Good Counsel Day 9

 In 1933, you counseled Mariette Beco in Belgium, saying, “I am the Virgin of the Poor . . . Believe in me and I will believe in you.”

 . . . For guidance for all those who pray this novena, pray for us.

For counsel to seek your Son every day of our lives, pray for us.

Novena to Our Lady of Good Counsel, Day 9 

 

A Young Mariette Beco

. . . (Mariette's father) Julian Beco couldn't care less that his eldest daughter had given up her religious training.  His attitude infected the household.  There was nothing in the house of a religious nature.  His wife, Louise, followed his lead.  God had no place in their home. She wasn't very devout before her experience with Our Lady. Nevertheless, she had a small image of Our Lady on her nightstand, she kept a rosary she had found and occasionally prayed it before going to sleep. 

. . . As she opened the curtain to look out, she saw a Lady standing in their front yard, surrounded by a bright light.  The Lady was short, about five feet tall, and exceptionally beautiful. . . . (She) was not dressed like any of the ladies from the village.  She wore a long white gown with a blue sash . . . She was barefoot, with just a gold rose in between her toes.  In this kind of weather, she should be freezing.  Mariette noticed that she stood just above the ground, sort of on a cloud.  She didn't seem to be cold at all.

. . . The child noticed that the Our Lady of Banneux had a Rosary, hanging from the blue sash.

. . . (T)hat one visit had a deep effect on Mariette's spirituality.  She returned to her Catechism class on Wednesday, embracing the material with a renewed enthusiasm.  She knew her lesson perfectly.  This amazed Fr. Jamin, because Mariette had always been the worst student in the class.  After class, Father asked her why she had run away on Monday without telling him what she had seen.  By this time, the child had reflected on what had happened.  She was not frightened anymore.  She spoke very calmly, telling the priest exactly what she had seen.  He, for his part, did not treat her as a child, or belittle what she claimed.   He only told her to pray to Our Lady for guidance.

"The Becco Family" and "The First Apparition" (of Eight)

Our Lady of the Poor: Apparition in Banneux, Belgium

Our Lady of the Poor, Third Apparition

Mary Virgin of the Poor, 

You lead us to Jesus, source of grace, and you come to alleviate our suffering.

We implore you with confidence: Help us to follow your Son with generosity and to belong to Him unreservedly.

Help us to welcome the Holy Spirit Who guides and sanctifies us. Obtain us the grace to look like Jesus every day more, so that our life will glorify the Father and contribute to the salvation of all.

Amen.

Longing for peace,

Our world is troubled;

Longing for hope,

Many despair.

Your Word alone

Has pow'r to save us--

Make us your living voice!