NOTRE-DAME DE MONTLIGEON SANCTUARY

The shrine of Notre-Dame de Montligeon was founded at the end of the 19th century by Abbé Paul Buguet, who was ordained a priest in 1866 at the age of 23. Twelve years later, he was appointed to the chapel of Montligeon, a small village located at the foot of the Réno-Valdieu forest. As soon as he arrived, he restored the parish, then the washhouse, and built a basin for the drinking water supply. Strongly affected by the accidental death of his brother and then of two of his nieces, he undertook the project of creating a work of expiation for "the deliverance of the abandoned souls of purgatory". At the same time, he created a small printing house to publish the bulletins of his association. The orders came in quickly and in 1894 the company moved to new premises and became the Société anonyme des établissements de la chapelle Montligeon, which had 31 workers. In 1887, a pilgrimage for the "holy souls" was organized. Donations poured in for the construction of a church that opened for worship in 1911. Father Buguet died in 1918. On August 28, 1928, Pope Pius XI gave the church of Our Lady Liberator the title and dignity of minor basilica. The 3.70 meter high marble statue of Our Lady of Montligeon was crowned on September 19, 1935, in the presence of 15,000 people, including ten bishops. From 1956, Father Lefèvre, the new rector of the basilica, renewed the links of Montligeon with the countries of Europe, Africa and America. He established two new annual pilgrimages. His successor chose to renovate the printing press and to create a guest house. After his death, it was Father Préaux who became rector in 2001, continuing Father Buguet's work. Since May 2016, a campaign to restore the Basilica of Montligeon has been undertaken and is still ongoing. Today, the Shrine is characterized by 2 fundamental missions: a Work of prayer for the deceased and accompaniment of the bereaved and a Work of reflection and accompaniment of human work. As well as 3 strong identities: an international Work, a Church Work, and a Work open to all.

Several pilgrimages take place during the year. On August 15th for the Assumption. On the^first Sunday of October, for the sick and handicapped. On November^1st and 2nd, then on November 4th, 11th and 18th, great days of prayer for the deceased. Easter Sunday, opening of the pilgrimages and feasts of Mercy, then the pilgrimage of the Ascension.