Maximin Giraud – Life After the Apparition (La Salette, 1846) Early Loss and Poverty Within three years of the apparition, Maximin lost his half-brother, stepmother, and father. He was left in the care of his uncle and grew up in deep poverty with very limited education. Constant public attention made normal schooling almost impossible. Studies and Unstable Career Attended minor seminary in Grenoble, then attempted medical studies in Paris but failed final exams. Tried working in a pharmacy, but lacked a clear path or success in his profession. Encounters and Faith Met Saint John Vianney (Curé of Ars) three times — these were uncomfortable meetings but left a spiritual impact. In 1866, published "Ma profession de foi...", defending the apparition of La Salette after it had been publicly questioned. Military and Religious Service Joined the Papal Zouaves in Rome in 1865, combining military and medical support roles. Served in the French army during the Franco-Prussian War (1870), stationed in Fort Barraux. Instability and Betrayals Lived in various cities, moving often, unable to find stability. Entered a business partnership in 1869 which failed — he was cheated and left destitute. Eventually supported by a local benefactor and worked in a religious souvenir shop in Corps. Final Years and Death Returned to La Salette as a pilgrim in 1874, spoke publicly one last time about the apparition. Died on March 1, 1875, at age 39, after receiving the sacraments and blessing himself with La Salette holy water. Buried in Corps, with his heart placed in the Basilica at La Salette per his wish. Mélanie Calvat – Life After the Apparition (La Salette, 1846) Hard Childhood Born in 1831 as the fourth of ten children in a very poor family; raised in hardship and neglect. Worked as a shepherdess from an early age, often alone in the mountains. Had no formal education and was illiterate until her teens. Life Under Scrutiny After the Apparition At age 14, experienced the Marian apparition alongside Maximin. Instead of peace, she faced suspicion, manipulation, and relentless public curiosity. People sought to use her and the "secret" of the apparition for religious or political agendas. Troubled Religious Life Tried joining various religious orders: Sisters of Providence, Sisters of Mercy, Carmelites in England, and other Italian congregations. Never managed to stay permanently in any community — considered too stubborn, unstable, or controversial. Writing and Isolation Repeatedly wrote and re-wrote the "secret" given by the Virgin; her 1879 version included warnings of: masonic conspiracies, Church corruption, and apocalyptic prophecy. That version was later condemned by the Vatican and placed on the Index of Forbidden Books. Homelessness and Exile Spent the rest of her life wandering, moving from town to town, from one failed religious placement to another. Lived in poverty and deep loneliness, often distrusted and rejected by Church authorities. Despite it all, she never recanted her account and claimed she would testify to it “even at the cost of my life.” Death in Peace, Far From Home Lived her final years in Altamura (southern Italy), in quiet and obscurity. Died peacefully on December 14, 1904, at age 73. Buried under a marble column recognizing her as a witness to the La Salette apparition — but never received full recognition or understanding in life.
