nine o'clock
It was said that in the deep peacefulness of night the chosen ones undoubtedly beheld the Virgin , but powerful protection was needed to obtain such a favour as had been granted to Marie ; for nowadays the reverend Fathers scarcely liked to grant it , as several sufferers had died during the long vigil , falling asleep , as it were , in the midst of their ecstasy . `` You will take the Sacrament at the Grotto tomorrow morning , before you are brought back here , wo n't you , my child ? '' resumed Sister Hyacinthe . However , nine o'clock at last struck , and , Pierre not arriving , the girl wondered whether he , usually so punctual , could have forgotten her ? The others were now talking to her of the night procession , which she would see from beginning to end if she only started at once . The ceremonies concluded with a procession every night , but the Sunday one was always the finest , and that evening , it was said , would be remarkably splendid , such , indeed , as was seldom seen . Nearly thirty thousand pilgrims would take part in it , each carrying a lighted taper : the nocturnal marvels of the sky would be revealed ; the stars would descend upon earth .