This gripping account from Triumph of the Blessed Sacrament recounts the extraordinary story of Nicola Aubry, a young Catholic woman in 16th-century France who became the victim of mysterious and terrifying spiritual afflictions. Beginning with a haunting encounter with her alleged deceased grandfather, her trials reveal God’s mercy and the triumph of His love in the Blessed Sacrament.
The Mysterious Visitation
Nicola Aubry was born of Catholic parents in the year 1549, in the town of Vervius, in France. She received a good Catholic education, and was married at the age of sixteen. Nothing very remarkable happened to her until November 1565, on the feast of “All Souls.” On that day she went to the churchyard, and, kneeling on the grave of her grandfather, who had died two years previously, she began to pray for the repose of his soul. Whilst she was thus praying, she suddenly saw, standing before her, a man entirely enveloped in a long, white shroud. “I am your grandfather,” said this strange apparition, in a solemn voice. Nicola rushed home in terror, and hid herself in a corner of the house. (Her relations, supposing that she was sick, gave her medicine, but Nicola could find no relief.) But the spirit haunted her and tormented her continually.
The Spirit’s Request
On the seventh of November this spirit appeared to her again, but now his face was uncovered. It was unmistakably the face of her grandfather, Joachim Villot.”
“Fear not,” said the spirit, “I am your grandfather.”
Nicola fainted away, and seemed at the very point of death. During the swoon, the spirit told her that he had to suffer very much in purgatory, because, during life, he had vowed to make several pilgrimages, and was suddenly taken away from this life without having fulfilled his promise. He requested that her husband Louis, and her two uncles Nicholas and Augustine, should make the pilgrimages he had promised. Three of the places which he named were in France, and the fourth was St. James of Compostella, in Spain. He also requested her to have alms given, and masses offered for the repose of his soul. He then said: “Fear nothing, my child; pray to God and the Virgin Mary. You will yet behold wonderful things, for great are the mysteries of God.
A Test of Faith
Nicola recovered from her swoon, and related all that the spirit had told her, but said not a word about the pilgrimage to Spain. She then conjured those present to comply with his wishes. Her relations at first looked upon all that Nicola said as the effect of a disordered imagination; but at last they consented to comply with her request, in the hope that she would thereby regain her peace of mind.
On the ninth of November, her husband and two uncles of Nicola set out on their pilgrimage. During the journey, Nicola accompanied them in spirit. She related, to those around her, everything that the three pilgrims said and did.
Her words were not believed at the time; but nine days after, when the pilgrims returned, they confirmed the truth of all that she had said.
A Terrifying Attack
A solemn Requiem Mass was now offered up for the repose of the grandfather’s soul, and the friends of Nicola returned from church, expecting to find her entirely restored to health. Imagine their terror, when, on their return, they found that she had disappeared. They sought her everywhere, and at last found her crouched under the bed, with her hands clinched convulsively.
Nicola at last came to herself, and related how, as she was about to go to church, she was suddenly seized by an invisible hand, hurled to the ground, and dragged under the bed. She said that she should have been killed outright, had not some higher power saved her. It was pitiful to see how the poor young woman wept and moaned, as if in the greatest agony. “Ask the
spirit,” said the mother, “to tell you what he wants. We are willing to make every sacrifice, in order to bring you relief.” “My grandfather tells me,” said Nicola, at last, “that those who have made the other pilgrimages must also go to St. James of Compostella, in Spain. I did not speak of it before, as I did not wish to give trouble to my husband and my uncles. But my grandfather says that he will torture me, and make me deaf, dumb and blind, until the pilgrimages are made.”
Deception Exposed
The parents of Nicola were greatly troubled at these words, but they thought still that it might be all the effect of a disordered imagination. So they hit upon a very simple plan, which they thought would satisfy her. Her husband and her uncles came to her dressed as pilgrims ready for a long journey, and affectionately took leave of her. But instead of going to Spain, which was well-nigh impossible at that cold winter season, each went to his work as usual. The pretended pilgrims had been gone scarcely an hour when Nicola screamed out: “Oh father, Oh mother, mother, have you no pity on me? See, my grandfather says he will torture me, and wrench all my limbs, because the pilgrimage is not made.” “But, my child,” answered the mother, “did you not see them yourself starting on their journey?” “No!” cried Nicola,” they have not yet left the city. Louis is in his father’s house sitting near the fire, and my uncles are at work.”
The parents were thunderstruck. What Nicola said was literally true.
The Church Intervenes
The parents now sent for the priest, and it was resolved to use the exorcism of the Church, in order to find out whether the spirit was from God or not. While they were consulting about the matter, Nicola fell into a swoon, and, on coming to herself again, she said: “My grandfather says that whoever wishes to exorcise him should have a clear conscience. He desires that Rev. F. Lautrichet should undertake the task.”
The mother hastened to F. Lautrichet, and told him what her daughter had said, and begged him to free her, if possible, from this troublesome spirit. F. Lautrichet refused, at first, out of humility; but at last he yielded to the good woman’s repeated entreaties. He consulted all the priests of the city, and prepared himself for his terrible task by confession, prayer, and fasting. He then went to the house of Nicola, and there, in the presence of several of the most prominent citizens of the place, he began the First Exorcism.
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This article is taken from a chapter in Triumph of the Blessed Sacrament by Fr. Michael Mueller, CSSR which is available from TAN Books.
