My Name is Lady Mary (II)

Finally, one morning at the end of September, the shepherdess, who had left her sheep and goats to graze on a river bank, saw Lady Mary in the distance, glowing beautifully like the sun. She hastened to catch up with her. But the old wooden bridge that crossed the river was broken, so she crossed the water by climbing on the back of a big goat. When she had got close to the apparition, she asked, “My good Lady, why have you deprived me for so long of the honor of seeing you?” “From now on, when you want to see me, you will be able to in the chapel in The Laus,” replied the Lady, pointing out to her the path to follow. The next day, Benoite went to the village of The Laus and found the small chapel. She entered and saw the Virgin Mary standing on the altar. Mary congratulated her on having searched without losing her patience. Delighted as she was to see Our Lady again, Benoite was embarrassed to see the dirtiness of the chapel. She suggested cutting her apron in two, so as to put a cloth under the Lady's feet. The Lady answered that in a short time, nothing would be lacking-she would see clean linens, candles, and other ornaments in place of the filth. She added that she wanted a church to be built there in honor of her and her most beloved Son. Many sinners would be converted there. During the winter of 1664-1665, Benoite went up to The Laus very often. Every day she saw the Virgin who urged her "to pray continuously for sinners." In this way, Our Lady wants us to understand that sinners are in a piteous state. God is offended by their sins, but He wants to show them His boundless mercy, which can only be accepted freely. The news of the apparitions spread among the villagers and starting on the Feast of Saint Joseph on March 19th, pilgrims came up to Our Lady of The Laus. Many obtained graces through her intercession; they went to confession and resolved to change their lives.