During this Sunday’s Angelus, Pope Francis mentioned the commemoration for the 175th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of la Salette.
Newsroom (September 20, 2021, 1:30 PM, Gaudium Press) During Sunday’s Angelus, Pope Francis addressed a special greeting to the pilgrims who were gathered to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Salette.
“Mary’s tears make us think of Jesus’ tears for Jerusalem and his anguish in Gethsemane. They are a reflection of Christ’s pain for our sins and an always timely call to abandon ourselves to God’s mercy,” the Pontiff said.
On September 19, 1846, the Blessed Virgin appeared for the first time to two children, Melanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud, aged 14 and 11 respectively. The children, two shepherds from the region near the French Alps, were tending their flocks when they spotted a “Beautiful Lady” in tears.
Our Lady’s Message
Terrified before the weeping Lady, they stood at a distance and heard Our Lady’s famous phrase: “Come near my children, do not be afraid.” Then Our Lady entrusted the two children with a message and charged them to announce it to all the people.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, in tears, lamented about the sins of humanity and revealed: “If my people do not want to submit, I will be forced to loosen the hand of my Son. It is so heavy that I can no longer hold it.” This was a warning full of love for humanity.
After 5 years the apparition was officially recognized by the Church authorities. In 1879 the church of the Sanctuary was consecrated. Devotion to Our Lady of La Salette spread rapidly throughout France and the world with churches being built in Brazil, Italy, the Philippines, Portugal, and the United States. There was also a growing increase of pilgrims. (FM)
With information from Vatican News.
Compiled by Sarah Gangl
