I am Anne, Mary's Mother (II)

It was over a year before the first Holy Mass in honor of Saint Anne was said in Bocenno. The rector reproached Yves severely for telling his story, but two laymen encouraged him. One of these men was the owner of the field in question. He promised to give the land for the chapel and advised Yves to search for witnesses of the apparitions. During the night of March 7, 1625, Saint Anne appeared once more, and also advised Yves to bring his neighbors with him. "Bring them with you to the place where this wax torch leads you and you will find the statue that will safeguard you from the world, which will finally know the truth about what I promised you." A few moments later, the peasants unearthed an old wooden statue right beneath the wax torch. It was in poor condition and only had a few remnants of white and blue paint. Three days later, pilgrims started to come in droves to pray to Saint Anne in front of her statue. This was the realization of Yves' premonition about the "sound of the feet of crowds marching." In spite of the priest's reserves - he ended up making honorable amends - investigations were ordered by the Bishop de Rosmadec, the bishop of Vannes, which ended with positive conclusions. The first official Holy Mass was celebrated on July 26, 1625, for an immense crowd, estimated at 100,000 people.