Pontmain is a small village in Mayenne in the Diocese of Laval, where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1871 to four children. Recognized by the Church in 1872, the apparition led to the construction of a sanctuary, elevated to a Basilica by Pope Pius X in 1905. Discover the account of the apparition, the miracle, and prayers to Our Lady of Pontmain.

History of the Apparitions in Pontmain, France

On January 17, 1871, during France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, four children saw a “Beautiful Lady” appear in the sky within a triangle formed by three large stars. Eugène and Joseph Barbedette, Françoise Richer, and Jeanne-Marie Lebossé gazed at the Virgin Mary for three hours. She wore a blue robe adorned with stars, a black veil crowned with a golden diadem edged in red, and blue slippers with golden buckles. The apparition evolved through five distinct phases.

First Phase

The Virgin stretched her hands toward the children and smiled.

Second Phase

Villagers and the parish priest, Father Michel Guérin, joined the children and began to pray with them. A blue oval with four unlit candles surrounded the Beautiful Lady, and a small red cross appeared over her heart. The group prayed the Rosary, and as they did, the oval and the Virgin grew larger, with stars multiplying on her robe. They then prayed the Magnificat, Litany of the Blessed Virgin, Inviolata, and Salve Regina. During these prayers, a white banner unfurled beneath the oval, and golden letters formed the message: “Pray, my children. God will answer you soon. My Son allows Himself to be moved.”

Third Phase

The group sang the hymn “Mother of Hope,” and the Beautiful Lady raised her hands to shoulder height, moving her fingers in rhythm with the song.

Fourth Phase

As they sang “Parce Domine” (Lord, Have Mercy), the Virgin grew sorrowful. A bright red cross with a dark red crucifix appeared before her chest. She took the cross in her hands and presented it to the children. The cross bore a white plaque with red letters: “Jesus Christ.” A small star lit the four candles around her. When they sang “Ave Maris Stella,” the Virgin resumed her initial posture and smiled again.

Fifth Phase

Two small white crosses appeared on the Virgin’s shoulders. A white veil then rose from her feet upward, covering her. Finally, everything vanished. The children declared, “It is all over,” and everyone returned home.

The Miracle of January 17, 1871

The context of the Pontmain apparition was dire. Prussian forces occupied northeastern France and neared Laval. That morning, General Alfred Chanzy, commander of Laval, wrote: “It is bitterly cold and snowing. We face sporadic clashes; the Germans are numerous [...] My troops are exhausted and low on ammunition. Our goal: delay the invasion of Brittany.”

By evening, he noted a sudden reversal: “6:00 PM: Sentries report the Germans are retreating in panic. They covered 30 km in an hour and a half. I cannot comprehend this.”

The explanation came the next day when a German delegation arrived under a white flag. They reported: “On January 17 at 5:45 PM, a beautiful lady appeared in the sky. She wore a starry blue robe and a black veil. She stood between us and you, repelling us with her hands. We felt burning heat, forcing our retreat. This lady protects you.” General Chanzy dismissed this as hallucination, yet an armistice was signed on January 26.

The Sanctuary of Pontmain in France

In 1872, Bishop Wicart of Laval officially recognized the apparitions. After Father Michel Guérin’s death, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate oversaw the sanctuary’s construction. Bishop Geay consecrated it in 1900, and in 1905, Pope Pius X elevated it to a Basilica.

Prayers

The prayers recited during the apparition reveal those dear to the Virgin Mary. Traditional prayers, cherished by the Church for centuries, remain powerful and effective. It is good to rediscover them and pray them often.

Prayer to Our Lady of Pontmain:
“Gentle Virgin Mary, in your apparition at Pontmain, you emphasized prayer, strengthened hope, and brought peace. Hear our fervent prayers today, that peace may reign in our hearts, families, nation, and all nations—peace born of justice, truth, and charity. Deepen our faith, free from compromise. Help us to understand and love others deeply in God. Amen.”

Our Lady of Pontmain, pray for us!

With Hozana, Pray to Respond to Our Mother’s Call at Pontmain

• Rediscover the Rosary, a prayer beloved by the Virgin Mary. The Holy Rosary is a powerful weapon—pray it confidently and witness miracles!

• Pray a 9-day novena with Mary to reignite your spiritual fire! Experience healing, consolation, conversion, light, joy, and transformation!