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The Virgin Mary

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GRM 32.5-6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

There is a group of onlookers. Amongst them a little old man, bent with age and limping, makes his way leaning on a stick. He must be very old, I would say over eighty. He goes near Mary and asks Her to give him the Child for one moment. Mary satisfies him, smiling.

Simeon, whom I always thought belonged to the sacerdotal class, and is instead a simple believer, at least according to his garments, takes the Child and kisses Him. Jesus smiles at him with the typical smile of sucklings. He seems to watch him inquisitively, because the old man is crying and laughing at the same time and his tears form a sparkling embroidery running along his wrinkles and beading his long white beard, towards which Jesus stretches His little hands. He is Jesus, but still a child, and whatever moves in front of Him, draws His attention so that He wants to get hold of it to see what it is. Mary and Joseph smile and so do all the others who praise the beauty of the Child.

I hear the words[1] of the holy old man and I see the astonished gaze of Joseph, the deeply moved look of Mary as well as the glances of the little crowd, partly surprised and moved, partly laughing at the words of the old man. Amongst the latter there are some bearded and conceited members of the Sanhedrin, who shake their heads giving Simeon an ironic pitying look. They must think he is mad due to his old age.

32.6 Mary’s smile fades into paleness when Simeon mentions sorrow. Although She knows, that word pierces Her soul. She goes closer to Joseph, to be comforted, She presses Her Child to Her breast passionately and like a thirsty soul, She takes in the words of Anna of Phanuel, who being a woman, has mercy on Her suffering and promises Her that the Eternal Father will soothe the hour of sorrow with a supernatural strength. «Woman, He Who gave a Saviour to His people, will not lack the power to send His angel to console Your tears. The great women of Israel never lacked the help of the Lord and You are far greater than Judith and Jael. Our God will give You a heart of the most pure gold to withstand the storm of sorrow, so that You will be the greatest woman in Creation: the Mother. And You, Child, remember me in the hour of Your mission.»

And the vision ends here.

Keywords

GRM 33

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Lullaby of the Virgin.

Date of vision: Tuesday, November 28, 1944

Calendar: July, year -4

Location (map): Bethlehem

Cycle: Birth and childhood of Jesus

Summary: In Bethlehem, Mary cradles her child.

Chapter contents: 33.1: The month-old baby was slow to fall asleep. 33.2: Mary's lullaby. 33.3: The baby Jesus in his mother's arms. 33.4: The grace of the vision.

Keywords

GRM 33.1-4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

33.1 This morning I had a very gentle awakening. I was still dozing when I heard the most pure voice I have ever heard sing a slow lullaby very sweetly. The song was so slow and archaic that it sounded like a Christmas pastoral. I followed the melody and the voice, enjoying them more and more until I awoke completely. I then fully understood what was taking place, and I said: «Hail, Mary, full of Grace!» because it was Mother singing. And She raised Her voice after saying to me: «I greet you, too. Come and be happy!»

And I saw Her
 in the house in Bethlehem, in Her room, intent on lulling Jesus to sleep. In the room, there were Mary’s loom and some needlework. I think Mary had stopped working to give the Child suck and change His swaddling bands, — I should say His clothes, because He was already a few months old. I would say six, or eight months at the most. Perhaps Mary was thinking of resuming Her work after the Child had fallen asleep.

It was evening. The sun was setting and there were many small golden clouds in the clear sky. Some herds were going back to their folds, browsing on the last grass of a flowery meadow and bleating with their heads uplifted.

The Child was about to fall asleep. He seemed a little restless, as if He had teething trouble, or some other minor pain of childhood.

33.2 I wrote the song on a piece of paper as best as I could, in the dim light of a very early morning, and I will now copy it.

«Little golden clouds — seem the herds of the Lord

On the meadow full of flowers — another herd is watching.

But if I had all the herds — that exist in the world,

The lambkin dearest to Me — You would always be.

Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep,

Cry no more


Many glittering stars — are twinkling in the sky.

