The first Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St.Catherine Labourè

On July 18, 1830 St.Catherine receives the first Apparition, in her own words:"And then came the Feast of Saint Vincent when our good Mother Martha, on the evening before, gave us an instruction on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which gave me a desire to see the Blessed Virgin, such that i went to bed with that thought on that same night, that i should see my Good Mother whom i have desired to see for such a long time. As piece of linen frm a surplice of Saint Vincent had been distributed, i cut off half of it which i swallowed, and i went to sleep, in the thought that Saint Vincent should obtain for me the grace to see the B.Virgin". Saint Catherine couldn't wait to receive an apparition, and at half past eleven in the evening she heard herself being called by name "Sister Labourè, Sister Labourè!". Waking up she looked in the direction where she heard the voice and she saw a child who said to her "Come to the chapel, the B.V. Mary is waiting for you.". Then when she reached the Chapel, here she is, her good Mother, Our Lady said "The good God wishes to entrust you with a mission. You will have much difficulty, but you will overcome these difficulties by thinking that you are doing it for the glory of the good God. You will know what comes from the good God, and you will be tormented by it until you have told it to him who is entrusted with your guidance. You will be opposed, but you will always have the grace. Do not fear: tell everything that happens within you with confidence and simplicity. You will see a certain thing; give an account of what you will see and hear, and you will be inspired in your prayer. Come to the foot of this altar: there graces will be poured out on all those, rich or poor, who ask for them with confidence and fervor. I will be with you myself; I will always keep my eyes upon you, and I will enrich you with many graces."

When you look at Mary’s first words, there’s something surprisingly simple about them. She doesn’t try to impress anyone or pretend she understands everything that’s happening. There’s this quiet honesty in the way she responds, a kind of openness that feels almost disarming. And maybe that’s the point. We don’t have to start with big ideas or perfect faith. We can start the way she did: by letting ourselves be reached, even when we’re unsure. Mary teaches us that God doesn’t ask for brilliance or certainty; He asks for a heart that’s willing to listen, even a little. And that’s something anyone can try to live, one small step at a time.