PROPHETICAL PREDICTIONS OF THE SOLITARY D’ ORVAL RELATIVE TO THE PRESENT CONDITION AND FUTURE DESTINY OF FRANCE.
From The Christian Trumpet (1873)
As St. Paul desires Christians “to despise not prophecies but to prove all things and to hold that which is good” (1 Thess. v. 19), before believing in any new prophetical prediction, we should be furnished with satisfactory proofs for the authenticity and veracity of the prophecy. By prophecy we understand the prediction of future events naturally unknown to man. This prediction, then, must exist before the fact foretold. Again, when the same prophet predicts various events for different periods of time, it is very clear that the realization of a considerable portion of his prophecies is a sufficient guaranty for the fulfillment of his future predictions. Now, these two proofs are found in a remarkable manner in support of the Prophecy D’ Orval.
It is, beyond all doubt, established, that this long prophecy existed before the first French Revolution, and before anything was known about the very existence of Napoleon, of whom it speaks so distinctly. Here I mention the principal periodicals wherein it was first published in France: Journal des Villes et Campagnes (City and Country Journal), 20th June, 1839; thence it was copied in the Propagateur de la Foi (Propagator of the Faith), on two different occasions during the same year, Vols. IV. and V.; also in the Tablettes du Chrétien (The Christian Tablet); the Freiberg Invariable published the same, Tom. XIII, in 1839. In the following year, 1840, it was published in a more satisfactory manner in the Paris Oracle of Monsieur Dujardin. In that article the writer, Monsieur O’ Mahony, gives a number of letters, which he obtained from different French priests and lay gentlemen, proving the existence and knowledge of this prophecy before the first French Revolution. I shall give the principal portions of these letters. Remarks about the Predictions D’ Orval.
“We feel bound to ask our readers to rely upon our word, when we assure them that they can place all confidence on the authority of the following attestations. They come from the most pure and respectable sources. They are the results of inquiry, and the literal expressions of venerable ecclesiastics, and lay persons of eminent piety. Were we allowed to mention their names, not the least doubt could remain upon this fact. Nobody can be surprised at the reserve imposed upon us, and why persons who live in France, or are engaged in the sacred ministry, do not wish to have their well-known names published. (During the reign of King Louis Philippe.)”
“This Prophecy D’ Orval was well known in 1816, at Bar-le-Duc, by a very large number of persons, some of whom gave a copy of it to the Very Rev. Canon De —, which he communicated to Monsieur De L—. Though this gentleman had no doubt of the exactness of such authority, he wished, however, to collect more proofs.
For this object he obtained new and confirmatory information from the inhabitants of Bar-le-Duc. He wrote upon this subject to the curé (parish priest) of Mande, a city near the ancient abbey D’ Orval, who afterwards was made Canon and Vicar-General of O. After some considerable delay, this worthy ecclesiastic answered to the date 29th August, 1833 :—
“I have in my parish a saintly person, who has full faith in these predictions. I do not censure her, but I leave her to her pious belief. However, I confess that I do not share in her convictions.”
We like to give this first answer; because the disposition not to believe will add more authority to the subsequent change of opinion of this prudent ecclesiastic. This curé of Mande being pressed by the former gentleman, De L—, he, on the 4th of April, 1835, wrote a second letter to this effect: — “I have delayed some time answering the letter with which you have honored me. The cause of it has been the necessity I had of gathering better information which I could not procure without visiting the locality and examining divers sources, in order to be able to offer you something certain about the subject of your letter. Now, behold here the result of my inquiry. It is a certain fact, which excludes every doubt, that the prophecies of the Solitary D’ Orval, such as they are known to you, were written in the abbey D’ OrvaI before the French Revolution, namely, before the year 1790. At that time they were known and read in that abbey. The Baron, Sir Mandeville, a personage of sound sense and of religion, attests to having read them at that time, without attaching to them the importance which he felt obliged to give them afterwards.
“French emigrated ladies knew these prophecies during their exile. Many ecclesiastics, among whom the curé of Sedan, had without doubt knowledge of them before the French Revolution in 1830. It is therefore a well-established fact that this prophecy, exactly as it is known at the present day, is proved to have had its origin at an epoch anterior to the events which are therein specified in a manner so precise and clear as to appear to have been written after their occurrence. In conclusion, every wise and prudent person can give to it his full and entire approbation.