May Your sweet gentle eyes — shed no more tears.

Your eyes of sapphire — are the stars of My heart.

Your tears make Me cry — oh! cry no more.

Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep,

Cry no more


All the sparkling angels — that are in Heaven,

Form a wreath around You, innocent Child — enraptured by Your face.

But You’re crying for Your Mummy — Mummy, Mummy, Mum.

To sing Your lullaby — lulla, lulla, lu.

Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep,

Cry no more


The sky will soon be pink — and dawn will soon be back,

And Mummy had no rest — to ensure You do not cry.

“Mamma” when awake You’ll call Me — “Son” I will reply.

A kiss of love and life — I’ll give you with My breast.

Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep,

Cry no more


You do need Your Mummy — also if You dream of Heaven.

Come, do come! Under My veil — I will make You sleep.

My breast is Your pillow — Your cradle My arms,

Do not fear, My dear — I’m here with You


Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep,

Cry no more


I’ll always be with You — You’re the life of My heart


He is sleeping
 like a flower — Resting on My breast


He is sleeping
 Be quiet! — His Father perhaps He sees,

And the sight wipes the tears — Of my sweet Jesus.

He Sleeps, sleeps, sleeps, sleeps,

And He cries no more »

33.3 It is impossible to describe the graceful charm of the scene. It is only a mother lulling Her little one. But she is that Mother, and He is that Little One! You can therefore imagine what gracefulness, what love, what purity, what Paradise is in this little, great, sweet scene, the memory of which makes me so happy and is confirmed by the melody I continuously sing, so that you may also hear it. But I do not have the most pure silvery voice of Mary, the virginal voice of the Virgin!
 And I will sound like a broken organ. It does not matter. I will do my best. What a beautiful pastoral it would be, to be sung round the Crib at Christmas!

Mary at first rocked the wooden cradle very slowly. Afterwards, when She saw that Jesus was not calming down, She took Him in Her arms, sitting near the open window, with the cradle beside Her and swinging lightly to the rhythm of the song, She repeated the lullaby twice, until Jesus closed His little eyes, He turned His head round on to His Mother’s breast and fell asleep thus, His little face resting on the cosy warmth of His Mother’s breast, one hand on Her breast near His rosy cheek, the other one relaxed on Her lap. Mary’s veil shaded Her Holy Creature.

Then Mary got up most carefully and laid Jesus in the cradle, She covered Him with small linens, She spread a veil to protect Him from flies and the fresh air, and She remained contemplating Her sleeping Treasure. She held one hand over Her heart, while the other was leaning on the cradle, ready to rock it if necessary, and She smiled happily, slightly bent while darkness and silence were falling on the earth and were invading Her little virginal room.

What peace! What beauty! I am so happy!

33.4 It is not a grand vision and it may be considered quite useless, if compared with the other visions, as it does not reveal anything special. I know. But it is a real grace to me and I consider it such, because it makes my spirit placid, pure, loving, as if it were created again by Mother’s hands. I think that you will like it as well, in that sense. We are «little children». Better thus! Jesus likes us. Let the others, who are learned and complicated, think what they like and let them say that we are «childish». We do not mind, do we?

Keywords

GRM 34

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: The Adoration of the Magi. This is the "Gospel of faith".

Date of vision: Monday, February 28, 1944.

Calendar: October, year -4

Location (map): Bethlehem

Cycle: Birth and childhood of Jesus

Summary: Maria sees Bethlehem in the middle of the night. The town is asleep. Then she sees the star guiding the Magi, shining supernaturally bright. The star stops in front of the inn where the Holy Family is staying. The Wise Men and their servants stop to worship the Savior for the first time, bowing to the ground. They then withdrew until the following morning. For Maria, the vision stops and resumes three hours later.

The Magi are dressed in majestic garments. They come to respectfully greet the Child. They take the opportunity to tell his Mother about their journey, and offer her three gifts: gold, as befits a King, incense in his capacity as God, and myrrh because her Son, who is the Redeemer of the world, will have to die. Mary turns pale at this mention, but contains her suffering behind a smile. The three Wise Men want to greet the Child one last time, and leave. Joseph accompanies them to their mounts.

