Our Lady of Pontmain

The story

In January 1871 France was losing a war, and the Prussian army was close to Laval. Many young men of Pontmain were away at the front. On the evening of 17 January, the Barbedette boys looked up from their father's barn and saw a beautiful Lady in the sky above a house, smiling at them. Her blue robe was covered with gold stars, and she wore a black veil and a gold crown.

The adults saw nothing, but two other children saw her too. The villagers gathered in the snow with their parish priest and prayed the Rosary and sang hymns. As they prayed, words appeared letter by letter on a banner beneath the Lady's feet: “But pray, my children. God will hear you in a short time. My Son allows himself to be moved.”

The Lady then held a red crucifix with great sorrow, and later smiled again before a white veil slowly covered her. That night the Prussian advance stopped before Laval, and an armistice followed eleven days later. The men of Pontmain all came home.

Key dates

1. 17 January 1871, about 5:30 pmThe Lady appears to the Barbedette boys.
2. During the eveningThe message appears letter by letter as the village prays.
3. 28 January 1871The armistice is signed.
4. 2 February 1872The Bishop of Laval approves the apparition.

Mary's message

• “But pray, my children.”
• “God will hear you in a short time.”
• “My Son allows himself to be moved.”
• The red crucifix: our hope rests on Christ's sacrifice.

The Church's judgment

On 2 February 1872, Bishop Wicart of Laval declared that the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, truly appeared to the children of Pontmain. A basilica was built in the village.