Our Lady of Champion

Champion, Wisconsin, 1859

The only Marian apparition approved by the Church in the United States.

In October 1859, the Virgin Mary appeared to Adele Brise, a young Belgian immigrant, in Champion, Wisconsin. Adele saw a lady clothed in white, surrounded by light, standing between two trees.

The apparition

Our Lady said to Adele: “I am the Queen of Heaven, who prays for the conversion of sinners. Go and tell the people to do penance and to offer their communions for the conversion of sinners.”

Adele obeyed and devoted her life to teaching the catechism to children. A small chapel was built at the place of the apparition.

Ecclesiastical approval

In 2010 the Bishop of Green Bay, David Ricken, officially approved the apparitions of Champion. It is the only Marian apparition approved by the Catholic Church in the United States.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Champion welcomes thousands of pilgrims every year.