Jesus then gives a dictation for our contemporary times. He underlines the faith of the three men, their abandonment to God, for they do not doubt, and they entrust their journey to Him, without splitting hairs. Their hearts tremble only when they arrive in Jerusalem and the star is hidden, but their conscience reassures them. Christ thus declares that those who are accustomed to meditating and who have an upright conscience have learned to examine themselves, to rectify themselves at the slightest deviation from conduct.

The Three Wise Men are also very rich, but they are humble and therefore truly great because of their humility. They see themselves as dust before the Most High, and when they arrive at a poor house, they don't say to themselves, "It can't be done!" They adore it, and then they leave, preparing to go and see their King with dignity. So they put on their best clothes, unlike men who go to the Eucharist with a thousand material concerns.

Finally, Jesus gives two considerations. The first concerns Joseph, who is delighted with the gifts, but remains humble. He was not offended that Mary was in the limelight. He too was humble because he was truly great. The second focuses on Mary, who urges Jesus to bless, even when discouraged by our evil deeds. She kisses his pierced hand and declares: "You are the Savior. Save!". Jesus cannot refuse his Mother, but we must make the effort to go to her.

Chapter contents: 34.1: The Gospels of faith. 34.2 : The plan of the city of Bethlehem. 34.3 : A star creates an enchantment. 34.4 : The Magi stop there at night. 34.5: In broad daylight, they bring their gifts. 34.6: They kneel before the child. 34.7: The eldest tells the story of their journey. 34.8: The significance of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 34.9: They regretfully leave home. 34.10 : The Magi had faith in everything. 34.11 : They did not seek any personal interest. 34.12 : The uprightness of their conscience. 34.13 : Their humility before God. 34.14 : Their piety. 34.15 : They are humble, generous, obedient and respectful of one another. 34.16 : Joseph guardian and protector of Purity and Holiness, without usurping rights. 34.17 : Mary is our Advocate. 34.18 : Meditate and imitate.

Keywords

GRM 34.3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

And with a brighter radiation of light the star stops over the little house on the narrowest side of the square. Neither the people dwelling in it, nor the people in Bethlehem see it, because they are all asleep in their closed houses, but the star accelerates its shining pulsations and the trail vibrates and wavers faster and faster drawing a kind of semicircle in the sky. And the sky lights up because of the net of stars drawn by the trail, a net full of precious jewels which shine and colour all the other stars with the most graceful hues, as if they were communicating their own joy to them.

The little house is transfigured by the liquid fire of gems. The roof of the small terrace, the dark stone steps, the little door, are like a block of pure silver sprayed with diamond and pearl dust. No royal palace on earth has ever had or ever will have a staircase like this one, built to be used by angels and by a Mother Who is the Mother of God. The little feet of the Immaculate Virgin can alight on that white splendour, the little feet which are destined to rest on the steps of God’s throne. But the Virgin does not know. She is awake near her Son’s cradle and is praying. There are splendours in Her soul which outdo the splendour with which the star is decorating material things.

Detail

The star guided the Magi to the Holy Family. It stopped in front of the inn where the Mother of God and her Son are staying. The star's light is very intense. Maria writes that "its globe resembles an enormous sapphire, lit from within by a sun; from it emerges a luminous trail where a celestial blue predominates, but where the blonds of the topazes, the greens of the emeralds, the iridescent brilliance of the opals, the sanguine clearness of the rubies and the soft sparkle of the amethysts blend in. All the gems of the earth are to be found in this trail that sweeps across the sky in a swift, undulating movement, as if it were alive. But the predominant color that seems to rain down from the star's globe is the heavenly hue of light sapphire that colors the houses, streets and ground of Bethlehem, the Savior's cradle, a silvery blue. "

Keywords

GRM 34.6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

34.6 Mary is sitting with the Child in Her lap and Joseph is standing near Her. But She also gets up and bows when She sees the Magi entering. She is all dressed in white. She is so beautiful in Her plain white dress which covers Her from Her neck down to Her feet, from Her shoulders to Her slender wrists. She is so beautiful with Her head crowned with Her blond plaits, Her face more rosy due to the emotion, with Her eyes smiling so sweetly while Her mouth gives a greeting: «May God be with you», that the three Magi stop for a moment, completely astonished. They then proceed and prostrate themselves at Her feet. And they ask Her to sit down.

