History
In May 1682, the 12-year-old Madeleine Serre (c.1670-1739) was minding a herd of cows near Lareu with three boys and two girls. The two girls were her friends and were named Jeanne Teulé and Marie Bonnemaison. There were three girls and three boys aged between 8 and 13 years old, and they were coming down the hill named Lareu, which is near Montoulieu. They came to a stream and headed home. Madeleine fell, got scared, called out the name Jesus, and suddenly saw a wonderfully beautiful lady, dressed splendidly in white, sitting on a stone. The other children did not see the woman, but they did see a bright light. The beautiful woman stood up in a circle of bright light and looked at her. The lady said to her in a soft and kind voice to get up and that she had not hurt herself. The lady asked if she prayed to God, to which Madeleine replied affirmatively. Then the girl was asked if she had her rosary with her. Madeleine said that she had lost it. The lady said that she should ask for a new one to pray better. Then the lady said that she was the Virgin Mary. She said that she had come here to say that much prayer was needed. Mary asked Madeleine to tell others that they must pray a lot. Madeleine was asked to go to the priests of the parish and tell them to build a chapel for Her here, which would be easy to achieve. Mary said that the builder of the chapel would come from afar. Madeleine was also to tell the priests to make the spring suitable for people to drink and wash themselves. Mary added that if the sick used this water, they would be healed or find relief. Her friend Jeanne Teulé was a few paces behind Madeleine. She saw Madeleine go down on her knees and heard her talking. The friend saw and heard nothing else of the Apparition.
Madeleine is telling her experience to her friend Jeanne Teulé. Suddenly, there is a bright light again, which changes and illuminates Madeleine. Mary appears to Madeleine for the second time, and Jeanne also sees the beautiful lady, radiant and friendly. A little later, Madeleine and Jeanne go down the hill and reach the stream. Soon after, the Virgin Mary appears on the bank of the narrow watercourse, and this is the third time for Madeleine Serre. Madeleine wants to be sure of what has happened and she repeats what Mary said: “I am the Virgin Mary, go tell the priests to build a chapel for Me here.”
When Madeleine returns home, she recounts what happened and also tells others. On the same evening, men arrive with spades and pickaxes to clear the spring. They add stones to make a small basin, which is filled with water. Subsequently, people go to the spring and miracles occur. Sick people come to the spring and many declare themselves to feel better. These remarkable events are retold, and even more people come to the place of the apparitions. The parish now has a second miraculous site, as there has long been an established devotion to Our Lady of Loreto (Notre-dame de Lorette).
Madeleine and Jeanne are extensively questioned by clerics. The investigation by clerics and doctors concludes that they are normal children, honest, healthy, and kind. There are no contradictions in their testimonies. The seers are regarded as honest young people, who are telling the truth about what happened. The conclusion of the ecclesiastical investigation is that the apparitions are authentic and supernatural. However, Joseph de Montpezat de Carbon (1615-1687), the Archbishop of Toulouse (1675-1687), does not agree with this. He consults Louis de Rechignevoisin de Guron (1617-1693), Bishop of Comminges (1671-1693). He fears competition from the nearby, well-known pilgrimage sites of Garaison and Notre-Dame de Lorette. The bishop says that if popular devotion in Alan continues, he wishes to reconsider his decision.
The number of pilgrims continues to increase and there are reports of healings of people who have visited the spring.
In May 1688, a chapel is built on the site of the first apparition by the 26-year-old Swiss monk Dosithé, whose name is Pierre Cathiény, who feels he has received a commission from Mary for its construction. He speaks with Madeleine Serre and believes what she tells him. Madeleine and Pierre often meet at the nearby sanctuary of “Notre-Dame de Lorette”. The construction of the chapel is made possible by the support of some wealthy nobles from the region. The Swiss monk is then the builder of the chapel of the distant location, of which Mary spoke. The bishop receives a positive and emphatic letter regarding the chapel to be built from Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé (1662-1700), Abbot of the monastery “la Trappe” (1664-1695), from which Pierre Cathiény comes. This happens after Pierre Cathiény asked his abbot for permission to realise the construction. Subsequently, the bishop does not immediately agree to the request, fearing it would lead to the end of the nearby chapel of Our Lady of Loreto. The bishop reflects and consults confidants, and finally agrees to the construction of the chapel, on the condition that it be named “Notre-Dame de Saint-Bernard” (Our Lady of Saint Bernard). He sees this as a tribute to Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), the French abbot who is the great promoter of the reforming Cistercian monastic order. On 10 October 1688, the first stone of the chapel is laid. Almost a year later, on 15 August 1689, Bishop Louis de Rechignevoisin de Guron consecrates the chapel.
