The apparition of Our Lady of Trois Epis (I)

On May 3, 1491, at 10 am, according to the chronicle of Thann, Thierry Schoéré, a blacksmith from Orbey, on his way to the market of Niedermorschwihr, near Colmar in eastern France, passed an oak tree bearing a holy image inviting passers-by to pray for a recently deceased man.

Getting off his horse, Schoéré knelt before the pious image and prayed fervently for the repose of that soul. He was suddenly illuminated by a bright ray of light, in the middle of which appeared a delicate and vaporous form. It was the Virgin Mary, wrapped in long white transparent veils, holding three ears of wheat in her right hand and a small piece of ice in her left hand:

“Get up, my good man," said the Virgin gently, "and listen. See these ears of wheat. They symbolize the abundance of the beautiful harvests that will come to reward the virtuous and generous and bring well-being and happiness to the homes of faithful Christians. As for this ice, it means that hail, frost, flood, famine and all its accompanying desolation and misfortune will come to punish the unbelievers whose sins have wearied the divine mercy. Go, good man, go down to the villages and announce to all the inhabitants the meaning of these prophecies. “

Story of the apparitions of Notre-Dame-des-Trois-Epis (Alsace, France)

Archives of the village of Orbey - Museum of Colmar