Why Our Lady of Hope?
When Fr. Scott Buchanan, as early as 1999, first proposed the relocation of St. Mary's Parish to Manning, (from Summerton) little did our community know that we would be not moving, but forming a completely new Parish presence in Manning, South Carolina, just a few miles “up the road”.
In January of 2003, the people of St. Mary Parish were asked to submit three names by which to call this new community to the Bishop's office. After forming a committee the group quickly posted their choices to the Diocesan office to the attention of Bishop Baker.
The committee:
Phyllis Quelette, Mary Cence, Patsy Hobbs, Jerry Kuchman, Doris Nadeau, Tom Orr, Betty Pletl, Ellen Rossoni, Mary Stoia.
The names submitted were;
Bishop Baker replied that given the difficult times in our Church and as the committee suggested he accepted the second choice, Our Lady of Hope.
What is the story behind our Blessed Mother’s title, “Our Lady of Hope”?
Our Blessed Mother’s title, “Our Lady of Hope,” arises from her appearance to several children in Pontmain, France on January 17, 1871. Please note that our Blessed Mother was referred to by this title prior to this time, and a canticle had been written in honor of Our Lady of Hope by the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Hope in Saint-Brieuc, France. Nevertheless, the most popular devotion to “Our Lady of Hope” is connected with this apparition.
The children were the only ones in the large crowd that had gathered that could see the beautiful lady. A priest, Fr. Guerin told everyone to pray, so they knelt and said the Rosary. Gradually, a message in gold letters appeared in the sky: “But pray my children.” All of the children saw the same message.The message continued to unfold, “God will hear you in a short time.” News came that the Prussians were now at Laval, very close to Pontmain. The message continued, “My Son allows Himself to be moved with compassion.” When the children had announced this message, Father Guerin told the crowd to sing a hymn of praise. Sr. Marie Edouard said, “Mother of Hope, of name so sweet, protect our country, pray for us, pray for us!” The people responded, “If [the Prussians] were at the entrance of the village, we should have no fear now!” At the conclusion of the hymn, the message disappeared. The crowd then sang a hymn of repentance and reparation to Jesus. The Lady appeared sad and held a large red crucifix with the inscription “Jesus Christ.” At about 8:45 p.m., the children said, “It is over.” Our Lady had disappeared.
Ten days later, an armistice was signed between France and Prussia. The miraculous intercession of our Blessed Mother had saved Pontmain.
Because of this apparition, devotion to Our Lady of Hope spread. The message of our Blessed Mother is that of hope: “But pray my children. God will hear you in a short time. My Son allows Himself to be moved with compassion.” As we offer our Rosary each day seeking the maternal care of our Blessed Mother, we must be mindful she, who stood at the foot of the cross filled with the hope of the forgiveness of sin and the resurrection to everlasting life, affords us hope also during our journey of life. With our Lady of Hope, we indeed have assurance of never being abandoned, and have hope of being united with our Lord now and forever in Heaven.
In January of 2003, the people of St. Mary Parish were asked to submit three names by which to call this new community to the Bishop's office. After forming a committee the group quickly posted their choices to the Diocesan office to the attention of Bishop Baker.
The committee:
Phyllis Quelette, Mary Cence, Patsy Hobbs, Jerry Kuchman, Doris Nadeau, Tom Orr, Betty Pletl, Ellen Rossoni, Mary Stoia.
The names submitted were;
- St. Katharine Drexel, a relatively new Saint who spent her life in mission work among Native Americans and Blacks (indigenous to our area).
- Our Lady of Hope, very pertinent to the difficult times in our Church and in our Country.
- St. Francis of Assisi, known as the “Lover of all Creation”. Appropriate for the natural beauty of our area in lakes and wildlife.
Bishop Baker replied that given the difficult times in our Church and as the committee suggested he accepted the second choice, Our Lady of Hope.
What is the story behind our Blessed Mother’s title, “Our Lady of Hope”?
Our Blessed Mother’s title, “Our Lady of Hope,” arises from her appearance to several children in Pontmain, France on January 17, 1871. Please note that our Blessed Mother was referred to by this title prior to this time, and a canticle had been written in honor of Our Lady of Hope by the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Hope in Saint-Brieuc, France. Nevertheless, the most popular devotion to “Our Lady of Hope” is connected with this apparition.
The children were the only ones in the large crowd that had gathered that could see the beautiful lady. A priest, Fr. Guerin told everyone to pray, so they knelt and said the Rosary. Gradually, a message in gold letters appeared in the sky: “But pray my children.” All of the children saw the same message.The message continued to unfold, “God will hear you in a short time.” News came that the Prussians were now at Laval, very close to Pontmain. The message continued, “My Son allows Himself to be moved with compassion.” When the children had announced this message, Father Guerin told the crowd to sing a hymn of praise. Sr. Marie Edouard said, “Mother of Hope, of name so sweet, protect our country, pray for us, pray for us!” The people responded, “If [the Prussians] were at the entrance of the village, we should have no fear now!” At the conclusion of the hymn, the message disappeared. The crowd then sang a hymn of repentance and reparation to Jesus. The Lady appeared sad and held a large red crucifix with the inscription “Jesus Christ.” At about 8:45 p.m., the children said, “It is over.” Our Lady had disappeared.
Ten days later, an armistice was signed between France and Prussia. The miraculous intercession of our Blessed Mother had saved Pontmain.
Because of this apparition, devotion to Our Lady of Hope spread. The message of our Blessed Mother is that of hope: “But pray my children. God will hear you in a short time. My Son allows Himself to be moved with compassion.” As we offer our Rosary each day seeking the maternal care of our Blessed Mother, we must be mindful she, who stood at the foot of the cross filled with the hope of the forgiveness of sin and the resurrection to everlasting life, affords us hope also during our journey of life. With our Lady of Hope, we indeed have assurance of never being abandoned, and have hope of being united with our Lord now and forever in Heaven.