Blessed Jacinta was seven at the time of the apparitions. Having implored the protection of the most Holy Hearts of Jesus and of Mary, Our Tender Mother, and sought light and grace at the foot of the Tabernacle, so as to write nothing that would not be solely and exclusively for the glory of Jesus and the most Blessed Virgin, I now take up this work, in spite of the repugnance I feel, since I can say almost nothing about Jacinta without speaking either directly or indirectly about my miserable self. I obey, nevertheless, the will of Your Excellency, which, for me, is the expression of the will of our good God.
I begin this task, then, asking the most holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary to deign to bless it, and to make use of this act of obedience to obtain the conversion of the poor sinners, for whom Jacinta so generously sacrificed herself. I know Your Excellency does not expect a well written account from me, for you know how incapable and inadequate I am. I am going to tell you, then, what I can remember about this soul, for by God’s grace I was her most intimate confidante. I have such high regard for her holiness, that I greatly esteem and respect her and dearly cherish her memory.