Father Paul Buguet, the founder of the Work of Our Lady of Montligeon, had great concern for the “souls in Purgatory”. Each Monday, he used to offer Mass for the most forgotten soul. The idea occurred to him to create an “Expiatory Work” for the deliverance of these souls. With the authorisation and blessing of Mgr. Trégaro, the Bishop of Sées, the Work was established on 5 October 1884.
Since 1895, the Work has been recognised by the Vatican as an archconfraternity of the first order. By 1910, the Work already had several million supporters.

As the years went by, the Work of Montligeon developed across the world. Many prayer groups were formed in Europe, in America, in Asia and, especially, in Africa.. So, every day, Masses are celebrated all over the world for the intentions confided to Our Lady of Montligeon.

This huge “fraternity without a frontier” has become a kind of invisible parish, around the basilica, to ensure a great, continuous intercession, linking the Church on earth to the Church in the next world.

To join the spiritual Fraternity of Our Lady of Montligeon while you are alive, is to give your life a sense of the Communion of Saints, by working for the “invisible” poor. It is also to make an act of faith in eternal Life.

The member, by the offering of his prayers and a life, spent in the spirit of the Gospel, comes to the aid of other members of the Fraternity, living and dead.
The member is united, as far as possible, with the Masses offered each day, on behalf of the Fraternity, at Montligeon and at six other places across the world, for the intentions of its members and, especially, those who have died. Money paid ensures a share in these daily Masses; it also covers the maintenance costs of the Basilica and the various expenses of the Association.

OUR LADY OF MONTLIGEON PRAYER GROUPS

The associates of the Work of Our Lady of Montligeon undertake to pray especially for the dead, especially those most forgotten, and they invoke Our Lady, the Deliverer, on their behalf. They do this in union with all the pilgrims who pass through the Shrine in the course of the year.
Their prayer life should be reflected in a practical way by their involvement in some service to the Church at parish or diocesan level. All spiritual life, in fact, calls us to be available to the poorest : the sick, the outcasts, strangers …
If you already pray to Our Lady but wish to do so with others, you can join an Our Lady of Montligeon Prayer Group. Three elements are essential in these groups : the Rosary, which can be prayed wholly or in part; a text from the Bible which is meditated together or privately; and shared prayer intentions.
Each group has its own pattern: monthly for those with professional or family responsibilities; weekly, for those who have more time available. These groups generally meet at one another’s homes, but can also use a chapel or parish room.

If you wish to start an Our Lady of Montligeon Prayer Group, it is essential to be linked with the Shrine.

For more information, send an e-mail : infos@sanctuaire-montligeon.com