In 1844, this 17th century approximate copy of Our Lady of Le Puy was taken from another church to assume the empty throne and title of her burnt sister. She was crowned by the bishop of Le Puy in the name of Pope Pius IX in 1856.

Note her mantle. I have heard non-Christians complain about, "those patriarchs, who cover the Mother in those horrid wrappings!" Actually, the dressing of statues is one privilege that is usually left to pious women called 'sacristans'. In "The Healing Touch of Mary" by Cheri Lomonte,(*1) three such sacristans tell moving stories about Our Lady communicating messages by "choosing" certain dresses on certain days. They all cherish an intimacy with the Mother of God that comes from cleaning and dressing her, and creating her wardrobe. (Sponging her down with wine was a medieval custom, which according to Ean Begg survives as an annual ritual in Le Puy-en-Velay.*2 )

Many of Mary's mantels turn her into a triangle, the oldest symbol from Neolithic times for the Sacred Feminine in human as well as in divine form. I don't think this is a coincident, but a message from Our Mother and from a deep, unconscious memory carried in our DNA. What does it mean? Ask Her!

Le Puy is an incredible place to visit, beautiful in its nature and in its medieval town, which is of great historical interest. To this day it is a major starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella. During the Crusades many a legion would commence its warpath here, though Our Lady preferred the way of peace. In 1180, she appeared to a carpenter of Le Puy by the name of Durand, instructing him to spread the message of peace. She gave him a document, or seal, bearing an image of the Madonna and child with the inscription: "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace." With the Mother's help, Durand formed a peace association that was instrumental in appeasing the culture of violence inflicted upon the whole population by aristocratic gangs.(*3) The association's defense was religious and social renewal under the guidance of Our Mother. Its members wore white capes which earned them the name Capuciati.

*1: Cheri Lamonte, The Healing touch of Mary: Real Life Stories from those touched by Mary, Divine Impressions, Austin, Tx: 2005
*2: Ean Begg, The Cult of the Black Virgin, p. 213
*3: Marcus Bull, The Miracles of Our Lady of Rocamadour, Boydell Press, Woodbridge, UK: 1999, pp. 86-7