Montligeon The Shrine of Our Lady of Montligeon

Father Paul Buguet, parish priest of La Chapelle-Montligeon, a village of the Perche, founded an association of prayer for the souls in purgatory in 1884, with the approval of the bishop of Séez. He had lost his brother in an accident in 1876, and then both of his nieces. Leo XIII made the association an archconfraternity in 1893. A Mass is offered at the shrine every day for the souls in purgatory and for the intentions entrusted to its fraternity, living and dead.

Gifts sent from many countries paid for the neo-Gothic basilica. Its first stone was blessed in 1896 and the first Mass was said there in 1911. It was consecrated in 1928 and made a minor basilica the same year. The statue of Our Lady Liberatrix, venerated as Our Lady of Montligeon, was crowned in 1935. Priests of the Community of Saint Martin serve the shrine, with the Sisters of the New Covenant. The slate roof and the choir windows are now being restored.

• The basilicaAbout 240 feet long, with two spires of nearly 200 feet and stained glass by Louis Barillet.
• Our Lady of MontligeonThe statue of Our Lady Liberatrix, with a box at her feet where pilgrims leave their petitions for the dead.
• The Heaven’s PilgrimagesDays of prayer for the dead held each November, around All Saints and All Souls.
• The path of consolationA place of prayer for parents who have lost a child before birth.

• Via RosarumThe Way of Roses, five daysDay II, Paris to Alençon

About two hours by road from Paris, and forty-five minutes from Alençon.

• AlençonThe Birthplace of Saint Thérèse, about 21 miles as the crow flies
• Le MansThe Cathedral of Saint-Julien, about 36 miles as the crow flies
• ChartresThe Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Chartres, about 43 miles as the crow flies
• LisieuxThe Shrine of Saint Thérèse, about 49 miles as the crow flies