Querrien, Bretania, France (1652)

Summary

The twelve year-old Jeanne Courtel was born deaf and dumb. As she fed the sheep at her native village of La Prénessaye, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her and healed from his sickness. After the apparition, she could speak and hear normally. The next day the miracle that Mary appeared again, this time the Virgin urged to build a chapel for the veneration of Mary. As evidence of her appearance, in addition to the miracle of healing, Mary showed her where a statue was buried of the image of "Our Lady of Eternal Aid." The statue was found and this place manifested fifteen apparitions of the Virgin which were considered and recognized as authentically supernatural by the Bishop of Saint-Brieuc. The chapel was immediately built on site of the apparitions and the statue was unearthed on the inside. A huge mass of pilgrims traveled to this shrine to venerate the statue of Mary. A few days later, also in the chapel, other miracles were manifested. The statue became a famous devotional referred to as "Our Lady of Eternal Aid."

574

St. Columban and twelve of his companions landed on the Irish coast of the country now known as Brittany. In its wake many hermitages and monasteries were formed. Other missionaries followed, among them St. Gallen.

610

Saint Gallen founded the chapel in Montrel Langast. In Querrien, there is a spring "so that people can knead bread." He also built a chapel and sculpted a statue of the Virgin and Child.

Over time the chapel collapses and the statue is lost.

1641

Jeanne Courtel is born deaf and mute. She later becomes a shepherdess.

Thu, Aug 15, 1652

At about 6:00 pm, just 40 km from Saint-Brieuc, between Merdrignac and Loudeac, in the place called "champ des Fontenelles", Jeanne recites the rosary. Suddenly she felt like a "gust of wind", then she sees a "beautiful woman smiling dressed in brilliant white with a halo", standing on a cloud above the spores of the soil".

For the first time in her life Jeanne hears a human voice: "Beautiful shepherdess, give me one of your white sheep".

Now she finds that she is able to talk and responds prudently: "These are not my sheep. they are my father's. If he wants to give one to you, I am happy to agree".

"Return to your parents and ask if I may be given a lamb"

"But who will tend to my flock?" questioned the seer.

"I myself", responded the apparition.

Jeanne speaks and hears: her parents and neighbors are amazed of her recovery.

Aug 16

The next day, Jeanne sees the Virgin again. "I am the Virgin Mary .. I chose this place to be honored. I want you to be built a chapel in this village ... I want you to see the rector and ask him to work towards building a sanctuary for me here in Querrien" requested the apparition.

Jeanne and some villagers went to see Father Olivier Audrain, who graduated in canon law.

Aug 17, 18, 19

The Virgin showed herself to Jeanne in different places: in the field of Etoubles, and that of the Bosquereaux, the "land of Querrien", et cetera.

Aug 20

The apparition said,"To prove that the message that comes from heaven's command, I tell you that you will discover a few steps from the fountain of Saint-Gal ... an image that was honored in ancient times."

August 20, 1652

The statue carved by Saint Gall is found in the pond.

September 1652

Archbishop Denis de La Barde, bishop of Saint-Brieuc, authenticates the appearance.

September 20, 1652

The foundation stone of the chapel was laid.

August 14, 1950

20,000 pilgrims surround the bishops and abbots of Britain for the coronation of the statue of Our Lady of All Help

September 10, 2000

Cardinal Lustiger, archbishop of Paris, blessed the new buildings of the sanctuary.

2002

Celebrating the 350th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary Jeanne Courtel.