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Editor: We are most grateful to a young Fr. Jim O’Reilly, M.S., for his article, first published in May, 1940, in the La Salette publication, Our Lady’s Missionary (pgs. 105-107). His prose is elegant and his message faith-filled.Untitled-1(from left:) Fr. James P. O'Reilly, M.S.; Most Rev. William Ullathorne, Bp. of Birmingham, England (1806-1889); his early book on La Salette.
Wrote Bishop William Ullathorne in The Holy Mountain of La Salette, a book which contains his loving tribute of faith in the Apparition of Our Lady to two humble shepherds of the Alps:

"While it is of Catholic Faith that miracles and prophecies, according to the promise of Christ, continue to be manifest in the Church of God, the particular instances in which this divine intervention is exercised, are left free for the examination and the criticism of the individual members of the Church, to be received and believed or not, according to the evidence."

We are here concerned with one of such manifestations.

Since Sept. 19, 1846, to our own times, hundreds of thousands of bishops and theologians, canonized saints like St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars and St. John Bosco, priests and pious faithful, on every continent, have long considered the fact of a miracle well established. The glory of God, the honor of his Mother and the salvation of souls shall be greatly promoted if, having first shown beyond all reasonable doubt the supernatural origin of the event, we proclaim everywhere this new "revelation of the love and pity which reigns for us in Heaven."

A Convincing Report

Adequately to review the evidence on the Apparition of La Salette is of course much beyond the scope of a few paragraphs. It may suffice presently to quote once more from the convincing report of that great Champion of La Salette, the Most Rev. William Ullathorne, Bishop of Birmingham, England. In the introduction to his book of 1854, he writes:Untitled-2Friends of La Salette: (from left) St. Julian Eymard (1811-1868); St. John Bosco (1815-1888); St. John Vianney, T.O.S.F., the Curé of Ars (1786-1859).

"Though impressed already with all I had read or heard of an event which had proved the source of conversion or of consolation to so many thousands of Catholics, I received consolations on that Mountain which deepened the interest I had already taken in its mystery. I had the best opportunity of conversing with most of those persons who, from the beginning, have been concerned with the subject, its history, and its investigation; and especially with those who have had the care and direction of the children.

I had interviews with the children of the Apparition themselves. During my inquiries, I more than once suspended my judgment and cautiously revised the grounds of my conclusions. I spoke with able men who held various degrees of doubt as well as with earnest believers..."

That so eminent and learned a prelate should have visited the Holy Mountain at this early date (1854) and under such favorable circumstances, and should have then "felt a strong desire to impart to the Catholics of England more detailed information on the Event", seems indeed the work of a far-seeing Providence, if we consider that the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette were destined to become one day the official heralds of (Mary’s) message on English soil.

Other Sources

Untitled-3Bishop Philippe de Bruillard of Grenoble (1765-1860)While the literature on La Salette is much more extensive than is generally supposed, there are several other outstanding publications which no scientific investigation of the miracle could ignore.

Bishop Philippe de Bruillard of Grenoble, was one of the most venerable, prudent and experienced bishops in all France, and his conduct in the affair of La Salette is eminently marked with carefulness and caution. Twelve days after the apparition, he issued a circular to all his clergy, prescribing, under severe penalties, the greatest reserve.

Meanwhile he carefully collected numerous reports from all parts, and detailed statements from the most distinguished ecclesiastics of his diocese; and in the course of three months, he had in hand a voluminous collection of documents on the question of fact.

A Rigorous Investigation

Seven months later, during which these thorough investigations were continued, the bishop appointed Abbé (that is, Father) Rousselot, Professor of Theology at the (Grenoble) Diocesan Seminary, and honorary Vicar-General, with Abbé Orcel, Superior of the Seminary, in quality of Commissioners. They toured nine dioceses in Southern France, inquiring into the miracles attributed to the invocation of Our Lady of La Salette; they visited the Holy Mountain, examined the two children and the inhabitants of La Salette and Corps, and finally drew up their report.

For the examination of this report, His Lordship appointed a new Commission, consisting of the two Vicars-General, the eight canons of the Cathedral, the Superior of the Seminary and the Curés of five churches in the city of Grenoble. Beginning on the 8th of November, 1847, eight conferences were held, with the bishop presiding. The children and the best informed persons were again carefully examined.

The report, as finally adopted, forms the substance of Abbé Rousselot's first work, La Verite sur l'Evenement de La Salette" (The Truth of the Event of La Salette), published in 1848. The book rapidly obtained wide circulation, was translated into other languages, and brought conviction to many distinguished persons.

Untitled 4Abbé Joseph Rousselot, Professor of Theology at the Grenoble Diocesan Seminary

The publication of the report by the Abbé Rousselot forms an important era in the history of La Salette. It drew forth expressions of approval from a considerable number of prelates, to whom the Bishop of Grenoble had sent it. From Pope Pius IX, to whom a copy was presented, it brought a letter to the author, replete with encouragement.

The report, however, although authenticated and authorized by the episcopal authority, raised up a storm of controversy. Portions of the press fell upon it with avidity, and pamphlets appeared on both sides of the question. But the adverse writers did nothing to overthrow the substantial facts of the case. Not a single name of any weight or authority appeared on that side of the controversy.

The publications which came forth showed no great signs of piety in their authors, for their tendency was towards rationalism, and if they struck at anything, it was at the foundations of all miracles whatsoever; and besides they abounded in personalities. So far, then, from weakening, they served but to strengthen the cause of the Apparition with (people) of faith and piety.

New Documents

Untitled-5Fr. Louis Carlier, M.S. (1862-1936), noted La Salette author and historianThe controversy had the effect of bringing out a second work from the pen of Abbé Rousselot, entitled, New Documents on the Event of La Salette. Authenticated with the authorization of the Bishop, it contained, with other documents, a second list of newly attested miracles, affirmed to have been wrought through the intercession of Our Lady of La Salette, and the use of the water from the fountain.

The most important document on La Salette is the "Doctrinal Judgment" of Most Rev. Philippe de Bruillard, Bishop of Grenoble, dated Sept. 19, 1851, and declaring the truth of the Apparition "indubitable and certain." This masterly letter sums up all the evidence and with the official sanction of the Congregation of Rites in Rome, it sets the seal of finality on the whole question.

Another classic source is the work of Rev. Louis Carlier, M.S., "Histoire de L'Apparition de la Mere de Dieu sur La Montague de La Salette" (History of the Apparition of the Mother of God on the Mountain of La Salette), an exhaustive historical and critical statement which brought conviction, among others, to that incomparable Jesuit theologian and philosopher, Cardinal Louis Billot, S.J.

Queen of the Missions

(In) these late years, there appeared at (the La Salette Seminary in) Tournai, Belgium, a review entitled, "L'Apparition de La Salette" (The Apparition of La Salette), published annually by a group of La Salette Fathers who specialize in this work. Each issue combines high literary merit with scientific value and contains enlightening articles on our subject.

For those who require critical evidence, we have indicated the best available sources. But for the loyal believer in Our Lady's overwhelming manifestation of her love and solicitude, the heart has proofs which dispense with technical arguments. We need but avail ourselves of the fountain of grace opened for us at La Salette and dedicate our every act of devotion, …especially, to “dry our Mother's tears and console her afflicted heart” (from Act of Dedication to Our Lady of La Salette).

Untitled-6La Salette Seminary Compound in Tournai, Belgium in early 1920s