Champion, Wisconsin may seem like an unusual place for a Church-approved Marian Apparition site.
Surrounded by farmlands, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion doesn’t have the grandeur of Lourdes or Guadalupe to mark this place as anything special, other than the fact that Our Lady appeared here to a woman named Adele Brise and urged her to pray for the conversion of sinners and to teach children the faith.
Another thing that marks this place is its simple beauty and the peace one feels while on these sacred grounds.
For anyone curious or considering a pilgrimage to Champion (which is just outside Green Bay) below are five inspiring facts about Our Lady of Champion that will hopefully inspire potential pilgrims to come visit.
1. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion is the only Church-approved Marian Apparition site in the United States.
This alone makes it an incredibly special place to visit! The process for church approval took time and support from the bishop. Our Lady of Champion was declared “worthy of belief” in 2010. An approved apparition site means that the Church has declared that believing in this apparition is good and helpful for our faith.
2. Our Lady's Message Explained
Mother Mary’s beautiful message to Adele included the command to teach children the catechism, which is often the most emphasized part of the message. But before that, Mary first asked her to pray for the conversion of sinners. Our Lady also requested that those who lovingly shepherd the shrine urge visitors to heed her message.
3. There is a peaceful oratory beneath the chapel with prayer candles and a beautiful statue of the Blessed Mother.
Wooden kneelers and religious art further the atmosphere of prayer. There is also a display case filled with crutches left behind by pilgrims who experienced physical healing at the site.
4. The oratory also contains relics of many saints, including the original apostles, Mother Teresa, and a relic of the True Cross.
It is always beautiful to visit relics. The fact that the relics of so many of our brothers and sisters who have gone before us are all in this one place makes a visit extra special.
5. The USCCB recently voted to advance Adele's canonization cause. Here in Champion, you can visit her grave and pray for her as well as ask her to pray for us.
And finally, as Catholics, we know that anything Mary does is to guide us closer to her Son. Adoration is held in the shrine daily, as well as Mass. Father Joseph Aytona, Rector of the Shrine, urges pilgrims to not only visit the oratory and the beautiful grounds, but to follow Mary’s lead by spending time in front of the Blessed Sacrament and participating in Mass.