[Photo: a weeping Rosa Mystica statue; this phenomenon is called "lacrimation"]
Source: The St. Thomas Aquinas Society ( https://www.stthomasaquinassociety.org/news/108-hour-of-grace-rosa-mystica )
(Acknowledgements: A very special Thank you to the Felician Sisters in general who printed this story in their AVE MARIA magazine and who so graciously translated this story from the Polish into English in order to comply with the request of the Blessed Virgin Mary that this message be sent throughout the world. Thanks also to Ethelyn David in Vancouver, BC for sending this.)
During the period of November 24, 1946 to December 8, 1947, the Blessed Mother appeared to Sister
Pierina in a little church in Montichiari, Italy, eleven times.
On the first appearance the Blessed mother told Sister Pierina She wanted to be known as the “Mystical Rose,” and that an hour of grace should be kept at noon, December 8th, in all the Catholic Churches of the world. The Blessed Mother wanted this to be known through all of Italy, and the entire world.
It was November 16, 1947 when Sister Pierina was finishing Her Thanksgiving after Holy Communion when she saw a great light. She then saw a vision of the Blessed Mother as the “Mystical Rose”.
Sister was so deeply moved by the stunning beauty of Our Lady that she began talking to Her. All of a sudden a gentle force made her kneel down in front of Our Lady. The Blessed Mother spoke these words, “My Son is so greatly offended by the sins of the people, especially by the sins of impurity. He is already planning to send the deluge upon the people, for their destruction, but I have asked Him to show mercy, and not send the destruction. So that is why I have appeared, to ask for penance and atonement for the sins of impurity.”
Then the Blessed Mother asked for an act of humility by Sister Pierina. She asked her to make the sign of the cross with her tongue on each of the four stones in the sanctuary. "This shall be a reminder to the people that I have appeared here and do not have the people step on those stones."
The Blessed Mother then stepped on each of the stones so that Her gown touched all four stones.
On the 22nd of November, Sister Pierina felt the overwhelming urge to go to church at 4:00. The Mother Superior, four Sisters, and a group of friends accompanied her. They were all saying the Rosary when the Blessed Mother appeared as before. She instructed Sister Pierina to make the sign of the cross on the stones and fence them off so that no one would step on them.
Again, Our Lady asked for penance. She said, “Penance is nothing more than accepting all our crosses daily willingly. No matter how small, accept them with love.” At this time She told Sister Pierina to come again December 8th at noon, “This will be my Hour of Grace.” The Sister asked how she was to prepare for this Hour of Grace? To which the Blessed Mother said, “with prayers and penance. Pray the 51st psalm with outstretched arms three times. During the Hour of Grace, many spiritual graces would be granted. The most hard-hearted sinners will be touched by the grace of God.” The Blessed Virgin promised that whatever a person asked her for during this Hour of Grace (even in impossible cases) would be granted to them. If it was in accordance with the Will of the Eternal Father.
It was December 7th when Sister Pierina felt the urge to go to church. This time she was accompanied by the priest and the Mother Superior. The Blessed Mother appeared with a young boy and girl dressed in beautiful white clothing. Sister Pierina was sure these little ones were…..
The Blessed Mother said, “Tomorrow I will show you My Immaculate Heart, which is so little known among the people.” She asked people to pray for Russia. "There are so many people being held prisoners, which their families know nothing of, because they have been gone for so many years. Pray for the conversion of Russia, the suffering of the soldiers and their sacrifices and martyrdom will bring peace to Italy.”
“The little children are Francisco and Jacinta. I am giving them to you as your companions, you will have much to suffer for my sake. I want simplicity and goodness from you, as of these little children.” The Blessed Mother then blessed Sister Pierina, the priest and all those who were gathered there.
On the morning of December 8th, people began arriving at the little church at 8:00 in the morning from neighboring towns. By noon, some 10,000 people had gathered to see the Blessed Mother, many of whom had to stand outside because the church did not have enough room for the large crowd.