So far the letter of the curé of Mande. But Monsieur De L— went further in his inquiry. He wrote to the curé of Sedan, and received from him the following answer: —
“During my emigration (exile from France on account of the Revolution of 1792), I often heard persons speaking of these prophecies. But I had not the opportunity then of reading the text. It is only since the Restoration (1815) that it has been communicated to me. It contains all that relates to Napoleon, the return of the Bourbons, their departure, and the rest, etc., etc., till the coming of Antichrist. Orval, through which I passed a few days before the Revolution in the year 1792, is no farther than six leagues (about eighteen miles) from here (Sedan). I had occasion to return thither and examine its ruins. I have been able to collect all the documents relative to this very interesting prediction. I am sure that the most respectable and trustworthy persons in these parts, and elsewhere, have in it, like myself, the greatest confidence.”
Lastly, the curé of Mande, who, in 1833, did not believe this prophecy, yet, after examining its well-authenticated proofs, became more and more convinced of its reality. On the 23d September, 1839, he wrote to Monsieur De L—:
“The prophecies of the Solitary D’ Orval have for some time attracted in a peculiar manner the attention of ecclesiastical persons in high positions. The fact that the Archbishop of Paris has requested some copies of it shows that he fully and entirely believes in them. His conviction is common to many ecclesiastics distinguished for their learning, and to a great number of the faithful esteemed and commendable for their piety.”
I shall close here with Monsieur O’ Mahony’s own words:
“It is this kind of arguments that has to be answered by those who, with unmeaning words, and the worthless gossip of anonymous writers, sneer against this prophecy. After all these facts, the exactness of which we guarantee, and after all these testimonies, whose authority every wise and prudent person will admit, it remains for us to make known the last and final results of long researches made about this Prediction of Orval, — a result, certainly the most important, because through them we have succeeded in obtaining the real authentic version, which we now publish. This is no less than the original text of the Prediction, copied in the year 1823, from a book printed in Luxemburg in 1544.
This should be more than sufficient to demonstrate the pre-existence of this prophecy to the events foretold in it. The hasty and unwise brochure against this prophecy of Orval by Monseigneur Rossat, bishop of Verdun, was triumphantly confuted by the Abbé Lacombe, canon of the Metropolitan church of Bordeaux, in a volume of 230 pages, printed in the same city in the year 1849, with the following title: “The Authenticity of the Prophecy D’ Orval since the Year 1793 demonstrated by material, logical, and mathematical Proofs; corroborated by numerous contemporaneous Testimonies, and deposed at the Public Library of Bordeaux by the Author of ‘Diffidence and Confidence in Relation to Modern Prophecy.’ ”
More authorities could be given, but these will be considered sufficient to justify my motive in sending it for publication, and perusal by persons, like myself, interested in the present condition of France and Europe. I have had opportunities to learn that the reading of these and other prophetical predictions has excited considerable interest. In translating and arranging them to the best of my judgment for publication, I had no selfish motive. I desired in a plain and practical manner to show that a wise, divine, all-governing Providence directs, rules, and controls all the affairs and destinies of human society for the welfare of Christ’s holy Church. With very few honorable exceptions, all human governments of the Earth seem to have abdicated, or at least to overlook in practice, this fundamental maxim of Christian policy. No construction can stand long after its principal foundation has been undermined. The general uneasiness of the human mind is an ominous prognostic of impending calamities. These shall fall upon us much sooner than thoughtless and reckless men expect. The flaming sword of the avenging angel is ready to strike. It will cause frightful havoc in this selfconceited, infidel, mammon-worshipping generation.
