OUR LADY OF BON PORT (GOOD HAVEN), PAMPOL, FRANCE.

Feast Day: February 21

In 1838, the crew of a vessel forty eight in number, which had just arrived at Paimpol, in France, fulfilled a vow they had made in a most perilous voyage from Newfoundland. 

A terrific hurricane had arisen, and tore their sails, and for three days they were in continual danger. The ship began to fill with water, and all hope of safety was dim. The Crew, by common consent, turned their eyes to Mary, Star of the Sea, and asked for a good Haven. They promised if she saved them, they would visit in the most humble manner the church. They had scarcely ended their prayer, when the weather became calm and the waves began to subside. 

Profiting by this providential change, they repaired their sails, and had a favourable wind till they reached the coasts of Brittany. They landed in safety at Knod, towards evening time, and their first act was to prostrate themselves on the ground, and give thanks to God for their return. 

They then intoned the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, and went barefooted and bare-headed along the banks and through the streets of Paimpol, to the church of the Good Haven. The crowds they attracted followed them. There were parents who went to give thanks to Our Lady of Good Haven for the return of their sons, and wives to thank Mary for restoring their husbands to them. Tears streamed down every eye, and the immense multitude knelt down before the altar of that powerful Virgin, who had received from her Son power to command wind and wave. 

The torches shed a dim light on the recessed of the sanctuary, where stood the image of the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Good Haven, whose inclined head and extended arms seemed to say to all, “Come to me, I am your Mother.” 

These pious mariners with the most touching expression of sentiment, chanted the hymn, “Ave Maria Stella” in which they were joined in gratitude by the people. 

“Bright Mother of our Maker, hail!
Thou Virgin ever blest,
The ocean’s star, by which we sail,
And gain the port of rest.”