With the help of ChatGPT, I summarized above the difficult lives of the visionaries from La Salette. We often try to look at apparitions chronologically and focus on them in that order, but with God there is no concept of time. Everything is present. I would say that we live the prophecies of Our Lady of Good Success, La Salette, Fatima, Akita, all in parallel — each apparition carries its own emphasis on warning, calling to prayer, and the punishment that could follow. All apparitions focus on the present time, which is ultimately stated in the apparitions themselves. Otherwise, according to what Maximin said, England should be the country that is Protestant and which, after conversion, should “renew” the world... This makes sense especially because English has become the most important means of communication worldwide. As for France, it can be said that today it has less than one quarter Catholics, and even those very few practice the faith, or only a very small number do. Maximin’s secret “On September 19, 1846, we saw a beautiful Lady. We never said that this lady was the Blessed Virgin but we always said that it was a beautiful Lady. I do not know if it is the Blessed Virgin or another person. As for me, I believe today that it is the Blessed Virgin. Here is what this Lady said to me: ‘If my people continue, what I will say to you will arrive earlier; if it changes a little, it will be a little later. France has corrupted the universe, one day it will be punished. The faith will die out in France: three quarters of France will no longer practice religion, or almost no more; the other part will practice it without really practicing it. Then, after that, nations will convert, the faith will be rekindled everywhere. A great country in the north of Europe, now Protestant, will be converted; by the support of this country all the other nations of the world will be converted. Before all that arrives, great disorders will come, in the Church, and everywhere. Then, after that, our Holy Father the Pope will be persecuted. His successor will be a pontiff that nobody expects. Then, after that, a great peace will come, but it will not last a long time. A monster will come to disturb it. All that I tell you here will arrive in the other century, at the latest in the year two thousand.’ Maximin Giraud (She told me to say it some time before.)... My Most Holy Father, your holy blessing to one of your sheep. Grenoble, July 3, 1851.” And before he died he said same thing.. "I believe firmly, even to the shedding of my blood, in the famous apparition of the most Blessed Virgin on the holy mountain of La Salette, on 19 September 1846, the apparition that I have defended in word and suffering. ... It is with this spirit that I give my heart to Our Lady of La Salette.2
Pope to hold Russia-Ukraine peace talks? Vatican announces as Zelensky meets him amid Russia's biggest attack https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-...mid-russia-s-biggest-attack-1752071110095/amp
Sorry if this has already been posted but it looks like John Henry was shown the door. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/l...nt/?utm_source=featured-news&utm_campaign=usa
Bishop Strickland put out a statement on X a couple hours ago (Fr. Nix's comment in reply is worth noting too): https://x.com/BishStrickland/status/1942982186988130615 Statement from Bishop Joseph E. Strickland On John-Henry Westen and the Defense of Truth In recent days, there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding the departure of John-Henry Westen from his leadership role at LifeSiteNews. Some have suggested—or outright claimed—that he was removed because he spoke the truth about Pope Leo XIV or about the troubling trends within the Church. Let me state this clearly: that is not true. This kind of narrative—however well-meaning some may be in spreading it—is not only misleading, it is harmful. John-Henry Westen has been, and remains, a courageous and faithful witness to the truth of Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church. He has never shied away from proclaiming the hard truths—about abortion, about doctrinal confusion, about the crisis in the Church. And I know from personal experience: when I was removed from my diocese, John-Henry and the LifeSiteNews team were the first to reach out to me, to listen, to share my story, and to stand with me when many others remained silent. For that, I will always be deeply grateful. The internal decisions of LifeSiteNews are not mine to explain. But I can affirm this with confidence: John-Henry Westen was not removed for speaking the truth. Any assertion to the contrary is a distortion, and it dishonors the work he has done and the truth he has defended so boldly for decades. We live in a time when many voices are silenced—not by honest disagreement, but by manipulation and fear. We must resist the temptation to turn every change into a symbol of betrayal. John-Henry remains my brother in Christ, a man I respect and admire, and a voice we still need in this battle for the soul of the Church. Let us not be divided by speculation. Let us instead be united in our commitment to Christ, to His Bride the Church, and to the eternal truths that do not change. Joseph E. Strickland Bishop Emeritus of Tyler
I found this article, from the National Catholic Register{an EWTN service}. It's an interview with Antonia Acutis from 2020 about Carlo she said this about it. Carlo was always a very good boy, even when he was very young. We are very happy with the news of the beatification, but to be honest, we expected this. Some years ago, I had a dream of Carlo, who told me: “I will be beatified soon, and shortly after, canonized.” When he was dying, the last week of his life, I had a dream of St. Francis of Assisi — who is our family’s patron saint — he said to me, “Your son, Carlo, will die very soon — but he will be considered very high in the Church.” I then saw Carlo in a very big church, high up, close to the ceiling, and I didn’t understand then. Of course, now I do. His death, his illness, his very short life — all was by the design of God. God had chosen Carlo as an example for the young people of this period in history. Mother of Soon-to-Be Blessed Carlo Acutis: ‘Jesus Was His First Priority’| National Catholic Register She said nothing about the culmination of all prophecies?, which I thought Jesus was.
