The "little Lourdes of Brittany" keeps growing

What makes the Shrine of Our Lady of All Help, in Prénessaye, France, so unique? It is the only place in Brittany that has an approved Marian apparition, according to Michel Hinault, a long-time member of the Association of the Friends of the Shrine of Querrien.

On August 15, 1652, an 11-year-old shepherdess named Jeanne Courtel, dumb and blind from birth, saw a woman dressed in white who asked her to give her a sheep. After the apparition, the young girl was able to talk and see. The Church quickly approved the apparition, and the bishop authorized the construction of a chapel in Querrien four years later.

A place of pilgrimage for 350 years, the shrine continues to welcome the faithful, approximately 70,000-90,000 pilgrims annually.

A world map placed at the entrance of the chapel set up by the three nuns who live on the premises show that visitors to the shrine came from more than 60 countries around the world last year! The summer is busy for the 300 volunteers who work at the Shrine of Our Lady of All Help.

The weekend of August 15th is traditionally marked by an important “Pardon” (Day of Forgiveness, a traditional religious event in Brittany) that attracts about 10,000 pilgrims every year. This year, the ceremony was presided over by Bishop Philippe Mousset (diocese of Périgueux and Sarlat). Less than a month later, on September 9th, a second Pardon, attracted at least as many people.

Le Telegramme