October 12

Our Lady of the Pilar (Saragoza, Spain)

Foundation of Our Lady Del Pilar (II)

In this resplendent flower I saw the figure of the Blessed Virgin: she was of a diaphanous whiteness, with reflections that were softer and more beautiful than rough silk, and she was standing in an attitude that she was accustomed to when praying. Her hands were joined--her long veil gathered up on her head fell behind her shoulders and enveloped her all the way to her feet--thus she rose, gracious and svelte, amidst the five petals of the luminous flower. It was a stunningly beautiful sight. I saw James kneel down while praying, and receive from Mary the inner warning that he was to build a church on that spot, for Mary's intercession was to take root and implant itself like a column. At the same time Mary announced to him that after he would build God's house he must go to Jerusalem. James rose to his feet and called the disciples who were already running to him, for they had heard the songs and seen the light--he shared with them the wonders that he had seen--and all followed the vanishing light with their eyes. The Life of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Chapter 14, by Anne Catherine Emmerich