The false prophets of the usurped pulpits palaver the blind passions and delusions of their Sabbath worshippers, proclaiming peace, peace, prosperity, security. The refrain is promptly answered by the giddy scribes of an infidel press. With them America is the model of Christian nations, the most perfect example of Christian morality. But boastful pride and presumption always go before a fall. With her large share of guilt, America cannot avoid her due share of punishment. However, before Divine justice inflicts the deserved punishment, God’s mercy warns both the guilty and the innocent, in order that the guilty may in time repent, and the just may not despond, but may be moved to prayer and hope. We have full faith in these timely warnings. We Catholics firmly believe that the word of God has not been silenced by the Incarnation. For us the language of prophecy is no strange voice. On the contrary, our faith in our sacramental Emmanuel, continually abiding with His holy Church, makes us expect that in His loving goodness and compassionate mercy, He will, through His favorite servants, warn the faithful when His offended justice is forced to punish the prevailing wickedness of mankind.
Confining our glance to the last one hundred years, we shall easily find that God, in divers ways and at sundry times, has spoken through prophetic predictions, by miraculous apparitions, by prodigious signs given in sacred pictures and devout statues. These heavenly mysterious signs have been daily witnessed during many months by entire populations. These supernal apparitions, after the most irrefragable evidence, have been solemnly approved by competent ecclesiastical authority. Here, as a recent example, I mention the celebrated apparitions in the year 1858, to Bernardette at the rock of Massabielle, near Lourdes, in France. I should advise the readers of this to peruse the authentic account of the apparitions, and of numerous miraculous cures, given in a splendid work with the title, Our Lady of Lourdes. They will be satisfied that God speaks yet to the children of men.
Moreover, has not the present saintly Pope Pius IX, at divers times and in various ways, warned the faithful to prepare for impending calamities? Can we hear so many merciful calls, and remain indifferent? Can we suppose that in so many and such explicit heavenly voices there is no meaning? They are full of meaning, and also pregnant with danger for us, if we heed them not. We all desire peace, prosperity, and happiness.
When men shall practically recognize the sovereign dominion over them of the true living God; when we shall boldly proclaim our belief in the Divine authority of Jesus Christ, as exercised upon Earth through his infallible Vicar, the Bishop of Rome; when every Christian government shall imitate the noble example of the Catholic Republic of Ecuador, in South America, and conform their conduct to the maxims of the gospel, — then, but then only, lasting peace, true prosperity, and real happiness shall be enjoyed by mankind.
My personal opinion in relation to these prophecies is founded upon the following considerations: First, the proofs of the authenticity of the Predictions D’ Orval. Secondly, the agreement of these predictions, especially about the imminent future, with many other prophecies made by different canonized saints and eminent servants of God, very distant from each other in point of time and country: for instance, St. Bridget, of Sweden; St. Francis di Paola, already mentioned. To these I could have added St. Malachy, of Ireland; St. Thomas, of Canterbury; St. Francis, of Assissium; St. Margaret, of Cortona; St. Catherine, of Siena, etc., etc. Also the venerable Abbot Werdin, of Otranto, who died in the year 1279, distinctly foretold the future appearance in France of the youthful prince mentioned by St. Francis di Paola, and in these prophetical Predictions D’ Orval. A goodly number of similar predictions contemporary with, or subsequent to, this of D’ Orval have likewise been made by persons of acknowledged sanctity in France and Italy. All this, and much more, is contained in the sixth edition, issued in 1864, in Turin, of a collection of these and other prophecies, gathered with great care by several learned priests. As soon as published, these predictions have been sought after with such avidity that each successive edition was soon exhausted. They have been perused by scores of thousands of Catholics, and by thousands of pious and learned ecclesiastics of every degree, from the most humble curé to the highest personages of Rome. Thirdly, if we except some few infidel sceptics in France, nobody has attempted to deny or contradict them. Now, could we not safely interpret this prudent and respectful silence of the Church in a matter of such importance as a kind of at least indirect sanction of these prophetical predictions? My remarks, of course, are not exclusively confined to D’ Orval’s predictions; for I have corroborated them with several others. Fourthly, for me, the events already transpired, the present condition of Europe, and the restless agitation of the human mind in every nation of the globe, very strongly incline my judgment to expect that the fulfillment of these predictions will in a few years be effected. We remarked above that the second and perhaps best guaranty for a prophecy is the actual realization of a considerable portion of the events foretold. We are now going to give this proof. The predictions of the Solitary D’ Orval, at the present time, form naturally two distinct parts, namely, past and future prophecies; the first part is the longest, the second the most important. In the original and copies the principal predictions are given in distinct paragraphs; but these are not marked by any numbers; on this occasion I have concluded to mark them with Roman numbers: first, to facilitate their intelligence; secondly, for the sake of reference; thirdly, to render more convenient some desirable comment. After this explanation, we pass to the prophecy, the title of which is this: — Sure Prophecies revealed by the Lord to a Solitary for the Consolation of God’s Children.
