In 1713, a certain man of Valenciennes in Flanders had the misfortune to fall into a very bad sin. Shame, however, tormented him so much that he could not convince himself to reveal the sin to his confessor. He confessed other sins, but he stubbornly kept this grave sin a secret.

Meanwhile, his conscience was filled with remorse. At first, it did little good, for he was not yet ready nor brave enough to free himself from his shame.

One day the thought came to him that perhaps if he made a pilgrimage to the church of Mary in Halle, he would be freed of his remorse. He was so sure of this, that he bound himself by a vow to visit the shrine. His goal was not to make his confession, but he hoped that his act of homage to Our Lady would restore to him peace of conscience.

He set off and, having arrived at the entrance of the church, suddenly found himself unable to take a step further. He could not move. He tried again with even greater effort, but still could not enter Our Lady’s church. Though he saw no one and nothing holding him back, nothing he did would free him from the invisible hold.

Entering into himself, he realized that Mary was halting his steps for a reason. Accepting his good will in coming to Her shrine, Mary was trying to tell this man to unburden his tortured soul to Her Son in confession. This was the only way he could find peace of mind again.

Strengthened by Her grace, the man made a firm resolution of making a good confession. This done, he was then able to enter the church without further obstacle. He found a priest and, with great repentance, made a general confession of his whole life. His confession finished, he returned home content and at peace. He had received a greater grace by this visit than he had expected. Mary, like a true mother, had given him the grace and courage he needed to confront and confess his sin and thereby find true forgiveness and real peace.