Veritas et Lux

Our Lady of Good Help, also known as Our Lady of Champion, is the only Marian apparition in the United States approved by the Church. In 1859, a Belgian immigrant named Adele Brise was walking through the woods when she encountered a beautiful woman standing between two trees dressed in dazzling white with a golden sash around her waist and a crown of stars above her yellow hair. Adele consulted her local parish priest, who advised that she should ask the woman who she was and what she wanted.

Adele was walking to mass when the apparition appeared again. The woman identified herself as the “Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners”. She instructed Adele to teach children their faith and to return to the chapel for daily prayers. She was told to help preserve the Catholic faith in the region by educating children, many of whom were not receiving religious instruction.

Following this experience, Adele dedicated her life to fulfilling the Virgin Mary’s request. Despite facing challenges like lack of resources and skepticism from members of the community, she began traveling the countryside, visiting homes and teaching children about the Catholic faith. Adele and other women formed a religious community with a school and chapel near the site of the apparitions.

In 1871, a massive fire swept through the region, destroying homes, farms, and entire towns. The fire, known as the Peshtigo Fire, was one of the deadliest fires in North American history. The grounds of the chapel and school were untouched, and many saw this as a sign of divine protection.

The message from Our Lady of Good Help reminds us to work hard to educate those around us about the Catholic faith.

The Chapel of Our Lady of Good Help in New Franken, Wisconsin.