The Hour Of Grace

The Hour of Grace originates from a series of apparitions that occurred at Montichiari and Fontanelle Italy in 1947 and in 1966.  It was approved by the Church on 8th July, 2024:  Pope Francis and the Doctrine of the Faith has given the green light!  Providentially the Hour of Grace in 2024 coincides with our day of prayer on the 8th December.  

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About the apparitions in Montichiari:

 The  small town of Montichiari is in the North of Italy, near the Italian Alps.  It was here, in the spring of 1947, that the Blessed Mother appeared to a hospital nurse named Pierina Gilli.  She appeared very sad, with three large swords piercing her breast.

Our Lady’s only words to Pierina were: “prayer..penitence..expiation”.

This was followed by other visits from the Blessed Mother in 1947:  July 13, October 22, November 16, November 22, December 7 and finally on December 8.   After this, Pierina withdrew from the world and worked in a convent in the nearby town of Fontanelle. 

 

Then, some 19 years later, in February 1966, Our Lady once again appeared to Pierina as she was praying in her room.

Our Lady told Pierina that she would appear in Fontanelle on April 17 of that year, the Sunday after Easter. Our Lady did indeed appear on April 17, 1966, with instructions that Pierina kiss the top steps of a well in the town, and then instructed her to place a crucifix in a place that she pointed out.

This apparition was followed by another on May 13,  in which she identified herself as the mother of Jesus and mother of all.  Our Lady announced that she was sent to bring a new Marian devotion for all male and female institutes, religious orders and secular priests.  Then, the third time was June 9…….and, again, on The Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6, 1966.

Our Lady went on to request that the 13th of each month be celebrated as a day of Mary and that July 13th be celebrated in honor of “Rosa Mystica”. 

She also said: “It is my wish that every year, on 8th December, at noon, the Hour of Grace for the World be celebrated.  Many divine and bodily graces will be received through this devotion. … This Hour of Grace will produce great and numerous conversions.  Hardened and cold hearts resembling this marble will be touched by divine Grace, and they will become faithful to Our Lord in loyal love. … it is my wish that the Hour of Grace for the World be made known and spread throughout the world. … Soon one will recognize the greatness of this Hour of Grace. … even those who are unable to visit their church, yet will pray at noon at home.”  December 8th, of course, coincides with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation.

The Request of Our Heavenly Mother for the Hour of Grace:

1. To be started from 12 noon until 1 p.m. (one full hour of prayer);

2. During this hour the person making the Hour of Grace, either at home or in a church, must put away all distractions…do not answer the phone, check e-mail or any of the usual things that keep us from concentrating on prayer.

3. We begin the Hour of Grace by praying three times the 51st Psalm with outstretched arms

4. The rest of the Hour of Grace may be spent in silent communication with God, adoring the Sacred Host, meditating upon the Passion of Jesus, saying the Holy Rosary, praising God in your own way or by using favorite prayers, singing hymns, etc.

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We will be doing the above on Sunday 8th December at Holy Cross Church Caulfield South