What is the story behind our Blessed Mother’s title “Our Lady of Hope?
Our Blessed Mother’s title, “Our Lady of Hope,” arises from her appearance to several children in Pontmain, France, on Jan. 17, 1871. Please note that our Blessed Mother was referred to by this title prior to this time, and a canticle had been written in honor of Our Lady of Hope by the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Hope in Saint-Brieuc, France. Nevertheless, the most popular devotion to “Our Lady of Hope” is connected with this apparition. To appreciate the story, we need to first set the stage. In 1861, Kaiser Wilhelm I ascended the throne of Prussia, and immediately appointed Otto von Bismark as his chancellor. Their goal was to unite all German-speaking states into a single country. Together, they assumed an aggressive, bellicose stance. To assert as well as to test its position among their neighbors, Prussia waged three quick wars: first, against Denmark in 1864, taking Holstein; second, against Austria in 1866, putting Prussia in control of Germany; and finally, against France
