went to her
grandmother and how she was doing and what she had done for her ...
Her mother was very proud of her daughter and praised her
compliments ...
*****
The next day, Mariette and her mother were preparing a nice
brunch ... they had decided to go see her grand mother in the afternoon
together ...
Mariette ran to the Spring and filled 2 new jars she had found
in the morning and prayed to Virgin Mary looking at them
“Hail Mary full of Grace,
Lord is with Thee,
You are Bless among all
women,
And Jesus fruit of Thy
womb is Bless too,
Holly Mary Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hours of
our deaths,
Amen’’
Then a Taxi drove by and parked by their house and her
grandmother came out ?! “Grand’Maa” she exclaimed and ran again as fast as she
could to greet her after saying Thanks Virgin Mary !
She found her grand mother inside talking to her daughter, Mariette’s
mother... happy and looking all healthy and fine ...
“Mariette ... you are gifted ...!” her mother said smiling widely
and she was hugged by her mother and her grandmother lovingly ... and she was so
proud inside looking at them both standing on their feet all fine and happy !
*****
At school one day, a child fell while playing ball and scrape
his knee ... Mariette ran to him and took the little jar she was keeping in her
pocket now, after the success with her mother and grandmother...
“What is this ?” the child asked a little worried
“It is water from the creek by my home ... it comes from the Spring
that comes out of the water from under the trees ... “ she explained serious “
it heals ...” she said stern, and poured some on the scrape ...
The child closed his eyes in a squint, thinking it would sting
... then his face expression relaxed and he looked at his knee in wonder ...
“Ah!!!” he said smiling “It doesn’t hurt no more !!!” he
exclaimed and Mariette was smiling too
The other children around their friend looked also and were
relieved for him and excited ... “it looked fine now ...” one said “it stopped
the red and swallowing too ...” the other one added
So the child that had fell stood up, and hugged Mariette “Thank
you Mariette !!! “ he said and added insistively “Can I have this ...” he asked
gesturing to Mariette little jar
She hesitate ... “ Ok ... yes ... you can have it but we need to
make thank you to Virgin Mary for her healing ...” she said determined
He looked surprised but said delighted “Sure ... after this
wonderful happening for me ... “
And they stayed in circle and recited the Hail Mary together
“Hail Mary full of Grace,
Lord is with Thee,
You are Bless among All Women,
And Jesus fruit of Thy Womb
is Bless too,
Holly Mary Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hours of
our deaths,
Amen’’
And after “so... what we
continue this game ... ?!” the child healed said encouragingly
*****
The word went from mouth to ear in the town, and soon Mariette
could see from her window peoples that were trying to find the creek and the
Healing Spring ... she was going to go show them But her mother looking at the
window too said softly ...
“Let them find it on their own ... “ she said
And so everyday , new peoples would come to the creek to find
the Healing Spring and fill little jars or bottle and bring with them ...
One day ... Mariette was looking and seen that the Lady who had
talked to her as Virgin Mary was also there close to one person that was at the
creek looking for the Healing Spring ... and she felt happy inside ...
Just like she had appeared and guided her when her loves ones
needed the precious healing water ... she was guiding this new person too ...
****
' Marian ' III
Our Lady of Pontmain Our Lady of Hope
''At the height of the Franco-Prussian War, Pontmain, a hamlet of about 500 inhabitants, found itself between the oncoming Prussian army and the city of Laval. While two boys, Joseph and Eugène, aged ten and twelve, were helping their father in the barn, Eugène saw in the night sky an apparition of a beautiful woman smiling at him; she was wearing a blue gown covered with golden stars, and a black veil under a golden crown. Joseph came to look and could see the lady as well. As a crowd gathered, two girls, Françoise Richer and Jeanne-Marie Lebosse, ages nine and eleven, reported seeing Mary as well, and described her in the same way. None of the adults, however, could see Mary, but only saw three stars forming a triangle. The crowd began praying the Rosary. The children saw a banner unfurl beneath the Lady with a message: "But pray, my children. God will hear you in time. My Son allows Himself to be touched." The apparition lasted about three hours. It was later discovered that the advance of the Prussian troops was halted at the same time that the apparition began; the general reported that the advance was blocked by a "Madonna".''
