1998 : I participated in the Youth Forum for the first time. I was 19 years old. During the session I learned that my Godfather who had been suffering from leukaemia for several years had only days to live. I was extremely upset by this news. I couldn’t stop crying and people around asked what was wrong. I fled into the Chapel of Apparitions to seek solace. It was the first time I had gone there. I sat down in a corner and poured out my heart to the Lord. Again I cried incessantly. After a few minutes I received an enormous peace. At that moment I remembered the words of Jesus, “I am gentle and humble of heart.” I felt called to give my sadness over to his Heart and receive consolation.

Afterwards I learned that these were the exact words Jesus said to Margaret Mary ! Through this grace I discovered God’s infinite and personal love for me and I also understood the importance of his Heart. Up until then I had a rather kitsch picture in my mind similar to the bloody pictures often portrayed in the ‘50s.

This was all connected to a traditional type of faith. The peace I received really comforted me. None of my friends who had come with me to the Forum could understand why I had stopped crying !

This peace never left me and help me to experience a new hope regarding the death of my Godfather who died 15 days later.

Julie