From The Return Of Mary To The Annunciation

BEFORE relating the vision of the Annunciation the Sister communicated two fragments of previous visions, of which we can only offer a conjectural explanation. Being still very feeble through the effects of a serious illness, she related what follows some time after the marriage of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. There was a festival in the house of St. Anne, and some children assembled with Joseph and Mary round a table on which were placed some glasses.

The Blessed Virgin had a striped mantle with red, blue, and white flowers, as we see on ancient chasubles. She wore a transparent veil, and above this a black veil. This fete appeared to be connected with the marriage festivities.

She related no more on this subject, and we can only suppose that this repast took place when the Blessed Virgin left her mother, after the arrival of St. Joseph, and retired with him into the house at Nazareth. The following day she related what follows.

Tonight in my contemplation I sought for the Blessed Virgin, and my conductor led me into the house of St. Anne, every part of which I recognized. I found there neither Joseph nor Mary. I saw St. Anne preparing to go to Nazareth, where the Holy Family was now residing. She carried under her arm a packet which she was taking to Mary. She went to Nazareth, crossing a plain and a little wood placed on an eminence. I went there also. The house of St. Joseph was not far from the gate of the city. It was not so large as the house of St. Anne. A square well, which was down some steps, was in the neighborhood, and there was before the house a small square court. I saw St. Anne visit the Blessed Virgin, to whom she gave what she had brought with her. I saw Mary weep very much, and for some time ac company her mother who was returning to her home. I saw St. Joseph in front of the house in a secluded spot.

We may gather from these fragments that Anne visited for the first time her daughter at Nazareth, and brought her a present. Mary, who now lived by herself, separated from her well-beloved mother, shed tears of tenderness in parting from her.