I. At a certain time a young man, coming from over the sea to the country of Celtic Gaul (France), will make himself remarkable by his power and counsel (sagacity?). [N. B. Napoleon Bonaparte I, from the island of Corsica, went to France.] But the great ones, beginning to fear him, will send him to fight in the land of captivity. (Egypt, in the prophetic style of the Bible, is called the land of captivity.)
II. Victory shall bring him back to the first country (France). The Sons of Brutus will be very much stupefied at his return, for he will domineer over them, and assume the name of Emperor. [N. B. In this, as well as several other modem prophecies, the Red Republicans, or rather secret societies and conspirators, are decorated with the ignoble title of Sons of Brutus. Pagan Roman history can supply the reason for this title. This Word Brutus can also. Those who desire the best explanation, in the words of Our Divine Redeemer, may read it in the gospel. St. John viii. 44.)
III. Many high and powerful kings shall conceive much fear because of the Eagle, which shall seize many scepters and crowns. Infantry and cavalry Eagles and blood shall with him fly like midges in the air. All Europe is greatly terrified at the shedding of blood, for he shall be so powerful as to induce the belief that God is fighting with him. [Napoleon, like Attila, was God’s scourge in Europe; he took the Eagle for his war standard.]
IV. God’s Church is somewhat consoled in beholding again her temples opened to her own sheep entirely dispersed; and God is praised. [During the first French Revolution, by the Red Republicans, Christianity was officially and totally abolished in France. Bishops, priests, religious, pious lay Catholics, were martyred. Napoleon I abolished this impious law, and restored our holy religion in France. But his motive was more political than religious. The good attempted by bad men is always imperfect, and of a short duration. We are going to witness this fact.]
V. But it is finished; the moons are passed. The old man of Zion (Pope Pius VII) cries to God from his heart very much oppressed by burning grief. [This holy Pope was confined in prison, and much harassed by order of Napoleon. Temporary success always makes bad men proud, arrogant, and tyrannical. But when they dare persecute the Church of Christ, and his holy Vicar upon Earth, their punishment and humiliation is inevitable. Our Holy Father, Pius IX, is at the present kept prisoner in his own capital, and oppressed with burning grief by an apostate and impious government. He and the whole Catholic Church is crying to God. We are certain of final victory.]
VI. Behold the powerful man (Napoleon) blinded by sin and crimes. He leaves the grand city (Paris) with such a splendid army that the like nobody ever saw. But no military man is able to resist the face of the weather. Behold, a third part of his army, and again a third part, perish (in Russia) through the cold of the Almighty Lord. [God is always at every time and in every country the Lord of hosts. “And now; O ye kings, understand: receive instruction, you that judge the Earth. Serve ye the Lord with fear. Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the just way, when His wrath shall be kindled in a short time. Blessed are they that trust in Him.” Ps. ii.]
VII. But now ten years are passed after the era of desolation, as I have said in its place. (See No. V.) Widows and orphans have raised vehement lamentations. Lo! God is no longer inexorable. [Observe the efficacy of the fervent prayer of afflicted souls in moving God to mercy. He uses what instruments He likes for the welfare of his people. On this occasion, to restore peace to his Church, the Lord of hosts employed the power of three schismatical and heretical nations, — Russia, Prussia, and England.]
VIII. The depressed potentates recover their strength, and form an alliance for the overthrow of the man so much feared. Coming with them, behold the old blood of former ages (the Bourbons), which recovers its dignity and place in the great city (Paris), whilst the above-mentioned man, deeply humbled, goes to a place on the same sea whence he came. [The small island of Elba, to which Napoleon I was exiled, in April, 1814, is not far from Corsica, his native island.)
