(ZENIT News / Rome, 03.09.2024).- The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith took a significant step in recognizing the devotion to Our Lady of Mercy, associated to the Marian Shrine of Pellevoisin in France.
In a letter addressed to the Archbishop of Bourges, Cardinal Víctor Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery, authorized the veneration of this Marian devotion, underscoring that the spiritual value of the experiences lived by Estelle Faguette, who said she witnessed several apparitions of the Virgin Mary.
A Message of Hope and Conversion
Without pronouncing himself directly on the supernatural nature of the apparitions, Cardinal Fernández highlighted the importance of the messages that Estelle Faguette attributed to the Virgin. According to the Cardinal, these expressions reflect a profound action of the Holy Spirit, directing the faithful to a life of faith and charity. In her apparitions, the Virgin spoke to Estelle about subjects such as the love of Jesus Christ and the importance of simplicity and patience in the midst of suffering.
Estella Faguette: A. Life of Faith and Suffering
Born in 1843 into a humble family, Estelle lived a life marked by sickness and sacrifice. At 32, facing a serious and incurable illness, she experienced what she described as a series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary. According to her accounts, the Virgin promised her healing after the fifth apparition, a promised that was fulfilled miraculously, and was confirmed by the Church in 1893.
A Confirmed Miracle
Estelle’s cure, inexplicable from a medical point of view, was recognized as a miracle by the Archbishop of Bourges with the approval of the Holy Office. In her writings, Estelle described the closeness and consolation the Virgin gave her during her sufferings, transmitting messages of encouragement and correction that still today resound among devotees.
A Message of Unity and Respect
One of the most striking aspects of the apparitions in Pellevoisin is the Virgin’s exhortation to maintain peace in the Church and respect for her Son in Holy Communion. The Virgin expressed her desire to see greater reverence and attention during the Celebration of the Eucharist, pointing out the importance of conscientious and devout prayer.
An Approved and Recommended Devotion
With this recent approval, Cardinal Fernández has reiterated that devotion to Our Lady of Mercy is particularly recommended for those seeking a spiritual path based on simplicity, trust and love. The Vatican authority has authorized the issuing of a decree *Nihil Obstat*, thus opening the way to greater veneration of this Marian devotion, which has already flourished among the faithful.
A Good for the Universal Church
The Cardinal concluded that devotion to Our Lady of Mercy is not only free of doctrinal and moral objections, but it can also be a valuable spiritual resource for the whole Church. By inviting the faithful to adhere freely to this devotion, it is hoped that many will find in it a means to strengthen their faith and deepen their relationship with God.
