* December 27 – Mary Mother of Saint John – First Apparition at Paray-le-Monial * The girl was healed on the spot  --- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association December 27 – Mary Mother of Saint John – First Apparition at Paray-le-Monial The girl was healed on the spot In the 17th century, in the midst of the profound religious upheaval due to the spiritual crisis caused by the Renaissance and the Reformation, the story of "a poor little hidden servant of the Divine Heart of Our Lord, Saint Margaret Mary" (Saint John Paul II, Paray-le-Monial, France, 1986) was to make the town of Paray-le-Monial known well beyond the borders of France and Europe, in fact all around the world. The story begins in 1647, when a child was born in Vérovres, a small village in Burgundy. The name of the baby was Margaret Alacoque. She grew up to be a very devout child, yearning to give her life to God. Tradition says that after she made a vow to the Virgin to dedicate herself to the religious life, the girl was instantly healed of an illness. As a sign of gratitude, she added the name "Mary" to her Christian name on the day of her confirmation. Margaret Mary joined the order of the "Visitation of Holy Mary" founded in 1610 in Annecy, France, by Saint Jane de Chantal, from which the monastery of Paray sprang. On December 27, 1673, the date of his first apparition to Margaret Mary, Our Lord began to reveal his message to this holy nun in four visions: "Behold the Heart that has so loved men ..."  Source : www.paraylemonial.fr www.mariedenazareth.com Let’s pray together  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.