At the time of the apparitions, Pellevoisin was the commercial centre for around a thousand citizens under the authority of the village mayor, Comte de la Rochefoucauld.
His wife employed Estelle Faguette as a domestic servant and nursemaid at their residence near Pellevoisin, the Château de Poiriers-Montbel.
A woman of fragile health, after numerous years in service, Estelle was dying of tuberculosis at the age of 33.

With childlike faith, Estelle composed a letter to the Blessed Virgin Mary in which she asked for a cure.
The letter was laid at the feet of a statue of the Virgin in Montbel, the summer chateau of the Rochefoucaulds, about 3 km from Pellevoisin.

In February 1876, the Countess had to travel to Paris but arranged for accommodation to be made available for Estelle in a house close to the parish church in Pellevoisin.
Unable to consume anything except liquids, Estelle received the sacrament of Extreme Unction.
On 14 February, her physician judged that she had only hours left to live.

During the night of that same day, Estelle reported experiencing the presence of the Virgin Mary for the first time, who told her that she must suffer for five more days in honour of the five wounds of Christ.
At the end of the five days, Estelle would die or be cured; and if she lived, she would obliged to make known ‘Mary’s glory’.

On each of the following four nights the Blessed Virgin again appeared to Estelle.
On Tuesday, she said: 'If my son grants you life, it will be a blessing for you.'
On Wednesday, she said, 'I am all-merciful and the mistress of my Son.
Your good deed, fervent prayers and little letter have touched my motherly heart'.

On Friday night, Mary did not come and stand at the foot of the bed, as on the previous nights, but drew close to her.
She showed Estelle the plaque which she must have placed as a thanksgiving, bearing the words: 'I called upon Mary in the depths of my misery.
She obtained for me, from her Son, my complete cure.'
The plaque was not plain white, but had a golden rose on each corner, and at the top, a heart on fire, crowned with roses, pierced by a sword.
Indeed, on Saturday, Estelle was cured when she received Holy Communion.
Immediately she was able to eat and drink normally, and within a few days, she resumed domestic and gardening duties with no sign of fatigue.

The next three apparitions occurred on three consecutive days in July, Saturday 1st - Monday 3rd. '
My son's heart is so full of love that he will not refuse my demands.
I have chosen this particular place for the conversion of sinners.
I would like you to remain very peaceful about this!'

The Blessed Virgin returned in September (Saturday 9, Sunday 10, Friday 15).
On 9 September, the lady drew attention to a small scapular she was wearing.
Estelle had seen it there before, as plain white cloth, but on this day it bore the red image of a heart. '
This devotion pleases me', Mary said, and then, 'It is here that I shall be honoured'.
The lady next appeared on 15 September, speaking of her concern for the Catholic Church in France.

Three further visions followed in November (Wednesday 1, All Saints' Day; Sunday 5; Saturday 11).
On 11 November, Estelle set about making a replica of the scapular which she had seen the lady wearing.
On that day's apparition, the Virgin told Estelle 'You have been working for me'.

The final and culminating vision took place on Friday 8 December 1876, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

I have many graces in store for those who wear this scapular with trust in me.
These graces are my Son's; I bring them from His Heart; he will refuse me nothing.
The lady asked her to show the scapular to the local bishop and ask his assistance in promoting it.

Estelle died in Pellevoisin on 23 August 1929, a few weeks short of her 87th birthday.
At the time of the apparitions, Pellevoisin was the commercial centre for around a thousand citizens under the authority of the village mayor, Comte de la Rochefoucauld. His wife employed Estelle Faguette as a domestic servant and nursemaid at their residence near Pellevoisin, the Château de Poiriers-Montbel. A woman of fragile health, after numerous years in service, Estelle was dying of tuberculosis at the age of 33.
With childlike faith, Estelle composed a letter to the Blessed Virgin Mary in which she asked for a cure. The letter was laid at the feet of a statue of the Virgin in Montbel, the summer chateau of the Rochefoucaulds, about 3 km from Pellevoisin.
In February 1876, the Countess had to travel to Paris but arranged for accommodation to be made available for Estelle in a house close to the parish church in Pellevoisin. Unable to consume anything except liquids, Estelle received the sacrament of Extreme Unction. On 14 February, her physician judged that she had only hours left to live.
During the night of that same day, Estelle reported experiencing the presence of the Virgin Mary for the first time, who told her that she must suffer for five more days in honour of the five wounds of Christ. At the end of the five days, Estelle would die or be cured; and if she lived, she would obliged to make known ‘Mary’s glory’.
On each of the following four nights the Blessed Virgin again appeared to Estelle. On Tuesday, she said: 'If my son grants you life, it will be a blessing for you.' On Wednesday, she said, 'I am all-merciful and the mistress of my Son. Your good deed, fervent prayers and little letter have touched my motherly heart'.
On Friday night, Mary did not come and stand at the foot of the bed, as on the previous nights, but drew close to her. She showed Estelle the plaque which she must have placed as a thanksgiving, bearing the words: 'I called upon Mary in the depths of my misery. She obtained for me, from her Son, my complete cure.' The plaque was not plain white, but had a golden rose on each corner, and at the top, a heart on fire, crowned with roses, pierced by a sword. Indeed, on Saturday, Estelle was cured when she received Holy Communion. Immediately she was able to eat and drink normally, and within a few days, she resumed domestic and gardening duties with no sign of fatigue.
The next three apparitions occurred on three consecutive days in July, Saturday 1st - Monday 3rd. 'My son's heart is so full of love that he will not refuse my demands. I have chosen this particular place for the conversion of sinners. I would like you to remain very peaceful about this!'
The Blessed Virgin returned in September (Saturday 9, Sunday 10, Friday 15). On 9 September, the lady drew attention to a small scapular she was wearing. Estelle had seen it there before, as plain white cloth, but on this day it bore the red image of a heart. 'This devotion pleases me', Mary said, and then, 'It is here that I shall be honoured'. The lady next appeared on 15 September, speaking of her concern for the Catholic Church in France.
Three further visions followed in November (Wednesday 1, All Saints' Day; Sunday 5; Saturday 11). On 11 November, Estelle set about making a replica of the scapular which she had seen the lady wearing. On that day's apparition, the Virgin told Estelle 'You have been working for me'.
The final and culminating vision took place on Friday 8 December 1876, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
I have many graces in store for those who wear this scapular with trust in me. These graces are my Son's; I bring them from His Heart; he will refuse me nothing. The lady asked her to show the scapular to the local bishop and ask his assistance in promoting it.
Estelle died in Pellevoisin on 23 August 1929, a few weeks short of her 87th birthday.
Our Lady of Pellevoisin