Our Lady of La Salette

The story

On the afternoon of 19 September 1846, two children watching cows high in the Alps saw a globe of light. Inside it a beautiful Lady sat on a stone, weeping, her face in her hands. She rose and called them: “Come near, my children, do not be afraid.”

She wore a crucifix on her breast, with a hammer and pincers beside it, and roses around her. Speaking first in French and then in the children's own dialect, she grieved that people worked on Sundays, took her Son's name in vain and neglected prayer. She warned of failing harvests if they did not change.

She asked the children if they prayed well, and told them to pray at least an Our Father and a Hail Mary morning and evening. Then she rose, said “You will make this known to all my people,” and faded into the light. The children told the story the same way, separately and repeatedly, through years of questioning.

Key dates

1. 19 September 1846The apparition on the mountain.
2. 1847–1851The Diocese of Grenoble investigates.
3. 19 September 1851Bishop de Bruillard declares the apparition authentic.
4. 1852Work begins on the sanctuary; the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette are founded.

Mary's message

• “Come near, my children, do not be afraid. I am here to tell you great news.”
• Keep Sunday holy, and do not take God's name in vain.
• Pray well, morning and evening, even if only an Our Father and a Hail Mary.
• If people turn back to God, he will bless them; if not, hard times will come.
• “Well, my children, you will make this known to all my people.”

The Church's judgment

After five years of inquiry, Bishop de Bruillard of Grenoble declared on 19 September 1851 that the apparition bore the marks of truth and that the faithful were justified in believing it. Mary is honoured there as Reconciler of Sinners.