On December 8, 1854, the day on which the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed in Rome, Emilie was in prayer in the chapel at Bauffe. She had a profound spiritual experience which would inspire and transform her life forever.

Emilie recounts this experience as an encounter with Mary who confided to her the secret of her maternal heart. Mary invited Emilie to love Jesus and the members of his Body, “with that delicacy of love that is found in a mother’s heart”, and in this way “to be Mary for Jesus”. It was an invitation to collaborate in Christ’s mission of redemption and reparation. Emilie responded without reservation “I promised all to Mary”.

Emilie felt called to a life of “reparation”, according to the spiritual understanding of the XIX century, when there was a special sensitivity to the profanations against the Eucharist. She felt the immensity of God’s tender love for the world and the urgent desire to respond with the gift of her life.