According to the above article, Russia has already turned down the same offer made previously by the pope: 'Earlier, Russia had rejected the offer from the Pope. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that it would not be appropriate for two Orthodox Christian countries to hold talks there.' Maybe Pope Leo needs to make a trip to Moscow to convince the patriarchs and Putin.
Garabandal said that the warning would appear when humanity was at its worst after the pope would go to Moscow and would find the war waiting yo engulf Europe on his return. I get why many people want it fulfilled, so God comes sooner but I beg the Lord for just a little more time before global war and the warning.
So sad. They both lived very unsettled lives, never quite knowing where they belonged. Poor Melanie, she must have suffered with mental health issues. I can't imagine how hard it would be for young people to adjust to life after such a powerful spiritual event, especially with little to no education or family support.
It was interesting the relationship the Cure of Ars had with La Salette and the visionaries. At first he believed it all totally and encouraged people to visit. Then when the whispers and gossip started he no longer believed and said so. Then he was visited by one of the visionaries, Melenanie and had a chance for a long chat with her. After this he became firm friends with her and believed in and supported and believed in La Sallette until his death. The Cure of Ars, like Padre Pio had the gift of Reading Souls so if she had been lying the old saint would have known right away. In either case La Salette is Church approved. But it is so interesting how Marian apparitions get buried in gossip and mud slinging and much and fierce attacks. Rather like saints themselves. Or even we ordinary Catholics. I heard from a gentleman recently who has been experiencing difficulties at work from colleagues. I am convinced these arise simply because he is a devout Catholic and this has raised enmity. If each of us looks at our own personal lives I would be very surprised if we did not uncover an instance of a sudden spooky incident that points to diabolic influence. Perhaps a stranger you met who turns suddenly nasty towards you. Perhaps a neighbour who has taken a turn against you for no reason. ..and so on and on and on. But if the Cure of Ars , who was a great saint with high mystical gifts of discernment could become confused about La Salette we , most certainly, could become confused ourselves.
I have softened over time, I want them familiar with technology, the good it can be used for but I have hinted, like any tool it can be harmful. My oldest uses it for research of personal interests but I give a time limit and it's always on the computer in our living room. Plus she uses a typing program online, a computer coding program online and we use a few websites for additional resources for school. It's a tough world to navigate, today!
Fabulous video. A little long but the background is thorough. It connects recent events to approved prophecy.
Saints with mystical gifts are ordinary people to whom God grants knowledge of certain things for individual or general good, but they only know what is revealed to them. Remember the passage from the Bible when Jesus asks his disciples who he is: He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." You also have this testimony about Padre Pio: "Padre Pio was capable of being wrong, as shown in the following testimony. His nephew, Ettore Masone, was expelled from the university because the administration found out he suffered from epilepsy and did not want to take responsibility for his health if anything happened to him. When Padre Pio found out Ettore was no longer attending university, he assumed he had dropped out. “Get away from me, you scoundrel!” the saint shouted at him, adding, “And you’re still brazen enough to come to me!” “Why are you speaking to me so harshly?” asked the confused Ettore. “Because you dropped out of school. Leave!” “Read this letter,” Ettore replied. When Padre Pio read the letter and saw the real reason why Ettore had been expelled, he laid his head on the table and wept." Father Ante Antić in our country used to say in the confessional — especially to the overly curious — "I have no light for you," which meant: no spiritual insight or revelation. It’s interesting that when you read testimonies about Saint Padre Pio and similar mystical saints, their fellow friars in the monastery rarely witnessed miracles only a few individuals did while ordinary laypeople were often the ones who experienced or witnessed them. On Reddit, about seven years ago, some Franciscan brothers from Detroit shared how, as young men, they lived in the monastery with Solanus Casey. Maybe they described just one remarkable event… On the other hand, there are still living witnesses — some of them on Facebook — who recall their childhoods and how Solanus healed them or visited their homes, and so on. If I remember correctly from the book Witnesses of Fatima, among the 100,000 witnesses, one nun was among the few who did not see the miracle. Sometimes, God asks that faith be strengthened without solid evidence. St. John Mary Vianney probably thought deeply, prayed, and came to the truth in a more difficult way — through conversation with the visionary, using reason to confirm the authenticity of the apparitions.
