This year is the 150th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Hope of Pontmain, France, and for the occasion Sister Glenys Asumpta and Sister Mary Teresa of the Association of the Marian Servants of Hope commissioned an icon of Our Lady of Hope for their chapel in Burnaby.
The Marian Servants of Hope are in ministry to the deaf at St. Francis de Sales Parish and are well-known in the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
This apparition, which was approved by the Church, took place in 1871 during the Franco-Prussian war. Our Lady appeared for three hours in an oval form in the starry January night sky over the village of Pontmain, not far from Paris. Only children could see her. She did not speak but under her feet a banner unfurled and on it was written:
“But Pray My Children. God Will Hear You In Time. My Son Allows Himself To Be Touched.”
Our Lady came to bring hope to the people who were praying for deliverance but didn’t think God was listening to their prayers. She came to encourage them to keep praying because God was listening.
Eleven days after the apparition there was an armistice and the Franco-Prussian war ended.
Sister Asumpta and Sister Teresa said that they were inspired to promote this image for our times because we are currently in great need of hope.
Father Renaud Saliba, rector of the Pontmain Sanctuary in Pontmain, France, was pleased to receive a copy of this new icon of Our Lady of Hope. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Father Saliba’s religious order, are keen promoters of Our Lady of Hope.
The painting measures 28 inches by 46 inches and is made with egg tempera paint on a gessoed wood panel with 22 karat gold leaf. It was completed by Epiphany Sacred Arts Guild artist Patricia Ballard.
Learn more about the vision and its various stages here.
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