The international site of the Daughters of Charity begins a novena culminating on November 27th. “On the occasion of the 180th Anniversary of the Apparitions you are invited to take part in a 9-day preparation for this special day. Thus, each day from 18th to 27th of November, a short text will be added to this section.”
1st Day – Thursday, 18th of November
„A radiant brightness”
The apparition of 27th November 1830 occurred on the first day of a particular liturgical season: “on Saturday night, the eve of the first Sunday of Advent”. The Advent liturgy urges us to prepare our hearts to welcome Christ, the light of the world. On 27th November 1830 Mary appeared to St. Catherine as a woman bathed in light, as someone who precedes the Sun of Justice “as dawn comes before morning”.
“I saw the Blessed Virgin, standing, dressed in white; she was of medium height and her face was so beautiful that it would be impossible for me to describe that beauty.”
Since 18th July, Sister Catherine had known from experience Mary’s sweetness, tenderness and consideration for others. In that very deep relationship she had with the Blessed Virgin, she gazed on the face of Mary and saw reflected there the mystery and truth of what Our Lady represents. However, during the second apparition, Sister Catherine is even more struck by Mary’s indescribable beauty, radiant with wondrous light. The grace of God is reflected on her countenance and this led Catherine to declare, “her face was so beautiful that I couldn’t describe it.”
“O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to you“
(taken from the book “Catherine Labouré – Bearing a Message from Heaven” by Sr Anne Prévost, D.C.)
Tags: Apparitions, MM, rue de Bac
