THE POWER OF THE GREEN SCAPULAR

Our Lady of Fatima has promised her help to those who, following the divine will clearly expressed in these apparitions, have confident recourse in the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Having not a moment's doubt about her promised help on the one hand, and on the other seeing how little is done about the wishes of God and Our Lady, it is my desire to do everything I can so that at least that which has affected me as a Catholic and a Religious sister might encourage souls to turn with confidence to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and thus, through my 'little grain of sand, add to the propagation of this marvellous devotion.

With this in mind, when I heard of the great need in which two souls found themselves, I had recourse to the intercession of the Immaculate Heart. It concerned a young man, just married. About a month into his marriage he fell ill with pneumonia from which he recovered, more or less, though only for a short time. Two or three months later he caught a viral infection in the brain which did not leave him much hope of survival, and his state became increasingly fragile. It is not difficult to imagine the consternation and the pain of his young wife, who had not known that the real cause of his condition was AIDS, and that it was possible that she was infected with it.

Since the man's condition was already very bad, a priest was brought to him who, as is usual, offered him the Sacraments of Confession and Extreme Unction. Knowing his culpability, he refused them although he was still capable of confessing his sins.

Shortly afterwards he lost the use of speech. His exterior comportment manifested clearly the state of his soul, filling his family and all who saw him with deep pain. Expressions of panic, terror and despair passed across his face, a true interior martyrdom at seeing himself face to face with death and with a conscience soiled by the double sin of what he had done to infect himself with this frightful illness, and the crime of not having warned his spouse, living with her the normal life of a married man whilst putting her life at risk as well.

It was then, when I had learned of all this, that I had recourse to the intercession of our gentle Mother and her Immaculate Heart, making greater use of prayer and using the GREEN SCAPULAR, known also as the SCAPULAR OF THE IMMACULATE HEART. I have complete confidence in this miraculous scapular because, besides having been given to us by the Blessed Virgin herself, it works miracles through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart which, as we know, is the devotion DESIRED BY GOD for our times.

Even though I did not doubt its efficacy I nonetheless asked for it to be applied as quickly as possible to the sick man.

Since there was a delay in doing this I wrote to the young wife insisting strongly that it be placed by him as soon as possible, adding, 'don't be surprised if you see miracles since I had already asked for them from from Our Lady, saying to her, 'I know that you always hear me, my gentle Mother, and I do not doubt your intercession, but permit that this time I ask you for a miracle that may be shown to others. I know that the GREEN SCAPULAR does not fail if it is used with confidence in the humble instruments of salvation given to us by your maternal Heart. For this, for the glory of God and your Immaculate Heart, and for the salvation of many souls, grant me this miracle of conversion, so that I may be of use to him and that poor souls may be encouraged to be confident. If you so wish, pay a visit to this poor son of yours, but in such a way that the others realise what is happening and that you are there.

Shortly afterwards, I had some news.

The sick man became very ill, having vomited and been in great agitation. The priest was again called in, who this time placed the GREEN SCAPULAR on him and gave him Extreme Unction. With this, the man fell peacefully asleep. During the night he woke up. He seemed very happy, his eyes were luminous and fixed on a precise point in the room, he seemed to be speaking with someone since he answered questions (something he had not been able to do for some time), sometimes he smiled or wept with great emotion. His mother and sisters (people very far from God) who were present realised that something supernatural was taking place, even though they could see nothing, and they too wept with emotion.

After all this the state of the sick man, particularly the state of his soul, changed completely. There was no longer the former terror or panic visible in his face, but rather a great peace and happiness. His health, even though not entirely restored, was much better. The attitude of his mother and sisters was completely different; now they prayed willingly, made sure his scapulars were well arranged, etc. When his wife learned of what had happened, she was entirely convinced that Our Lady had come to visit him. Later on she asked the sick man: Did Our Lady come to see you?

Yes, he replied with an expression of happiness.

Are you going to get better?

No, he added, but also with an expression of tranquillity. He wanted to say what Our Lady had said to him, but he could no longer speak. Just from time to time he could be heard saying things like, 'be strong, 'the grace of God, etc.

My letter finally reached the woman the day following all these events (I had told no-one of my prayer to Our Lady), and she was able to tell me afterwards: 'You told me I must not be surprised if I see miracles with the Green Scapular. I believe the miracle has already taken place, not so much in his body as in his soul. Let us pray that, after a good preparation, his soul goes and unites itself with God and contemplates for all eternity she who granted him the great grace of conversion and peace of soul. Immaculate Virgin, may this account be for the greater glory of God and your glory; and by confidence in the marvellous intercession through the GREEN SCAPULAR, may many souls be saved.

'Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

AVE COR MARIAE.