Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Québec, Canada (Sainte-Marie-Madeleine)
1888 - Miracle of the Eyes

THE STATUE OPENS HER EYES

The restored Lady Chapel was dedicated on June 22, 1888. That evening a lame man called Pierre Lacroix was brought into the chapel by Father Desilets and Father Frédéric. The three men experienced an amazing apparition centered on the statue of Our Lady. "She raised her eyes!" Father Desilets later reported. "She looked in front of her as if looking outwards into the distance. Her face was severe and rather sad."

The three men swore an oath that what they had seen had truly taken place, and their statement is stored on parchment in the library of the sanctuary to this day. Pierre Lacroix's testimony reads:

I went into the shrine at about seven o'clock in the evening, accompanied by Vicar-General Luc Desilets and the Reverend Father Frédéric. I was walking between the two of them, helped by them. After praying for a while, I looked up at the statue of the Blessed Virgin which was facing directly towards me. As I did so, I saw most distinctly the statue with its eyes wide open in a most natural manner. It was as if it was looking out over our heads towards Three Rivers.

I examined this closely without saying anything. Then Vicar-General Desilets, leaving his place on my right, went across to Father Frédéric and I heard him say, "Do you see it?"

"Yes: said Father Frédéric, "the statue has its eyes open, hasn't it? But can this really be true?"

I then told them that I had seen the same thing. And I make this solemn declaration believing it in conscience to be true and knowing that it has the same force and effect as if made upon oath.

Pierre Lacroix's testimony was counter-signed by Father Desilets.


catholictradition.org/ Children/ ducap.htm

Visit Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Québec, Canada (Sainte-Marie-Madeleine)
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.