They do not sit down, although She asks them to do so. They remain kneeling, relaxing on their heels. Behind them, also on their knees, are the three servants. They are immediately after the threshold. They have placed the three gifts they were carrying in front of the Magi, and now they are waiting.

The three Wise Men contemplate the Child, Who I think must be nine to twelve months old, He is so lively and strong. He is sitting on His Mother’s lap and smiles and prattles with a shrill voice like a little bird. He is all dressed in white like His Mother, with tiny sandals on His little feet. His dress is a very simple one: a small tunic, from which His restless feet protrude, and His plump little hands which would like to get hold of everything, and above all, a most beautiful little face in which two dark blue eyes shine, and a pretty mouth with dimples at the sides shows its first tiny teeth when it smiles. His pretty little curls are so bright and soft that they seem gold dust.

Detail

The Three Wise Men meet Mary, Joseph and Jesus.

Keywords

GRM 34.7-8

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The oldest of the Magi speaks on behalf of them all. He explains to Mary that one night the previous December, they saw a new star of an unusual brightness appear in the sky. The maps of the sky had never shown or mentioned such a star. Its name was unknown because it had no name. Born out of the bosom of God, it had flourished to tell men a blessed truth, a secret of God. But men had not paid any attention to it, because their souls were steeped in mud. They did not lift their eyes to God neither could they read the words that He writes with stars of fire in the vault of Heaven. May He be blessed forever.

They had seen it and had striven to understand its meaning. They were happy to give up the little sleep they usually granted themselves and forgetting even their food, they devoted themselves entirely to studying the zodiac. And the conjunctions of the stars, the time, the season, the calculation of the hours passed and of the astronomic combinations had told them the name and the secret of the star. Its name: «Messiah». Its secret: «The Messiah had come to our world». And they had set out to worship Him. Each of them unknown to the others. Over mountains, across deserts, along valleys and rivers, travelling by night they had come towards Palestine, because the star was moving in that direction. For each of them, from three different points on the earth, it was going in that direction. And then they met beyond the Dead Sea. God’s will had gathered them there, and they then proceeded together, understanding one another, despite the fact that each spoke his own language: by a miracle of the Eternal Father they were able to understand and speak the language of each country.

They had gone together to Jerusalem, because the Messiah was to be the King of Jerusalem, the King of the Jews. But over the sky of that city, the star had concealed itself and they felt their hearts breaking with pain and had examined themselves to understand whether they had failed to deserve God. But when their consciences reassured them, they had turned to king Herod and had asked him in which royal palace the King of the Jews was born because they had come to adore Him. And the king had gathered the chief priests and the scribes and had asked them where the Messiah might be born. And they had replied: «In Bethlehem, in Judah.»

And they had come towards Bethlehem and as soon as they left the Holy City, the star had reappeared to them, and the night before their arrival in Bethlehem its brightness had increased; the whole sky was ablaze. Then the star had stopped above this house engulfing all the light of the other stars in its ray. And they had understood that the Divine New-Born Baby was there. And now they were worshipping Him, offering their gifts, and above all, their hearts, which never cease thanking God for the grace granted to them; neither would they ever stop loving His Son Whose holy human body they had now seen. Later they intended to go back to king Herod, because he also wanted to adore Him.

