Une Minute avec Marie
Faire connaître et aimer Marie
We have been married since 2011 and have had 3 perfectly healthy children. In 2019 and again in 2021, we lost 2 little boys who were stillborn: their names were Camille and Alexis. When we learned of the 'Belvedere for Life' project and installation at the Shrine of Our Lady of Graces in Cotignac, Provence (France), we immediately wanted to place a memorial plaque for our boys.
On August 7, 2021, we came to Cotignac as a couple to request plaques. We took this opportunity to ask Saint Joseph and Our Lady of Graces that we might once again become parents of a living, healthy child.
On September 11, 2021, our boys' plaques were laid at the Belvedere for Life. It was a moving moment, sad and peaceful at the same time, with the feeling of knowing that our sons were happy in Heaven. The fact that we could leave a memorial marker for them in a sacred place consoled me.
A few weeks later, I found out that I was pregnant again... On Saturday, October 9, 2021 (the day after the hospital gynecologist confirmed the pregnancy), we went to Cotignac with our children and laid the ultrasound image of this new little life entrusted to us at the feet of Mary, who was protecting our unborn child, and at the feet of Saint Joseph.
My husband and I, along with our children, implored the protection of those saints throughout the pregnancy, as well as the grace that this child would be born alive and healthy, would be baptized and able to grow in the Faith. And we promised to return with our baby, to thank them for answering our prayer.
On May 9, 2022 (9 months and 2 days after our pilgrimage as a couple and 7 months to the day after our pilgrimage as a family), I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. It was obvious to us that we should name him Joseph, with Mary as his middle name.
On July 8, 2023, we came as a family with our little Joseph, to keep our promise by coming to Cotignac to lay an ex-voto, this time of thanksgiving, to Our Lady of Graces and to Saint Joseph for having granted our prayer, and to ask them to continue to bless and protect our family.