On October 9, 1859, Adele Brise saw a lady “dressed in white,” who later revealed herself to be the “Queen of Heaven.” This Marian apparition had many miracles associated with it, but wasn’t officially approved by the local bishop until 2010.
Furthermore, at their June Plenary Assembly, the US Bishops gave their approval to pursue the beatification and canonization of Adele Brise. Currently this solemnity is only observed at the shrine itself, and has not been extended to any other locations in the United States. However, outside of Mass Catholics can still commemorate this anniversary and learn more about the apparitions, as well as pray for the intercession of Our Lady of Champion on this day. [Aleteia]
More about this Marian apparition:
Adele Brise (Brice) was born in Belgium to Lambert and Catherine Brise on January 30, 1831. Although she suffered an accident at a young age that left her blind in her right eye, those who knew her best describe her cheerfulness, fervent piety, and simple religious ways.
Upon receiving her first Holy Communion, Adele and a few close friends promised the Blessed Virgin Mary that they would devote their lives to becoming religious teaching sisters in Belgium. However, this promise grew difficult to keep when her parents decided to move to America alongside other Belgium settlers. After seeking advice from her confessor, she was told to be obedient to her parents. He assured her that if the Lord willed her to become a teacher and a sister, she would serve in that vocation in America.
After the six-week voyage to America, the Brise family joined the largest Belgian settlement – near present-day Champion, Wisconsin. Belgian pioneers’ and settlers’ lives were difficult, and many died in the harsh Wisconsin winters. Adele served her family’s needs by often taking grain to the grist mill.
While walking along a trail in the woods, Adele saw a lady dressed in white, standing between two trees believed to be a maple and hemlock. Although the mysterious woman stayed silent, it left Adele wondering what sort of encounter it may have been. When Adele told her family, they believed her but thought perhaps it was a soul in purgatory visiting this earthly life asking for prayers.
A few days later, on what is believed to be Sunday, October 9, 1859, Adele walked to Mass with her sister and a friend. The church was 10 miles away from home, but Adele made the journey every Sunday, no matter the weather. Along the same path, Adele saw the mysterious lady standing in the same spot between the two trees. However, Adele being the only one to see her, she and her companions continued their journey to Mass.
After Mass, Adele spoke to her parish priest, and he instructed her that if the lady appeared to her again to ask the question, “In God’s name, who are you and what do you want of me?”
On her journey home, Adele saw the lady for the third time. As she and her companions approached the hallowed spot, Adele could see the beautiful lady, clothed in dazzling white, with a yellow sash around her waist. Her dress fell to her feet in graceful folds. She had a crown of stars around her head, and her long golden wavy hair fell loosely over her shoulders. The lady had such a heavenly light around her that Adele could hardly look at her face. Overcome by the light, Adele fell to her knees and said, “In God’s name, who are you, and what do you want of me?”
The lady replied, “I am the Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners, and I wish you to do the same. You received Holy Communion this morning and that is well. But you must do more. Make a general confession and offer Communion for the conversion of sinners. If they do not convert and do penance, my Son will be obliged to punish them.”
Adele’s companions, unable to see Our Lady asked, “Adele, who is it? Why can’t we see her as you do?”
“Kneel,” said Adele, “the Lady says she is the Queen of Heaven.”
The Blessed Lady gazed kindly upon them, saying, “Blessed are they that believe without seeing.” Then, looking toward Adele, the Queen of Heaven asked, “What are you doing here in idleness while your companions are working in the vineyard of my Son?”
“What more can I do, dear Lady?” asked Adele, weeping.
“Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.”
“But how shall I teach them who know so little myself?” Adele said.
“Teach them,” replied her radiant visitor, “their catechism, how to sign themselves with the sign of the Cross, and how to approach the sacraments; that is what I wish you to do. Go and fear nothing, I will help you.”
Then, wrapped as it were in a luminous atmosphere, Our Lady lifted her hands as though she were beseeching a blessing for those at her feet. Slowly, she vanished from sight, leaving Adele overwhelmed and prostrated on the ground.
This was the simple beginning of Adele’s mission to become a teacher for the Lord and the Blessed Lady.
After the apparitions and following Mary’s instruction, Adele would venture as far as fifty miles to teach the children. She was undeterred by weather, fatigue, or ridicule and would go from home-to-home offering to do household chores in exchange for the privilege of teaching the children their catechism. Adele’s father built a small family chapel soon after the apparitions.
After several years of teaching alone, Adele gathered around her other women who would assist her teaching mission. They were blessed with much support, not only financially, but by the men and women who stepped forward to build a convent, school, and a larger wooden chapel on the grounds to accommodate the faithful in 1861. The words “Notre Dame De Bon Secours, Priez Pour Nous” was inscribed over the chapel’s entrance, translated as “Our Lady of Good Help, Pray for Us.”
However, Adele’s mission was found to be very difficult at times. Adele and her sisters often did not know from where their next meal would come. Adele would gather them in the chapel and ask for Mary’s help. Before morning, a bag of flour or a supply of meat would arrive at the door.
Learn more about Our Lady of Champion here > championshrine.org/our-story
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