In 2010, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in New Franken, Wisconsin was declared by the Catholic Church to have been established through an approved apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, making it the first and only national shrine in the United States to include an approved Marian apparition site.

The spot was such a special place for Lianne Jones that she was thrilled when her family had the opportunity in 2019 to move from Columbus to Green Bay, Wisconsin, which list just a few miles away from the shrine.

“The shrine is honestly my favorite place on earth,” Jones said. “It is a place where my husband prayed for me while we were dating … (and) where we discerned marriage. It's a place to ask for healing for ourselves, each other and for loved ones (and) … where we have brought our grief and sufferings … and have received confirmation that we are following God's will.

“I've never experienced another place quite like it; the peace that emanates all around and the profoundly simple beauty that envelops me as I sit quietly in the Oratory or walk around the grounds. I also love the fact that I can receive the sacrament of reconciliation there any day of the week.”

The shrine is one of many Catholic pilgrimage spots throughout the Midwest that individuals, families and groups have the opportunity to visit during the summer vacation months. Among the popular sites in Ohio are the Shrine of the Holy Relics in Maria Stein, the Sorrowful Mother shrine near Bellevue, the Rhoda Wise home and the Mother Angelica Museum in Canton, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey.  

The Blessed Virgin Mary’s appearance in the 19th century where the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion is now located is the only shrine in the United States with an approved Marian apparition site.

The Blessed Mother’s appearance in Wisconsin took place in 1859 and was witnessed by Adele Brise, a Belgian immigrant who as a child had promised Our Lady to one day dedicate her life to being a religious teaching sister.

At age 28, after immigrating from Belgium to Wisconsin, Adele was walking in the woods to Mass one day when she encountered a woman who claimed to be the Queen of Heaven. She instructed Adele to “make a general confession and offer Communion for the conversion of sinners,” according to the shrine’s website, championshrine.org.

The woman then said, “Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.” When Adele insisted that she was not qualified to teach, the woman replied, “Teach them 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.”

Adele fervently followed the instructions, sometimes traveling 50 miles to knock on doors and offer to do chores in exchange for parents allowing her to instruct their children in the faith.

Adele’s father built a small chapel and other women began joining the mission. Soon, a convent for the women was built along with a school. And in 1861, a larger wood chapel was erected.

A confirmed miracle took place on the chapel grounds in 1871 when the most destructive fire in U.S. history – the Great Peshtigo Fire – broke out. The blaze killed thousands of people and burned up millions of acres of land.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion is located in New Franken, Wisconsin.

In the midst of its destruction, as the flames spread toward the chapel grounds, “people from the surrounding countryside fled to the chapel where Adele and her companions were praying for Mary’s protection,” the shrine’s website explains. The large group of them began processing around with a statue of Mary, singing hymns and praying the rosary.

Eventually, it began to rain and the flames were extinguished. The land surrounding the chapel grounds was destroyed, but everything within, including the convent and school, were unharmed.

Each year on Oct. 8, the anniversary of the fire and subsequent miracle, many travelers come to the site.

“(Thousands) of candles are lit all around the grounds for prayer intentions and there is the retelling of the story of the Great Fire,” Jones said.

The shrine is staffed by priests from the Fathers of Mercy, a congregation focused on preaching and the sacraments, specifically the Eucharist and reconciliation.

Father Joseph Aytona, CPM, the shrine’s rector, said the site attracts both national and international visitors.

“I hope people experience God’s mercy through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary at this Shrine,” he said. 

Asked about memorable visitors, he said that “anyone who has been away from their faith for a long time or who hasn’t gone to confession for many years (is) a noteworthy visit for me.”

A rosary procession takes place at the shrine.

Jones, who called the shrine “a place where the Holy Mother of God came down and left her footprint,” said, “It is my hope that the shrine continues to grow in number of pilgrims and in recognition all around the world, but that it remains humble and simple. That's the beauty of it, and I believe that's what the world needs more than ever.”

Our Lady of Champion’s website, championshrine.org, includes information for travelers on lodging, food options, events, hours and contact information.


Elizabeth Pardi is a freelance writer and contributor to The Catholic Times who lives in Columbus.