Knights of Columbus, Maryland State CouncilPeter Davio, State Deputy
"Maria, fac nos semper scire"
Knights of Columbus, Maryland State Council
From the time that Our Lord, as he was dying on the Cross, said to His Mother, "Woman, behold your son," and then to His disciple, "Behold, your Mother," Mary became the heavenly Mother of mankind. This is reflected in the many titles she has assumed in the last two millennia, many of which are connected with her many appearances throughout the world at times extending from the earliest days of the Church until the present.
In the two years of the Davio Administration, some of these titles will be highlighted to show that Mary is a universal Mother and to encourage devotion to her. Each month a different title of the Mother of God will be emphasized and made known to all members in the State through a brief description of that title printed in a State newsletter and highlighted on the State website.
Marian Title of January Our Lady of Hope of Pontmain
Our Lady’s visit occurred at the height of the Franco-Prussian War. Pontmain lay between the oncoming Prussian invaders and the city of Laval. With the sound of gunfire in the distance, two young brothers, Eugene and Joseph Barbadette, were pounding animal feed with their father when they saw a beautiful woman above the village church. Years later, an adult Joseph (who became a priest) recounted:
She was young and tall of stature, clad in a garment of deep blue, like balls of indigo such as laundresses use for rinsing linen. Her dress was covered with brilliant gold stars. The sleeves were ample and long. She wore slippers of the same blue as the dress, ornamented with gold bows. On the head was a black veil half covering the forehead, concealing the hair and ears, and falling over the shoulders. Above this was a crown resembling a diadem, higher in front than elsewhere, and widening out at the sides. A red line encircled the crown at the middle. Her hands were small and extended toward us as in the ‘miraculous medal.’ Her face had the most exquisite delicacy and a smile of ineffable sweetness. The eyes, of unutterable tenderness, were fixed on us. Like a true mother, she seemed happier in looking at us than we in contemplating her.
A crowd gathered to pray as word quickly spread among the anxious villagers. Children saw the beautiful Lady, and gleefully pointed up to her. Adults, however, only saw 3 stars forming a triangle! As they prayed the Rosary, the children saw the garment’s stars multiply until it was almost entirely gold. Next, the children saw a banner unfurl beneath the Lady. Slowly, a message appeared: “But pray, my children. God will hear you in time. My Son allows Himself to be touched.” Upon hearing the message read aloud, the crowd spontaneously began the hymn “Mother of Hope.” As they sang, Our Lady laughed and joined in the singing.
The children squealed with delight as her hands kept time with the music, conducting their song. When the crowd began “My Sweet Jesus,” her expression changed to profound sadness and a red crucifix appeared in her hands, with the words “Jesus Christ” above it. Her eyes mournfully contemplated the cross during the hymn. As the people sang the “Ave Maris Stella,” the cross vanished, and her smile returned, though with a touch of melancholy. Two small white crosses then appeared on her shoulders before Our Lady disappeared behind a cloud.
The apparition lasted for 3-hours. In that time, the people of Pontmain heard a lessening in the distant sounds of war. During the evening, the Prussians ceased their advance and, 12-days later, the war ended. Just as Our Lady promised, God heard their prayers for peace. Devotion rapidly spread under the title Our Lady of Hope of Pontmain and, in 1900 the Bishop consecrated a magnificent Cathedral commemorating the apparition. The tiny chapel over which she appeared remains nearby in its original state.