SHRINE TO OUR LADY OF MIRACLES
The sanctuary's church contrasts with those of southern Toulouse, adorned in pink brick and decorated with bell towers
Since the Middle Ages, Avignonet has dedicated a cult to the Virgin Mary. In 1282, a first miracle is recorded. The church bells started to ring without human intervention. Under the porch, a golden statue of the Virgin was discovered. From then on, the Virgin became the patron saint of Avignon. In 1537, a papal bull officialized the Confraternity of Our Lady of Miracles, which has continued ever since as a pilgrimage on thefirst Sunday in June. The day before, the pilgrims follow a torchlight procession through the village whose houses are decorated with flowers for the occasion. The church of the sanctuary contrasts with those of the south of Toulouse, adorned with pink bricks and decorated with bell towers. One can see a magnificent four-story polygonal bell tower, made of stone, perched on a rock, which dominates the Lauragais plain. The bell tower houses a large drone, cast in 1617, which gives the note D. If you pass by there at noon you will enjoy it. Better still, at 7pm, you will hear the magnificent angelus sounded by a carillon composed of 13 bells. Installed in 1925, it was made in a foundry in Toulouse. Inside the building, in addition to the statue of the golden Virgin, you will discover the chapel dedicated to Santiago de Compostela, but also a painting, made in 1703, illustrating the Massacre of the Inquisitors with the ascent to heaven of the martyrs, Brother Guillaume Arnaud and Brother Étienne accompanied by angels. There is also a rich gilded wooden altarpiece in the choir.
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