The different phases of the Apparition, the ecstatic child. She remained there for three hours, delighting the hearts of Eugene, Joseph and two little girls, Françoise Richer (11 years old) and Jeanne-Marie Lebossé (9 years old). Let us briefly retrace the various stages of this heavenly spectacle. Jeannette Détais left, and Eugene was joined by his younger brother, who also saw the beautiful Lady. At the boys’ request, father, mother and servant girl came in their turn – not forgetting their eyeglasses – to scrutinize the sky; but they saw nothing except three stars, bigger and brighter than the rest, which formed a triangle.12 “The highest one is just above the head of the beautiful Lady,” explained Eugene. It was now six o’clock, and in Saint-Brieuc the 12. With regard to these three stars, one inhabitant of Pont‐ main explained that each person could distinguish them clearly, so they were able to locate the spot where, according to the visionaries, the Apparition stood. These stars remained at the same point in the sky until nine o’clock that evening instead of following the normal movement of constellations. They ceased being visible as soon as the Apparition ended, and later on, no one was ever able to find those same three stars in the sky. members of theArchconfraternity were making the Vow to Our Lady of Hope. Somewhat annoyed by the situation, old lady Victoire (as the villagers called Mrs. Barbedette) went to get the Sisters, saying to her sons: “The Sisters are much better than you. If you see something, they will see it too!” Unfortunately, neither Sister Vitaline nor Sister Marie-Édouard could see anything. On the other hand, two of their boarders, Françoise and Jeanne-Marie, soon exclaimed, “Oh, the beautiful Lady!” And they described Her exactly as the Barbedette boys had done. Decidedly, something supernatural was happening, and the children were the privileged witnesses of it. Without delay, Sister MarieÉdouard called on the families, taking a detour by the rectory to inform Father Guérin. “Father, come quickly to Barbedette’s house, there is a wonder taking place: the children are seeing the Blessed Virgin!” – “A wonder!” he replied. “The BlessedVirgin! The BlessedVirgin! Sister, you’re scaring me!” Seeing that the holy pastor hesitated to go out, Jeannette Pothier, his el128 Vol. LVI, No 5 Magnificat
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