IX. God alone is great. The eleventh moon is not yet risen, and the bloody scourge of the Lord chastises again the great city, and the old blood flies away from Paris. [Napoleon, after ten months of exile, broke his parole, returned again to France, where he remained during the one hundred famous days, was again defeated at the battle of Waterloo, sent to St. Helena, where he died in 1821.]
X. God alone is great. He loves His people, and abominates blood. The fifth moon shone upon many soldiers from the East. France is covered with military men and war machinery. It is all over with the man of the sea. Behold, the old Capetian blood returned once more.
XI. God wills peace. May His holy name be blessed. Now a great and prosperous peace will flourish in France. The white flower is held in great honor. Many sacred canticles are sung in the house of God. . . . In the mean while the Sons of Brutus look with rage at the white flower. They obtain an important decree. [N. B. The white lily is the emblem of the old royal house of Bourbons. Their flag is also white. The lily is the emblem of purity; the white flag that of peace and honesty. No wonder, then, that the impious Sons of Brutus, or rather of Belial, like
their father, hate the very sight of such emblems, as the Devil hates the sight of the cross. Look, if you can penetrate into their secret conventicles; they are busy at their old work; they are conspiring in the great Babylon; they obtain a decree against the Jesuits and other religious-teaching communities in France. This is always and everywhere the first attempt of that antichristian sect.]
XII. For this cause God is again grievously offended, because He loves His elect (religious), and because the sacred days (Sundays and holy days) are profaned. God will try, during eighteen times twelve moons, their return to Him. [Some explain that God will await the return of the French to faith and piety during the period from the first exile of Napoleon to 1830, which not being obtained, then the punishment follows.]
XIII. God alone is great. He purifies His people through various tribulations, but always to the detriment of the wicked; therefore, through the instrumentality of a numerous and accursed sect, which walks in the dark (secret societies), a terrible conspiracy is formed against the white flower, and the poor old blood of the Capet (Bourbons, Charles X) has to fly from the great city (Paris), for which the Sons of Brutus are very much rejoiced. [Who can be so willfully blind as not to see in these prophetic words the spirit, character, and aim of secret European societies? During the last one hundred years they have been the forges of all revolutions and persecutions against the Catholic religion.]
XIV. Listen how the servants of the Lord very strongly cry to the Most High God, and He does not hear on account of the noise of His arrows, which He tempers in the fires of His wrath to transfix the heart of the impious. [Reflect, here, why sometimes the fervent prayers of the just are not immediately granted by God: it is for the greater punishment of their enemies; for, according to St. Augustine, God delays to hear our petitions, in order to grant them to our best advantage.]
XV. Woes to France! The Gaul [Gallican?] will erase the white flower, and a great one will be saluted King of the People. A strong commotion shall be experienced among nations, because the crown will be imposed by those artisans who fought in the vast city. [Louis Philippe was not, like the old Bourbon, King of France, but King of the French. He was crowned by the victorious mob of Paris: hence he was styled the citizen-king, — better, perhaps, the King of Democracy.]
