Notre-Dame du Valsuzenay is a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary honored near Vendeuvre. According to tradition, she appeared to a man whose cart was stuck, leading to the construction of a chapel over a sacred spring. She is particularly invoked for the revival of children who died without baptism.
Guided reading
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NOTRE-DAME DU VALSUZENAY,
IN THE DIOCESE OF TROYES
Origins and etymology
The name Valsuzenay has a Celtic origin linked to a spring, suggesting the existence of an ancient Druidic cult before the Christianization of the site.
On the edge of the ancient forest of Der is a pleasant valley, called th e Valsuzen Valsuzenay Valley located on the edge of the Der forest, site of a Marian pilgrimage. ay. This Celtic name (Val-sur-Zeneth, that is to say, valley of the spring of the Priestess or of the Virgin), Gallicized only in the last century, seems to indicate that before the establishment of Christianity, this place was defiled by the Druidic cult, and that a Gaulish priestess or virgin resided there.
Pilgrimage Practices
The site has become an important Marian sanctuary where the faithful come to seek the water from the spring, culminating during the feast of September 8th.
Today, the august Queen of this place, She whose name fills the entire region with the sound of her power and her benefits, is the Mother of God herself, the Virgin Mary, a nd, for seve Vierge Marie Mother of Jesus, who appeared to Bertrand. ral centuries, a humble monument has sheltered her miraculous image.
In the course of the year, one often sees numerous faithful, led by their venerable pastors, go to offer their homage and prayers to Our Lady of Valsuzenay. One often sees devout pilgrims taking home the sacred water from the nearby spring or burning a blessed candle before the altar of Mary, a symbol of their ardent faith and lively confidence. But it is especially on September 8th that the influx is considerable. On this day, three or four thousand people enter the ancient chapel, kneel piously before the miraculous image, and go to drink at the fountain.
Legend of the foundation
Tradition reports that a man stuck in the mud was saved by an apparition of the Virgin, which prompted him to build a chapel over a miraculous spring.
The origin of this pilgrimage dates back several centuries. Here is the tradition preserved in the region, as it is recorded in a Historical Notice on Vendeuvre and its surr Vendeuvre Commune near the sanctuary, mentioned in historical records. oundings:
"The old main road from Bar-sur-Sein e to Brienne, Bar-sur-Seine Town mentioned on the former route of the main road. vi a Vende Brienne Town mentioned on the former route of the main road. uvre, passed near the place where the chapel that we still see today was erected. A poor man got his cart and horses stuck in the mud there. He turned to the Virgin Mary. At that very instant, an image of the Mother of God appeared to him. Rescued from his misfortune, he built a chapel above the clear fountain that replaced the abyss where he had nearly perished, and he placed the miraculous image there. This place became the object of great devotion, and a village gathered around the modest chapel."
Miracles and protection of children
The sanctuary is famous for a miracle of temporary resurrection allowing for the baptism of a newborn, establishing a particular devotion among mothers.
The village disappeared in the 16th or 17th century, and the chapel became isolated; but the local populations did not forget the way to it. The divine protectress of the region always knew how to draw them to her altar through the notable benefits of which she was the generous dispenser. Oral tradition has preserved the memory of certain marvelous events that have contributed to sustaining the f ame that the Virgin Vierge du Valsuzenay Mother of Jesus, who appeared to Bertrand. of Valsuzenay still enjoys today. A pious mother from Vendeuvre gave birth to a child who died without baptism. Great was her desolation at this sad news: her beloved son would never see God! But her faith, and above all her trust in Mary, made her find a remedy for her sorrow. She insisted that the innocent creature be placed at the feet of the Madonna of Valsuzenay; she raised her heart and her prayer toward the Comforter of the Afflicted, and suddenly the child gave a sign of life, was able to be baptized, and immediately flew away into the company of the Angels.
Since that time, mothers have had recourse to Our Lady of Valsuzenay in similar circumstances, and it is affirmed that the mercy of the Mother of God has manifested itself several times through wonders. Even today, children are brought to the chapel from birth, and novenas are held there to place them under the special protection of the Blessed Virgin.
The miraculous image
The forty-centimeter wooden statuette, in a medieval style, represents the Virgin and Child and is the object of constant veneration.
The holy image, sainte image 40 cm wooden statue representing the Virgin and Child, an object of devotion. object of the veneration of the inhabitants of Valsuzenay, Vendeuvre, and the surrounding areas, is made of wood; it represents the divine Mother standing, holding the Child-God in her arms. Paintings enhanced with gold, in the taste of the Middle Ages, decorate the statuette, which is about forty centimeters high and to which the populations are very attached. It is customary to cover it with ornaments, and, on feast days, royal crowns are placed on the head of the child and on that of his mother.
Indulgences and sources
In 1865, plenary and partial indulgences were granted to pilgrims, according to the work of Abbé Defer on local hagiography.
A plenary indulgence has just been granted to those who visit the chapel of Valsuzenay on the days of the Conception, the Nativity, the Annunciation, the Purification, and the Assumption, and a partial indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines to those who visit it once a month. (February 3, 1865.)
Excerpt from the Life of the Saints of Troyes, by Abbé Defer abbé Defer Author of the work 'Les Saints de Troyes', source of the biography. .
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Apparition to a poor man whose cart was stuck in the mud
- Construction of a chapel above a fountain
- Disappearance of the surrounding village in the 16th or 17th century
- Granting of a plenary indulgence on February 3, 1865
Miracles
- Apparition to assist with a stuck cart
- Spring gushing forth from the site of a chasm
- Resuscitation of a stillborn child to allow for baptism
Quotes
-
Val-sur-Zeneth, that is to say, the small valley of the spring of the Priestess or of the Virgin
Historical notice on Vendeuvre