The Marian miracle at the origin of the Basilica of Our Lady of Folgoët in Brittany

The diocesan shrine and basilica of Our Lady of Folgoët (Finistère department, region of Brittany, France) began with a touching story. 

Around the middle of the 14th century, a man named Salaün (derived from “Salomon”) lived in a clearing. The locals called him "The Madman of the Woods", in Breton “Fol ar Coat”, hence the name “Folgoët”. Regarded as an “innocent soul” (developmentally challenged), Salaün begged for his bread from farm to farm, tirelessly repeating: “Ave Maria! Salaün would like to eat a piece of bread!"

Salaün’s death around 1358 at the age of 48 went quite unnoticed. He was buried in the village of Lannuchen, near the manor house of Kergoff. Today, a stone cross still marks his tomb, framed by four ovoid stones. 

Shortly after his death, however, a lily with the words “Ave Maria” written in gold letters was discovered on his grave, near the oak tree where he used to swing and the fountain where he used to dip his bread. 

When the tomb was opened, the lily was found to have taken root in the mouth of the deceased. The miracle quickly drew crowds, and it was decided to build a chapel over the tomb of the “innocent”.

In 1419, Bishop Alain de Kerazred (de La Rue) of the Saint-Pol-de- Léon diocese in Brittany, France, blessed the shrine, which was erected as a collegiate church by John V in 1423.

The Mary of Nazareth team