34.8

«In the meantime, here is the gold which befits a king to possess, here is the incense which befits a God, and here, Mother, here is the myrrh because Your Child is a Man as well as God and He will experience the bitterness of the flesh and of human life as well as the inevitable law of death. Our souls, full as they are of love, would prefer not to utter those words and we would rather think that His flesh is also eternal as His Spirit. But, Woman, if our writings and above all our souls are right, He is Your Son, the Saviour, the Christ of God and consequently, to save the world, He will have to take upon Himself the evil of the world, of which one of the punishments is death. This myrrh is for that hour. That His holy flesh may not be subject to the rot of putrefaction, but may preserve its integrity until its resurrection. And on account of this gift, may He remember us and save His servants by allowing them to enter His Kingdom. In the meantime that we may be sanctified, will You, Mother, trust Your Little One to our love. That His heavenly blessing may descend upon us, while we kiss His feet.»

Mary, Who has overcome the fright caused by the words of the Wise Man, and has hidden with a smile the sadness of the doleful allusion, offers the Child. She lays Him in the arms of the oldest one, who kisses Him and receives His caress, and he then hands Him over to the other two.

Jesus smiles and plays with the little chains and fringes of the robes of the three Magi and He looks curiously at the open coffer, full of a yellow sparkling substance, and He smiles at the rainbow produced by the sun shining on the brilliant top of the lid of the myrrh.

Detail

Summary: The Magi recount their journey.

Matthew 2:1-12:
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Judea, in the time of King Herod the Great. Now, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and came to bow down before him.

On hearing this, King Herod was distraught, and all Jerusalem with him. He called together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, and asked them where Christ was to be born. They answered him: "In Bethlehem in Judea, for this is what the prophet has written: 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are certainly not the last of the chief towns of Judah, for from you a ruler will come forth, who will be the shepherd of my people Israel. Then Herod summoned the Magi in secret to tell them when the star had appeared, and sent them to Bethlehem, saying: "Go and find out all you can about the child. And when you have found him, come and announce him to me, so that I too may bow down before him." After hearing the king's words, they set off.

And behold, the star they had seen in the east went before them, until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy. They entered the house, saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling at his feet, they bowed down before him. They opened their chests and offered him their gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. But, warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their country by another route.

Keywords

GRM 34.9

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

34.9 They then hand the Child back to Mary and they stand up.

Mary also gets up. They bow to one another, after the youngest has given an order to the servant, who goes out. The three Men carry on speaking for a little while. They cannot make up their minds to depart from the house. Tears shine in their eyes. At last they move towards the door, accompanied by Mary and Joseph.

The Child wanted to get down and give His hand to the oldest of the three, and He walks thus, held by His hands by Mary and the Wise Man, both of whom bend down to steady Him. Jesus walks with a hesitant step, like all children, and He laughs stamping His little feet on the strip of the floor lit up by the sun.

When they reach the threshold — we must not forget that the room is as long as the house — the Magi take leave kneeling down once again kissing Jesus’ feet. Mary, bending down over the Child, takes His hand and guides it, in a blessing gesture over the head of each Wise Man. It is already a sign of the cross, traced by Jesus’ little fingers, guided by Mary.

The three Men go down the steps. The caravan is already there waiting for them. The horses’ studs shine in the setting sun. People have gathered in the little square watching the unusual sight.

Jesus laughs clapping His hands. His Mother has lifted Him up on the wide parapet of the landing and is holding Him against Her breast with an arm so that He does not fall. Joseph has gone down with the Magi and is holding the stirrup to each of them while they mount their horses and the camel.

Servants and masters are now all on horseback. The starting command is given. The three Men bow down as low as the necks of their mounts in a final gesture of homage. Joseph bows down. Also Mary bows and then She guides Jesus’ hand again in a gesture of goodbye and blessing.

Detail

The Three Wise Men have told of their journey, offered their gifts, and worshipped Christ. Now they are leaving.

Keywords

GRM 34.17-18

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

34.17 A last, kind, important lesson.

It is Mary who takes the hand of Jesus, Who does not yet know how to bless, and She guides it in the holy gesture.

