"This apparition occurred during the Franco-Prussian War. The
German troops were close to Pontmain. The people in the village
prayed for protection. On the evening of January 17, for several
minutes Mary appeared in Heaven wearing a dark blue dress with a
crucifix in her hands. Below the apparition appeared the words, 'Pray
please. God will hear you soon. My son lets Himself be touched.'
That same night an order from the German headquarters called the
army back, and on January 28 the French-German armistice was
signed. Pontmain remains a powerful example of the power of prayer
to preserve us from disaster and war."