'Our Lady of Hope '
“What is happening Dad ?” Eugene, the eldest son at 12, asked
his father
“Yes tell us ...” Joseph, his younger brother added
Their father placed his work back on the barn table seeming
unhappy and pensive; with a resigned tone he answered them
“It is a terrifying moment that is approaching us “ he started
saddened “ The troops at war with the next city from us, are coming to them
soon, it has been confirmed; and we are right on their path !!! “ he said
serious staring at them to check if they had registered the bad news
His sons looked at each other in fright mix with disbelieved
“But ... what is going to happen ?!!!” Joseph exclaimed from his
10 years of age
Their father only looked more sad and pensive
“ The troops of the army at war with them is going to pass
through here to go there ??? “ Eugene now exclaimed too “ When ... what should
we do ... “ He exclaimed now getting agitated and furious
“ We of course only heard of it few hours ago as this is great
secret war strategy “ their father started “ They are expected to arrive by the
morning “ he finished with tears in his eyes
“ But Dad ! ... shouldn’t we leave and run away ... or be
prepared to fight ?! “ Joseph asked flushed in outraged
“ They are many ... a whole army ... and armed ... the messenger
reported “ he said softly “ we just peasants can’t defeat a whole army “ he
added flustered “ They would report that we are helping the other and
interfering with their war and accuse of treason or some of the same even if we
were to win ... and it is not them who have told us or ask our help or offer it
or shelter to us either at war with them “ he added trying to stay calm “ A
small town of 500 peoples only ,unharmed and peaceful ... farmers to make the
matter worst ... “ he added now sad “ No one think of us in the middle of their
war ...
“ But dad ... we can’t just stay here and wait for this and do
nothing “ Eugene almost shout in outrage ...then he took off from the barn to
run outside
“ Dad ?! ... Joseph come here ...” they heard him call from
outside
Their Dad made the sign of the cross on his chest and thinking
the troops were there already he rushed outside with a shovel and ‘truelle ‘ in
his hand, and shoved a edge cutter to
Joseph hands and rushed outside to Eugene
There he found Eugene in a
contemplation ... calm with a blissful look on his face ... looking to
the night sky ... in the early dusk ...
Joseph ran to his older brother, still with the edge cutter his
Dad had shoved in his hands, looking at him and then to the sky where he was looking ...
Their father
looked in all direction where it had been heard of the troops expected coming
path ... squinting his eyes in the early dark night to see if he could spot
something ...
“Where are they
son ...? “ he said to Eugene in a nervous tone,
with the ‘truelle’ in his hand, giving him the shovel he had grabbed
from inside the barn
“Not them Dad ...
“ Eugene said softly “ Her !!! “ and he smiled and pointed his finger to the
sky
His brother squint
his eyes and tried to see what his older brother could see
Eugene did the
same for his younger brother Joseph by his side “ Her !!! “ he said insisting
Joseph terrified
expression transformed into a blissful one too ... and he also started to smile
“Dad ! ... do you see it ?“ he asked his
Dad still looking to the sky in the same direction as his older brother ...
Their Dad was edgy
and looking in all directions to try to see thinking they could see a regular
women “Where sons ... is it one of our town citizens ?” he asked thinking maybe
one of the peasants was here for refuge
“ There ... in the
sky ... The Madonne !!! “ He said smiling to his Dad
Their Dad startled
at the statement ... but seeing how blissful and calm they now were and knowing
they never lied ... and also that they were both staring at the sky not the
ground ...he believed them ... even if he ... could not see her
He made the sign
of the cross on his chest again ... and said “ Sons ... this is a omen ... she
is protecting us as we are with God of Bible and his sames and not bowing to
the Devil here ... like Abels we work hard and earn our living honestly ... we
always have been peaceful peoples ... “ he said now cam also ... even if he
could not see her ... like he could feel her through his sons ... and from his
beliefs ...
“Tell me Eugene
... what does she look like ?” he asked now more absorbed with this apparition
then the news
“ She is beautiful
and radiant ... she wears a blue gown ...with a golden crown on her head ...”
Eugene explained
Joseph continued “
She has a black veil under her golden crown, and golden stars all over her blue
gown ...”
