Our Lady of Pontmain is the title given to the Blessed Mother Mary on her apparition at Pontmain, France on January 17 1871 AD. She is celebrated on January 17 on the day of her apparition.
Our Lady of Pontmain’s History
A war was declared by Emperor Napoleon III, on July 19 1870 AD, against Prussia. Prussia won battles after battles during the first days of the war and by January 1871, they had control over two thirds of the country.
The apparition happened in Pontmain, a hamlet that resided on the way to the city of Laval, which was the Prussian army’s next target of attack at the time.
Eugene, aged 12, eldest son of Cesar and Victoire, gazed at the stars on the night of January 17 1871 AD and saw the apparition of a beautiful woman, smiling at him, wearing a blue gown with golden stars, black veil and a golden crown.
He called to his brother, Joseph, aged 10 and a neighbor but the adult neighbor could not see anything though Joseph could see the apparition. It was discovered that only the children could see the apparition when two little girls began describing the apparition as per what Eugene’s and Joseph’s descriptions.
Word quickly spread and people gathered around to pray. It was said that as the crowd prayed the Rosary, the stars on her gown multiplied until the gown was entirely golden.
A banner with the message, “But pray, my children, God will hear you in time, My son allows Himself to be touched.”
The apparition lasted three hours and ended at around nine in the evening. The Prussian army was said to have abandoned the mission to raid Laval as their General, Schmidt, was reported to have said that they army should not proceed as there was an invisible Madonna barring the way.
The apparition was said to have led to the end of the war as the soldiers of the Prussian army retired the following day after the night of the apparition. This led to the recognition and the approval of the veneration of Our Lady of Hope of Pontmain in addition the the intensive interrogations and investigations done on the matter.
The children who witnessed the apparition who were; Joseph, became a priest of the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Eugene, became a secular priest, Jean-Marie Lebosse became a nun and the other girl assisted Eugene as his housekeeper.
Our Lady of Pontmain’s Location
Our Lady of Pontmain appeared in Pontmain, France.
Our Lady of Pontmain’s Date of Appearance
She appeared on January 17 1871 AD.
Type of Appearance
The appearance was a Marian Apparition.
Our Lady of Pontmain’s Witnesses
The listed witnessed of the apparition were; two brothers; Eugene and Joseph; Jean-Marie Lebosse and another unnamed girl she was with at that night.
Our Lady of Pontmain’s Approvals
Her apparition was approved on February 2 1872 AD by Bishop Casimir Wicart, in the Diocese of Laval.
Our Lady of Pontmain’s Major Shrine
Her major shrine is situated in the Basilica of Our Lady of Hope of Pontmain
Our Lady of Pontmain’s Feast Day
Our Lady of Pontmain’s feast day is celebrated on January 17, the day of her apparition.
Our Lady of Pontmain is the Patron Saint of
Our Lady of Pontmain is the patron saint of Pontmain, France and the patron saint of hope.
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