Now, these fears are no longer an obstacle, and we are permitted to publish, for the edification of the faithful, all that the Sister revealed, at least, all that we still possess of these communications. At the time of the last edition, M. Aladel could understand but imperfectly the import of the vision of the medal, but certain events of subsequent occurrence, have placed this important revelation in a clearer light, and fully established its connection with the past and the future. We have endeavored to show the designs of Providence, by proving that the apparition of 1830 was not an isolated fact; that it marked the end of a disastrous period for the Church and society; that it was the beginning of a new era, an era of mercy and hope; that it was a preparation for the definition of the Immaculate Conception as a dogma of faith; in fine, that it was the first of a series of supernatural manifestations, which have greatly increased devotion to the Blessed Virgin, insomuch, that our age may justly be styled the age of Mary. We have judged it advisable to omit quite a number of miraculous occurrences related in the preceding editions, and substitute for them others not less authentic, but more recent, thus demonstrating that the medal is as efficacious in our days, as it was at the time of its origin. We ask those who may hereafter obtain similar favors, to send an account of them, together with satisfactory vouchers of their authenticity, to the Superior-General of the Daughters of Charity, rue du Bac, 140, or to the Director of the Daughters of Charity, rue de Sevres, 95, Paris. CONTENTS. PAGE DEDICATION, iii THE AUTHOR'S DECLARATION, v PREFACE, vii CHAPTER I. Sister Catherine, Daughter of Charity--Her Birth--Early Life--Vocation--Entrance into the Community--Apparition of the Blessed Virgin--The Medal--Sister Catherine is sent to d'Enghien Hospital--Her humble, hidden Life--Her Death. 1 CHAPTER II. Mary's Agency in the Church--This Agency always manifest, seems to have disappeared during the Eighteenth and at the beginning of the Nineteenth Century--Mary reappears in 1830--Motives and Importance of this Apparition--The Immaculate Conception. 42 CHAPTER III.