Marian Apparitions: Pontmain
Pontmain, France; 1871
Witness
Joseph and Ełgene Barbadette, Francoise Richer and Jeanne Marie LeBosse
Summary
On January 17, Joseph and Ełgene (ages 10 and 12) were helping their father in a barn in France, then engaged in the Franco-Prussian War. Looking into the sky, a golden-crowned lady wearing a dark blue dress covered with stars
appeared. The parents were unable to see anything but on faith suggested it might be the Blessed Virgin and prayers were offered. Later, two girls from a local school (Francoise Richer age 11 and Jeanne Marie LeBosse age 9)
were brought and could also see the vision, while a growing crowd of
sixty adults, who had begun to pray the Rosary at the suggest of the local priest, could not.
A blue frame with four candles formed around the Virgin and a red cross appeared over her heart. She began to grow in size as the stars multiplied and
became part of her dress. As various Marian devotions were recited, messages began to appear in the sky on a broad banner under the Virgin's feet. She smiled the entire time until a large red crucifix appeared
before her. A white veil slowly rose as the crucifix vanished and the appartion ended. The War ended within weeks and the Basilica of Our Lady of Hope was built.
Messages/Prophecies
"But pray, my children."
"God will soon answer you."
"My Son allows Himself to be moved."
The fervent prayer of deliverance of the villagers was answered as the Prussian army withdrew from their area. History records the defeat of a superior French army by a smaller Prussian force two days later, prompting the surrender of Paris On January 28. In March, an armistice was signed
and the war ended.
Additional Online Resources
Complete Account of the Apparition
Books About other Apparitions
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