Mauriac

The week-long pilgrimage in late May to the black madonna Notre Dame des Miracles at Mauriac in the Auvergne, France, draws many pilgrims.

The most famous miracle attributed to Notre Dame des Miracles is that of two men who found themselves miraculously transported to Mauriac from Spain where they were held prisoner after having invoked here aid. Their irons are still to be seen in the church. Notre Dame d'Orcival is also renowned for releasing captives.

Legend tells us that one evening Théodechilde saw a bright light shining in the wood. When the luminosity was investigated there was found a lion, guarding a statue of the Madonna. To commemorate the great light it was declared that a candle should burn before the statue every night. This custom endured until 1789. Two stone lions stand guard beside the west door of the church to commemorate this legend.

It is curious that Cybele, who is depicted as black, was patroness of Lyon, from whence it got it's name and its patron lions.

A small lanterne des morts still stands beside the church while two huge lions guard the west door. It is said that it was once the custom to set a lamp in the lanterne each night to guide the souls of those who had departed this life. Other lanterne des morts are to be found in the Dordogne region of SW France including those at Sarlat, Coussac Bonneval and Atur.