Veritas et Lux

Our Lady of Laus is a set of Marian apparitions that occured between 1664 and 1718 in the small village of Saint-Étienne-le-Laus, in the French alps. In May of 1664, a young 17-year-old shepherdess named Benoîte Rencurel saw an apparition of St. Maurice, a local patron saint, who warned her of future troubles and urged her to pray. Over the next few months, she continued to receive visits from St. Maurice.

Later that summer, Rencurel saw a beautiful lady holding a child while tending her sheep. The lady did not identify herself, but Rencurel felt drawn to her. The lady appeared several times, and Rencurel would share her small meals with her, not realizing who this was and that she did not need the meals.

One day when the Virgin Mary appeared to her, Rencurel asked who she was. The Virgin Mary replied, “I am Mary, the Mother of Jesus.” Mary then told Rencurel to visit the nearby valley of Laus, where she would find an old chapel emitting a sweet fragrance. She told Rencurel that God wished to establish a special place there for the conversion of sinners, and many would be healed.

Rencurel went to the valley and found the dilapidated chapel of Notre-Dame de Bon Rencontre (Our Lady of Good Encounter). The chapel was filled with a sweet aroma, and Rencurel dedicated herself to restoring the chapel and welcoming pilgrims. Mary instructed Rencurel to use the oil from the lamp burning before the image of Our Lady in the chapel to anoint the sick. Many people anointed with this oil reported miraculous healings.

For the rest of her life until her death in 1718, Rencurel was visited by Mary and she lived a life of humility and service at Laus. She welcomed pilgrims, offered counsel, and prayed for the sick and suffering.

A statue in front of the church in Laus.