Our Lady of Pontmain

Pontmain is a small village on the borderline between the Normandy and Brittany sections of France. It is very small, situated between Fougeres and Mont St. Michel, which is on the Normandy Coast. The first time we visited Our Lady of Hope, in the summer, offshore breezes from the English Channel provided refreshing cool air to the area, as a relief from the summer heat. But when we returned in the winter, the soft, cool breezes had turned to cold, howling winds, bringing icy weather to the entire area, and through our insulated jackets. The local inhabitants choose to stay indoors by the fireplace, during these times, to protect themselves from being chilled to the bone by the gusty winds.
The winter of 1871 was such a time. January was an especially brutal time for man and beast. Those who could avoid it, did not venture out into the weather. But unfortunately, not everybody could stay at home.
France was still going through its period of chastisement. Those in high places in the government had not heeded the pleadings of Our Lady at the Rue du Bac in Paris, or La Salette, or more recently to the little shepherdess, Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes. They were engaged in a war with the infamous Bismarck, and his mighty Prussian troops. The French had been so involved in killing their own, and attacking helpless nuns and priests, they didn’t know how to handle a real enemy. Prussia was able to march through France with ease. Paris had been captured, and enemy troops were working their way through Le Mans towards the coast. Bismarck had known all the strengths and weaknesses of his adversaries. He anticipated their every move, and countered with a shrewder one. There was only one force he had not counted on. How could he? This one enemy was beyond his comprehension. He had no way of knowing her power; he didn’t know her. He was taking on the Mother of God.