Let us go more than 4,000 kilometers east of Pontmain, to the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. There, in a predominantly Shiite1 environment, stands the Christian village of Bechouat. When and how did al‐azraq, the “Blue Virgin,” appear in Bechouat? No one can say exactly. There are multiple accounts, most often laconic and imprecise, circulating on the subject. The most common version, which is the most plausible one, is that around the start of the 20th century, a missionary priest ordered the venerated statue from a French sculptor2 at the villagers’ request. Let us pause for a moment to contemplate Her. Her features are familiar to us: dressed in a long starstudded midnightblue robe, Her head covered with a black veil and a gold crown, She holds a crucifix in Her hands. It is indeed a representation of Our Lady of Pontmain. However, before 2004, the Apparition of 1871 was hardly known in Bechouat. “We knew vaguely that al‐Sayyida (the Lady) came from France, that is all,” explains a villager. “Besides, we did not want to know the rest. For us, She was different from the others... She was our Virgin, Sayyidet Bichû’at, Our Lady of Bechouat.” Bechouat has long been a privileged corner of the world where Mary has been pleased to multiply Her wonders. At the start of the 18th century, an ancient Byzantine icon of the Virgin was providentially discovered in one of the underground caves that abound in the Bekaa plain. Some time later, a church was built over this cave and soon became a popular place of pil1. Shiism is, along with Sunnism, one of the chief religious trends in Islam. 2. This sculptor, whose signature can be read at the bottom of the statue, was Pierre Machard. He was the one who executed, among other things, the large mural painting of Barbedette’s barn in Pontmain, made the statues that can be found in the same place, and decorated the village parish church with various scenes relating to the Apparition. The Virgin of Pontmain in Lebanon: grimage. Many people obtained special graces there. Mary healed or comforted Her faithful devotees; She also knew how to correct impudent people. The miracle of the pillar has remained famous. A Muslim emir once had the strange idea of stealing a pink granite pillar from the shrine to decorate his palace. He sent his men to Bechouat, and they easily seized their precious trophy. But, O surprise! The pillar, set up in the palace in full view of all its inhabitants, vanished mysteriously during the night. Intrigued, the emir sent his people back to the scene of the crime: Sayyidet Bichû’at had brought the pillar back to its original place.3 Since then, Our Lady of Bechouat has been venerated by Christians and Muslims alike.4 3. Today, a piece of the miraculous pillar is still exposed at the entrance of the chapel of Our Lady of Bechouat; it is deeply worn from the touch of the faithful. 4. Muslim scriptural tradition grants an excep‐ tional status to Maryam, the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. The Muslim faithful who make pious visits to the Virgin in a church remain in accordance with Islamic dogma. Magnificat Vol. LVI, No 5 141 Our Lady of Bechouat
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