XVI. God alone is great. The power of the impious shall sensibly increase; but let them make haste! [our divine Lord used a like expression with Judas,] for behold the opinions of the Gauls [Gallicans?] come in collision, and there is great dissension in their councils. The King of the People, who at first was considered very weak, yet will go against many of the wicked. But he was not well established [in faith and religion; he was a high Freemason]; lo! God casts him down. [At the bloody revolution in Paris, July, 1830, when Charles X was dethroned, Louis Philippe, Duke of Orleans, his cousin, was elected King of the French. But history shows that only a truly Christian Catholic monarch can reign long and prosperously in France. Louis Philippe was not a. good Catholic king, much less a Most Christian King, as all monarchs of France were styled: hence, in his turn, he was expelled in February, 1848, when a French Republic was again proclaimed. But France can never be long a Republic! For France, a Republic is inevitable civil war. Only a solidly established kingdom or empire can procure peace and happiness to France; for such monarchy the foundation must be laid in the heart of the French nation, and this must rest on St. Peter’s Rock! As only a true Pope can be the real Bishop and legitimate King of Rome, so only a monarch, indeed most Christian, can be able to govern France well. Such is the decree of Heaven. The second part of this prophecy, as well as several other prophetical predictions, have proclaimed it. Do you, reader, cry, Superstition? Is it superstition to believe that Jesus Christ, very God and man, is the King of kings and Lord of lords? “Every creature in Heaven and on the Earth and in the sea, I heard all saying, To Him who sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb, benediction and honor and glory and power for ever and ever.” (Apoc. v. 13.) This evidently embraces more than France and Europe. I believe it embraces the whole universe; therefore this Earth, and every human government. But the history of at least fifteen hundred years sufficiently shows that only a monarch indeed most Christian can govern France well. In the
year 505, the apostle of France, St. Remigius, wrote to his great spiritual son, Clovis, the first Christian king of Catholic France, offering, for his acceptance, the best charter for the successful government of the French people: “Choose wise councilors, who will be an honor to your reign. Respect the clergy. Be the father and protector of your people. If you do this, you will draw down upon yourself the divine blessings.” Does not this also imply that these promised divine blessings will be withheld from every ruler in France who does not live and act as a most Christian monarch? The evidence of the past is the best guaranty for the future.]
XVII. Howl, ye Sons of Brutus. Call upon you the wild beasts, which are ready to devour you. God alone is great! What booming of arms! There is not yet a full number of moons, and, behold, many warriors are coming.
[We are arrived at the threshold of the future. No wonder, then, if this portion of the Predictions of D’ Orval appears more mysterious and obscure than the former, which had for us relation to the past. Let the past, then, be our light and guide to the dark future. For the present, those who desire to understand the highly important meaning of the above prophetic words should never forget what is signified by Sons of Brutus. Let us hold this fact of secret history as certain, that during the last one hundred years, the principal revolutions, at least in Catholic countries, and consequent persecutions of the best classes of Catholics and religious, have been precipitated upon society by the worthy Sons of Brutus. This has been the fact in France, Spain, Portugal, and in all their dependencies; in Italy, Hungary, Austria, Bavaria, and other parts of Germany. By the same class of men, the attempt has lately been made in Ireland. It will soon be more successful in England. Simple-minded Christians may not believe this truth, secret accomplices in these intrigues may affect to deny this assertion, or pretend to sneer at this statement. But others, more sincere, have acknowledged the fact. Let American Catholics be upon their guard; the storm so long brewing in the East (Orient) is fast spreading to the far West. Is it very improbable that the secret wirepullers may soon use it as a political machine? Watch, and you will discover more than one ominous sign! What is the object and intention of the so-called Grand Army of the Republic? It forebodes no good for Catholics. We may fear, but we shall not despond. Read again the prophecy No. XIII. Reflect on these words: “He (God) purifies His people through various tribulations, but always to the detriment of the wicked.” Here again the prophet says: “Howl, ye Sons of Brutus”(to express their distress and rage). “Call upon you the wild beasts, which are ready to devour you.”
Men not guided by superior lights of faith and reason, but impelled by passion, always act with precipitation; this very precipitation forms the pit, which, under the wise and just, but mysterious design of Divine Providence, they dig for their own fall and destruction. “There is not yet a full number of moons.” In His longsuffering patience, God would have allowed some years’ longer tranquility and peace to France and Europe; but the violent passions and impatient eagerness of the Sons of Brutus precipitate the calamity. But lo! they suffer a crushing defeat where they expected certain victory; they bring upon themselves the wild beasts, prepared and ready to devour them . . . What these wild beasts are, we may learn from the epithets used by the defeated Sons of Brutus against the German armies and their leaders in France. The Sons of Brutus fight against, but are defeated by, their brothers! God punishes His people through various tribulations; but always to the detriment of His wicked enemies.]
XVIII. It is finished. The mountain of God, desolated (the Church), has cried to God, the children of Juda have invoked God from a strange land, and, behold, God is no longer deaf. [N. B. By these children of Juda, in the prophetic style, we should understand the priests and faithful Catholics, who shall be soon exiled, or who will emigrate through the impending civil war, and religious persecution by the Sons of Brutus in France. We may also understand the old royal Bourbon family so long exiled from their country, and that will in a few years be restored to the throne of St. Louis.]
