Pontmain, France (1831)

Summary

During the devastation of the Franco-Prussian War, Mary appeared on a farm to students at the nearby convent school. Mary's message was written on a banner that unfurled from her feet: "But pray my children. God will hear you in a short time. My Son allows Himself to be moved by compassion."

Photo Gallery

Click here to view images from Pontmain.

Timeline

Nov 7, 1831	Eugene Barbedette (12) encounters a beautiful lady suspended in air above a neighboring house. The nearby adults could not see anything but when Francoise Richer (11) , Jeanne-Marie Lebosse (9), Eugene Friteau (6) all claim to see the woman, a nun in the crowd, Sister Marie Edouard, leads everyone in prayer.
Nov 7, 1831	The Prussians halt their advance across France when the Prussian commander encounters an "invisible Madonna barring the way"
Nov 18, 1831	A peace treaty is signed between France and Prussia.
Feb 1875	Bishop Laval declares: "We judge that the Immaculate Mary, Mother of God, has truly appeared on January 17th, 1871, to Eugene Barbedette, Joseph Barbedette, Francoise Richer, and Jeanne-Marie Lebosse, in the hamlet of Pontmain."

Messages

A white scroll appeared under the Lady's feet and words of gold started to form on them: "But pray, my children". In the next phrase, a larger cross appeared in her hands and a banner with the name of Christ hung from it. Yet another sentence appeared on the scroll: "God will soon grant your request." In the final phrase, a third sentence appeared on the scroll, "My Son allows himself to be moved."

Description of the Virgin

Our Lady wore a blue robe embroidered with numerous golden stars. On her head she had a black veil and a gold crown and on her feet blue shoes with gold ribbons. The Lady was tall and beautiful and looked about eighteen; "smiles of ineffable sweetness played about her mouth." When the cross with Christ appeared in her hands, Joseph Barbedette recalled that "her face was marked with a deep sorrow... the trembling of her lips at the corners of her mouth showed deep feeling... But no tears ran down her cheeks."

The apparition was motionless at first for the inital two hours. After the Rosary began to be prayed, a small red cross appeared over heart and a blue oval frame with four candles appeared around her while the stars in her robe seemed to increase. When the Magnificat was prayed, she elevated her hands with the palms outward in a protective gesture. The candles in the oval frame were lit by a a star, and when the Lady lowered her hands, two white crosses appeared on her shoulders. When the parish priest began his prayers, a white veil rose from beneath her feet and covered her until she disappeared.

Miracles and Signs

At 5:30 on the night of the apparition to the children, the Prussian army halted their advance through France when the Prussian commander claimed to have seen an image of the Lady in the sky. General Schmidt reported: "We cannot go any further. Yonder, in the direction of Brittany, there is an invisible Madonna barring the way." A peace treaty between France and Prussia was signed eleven days later. All the soldiers from Pontmain returned unharmed.

Approval of the Church

In February of 1875 Bishop Laval declared: "We judge that the Immaculate Mary, Mother of God, has truly appeared on January 17th, 1871, to Eugene Barbedette, Joseph Barbedette, Francoise Richer, and Jeanne-Marie Lebosse, in the hamlet of Pontmain."

Shrines

Our Lady of Hope of Pontmain Chapel
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Funds for this chapel were donated by Bob Hope and his wife Dolores.

Books

Bessiere, Helene. La prophetie de Notre-Dame à Pont-Main. Montsurs (France): Editions Resiac, 1988.

Foisnet, Chanoine, Auger, Raoul. Notre-Dame de Pontmain. Fleurus 1995

Galvin, Nairn. Pontmain and Marian apparitions. , 1970.

Laurentin, René. Pontmain, histoire authentique. Paris: Apostolat des editions, P. Lethuelleux, 1970.

Laurentin, René. The apparition at Pont-Main: A short account for pilgrims. R. Madiot; New ed edition (1987).

Porte, Cheryl A. Pontmain, Prophecy, And Protest: A Cultural-Historical Study Of A Nineteenth-Century Apparition (American University Studies Series VII, Theology and Religion). Peter Lang Publishing 2004

Richard, M. What happened at Pontmain. Ave Maria Institute (1971)

Société française d'études mariales. La figure de Marie, lumière sur la femme: 44e-45e Session de la Société française d'études mariales, Pontmain, 1988 (La figure de Marie, lumière sur la femme). O.E.I.L (1989)

Sullivan, Thomas S. Our Lady of Hope: The story of the apparition at Pontmain : a devotional treatise. Grail Publications (1955)

Windeatt, Mary Fabyan . Our Lady of Pontmain. T A N Books & Publishers (May, 1992)