There was once a young woman greatly devoted to Our Lady, who was traveling all alone when, suddenly, she came face to face with a notorious robber, who was in fact the chief of the bandits. Terrified, the poor girl, implored the criminal to spare her and for the love of the most Holy Virgin Mary, to leave her alone.

Imagine the fearful silence that followed the desperate plea. The thief, however, answered her in an unexpected tone.

"Do not fear," he said, "for you have asked me in the name of the Mother of God."

The young woman, stunned perhaps with both astonishment joy, was amazed to hear the robber’s one condition for her release.

"I only ask," he continued, "that you remember me in your prayers to the Holy Virgin."

Grateful beyond words, the young lady promised that she would. The bandit then released her, and even went so far as to accompany her himself along the road – until she had arrived at a place of safety.

The following night, as the robber slept, he saw in his dream a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who spoke to him both kindly and seriously.

"I want to thank you for what you have done for the love of me. Know that I will remember it and will one day reward you."

Time passed by and the bandit, at length, was arrested and condemned to death for his crimes.

And as he lay in his cell, the night before the execution, the Blessed Virgin visited him again in a dream and spoke to him, asking him first a question.

"Do you know who I am?" She asked.

The man looked at her. "It seems to me I have seen you before," he answered.

"I am the Virgin Mary," the beautiful Lady continued, "who have come to reward you for that which you have done for me. You will die tomorrow, but you will die with so much contrition that you will come at once to paradise."

The convict awoke, and at once felt such contrition for his sins that he began to weep bitterly, all the while giving thanks aloud to our Blessed Lady. Immediately, he sent for a priest, to whom he made his confession with many tears. The criminal related also to him, the visions he had seen, and begged the priest to make public this incredible grace that Mary had bestowed on him.

The next day, he went with joy to his execution. With his soul reconciled to God, he was happy now to atone for his crimes with his life.

It is related that, upon his death, the man’s countenance was so peaceful and happy, that all who saw him believed that the promise of our Heavenly Mother was fulfilled.