Chapel ND de la Salette - Bouillon

Our Lady of La Salette is the name by which Catholics refer to the Virgin Mary as she appeared to two children (Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud) on September 19, 1846 in the village of La Salette-Fallavaux , near Corps, in French Department of Isere. This Marian apparition, officially recognized by the Catholic Church, led to a devotion to the Virgin Mary under the name of "La Salette".

The children noticed that the Lady was very sad . She wore a bright radiant dress, adorned with pearls and a gold-colored covering. On her head she had a wreath of roses. The apparition had a necklace with a crucifix with a hammer on one side and pincers on the other.
The beautiful woman stood up and said, "Come closer little children, do not be afraid, I am here to tell you great news ."

The Blessed Virgin initially spoke French to the children, but she then switched to the local dialect of Occitan. In particular, she spoke of cursing , neglecting Sunday duty , and disobedience to the laws of God. "If my people will not submit to God, I will be forced to let go of my son's hand."
By this she meant the end of time. The stuffy attitude, the flowing tears and the words of the Blessed Virgin are the expression of her concern and affection for the people. Thus the statements accompanying these quotes.

A spring of water has been discovered at the site of the apparition and unexplained physical healings are said to have taken place. Several blind people are said to have regained their sight. People with intestinal ailments were also cured thanks to the healing water according to local stories.

There is some mystery surrounding La Salette's messages . The generally accepted version reads :

"Dear little children, I am constantly beseeching my Son for all of you. Won't you listen to your Mother's voice? My maternal heart bleeds for each of you. I love you! Do not suffer too much." “Dear children, turn to God . Only in God is there true peace, happiness and love. Only in God, in His ways and His guidelines, can happiness be found. God has given you six days to work, but you take them seven. Many curse and profane God's name." " I have come to warn you of a great famine. Nothing can grow without the grace of God. When the harvest is destroyed, realize that you caused it yourself. God's right is love. He will allow adults to pay for their sins by famine. Young children will die at home ." Then she said, "When God's people in His Presence and His ways awaken, the rocks will turn into wheat and potatoes will sow themselves. Pray your prayers , my children, morning and evening. Pray more. Pray at least a Our Father, an Ave, every day you can. Fast and remember, all for God's love. God will reward you with health. Make my words known to all the world. " you have done". The Blessed Virgin asks to pray a lot, in order to save the world. She asks for conversion, prayer and penance. She points to the grace of the Rosary and asks and begs: "Be reconciled to God".

During the apparition, both children are said to have received a secret independently of each other, first Maximin, then Mélanie. As she spoke to Maximin, Mélanie saw the Blessed Virgin muttering, but she understood nothing she said. Maximin died without revealing the secret.

Several churches and shrines around the world are dedicated to her.

Notre-Dame de La Salette is also the name given to the Marian shrine built on the site of the apparition, in the mountain above the town of Corps (Isère).

Willem Vandenameele