Saint Joseph is (almost) everywhere at Montligeon, but he doesn’t steal the show from Our Lady Liberator! His presence is just as she is in the Gospel: discreet and unobtrusive, yet firm and reassuring. Visit to the Montligeon sanctuary with Saint Joseph, by don Bertrand Lesoing.
The statue of Saint Joseph in the basilica avenue
The arrival at Montligeon is always striking for pilgrims discovering the place for the first time, as well as for regular devotees. In the countryside, amid the wooded hills of the Perche region, rises the immense basilica, the brainchild of the enterprising Abbé Buguet.
Before we reach the steps, St. Joseph greets us. His statue stands on a pedestal at the beginning of the basilica’s main avenue. Accompanied by the Infant Jesus, he invites us to enter the sanctuary.
It may be argued that the statue is not an incomparable artistic masterpiece. The statue may be ordinary, but it is a reminder of the extent to which Saint Joseph, patron saint of good death and workers, watches over the two poles of the sanctuary: the spiritual pole with the basilica, a place of prayer for the dead, and the social pole, less visible, with the former printing works which today houses the Ateliers Buguet, a place of care for workers.
Saint Joseph in the Basilica of Montligeon
Once inside the basilica, pilgrims are captivated by the monumental statue of Notre-Dame Libératrice. In the two arms of the transept, two altars with mosaics stand out for their quality. The work of the renowned artist Louis Barillet, they are probably the most remarkable element of the furnishings. Their bright colors, pronounced decorative taste and tendency towards a certain geometrisation make them representative of the “Art Deco” style that flourished after the First World War.
“On March 19, let yourself be touched by the peace of Saint Joseph”.
Come and pray to Saint Joseph at the Montligeon sanctuary on May 1st!
The altar of Saint Joseph
For the Year of Saint Joseph in 2021, the statue of the saint has been given pride of place in the chapel of Saint Mechtilde. The polychrome statue has just been restored.
The mosaic in the south transept
The mosaic on the south arm is dedicated to Saint Joseph. It unfolds like a triptych, with St. Joseph’s death in the center and his workshop and flight to Egypt on either side. In the latter scene, the famous pyramids can even be seen in the distance.
Saint Joseph in the basilica’s stained glass windows
Last stop: the stained glass windows around the choir, dedicated to the life of Mary. The Virgin Mary’s husband is present in several scenes: at her wedding, of course, but also at the Nativity and the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
