Mary as Our Lady of Hope

What is the story behind our Blessed Mother’s title "Our Lady of Hope? — A reader in Sterling

Our Blessed Mother’s title, "Our Lady of Hope," arises from her appearance to several children in Pontmain, France, on Jan. 17, 1871. Please note that our Blessed Mother was referred to by this title prior to this time, and a canticle had been written in honor of Our Lady of Hope by the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Hope in Saint-Brieuc, France. Nevertheless, the most popular devotion to "Our Lady of Hope" is connected with this apparition. To appreciate the story, we need to first set the stage.

In 1861, Kaiser Wilhelm I ascended the throne of Prussia, and immediately appointed Otto von Bismark as his chancellor. Their goal was to unite all German-speaking states into a single country. Together, they assumed an aggressive, bellicose stance. To assert as well as to test its position among their neighbors, Prussia waged three quick wars: first, against Denmark in 1864, taking Holstein; second, against Austria in 1866, putting Prussia in control of Germany; and finally, against France in 1870.

On Aug. 1, 1870, the first cannon was fired and the Franco-Prussian War had began. The French army quickly fell to the militarily superior Prussian army. By Dec. 27, the Prussians had invaded Paris. Now they turned to the western provinces of Normandy and Brittany.

By mid-January, 1871, the Prussian army was just a few miles from the town of Pontmain, which was located right inside the French defensive line. The citizens feared for their lives. Father Guerin, who had been the parish priest for 35 years, instructed the children to pray to the Blessed Mother for protection.

On the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 17, 12-year-old Eugene Barbadette was leaving his father’s barn. He looked up into the starry sky and saw a beautiful Lady standing in the air, about 20 feet above the roofline and between the two chimneys of Jean and Augustine Guidecoq’s home across the way. The Lady was wearing a dark blue dress covered with gold stars, a black veil and a simple gold crown. Eugene stood there entranced in the snow for about 15 minutes.

His father and 10-year-old brother, Joseph, came out of the barn. Eugene cried out, "Look over there! Above the house! What do you see?" Joseph described the Lady in the same way Eugene had seen her. Their father did not see her, so he sternly ordered them to return to feeding the horses in the barn.

For whatever reason, a little later, the father told the brothers to go out and look again. They again saw her. Joseph kept saying, "How beautiful she is! How beautiful she is!" Their mother, Victoria Barbadette, had now appeared on the scene, and told Joseph to be quiet since he was attracting so much attention. Knowing that the boys were honest and did not lie, she said, "It is perhaps the Blessed Virgin who appears to you. Since you see her, let us say five Our Fathers and five Hail Marys in her honor." (The brothers were truly pious: They had begun their day serving Holy Mass, reciting the rosary and offering the Stations of the Cross for the intentions of their older brother, serving in the French army.)

After reciting the prayers in the barn so as not to attract attention, Mrs. Barbadette asked if the children still saw the Lady. When they replied, "Yes," she went for her eyeglasses. When she returned, bringing their sister Louise with her, neither of them saw anything. The mother’s mood changed, and she accused them of lying.

Mrs. Barbadette then thought of calling the religious sisters. She said, "Sisters are better than you are. If you see, they will certainly see, too." Sister Vitaline also knew that the boys were honest. However, she too could not see the Lady. Sister Vitaline then went to a neighboring house, and asked two little girls, Francoise Richer (age 11) and Jeanne-Marie Lebosse (age 9) to come with her. The two girls described the Lady in the same way.

Sister Marie Edouard had now joined the group. Upon hearing what the two girls had said, she went to bring Father Guerin and another child, Eugene Friteau (6-and-a-half years old). Eugene also saw the Lady. By this time a large crowd of about 50 villagers had gathered. Augustine Boitin, only 25 months old, reached to the Lady and said, "The Jesus! The Jesus!" Only these six children would see the vision of Our Lady of Hope.

Father Guerin told everyone to pray, so they knelt and said the rosary. Sister Marie Edouard led the crowd in reciting the Magnificat. Gradually, a message in gold letters appeared in the sky: "But pray my children." All of the children saw the same message.

Sister Marie Edouard then led the crowd in singing the litanies of the Blessed Virgin. The message continued to unfold, "God will hear you in a short time."

News came that the Prussians were now at Laval, very close to Pontmain. The message continued, "My Son allows Himself to be moved with compassion." When the children had announced this message, Father Guerin told the crowd to sing a hymn of praise. Sister Marie Edouard said, "Mother of Hope, of name so sweet, protect our country, pray for us, pray for us!" The people responded, "If [the Prussians] were at the entrance of the village, we should have no fear now!"

At the conclusion of the hymn, the message disappeared. The crowd then sang a hymn of repentance and reparation to Jesus. The Lady appeared sad and held a large red crucifix with the inscription "Jesus Christ."

At 8:30 p.m., the people sang, "Ave, Maris Stella," and the crucifix disappeared. She again smiled, and two small white crosses appeared on her shoulders. She lowered her hands, as seen in images of the Immaculate Conception. A white veil gradually covered her, from foot to crown. At about 8:45 p.m., the children said, "It is over." Our Lady had disappeared.

While this apparition was happening, General Von Schmidt received orders from the Prussian High Command to halt his campaign and withdraw. Ten days later, an armistice was signed between France and Prussia. The miraculous intercession of our Blessed Mother had saved Pontmain.

