The Apparition of La Salette (I)

The apparition of La Salette took place on September 19, 1846, on a Saturday at 3 o' clock in the afternoon. Before the apparition La Salette was an obscure hamlet lost in one of those giant crevices of the French Alps. The Virgin Mary appeared to Maximin Giraud, age 11, and Melanie Calvat, age 14. The two children had first met the day before while tending cows on the slopes. After their meager lunch at midday, they were overcome by fatigue and fell into a deep sleep. With a start Melanie awoke and, not seeing the cows, called to Maximin. They quickly climbed the hill in front of them and were relieved to see the cows grazing on the other side of the knoll. Returning to pick up their knapsacks, the two children stopped in their tracks when they saw a very bright light blazing over the bench of stones where they had sat for lunch. The radiance parted and revealed a woman seated on the rocks, her elbows on her knees and her face buried in her hands. They realized at once that she was weeping. They were frightened but the Lady rose and reassured them: "Come closer, my children, don't be afraid. I am here to tell you great news." The Lady's words set their minds at rest, so the children hurried to her side. The Lady also took a few steps towards them.