On November 17, 2024, at the end of the ceremony for the Promises of the Fraternité Notre-Dame de Montligeon, Delphine agreed to deliver her testimony: she experienced a late conversion after 40, in the midst of a period of illness. She met God during that ordeal. “When I had no strength left, the Lord brought me a peace I’d never felt before. Today, Delphine testifies to how prayer has transformed her life, making her a pilgrim of hope for the living and the departed alike. Here is her testimony, collected during the great pilgrimages of prayer for the departed “Les pèlerinages du Ciel”.
A journey marked with trials and graces
For ten years, I had been suffering from unexplained fatigue and various symptoms with no medical treatment. I didn’t grow up in a Catholic family, so I had very few spiritual reference points. However, I was attracted to churches. But I didn’t know I had the right to attend Mass. Gradually, I started watching Masses on the Internet, thinking it was the only way to get closer to God.
During this period of illness, I was faced with a feeling of abandonment and a total lack of solutions. After years of fruitless medical examinations, I began to feel a divine presence. A sentence was echoing within me: “They don’t know what they’re doing”. I didn’t know at the time that it was a quotation from the Bible, but it helped me to keep hope alive. Little by little, I felt that the Lord was with me. I was bedridden, without strength or perspective, but in my ordeal I was discovering humility and grace.
This spiritual journey helped me understand that God calls each of us in our own way. Having no knowledge of Catholic practices, I began to pray. One of my most important encounters was with someone who told me about Mary who unties knots. Without knowing what a novena was, I followed her advice. As I lit a candle and prayed, I felt an immense peace and Mary’s presence. It was a revelation for me.
Religion was never discussed in my family
“I did not grow in a religious family. At home, we never talked about religion. It wasn’t until I was forty that I felt a void in my life. Outwardly, everything seemed to be in order, but inwardly, something was missing. I discovered the Lord at that period, and it changed everything.” Delphine recounts how her conversion was a real upheaval: “I had to learn everything: how to pray, how to understand the Mass, how to read the Bible. It was like restarting everything from scratch, but it was wonderful.”
The Lord introduced me to Montligeon
When it doesn’t come from you, but you hear about a place over and over again, or see it mentioned everywhere, you understand that you need to do something. So I became interested in this sanctuary. I subscribed to the Montligeon YouTube channel, and started watching the Masses. It’s wonderful to have access to these online Masses today, even if it doesn’t replace your physical attendance. Gradually, Montligeon was coming back into my life all the time, through flyers, discussions and so on. Until I realized I had to go there.
In Lourdes, where I live, I’m surrounded by this permanent grace. But I feel that each shrine offers its own unique spiritual richness. I also listen to Masses in other places, like Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois or Notre-Dame-du-Laus. Each place brings a different depth to my communion with God. It allows me to experience a union through prayer and to honor the Lord present in every tabernacle. For a few months now, it’s been a matter of course for me to come here.
Prayer for the souls in purgatory and the promise of the Fraternity
Little by little, my path was punctuated by unexpected encounters . In Switzerland, I sought medical advice with a physiotherapist who was a Christian and spoke to me of the Archangel Saint Michael. Thoses meetings led me to strengthen my faith and understand that God touches us through a variety of means. Through these trials and graces, I’ve learned to let Him guide me.
Today, my faith has become the center of my life. I spend long hours worshiping the Blessed Sacrament. This time spent in God’s presence teaches me to surrender to His will. Every day, I feel a call to pray for the souls in purgatory and for the deceased. I sometimes feel a pain within me that prompts me to pray for certain loved ones who have passed away. This prayer mission helps me to better understand the importance of the communion of saints and intercession.
“Engaging in the Fraternity Promise wasn’t an easy decision. I prayed a lot before making such a commitment. But as soon as I did, I felt great peace.” Delphine listed the benefits of this commitment for her own faith: “It’s a path of hope. Every prayer, every encounter helps me to move forward and get closer to God.”
A life focussed on prayer
In short, this journey of faith has transformed me. From illness to the discovery of God’s infinite love, I’ve learned to trust Him and let myself be loved. What I’d like to pass on is that God is there for each and every one of us. All we have to do is sit down, listen to Him and entrust ourselves to Him, for He is the supreme expert on life and death. We must learn to surrender to His love and accept the grace He offers us through every trial.