XIX. What fire goes together with His (God’s) arrows! Ten times six moons, and again six times ten moons have nourished His wrath (about eleven years). Woe to thee, populous city (Paris)! Behold kings armed by the Lord! . . . But fire hath already burned thee to the ground . . . Thy just ones, however, shall not perish; God has heard them; the place of wickedness is purged by fire; the ample river (Seine) has carried to the sea its waters all red with blood.
XX. France (continues the Prophecy D’ Orval), France, that appeared dilacerated, is on the point of being re-united. God loves peace. Come, young Prince, leave the Island of Captivity. Join the lion to the white flower. Come. God wills what has been foreseen. The ancient blood of centuries will also put an end to long divisions. Then shall be seen in France one shepherd only. [N. B. More than twenty different prophecies in this book distinctly predict the appearance in France of a young Prince, a lineal descendant of the old Capetian blood.
Who this young Prince can be it is difficult to tell. It is one of those mysteries with which the wisdom of God likes to baffle the calculations and designs of men. He is invited by the prophet D’ Orval to leave the Island of Captivity. What is meant by this island we cannot explain. In relation to Napoleon I, by this expression the same prophet indicated Egypt. In this particular case it may be Egypt, or it may be England.]
XXI. The powerful man, assisted by God, will establish himself well. Many wise laws shall restore peace. This scion of Capet will be so prudent and wise that all men will believe God to be with him. Thanks to the Father of mercies, the Holy Sion (Holy Catholic Church) sings again in the temples, One only God. Many poor wandering sheep (Protestants) shall come to drink of the living spring of truth and grace. Three princes and kings shall throw off the garb of error, and will see clearly in the faith of God. At this time two-thirds of a great nation of the sea (England) shall reassume the true faith. [Several other prophecies foretell these consoling future events even in more clear expressions. In fact, they announce the general conversion of mankind to Catholic Christianity before the end of twenty years from this date, through the zeal of the future Angelic Pope (Papa Angelicus), with the energetic co-operation of the future Monarch of France and the new religious Order so distinctly foretold by St. Francis di Paola, and by other saints and servants of God. I do not expect that all those who read these announcements will believe them. For my part, I like to say with holy Job: I know that my Redeemer liveth . . . This my hope is laid up in my bosom. (Job xix. 25.)]
XXII. God is again praised during fourteen times ten moons, and six times thirteen moons. God is the only Master of Mercies, and for this He will, moreover, for the sake of His elect, prolong the peace during ten other times twelve moons. [All this gives about twenty six years. However, this last sentence indicates that, during the period of peace and prosperity, many Christians will begin to grow cold; hence the Lord of Mercy has to exercise this divine attribute for the sake of His elect.]
XXIII. God alone is great. Much good has been accomplished. The saints are about to suffer. The man of sin arrives. He (Antichrist) is born from two bloods. The white flower becomes obscured during ten times six moons, and six times twenty moons (during about one hundred and eighty months), and it disappears, nevermore to be seen. In that time much evil will be done; little good. Many flourishing cities shall perish through fire. Israel, with good heart, comes to Christ-God. The accursed sects and the faithful believers shall form two distinct parties.
XXIV. All is over. God alone shall be believed. A third part of the Gauls (France), and again a third part and half, shall have no more faith. The same shall be with other nations. And, behold, already six times three moons, and four times five moons, which are separated, and the age of the end is begun.
XXV. After a number of moons not full (those evil days shall be shortened, as promised by our Divine Savior, because of the elect. Matt. xxiv. 22) God fights through His two just ones (Henoch and Elias), and the man of sin (Antichrist) will get the upper hand (he will kill them). But all is finished. [The apparent temporary success of the wicked is ever the most certain sign of their impending defeat; and this defeat is always more complete in proportion to their success.] The high God sets a wall of fire that obscures my under-standing. I can see no more. May He be forever praised. (End of time, and beginning of eternity, in about one hundred years hence.) (ED NOTE: commentary prediction – not the prophecy - of 1873, obviously inaccurate.)