It is always Mary who takes Jesus’ hand and guides it. Even now. Now Jesus knows how to bless. But sometimes His pierced hand falls down tired and disheartened, because He knows that it is useless to bless. You destroy My blessing. It falls also indignant, because you curse Me. It is Mary then Who removes the disdain from My hand with Her kisses. Oh! the kiss of My Mother! Who can resist that kiss? And then, with Her slender, but lovingly irresistible fingers, She takes My wrist and forces Me to bless.

I cannot reject My Mother, but you must go to Her, and make Her your Advocate. She is My Queen, before being yours, and Her love for you makes such allowances that no one can possibly imagine or understand. And even without any word, but only with Her tears, and the memory of My Cross, the sign of which She makes Me trace in the air, She pleads your cause and exhorts Me: ‘You are the Saviour. Therefore save’.

34.18 That is, My dear children, the ‘Gospel of faith’ in the vision of the scene of the Magi. Meditate on it and imitate it. For your own good.»

Detail

Jesus speaks of the vision of the Magi. Jesus is still very small, and it is Mary who must guide him to make a gesture of blessing.

Keywords

GRM 35

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: The flight into Egypt. Teachings on the last vision linked to the advent of Jesus.

Date of vision and dictation: Friday, June 9, 1944

Calendar: End of November, year -4. Period of the Festival of Lights, end of Kisleu.

Location (map):Bethlehem

Cycle: Birth and childhood of Jesus

Summary: Joseph sleeps in the house in Bethlehem. He seems to be having a sweet dream, then seems to be troubled before waking up. After dressing, he goes to the Virgin, who is praying beside the Child. He tells her that they must leave at once, as an angel has warned him to flee to Egypt. Mary complied immediately, and prepared their belongings quickly but orderly. Joseph returns to take a share of their belongings, and sadly tells her that they must take as much as they can, as they will have to stay away for a long time. Mary continues to gather the few remaining belongings, then prepares Jesus. When he falls asleep, after taking his milk, Joseph returns and informs her that Herod wants the little one to die. This pierces Mary's heart. She weeps and declares that she is costing Joseph a lot, but he replies that she always consoles him, and that the Magi's wealth will help them in the early days. Both are sad to have to leave, to give up everything and not return to Nazareth, but as long as they still have Jesus, they have everything.

The Savior's parents leave the house, and after greeting the owner of the house, they set off in the direction of Egypt.

Jesus then gives a dictation and emphasizes the simplicity of this vision, which in no way diminishes the humanity of Mary and Jesus or the divinity of Christ. Too often," he says, "we get discouraged by thinking that Mary, Jesus and Joseph were strong and that "they were them". But suffering was always their faithful companion. They didn't know the passions that are akin to vices, because they closed their hearts to Satan. On the other hand, they had many passions, such as love of country, holy affections for their family, and so on. But they didn't let these passions get in the way when it came to following God's will.

Jesus, too, always followed God's will, even if it earned him the hatred of the Jews and the animosity of Judas. He goes on to criticize the great of this world, then dwells on Joseph's chastity and Mary's virginity, affirming them in black and white and going back on Matthew's words. Indeed, the evangelist took his sources directly from Mary, and her perpetual virginity was a known truth from the earliest times.

Christ dwells at length on the word "woman" in the Bible, to show that this term is not proscribed, infamous, impure language. He then turns to Matthew's words to say that Mary was "the true Mother of Jesus without being Joseph's wife. She will always remain: the Virgin, Joseph's wife".

Chapter contents: 35.1: A dream makes Joseph get up in the middle of the night. 35.2: At dawn we flee. 35.3: Mary hurries to gather her things. 35.4: She wakes the child and feeds him. 35.5: We have the wealth of the Magi and God with us. 35.6: Departure with three mounts. 35.7: Men, believing they were doing the right thing, made unreal what would have been so beautiful to leave real. 35.8: Our honorable human passions. 35.9: I did not seek worldly greatness. 35.10: Mary's virginity and Joseph's chastity. 35.11: Mary's grief torn from her home.

Keywords