(This is a compilation from various Internet Sources)
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The following happened when Venerable Mariana was not yet the Abbess of the Royal Convent of the Immaculate Conception at Quito, Ecuador. While the Founding Mothers of the Convent admired Sister Mariana’s perfect observance of the rule and practice of virtue, there were other sisters who were stirred by jealousy. Sister Mariana suffered insults and persecutions from these sisters without ever trying to justify herself or protest. Only at the foot of the Tabernacle did she confide her secret sorrows to her Beloved. One day in 1582, after a particularly bitter incident with one of her sisters, Sister Mariana went to the feet of Jesus Christ communicating to Him her torment and begging Him for fortitude. While she was talking to Jesus, at a moment, she heard an overwhelming sound, and saw that the whole Church had become immersed in darkness, as from dust and smoke. Looking up, Sister Mariana saw the main altar illuminated by full day. The Tabernacle opened and Christ Himself emerged, suffering, as on Golgotha in His agony with the Blessed Virgin, St. John and Mary Magdalene at His feet.
Seeing this, the humble virgin, believing herself to be at fault, prostrated herself on the ground with her arms extended in the form of a cross, exclaiming: “Lord, I am the guilty one. Punish me and pardon your people.”
Her Guardian Angel made her rise, saying: “No! You are not to blame. Arise and approach, for God desires to reveal to you a great secret.”
The Blessed Virgin, at His feet, was shedding tears. Sister Mariana asked her, “My Lady, am I to blame for this sadness?”
“No,” she replied, “it is not you, but the criminal world.” Then as Our Lord began His Agony, she heard the voice of the Eternal Father saying, “This punishment will be for the 20th century.” She saw three swords hanging over the head of Christ. On each was written, “I shall punish heresy”, “I shall punish blasphemy”, “I shall punish impurity.” With this, she was given to understand all that would take place in the present era.
The Holy Virgin continued: “My daughter, will you sacrifice yourself for the people of this time?” Sister Mariana replied, “I am willing.” And immediately the swords moved away from the agonizing Christ and buried themselves in the heart of Sister Mariana, who fell dead through the violence of the pain.
Sister Mariana had indeed died and stood before the judgment seat of God, Who found no fault in her and invited her to receive the crown prepared for her since the beginning of the world. At the same time, her distraught sisters implored heaven to restore the life of this exemplary religious. Our Lord presented Sister Mariana with two crowns: one of immortal glory of indescribable beauty, the other of white lilies surrounded by thorns. Sister Mariana understood that if she would choose the former, she would remain in celestial glory. With the other, she would return to suffer in the world. Her first desire was to remain in heaven to be assured of her salvation and to enjoy the unsurpassed happiness of the Beatific Vision. During her difficult struggle, Our Lady approached her and said, “My daughter, I left the glories of heaven and descended to earth to protect my children. I desire that you also imitate me in this and return to life, for your life is most necessary for the Order of my Conceptionists.”
“Woe to the Colony in the 20th century! If, in Ecuador, already so guilty, there are not souls who by their lives of immolation and sacrifice appease the Divine Justice, fire will rain from heaven, consuming its inhabitants and purifying the soil of Quito. Until the end of time, one of these sacrificial souls will inhabit this convent and, imitating you, will appease Divine Justice.”
Trembling yet consoled by the promise of her Divine Mother that one faithful religious would always remain in her convent, Sister Mariana chose the crown of lilies surrounded with thorns and returned to the world to suffer, to the great rejoicing of the sisters and Franciscan Friars who had not ceased their prayers and refused to leave her bedside.
After returning to the world, she dedicated herself with greater zeal to the practice of the monastic life, carrying out the offices of bursar, choirmaster and novice mistress. Because God had given her the discernment of souls, Sister Mariana was able to guide the sisters under her care according to the spirit of each one. When one of the novices would conceal a fault, she would call her aside to remind her, for nothing could be hidden from her. Although she was always a model of goodness and sweetness, she demanded strict observation of even the smallest rules and insisted that her novices rise at 4 A.M. to recite The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. She warned the sisters that bitter times for the convent should come should the Little Office be put aside, and that the demon would work relentlessly to prevent its recitation.
Sources:
Sources:
1. The Admirable Life of Mother Mariana Vol. 1 & 2 by Fr. Manuel Sousa Pereira O.F.M. (Note: with Ultra-Conservative Foreword by the Translator)
2. Our Lady of Good Success: Prophecies for Our Times by Marian Therese Horvat Ph.D. (Note: Marian is an Ultra-Conservative)
3. Various Internet Sources
