Most of the people of Pierre Part & Belle River are descendants of Arcadian exiles from Arcadia, Canada. We also have French & Spanish blood from the French and Spanish occupation of the land before the Acadian arrived. Our roots as Catholics run strong and deep. The following information comes from Mr. Wildy Templet's book "Pierre Part - Belle Riviere Down Home". You can view a copy of his book at the local library. I tried to buy a copy but he completely sold out.
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Here I will quote from the book." After the flood of 1882, when the water subsided and damage to the chapel was asserted, some parishioners observed a small statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was not damaged. Someone casually remarked that it was a miracle that the statue had not deteriorated while exposed in the flood water.
Here I will quote from the book." After the flood of 1882, when the water subsided and damage to the chapel was asserted, some parishioners observed a small statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was not damaged. Someone casually remarked that it was a miracle that the statue had not deteriorated while exposed in the flood water. Once the flood damage was repaired, the little statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was placed in the chapel sacristy. The incident and remark was put to rest until ten years latter when, in 1902, Father Pillian came to visit Saint Joseph Church congregation. Again the incident was related to him, he agreed that it was almost like a miracle and the little statue should be taken out of the chapel sacristy and placed where all parishioners could see it and pay it homage. From this incident came the first statue on the island." end quote.
In 1909 a new larger statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary arrived. The old smaller statue was buried on the island and the new one placed on the island.
According to Mr. Templet someone nailed the plaque of a saint on a tree on the island. Date and duration unknown. One can only imagine what it was like back then traveling by boat and canoe mostly hand powered by oars and paddles. This island must have been a land mark and a place of rest for the people. Then with the plaque of a saint there, also a place of prayer. It must have been through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that Father Pillian had the statue placed on the island. For the island now stands as a sacred place for the people of Pierre Part and Belle River, La.
The island was restored in 1976 and again in 2011 which is it's present condition as seen in video above. This brings us to our present day situation. The great flood of 2011.
We the people were told to expect a major flood. The national guards were called out and every one sand bagged 2', 3', up to four feet high. The water is coming prepare and/or evacuate was the word. The banks, stores, phone company, everyone sandbagged.
The latest work on the Virgin Island had just been completed, less than two weeks earlier. We now had easy access to the island and a great crises coming. So We, the people got together and prayed the rosary on the island every day at 5:30 pm. The water never came. We believe that the Blessed Virgin Mary interceded for us and God spared us.
Whether it was a direct miracle or an indirect miracle by God giving the authorities the wisdom on how to avert the problem. It doesn't matter to us. We saw the news and the videos. The water was coming but never arrived. Thanks to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Thank you Mother Mary.
Today we still meet every afternoon to say the rosary on the island, except on Saturday it's at 9:00 am.
I visited Wildy Templet before he died to discuss the records he had concerning my great grandfather, Jean Batiste "Bachau" Mabile. My Mother told me about the civil war memorial headstone on his grave and to my surprise it was Wildy who contacted the government who sent it to the Church. Wildy read part of Bachau's records from his personal notes. My grandmother was Bachau's daughter, Emilienne Mabile. Clarence Landry
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