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A major place of Marian prayer in France since the 13th century, the shrine of Our Lady of l’Epine was originally a small chapel in L'Espine, in the Champagne region of eastern France. It became a place of pilgrimage in 1405, following the discovery by shepherds of a small statue of the Virgin Mary in a burning bush. "Our Lady of L'Espine, Protectress of Champagne" and principal patroness of the diocese of Châlons, is invoked in particular for the protection of births and early childhood.
Here is the story of the discovery of the statue of Our Lady of L'Epine, written by Edme Baugier in 1721:
"In the troubled times of the Hundred Years' War (1), in the year 1400, on the eve of the feast of the Annunciation, a shepherd from the farm was leading his flock towards the chapel in the evening, when he saw an extraordinary light emanating from a nearby thorn bush. The lambs were the only ones to approach the bush, so the shepherd went over to see where the light was coming from.
He saw that in the bush was a small image of the Virgin holding her Son in her arms. But the light was so bright that he fell to the ground. When night came, the light grew brighter, and people flocked to it from all the places where it could be seen, particularly from the villages of Courtisols and Melette. It lasted all night and all the following day, and as the place was very high up, it was seen from more than ten leagues around.
Finally, as the light no longer appeared, the parish priests of the neighboring villages, including the village of Melette, decided to visit the bush, which they found to be as green as in midsummer, and having removed the statue, they brought it to the chapel. This statue is still visible in the church of l'Epine. The miracle attracted numerous people, who came from all over Champagne to this chapel. Important donations poured in, which served to build the church."
In 1445, letters patent from the King of France refer to the arrival of "many people for the great miracles performed there in honor of the glorious Virgin Mary, and donations for a great and notable edifice." In 1914, the shrine received the title of basilica. Today, pilgrims continue to light a candle at the foot of the statue of Mary and drink water from her well.
The Hundred Years' War (1338-1453), opposed the Plantagenet and Valois dynasties, and the English and French kingdoms. It is commonly divided into three phases separated by truces. The epic story of Saint Joan of Arc put an end to this war.