Le Puy Pilgrimage

Today began and ended with a trip to Le Puy, where Jean-Claude Courveille (one of the original group members who did not become a member of the Society of Mary) experienced a healing of sight, and heard with his ‘inner ear’ Mary’s desire to begin a congregation dedicated to her – as her Son had one dedicated to him.

The Basilica of Le Puy has its origins in 2 healing miracles, and Mary’s desire that a Church be built on this sight. The stone rock (Dolman) on which a woman was cured of her fatal fever sits within the Church itself. There has been a Church on this sight from the 4th Century onward.










It was wonderful being in this foundational site and saying Mass in an upper balcony. The Church is filled with Arabic and oriental influences. It is also believed that the Salve Regina (written by Bishop Adhemer) is connected to this Church because Bishop Adhemer preached the first crusade here.

But Le Puy is also home to the immense statue of Our Lady of France, and to St. Michael the Archangel on the Rock. You’ll know immediately in the pictures which is which. The steps up where no problem for a five and a half mile runner!



We also had a great picnic lunch on the property of the priest’s house for the Basilica. He came out with 2 bottles of red wine Bordeaux. It was far better than what we brought. So, you can guess what we drank.