Sister Beata of the Monastery of Fonteviro is an eloquent proof that our great Advocate has shown all the love that is contained in her heart for those who are grave sinners. The story was narrated by Father Caesar and Father Rho.
That blessed nun blindly fell in love with a certain young man, determined to leave the monastery with him. Before she left the order, she went to a statue of Our Lady, placed at her feet the key to the convent gate that she was responsible for guarding, and then brazenly followed the call of her heart. The two took each other to a neighboring country, and lived a life of great filth.
Fifteen years passed in that chaotic life. One day, in the middle of the street, the nun happened to meet someone who still sold food to the monastery. I was sure the man didn't recognize me, so I asked him if he knew Beata. He replied:
- I know very well. Sister Beata was a holy sister. She is currently working as an instructor. Hearing the answer, Beata was very surprised, not understanding why such a strange thing happened.
She disguised herself and returned to the convent to find out what was going on. At the convent, she asked to see a certain Beata. Behold, she saw the Holy Virgin appear to her, her face identical to that of the Virgin Mary, and when she escaped, she had brought the key to the convent gate and the cloister at her feet. Our Lady told her:
"Beta, you should know that in order to preserve your reputation, I took your face and did all the work you had to do in this convent in your place for fifteen long years, that is to say, during your period." living far from God outside the monastery. My son, come back and repent. My Son Jesus is still waiting for you. I try to live an exemplary life to uphold the honor you have bought for me in the past fifteen years.
Having said this, Our Lady bid her farewell and disappeared.
Beata returned to the monastery, put back on her cloister and filled with confidence in the love of Mary, who sustained her. She lived the rest of her life in a holy way. It was not until she was so old that she told the whole story of her life as above to honor Mary's love.
– Collected in 1001 miraculous graces (36 Stories from the Book of “Glory of Our Lady” by Saint Alphonsus Liguori, CSsr).
- Images are for illustrative purposes only!