In this video, Fr. Andrew Labatorio, Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, discusses the apparition of Our Lady of Hope and reflects on how we can embrace the Blessed Mother’s example during Lent.

Transcript:

Let me tell you the story of the apparition of Our Lady of Hope. It happened sometime on January 17, 1871. It happened in the small village of Pontmain, France. When the Prussian Army were advancing towards the village, people feared for their lives. And the priest there, Fr. Guerin, asked the children to pray to the Blessed Mother for protection.

And while they were praying, the Blessed Mother appeared to then 12 year old Eugene Barbadette and to his brother Joseph, and eventually to four more children. Remarkably there was not a single adult present during the time of seeing the apparition, and while the children and the people there were praying and singing hymns of praise to Mary, the message just appeared in the sky in gold letters. The first message says “But pray my children.” And they kept praying and singing, and the second message appeared as well, and it says “God will answer you in a short time.” And they kept praying and singing, and a third message appeared and it says, “My Son allows himself to be moved with compassion.”

One of the nuns who was present at that apparition prayed, she said, “Mother of Hope, of name so sweet, protect our country. Pray for us, pray for us.” And while this apparition was happening, the Prussian Army withdrew from the region and a peace treaty between France and Prussia was signed.

So Mary asks us to pray, because prayer changes us. It brings about the better version of ourselves as God’s children. But in prayer, we will see and experience the compassion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. So my dear brothers and sisters, let us continue to pray, borrowing the words of that nun who was present at the apparition, when she prayed, “Mother of Hope, of name so sweet, pray for our country, pray for us, pray for our families, pray for us, pray for us.” Amen.