Because of this apparition, devotion to Our Lady of Hope spread. The message of our Blessed Mother is that of hope: "But pray my children. God will hear you in a short time. My Son allows Himself to be moved with compassion." As we offer our rosary each day seeking the maternal care of our Blessed Mother, we must be mindful she, who stood at the foot of the cross filled with the hope of the forgiveness of sin and the resurrection to everlasting life, affords us hope also during our journey of life. With our Lady of Hope, we indeed have assurance of never being abandoned, and have hope of being united with our Lord now and forever in heaven.

Our Lady of Bechwat

A statue of Our Lady of Hope was brought to Lebanon many years ago. Since then, there have been some extraordinary events surrounding this statue. Here is one account.

* * * * *

A miraculous event was to win a great renown. The religious at Bechwat perceived that their place of worship was too small, and so they built a bigger and newer church a few feet above their old one. When completed, the statue of Our Lady was installed there. The following day, She disappeared and was found below in Her former place. Moved again, She again returned to Her original spot. Her will was clear. She wished to remain in the original chapel. Around this sanctuary, stories have accumulated, as several other unexplained occurrences have been reported as well.

These events created quite a stir, and from it, derived a pilgrimage whose notoriety has not yet ceased. There is nothing unusual about the chapel itself, except of course the zeal of the pilgrims who come in great numbers from far and near to witness in person the extraordinary sights, cures and miracles that have been attributed to this shrine. As they enter the edifice, to a few astonished eyes, the image of the Virgin appears to be moving, sweating oil, opening and closing Her eyes or breathing as a living being. The crowds weep for joy and sing God’s praises.

The church at Bechwat has become much more than a house of worship, rather a focal point of a new hope. The faithful come to ask Mary for consolation and blessings. They bring Her their grief and sicknesses, their hopes and petitions and return to their homes from the shrine, soothed, refreshed and a few even cured. Currently, Beshwat is the most frequented pilgrimage site in Lebanon. There is neither discord, nor skepticism from the crowds who have visited this holy place about any or all benefits reaped.

Just as thousands of Lebanese and foreigners, Christians and non-Christians have done so far, I too visited Saydit Beshwat. A long ride among a mountainous terrain, lead us to a small village on the outskirts of Deir il Ahmar. The vision of Mary made these mountains even more beautiful and meaningful. As we approached the site, large multitudes of pilgrims made it almost impossible to navigate. Cars and busses were parked in every inch of the road leading up to the shrine. The traffic was at a stand still and yet the crowds were exuberant and patient. They anxiously await the chance to pray at this holy and most revered place and a glimpse of the statue of Our Lady.

Numerous graces and miracles have made Beshwat one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Lebanon at the present time. The steady flow of visitors is uninterrupted. They arrive at the breaking of dawn to hear the Liturgy, to meditate at this shrine, to light votive candles and to burn incense. The weather is no obstacle, I was told. Their strong faith in Mary is their motivating force. They patiently wait their turn to enter the shrine saying their rosaries and reciting the Litanies to the Blessed Mother. The worshiper’s expressions of veneration, love and devotion to The Virgin are a source of inspiration to others. One cannot but feel moved by their deep conviction, and unconsciously drawn to prayer. A strange sense of spiritual awakening and rejuvenation seizes the mind; one of reverence, deep faith and piety. It was indeed a beautiful sight, one that cannot be described in words nor captured by a picture.

As you approach the entrance of the chapel, an overwhelming feeling of inner peace fills your entire being. Handicapped people are wheeled in, adults and children with various infirmities are carried inside the shrine where the image of Our Lady is said to have bestowed many great favors. People are in tears, full of anticipation of a heavenly sign, a cure, a miracle perhaps, or are just there simply to thank Mary for blessings already received. They are driven and empowered by the fervor of their faith and are in a state of intense reverence and prayerful veneration.

The Marian cult has throughout the centuries fashioned, in the Lebanese sanctuaries people’s minds and hearts whose very soul manifested an affinity to Our Lady. Often challenged by trials and tribulations, the villagers have turned towards The Blessed Virgin. She is their only source of hope, consolation and salvation. For the Lebanese, Mary is their mother most powerful; their advocate to Christ, the mother of God and the celestial being towards whom all faithful gravitate from every road.

In a world challenged by power and materialism, corruption and immorality, the Marian devotion remains a strong nucleus of our faith and fills the inner soul of a people enriched by a holy place. The manifestation of this Marian devotion is best felt at Bechwat, in a meaningful and in an intimate encounter. I observed and felt the fervor of the pilgrims whose state of prayer is an outpouring of love and gratitude. The spiritual graces are much greater still. God’s flock has increased in fervor and faith, and the entire country seems possessed by a heavenly power; the mighty tender loving care of Mary, best known as, “The Cedar of Lebanon”.

Written by: Nina K. Bouhasin, Saint Raymond’s Cathedral.

Same here. Jesus is the ONLY way.

John 10:6-17

[6] This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

[7] Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

[8] All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

[9] I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

[11] I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

[12] But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

[13] The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

[14] I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

[15] As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

[16] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

[17] Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Oh sure someone might have seen something ... all those fallen angels need something to do to steer mere humans away from Christ and what is clearly stated in the Bible.

Mat 12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, [his] mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

Mat 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Mar 3:31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

Mar 3:32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

Mar 3:33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

Mar 3:34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Mar 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

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