OUR LADY OF CHAPELLES

Day 327: April 04

Our Lady of Chapelles, Switzerland



The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the twenty-one-year-old Marie-Françoise Décotterd who had been seriously ill since birth, asking her to accept her illness and not to ask for healing, in exchange for happiness and blissful eternity in heaven.

Marie-Françoise Décotterd, daughter of poor peasants from Chapelles near Lausanne in Switzerland, received for the first time in her infirmary, on April 4, 1871, the visit of a beautiful lady who introduced herself as the Mother of Jesus.

It was about 11 pm when her room was filled with light and Marie-Françoise was just 21 years old. "I am the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as Mary, the Mother of Jesus."

The Blessed Virgin exhorted the sick woman to dedicate her life of sacrifice and expiation to the service of Jesus Christ for the salvation of the souls of the world. She asked her not to pray for her healing, but to be patient. Death would not be long in coming, but the reward would be peace and eternal happiness.

A few months later she was diagnosed with two sarcomas on her feet, or two cancers.

On May 9, 1872, before abandoning her soul to God, she saw the Mother of Jesus again. Her robe was white, her hands crossed on her chest where the cross stood out.

The Mother of Jesus had come to take her. She announced her imminent death, but also the promised prize. Marie-Françoise was accompanied by the Virgin Mary to Eternal Glory in heaven.


St Justin Russolillo Writes...

"We want to endeavor to be pleasing to the Lord. Grant that we may find grace in the presence of the Lord! May you, O true Mother of God, form us soul spouse of God, soul daughter of God, as you, Mother of Jesus."

(Justin Russolillo, Devotional, Vocationist Editions, Pianura, 2009, p. 122)

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