The Catholic Defender: An Interesting happening of the Madonna of Penhors in Brittany, France

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2cW-GvFPo2k

The Madonna of Penhors (Notre-Dame de Penhors) refers to a revered statue and pilgrimage site in Finistère, Brittany, France, known for its Black Madonna (darkened by lamp smoke over time) located in a chapel near the sea, where pilgrims visit for blessings, especially related to the sea and protection, drawing on ancient Celtic roots and venerating Mary as a protector of sailors and the region.

The site has ancient origins, possibly predating Christianity, and the granite statue, often depicted with the Christ Child, faces the ocean, offering a blessing. 

A place of pilgrimage, particularly for maritime protection, with a history intertwined with ancient Celtic sites.

The statue gazes out at the sea, blessing the waves and sailors, with a deep spiritual connection to the local community. 

While often associated with Black Madonnas, the Penhors figure's dark color comes from centuries of lamp smoke, similar to other revered icons.

The site itself has deep historical roots, possibly linked to pre-Christian sacred sites, making it a blend of ancient beliefs and Catholic devotion.

It's a site for healing, hope, and connection to nature, embodying Mary's role as a steadfast presence by the sea. 

The statue is part of the Chapelle de Penhors, a historic 13th-century chapel that is a significant site for Breton religious traditions.

The Pardon de Penhors: Every year on the first Sunday in September, thousands of pilgrims gather for the "Pardon," a traditional Breton pilgrimage and festival that has been celebrated for centuries.

The statue is positioned to face the ocean, symbolizing her role as the "Star of the Sea" (Stella Maris) who protects those working on the water.

Local lore attributes various miracles to her intercession, and the site remains a focal point for maritime devotion in the Finistère region.

During the war of 1939-45, Brittany was invaded by the Germans. One day a detachment of the Wehrmacht had cut off the head of the statue and thrown it into the sea. The next day, they were stupefied to realize that the sea had brought it back on the sand just in front of the Virgin.

Believing it was a practical joke, the Germans took the head and threw it even farther into the sea. By the second morning the sea had again brought the head to the same place. With exasperation, they went out and threw it even further away. Surely this time they thought it would not come back. But at dawn it was there, deposited in the same spot.

They were so afraid that they immediately repaired the statue. Since then it has never been moved. A slight, discreet crack can still be seen at the base of the head.