“ I
see ... a golden triangle ... like a star constellation ...” Their father said,
trying very hard to see the same as his sons
“We ...” he was
going to say something but got distracted by a sound close by on the road .. he
jerked and turned on himself with the ‘truelle’
in his hand pointing in the direction ... but then his face relaxed and
he calmed down ... his son Joseph looked in the direction while Eugene still
looked at the sky not to lose his seeing
Two young girls
appeared from the road in the dark with their mother ... “ Sorry ... they told
us to come here ... that it would be more safe all together ...” one of the girl Jeanne-Marie 11 years old
said before her mother ...
“ Sure ! that is a
good idea ...”
Francoise, the younger girl of 9 years of age, noticed that Eugene
was staring at something and looking in that direction exclaimed ...” Mom ...
Look !!! “ she said excited
Her mother bewildered in such a moment to see something exciting,
tried to see what her daughter seen “What sweetheart ? ... what is it ? “ the
mother asked in a terrified tone
“ AH! I see it “
Jeanne-Marie said smiling
And her mother to stare at her and then to the other kids
smiling like they were observing a firework ... and then to the father
“There Mom ... The Madonne !!! “ she said to her mother smiling
and pointing to the sky direction
The mother calmed down hearing this and not the troops coming
and looking carefully “ Ah! The stars there ... like a triangle ?! “ she said
questioning but smiling too now calm
They were all starting to feel blissful and calm ... children
who could see Virgin Mary apparition ... and the adults who could see only the
stars triangle
“What does she look like ? “ the mother asked her daughters
“She is beautiful ... “ Francoise said “ She has e blue gown
with all golden stars on it and is radiant ...” she added
“ And she wears a black veil with a golden crown on it ... “
Jeanne-Marie said “Do you see her Mom ?”
“ I see a golden triangle there like a star formation ...”
More peoples from the
town arrived also and started to gather behind them “We thought we would stay
here all together ...” One said in a sad tone that meant he didn’t want to
explained the details
“Yes...Yes... this is a good idea that we should all stay
together here ... and pray ... “ the father said
They all looked and explained what the children could see ...
and the adults that were believers but couldn’t see her, could see the golden
stars triangle though ...
“Yes ... we pray to Virgin Mary ... we pray the Rosary to ask
help ... from her and from Thy God ... our God of Bible and his same that do
not bow to the devil or his same ... “ the mother added
And so they prayed
“ Our Father, who Thy Art in Heaven; Thy Kingdom will come; Thy
will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven; give us our daily bread; forgive our
trespasses as we forgive the trespasses against us ; do not submit us to
temptation, but deliver us from evil ...Amen”
“Hail Mary, Full of Grace, Lord is with Thee; You are Bless
among All Women, and Jesus fruit of Thy Womb is Bless too; Holly Mary Mother of
God, Pray for us sinners, now and at the hours of our deaths ... Amen”
Then ... after they prayed ... the children could see a banner
unfurled from below Virgin Mary’s apparition
“Look !!! “ they said to the adults
“ She is telling us something ...”
“What does it say ? “ the adults asked excited and scared at the
same time
“ It says ...” Eugene and Francoise said together
“ But pray, my
children. God will hear you in time. My Son allows Himself to be touched."”
They explained what they could see and read to the adults
And they all signed the sign of the cross on their chest for
protection, and to Thank the Madonne for her message and apparition to them in
this difficult time and to their children and small community...
*****
The Virgin Mary ‘s Apparition
lasted 3 hours in the night ...
*****
The town peoples stayed together praying the Rosary for the night
...
Then the day ...
Then the night ...
Then the day ...
Then the night ... then the day ...
*****
After few days ... one of their community messenger arrived at
last with news ... unharmed and a jovial air ...?!
All listened to his news worried but he exclaimed
“ What are you all doing here ... the troops are long gone back
or by another path ... “ He said smiling
... the town peoples were listening to the stunning news “They were stopped by
a Madonne !!! ... on their path !!! “
*****
The End
*****
To be continued in Chapter 6
Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Garabanda
Four girls reported seeing apparitions of Saint Michael the Archangel and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The girls heard Mary predict a forthcoming "Warning" from God, apparent to the whole world, that will precede a "Great Miracle". If these do not result in the conversion of the world, a great Chastisement will follow.
*****
Available in ebook and 'Journal & Story' paperback , with Kindle Edition amazon.ca *** Marian I, Marian II, Marian IV & New Marian III :) Perfect for Holidays gifts or to own it ... :)
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Post author and writer : Ms Izabel Langlais
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