Sister Pierina was accompanied to church by her mother and brothers, the Mother Superior, and the Chief of Police from Montichiari. Sister was reciting the Rosary with the crowd in the middle of church. Suddenly, a brilliant white light appeared from the ceiling. Stairs were coming from the light down to the floor of the church, about fifteen feet in length.
The staircase was beautifully decorated with red, white and yellow roses. The Blessed Virgin appeared so radiant, dressed in white, with Her Hands folded. She was standing on a splendid carpet at the top of the stairs, made of the red, white and yellow roses.
In the Most Gentle and Loving Voice, Our Lady smiled and began to speak: “I am the Immaculate Conception, the Mother of all graces, and the Mother of my Beloved Son, Jesus. I want to be known as the Mystical Rose. My wish is that every year on the 8th of December, at noon, an “Hour of Grace” will be installed. Many spiritual graces and physical blessings will be received by those who pray undisturbed during this…..
“Then slowly, She began to descend the staircase, gracefully scattering roses as She went along, until She reached midway of the staircase. There again the Blessed Mother spoke, ‘I am very happy to see this great demonstration of Faith.’”
Sister Pierina asked for many of the sinners to be forgiven. The Blessed Mother replied, “My Divine Son will show His Greatest Mercy as much as the people will pray for them. I want this to be known and told to the Pope, Pius XII. Tell him I want him to install the “Hour of Grace” through the whole world, and even those who are not able to go to church during this hour, will receive the same graces by praying during this time in their home at noon time.
She also asked that a Statue be made and placed on the spot where She stood. This should be called the “Rosa Mystica”, and carried in a procession through the town, at which time many graces will be given and cures will take place. Then the statue was to be returned to the church.
Our Lady prayed for the sick, some will be cured others not. Many men, women and children were cured at that very instant.
A 26-year-old woman who could not say a word for nine months, suddenly began shouting, “I see her, I see the Blessed Virgin.” An 18-year-old girl with ulcers was instantly cured. A five-year-old boy who had been paralyzed was told by the Blessed Mother, “Come to Me, you will be walking now.” He was placed on the blessed stones and was able to walk. There were three others who were very sick and were immediately cured. But of course, the greatest miracles taking place were those of the spiritual blessings being shed upon the people gathered in the church.
The Blessed Mother said, “This is the last time I will appear here. Pray, keep and do penance on these stones, and you will receive the care of My Motherly Heart.” She then left the little church, but because of the unending love of Our Heavenly Mother, She has given us “The Hour of Grace” to be spread through the entire world. She had given all the opportunity to demonstrate our love and trust to Her, and to help make reparation for the grievous sins offending her Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
REQUEST OF BLESSED MOTHER FOR THE HOUR OF GRACE
Day and time of Hour of Grace: December 8th, Feast of the Immaculate Conception…to be started at 12:00 Noon and will continue until 1:00 PM (one full hour of prayer).
During this hour the person making the "Hour of Grace" either at home or in church just put away all distractions (do not answer the telephone, or answer any doors, or do anything but totally concentrate on your union with God during this Special Hour of Grace). Begin the Hour of Grace by praying three times the 51st Psalm with outstretched arms.
The rest of the Hour of Grace may be spent in silent communication with God, mediating upon the Passion of Jesus, saying the Holy Rosary, praising God in your own way or by using favorite prayers, singing hymns, meditating upon other Psalms, etc.
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PSALM 51 (50 Douay-Rheims Version)
Miserere. The repentance and confession of David after his sin. The fourth penitential psalm.
[1] Unto the end, a psalm of David, [2] When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bethsabee. [3] Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity. [4] Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. [5] For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.
[6] To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words and mayst overcome when thou art judged. [7] For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me. [8] For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me. [9] Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. [10] To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.
[11] Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. [12] Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels. [13] Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me. [14] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. [15] I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.
[16] Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice. [17] O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise. [18] For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted. [19] A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. [20] Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
[21] Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.