Madeleine Serre entered the convent in Fabas in 1690, a place previously visited by Anglèze de Sagazan, a seeress from Garaison. On 25 March 1691, she became a novice with the Cistercians. In 1692, Madeleine Serre returned to Lareu near Alan, dressed as a nun. Madeleine Serre died on 25 December 1739. The convent was in the Haute-Garonne and was also known as “La Lum-Dieu” (the Light-God) or “la Chandeleur” (Candlemas). In 1796, it was put up for sale and subsequently demolished.
During the French Revolution (1789-1799), the chapel was destroyed in 1794. Nevertheless, people continued to visit the spring. A 16th-century Pietà statue was placed by the miraculous spring. In 1908, the statue was stolen and the effigy was anonymously returned from Paris to the priest in Montoulieu in 1922. Preparations for a new chapel did not begin until 1922. First, the spring was cleared to allow it to flow again. The number of visitors increased, and healings occurred. A large plot of land near the chapel was received free of charge to make the area suitable for receiving many pilgrims. On 15 August 1957, the chapel was completed, and the blessing was performed by Gabriel-Marie Garrone (1901-1994), Archbishop of Toulouse (1956-1966) and Cardinal from 1967-1994. In 1994, the Friends' Association of the Shrine was founded (Association des Amis de Notre-Dame de Saint-Bernard). On 16 July 2000, new stained-glass windows were blessed by Émile Marcus (1930-c.2006), Archbishop of Toulouse (1996-2006).
Pilgrimage site
The interior of the chapel clearly indicates that this is a space for prayer, rest, contemplation, and meditation. Many ex-votos can be seen in the chapel; these are expressions of gratitude to Mary.
The Pietà sculpture is on the right in the chapel. It is hundreds of years old.
Behind the chapel, the spring can be seen with a large statue of Mary above it. Many rosaries hang here and flowers adorn the spring.
The chapel is open daily.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Sanctuary of Saint-Bernard at Alan is in the south of France. On the Toulouse-Tarbes motorway, take exit 22.
Address: 31420 Alan. Halfway along the road from Alan to Aurignac, at the intersection for Montoulieu, near the bus stop, turn left.
Actuele informatie is te vinden op http://toulouse.catholique.fr/ndsaintbernard.
Experience
A bus stop on the road from Alan to Aurignac, near the turn-off for Montoulieu, turn onto the road opposite. That's where I'll park the car. Walk for three minutes, going downhill and then uphill. You'll see the chapel. What a building! Go inside.
In the great chapel, the large Pietà stands on the right. A small wooden statue of Mary and Child also captures my attention. I gaze with great admiration at the stained-glass windows. This is a space for prayer, and so I pray for the well-being of good people in my circle of friends. Then I let the history of this chapel and of the previous one sink in. Centuries ago...
After visiting the chapel, I will go to the statue of Mary which stands at the site of the first apparition. The much-discussed spring is also here. A text refers to the disappearance and return of the Pietà statue. Many rosaries hang here and a few candles are burning. The flowers are countless. The whole scene makes a deep impression on me and I then think of Madeleine Serre, who met Mary here.
Environment
The towns of Toulouse and Saint-Gaudens are located 70 and 40 km away, respectively.
Near the sanctuary is the chapel of Our Lady of Loreto (N.D. de Lorette). Many signs point towards it. However, the chapel cannot be entered as restoration work is taking place.
Posted: 4 August 2023
Last modified: 29 January 2025
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