The Holy Mountain of La Salette

In the month of May, 1854, the writer of this book left England in company with three friends, to visit the Holy Mountain of La Salette. Though impressed already with all I had read or heard of an event, which had proved the source of conversion or of consolation to so many thousands of Catholics, I resolved to take no further impressions from books written on the subject, as an immediate preparation. By the Divine Mercy, I received consolations on that mountain which deepened the interest I had already taken in its mystery. I had the best opportunity of conversing with most of those persons who from the beginning, have been concerned with the subject, its history, and its investigation; and especially with those whose names are most before the public, or who have had the care and direction of the Children. I had interviews with the Children of the Apparition themselves. And, in the course of my enquiries, I more than once suspended my judgment, and cautiously revised the grounds of my conclusions. I spoke with able men who held various degrees of doubt, as well as with earnest believers. And for this purpose I had peculiar facilities afforded me. And ever since I left the Holy Mountain I have felt a strong desire urging me to impart to the Catholics of England more detailed information than they possess of this remarkable event of our times, -remarkable, if we do no more than consider the great spiritual results which have flowed from it. Mr. Northcote's pamphlet has done something, but it is little more than an introduction to a subject, at that time scarcely known in England beyond a few vague reports. My duties will not allow me time to draw out as full a statement, or to argue it as completely, as I could wish to do. But I will do something towards it. And for more ample information I must refer my readers to the able works already published in France. Of these books I have made considerable use.

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