A Walk of Faith

Why make the trip? A brief history...

1859- The Apparition- current day Champion, WI- Adele Brise, a Belgium immigrant, sees Mary, “our lady”, dressed in white and takes her direction to “teach the catechism”.

The Mission- after the apparitions and following Mary’s instruction, Adele began to teach far and wide. Often traveling over 50 miles a day to schools and wondering where her next meal would come from.

1861- A school, convent, and chapel were built in Champion to accommodate Adele’s mission and the team of women she assembled to teach.

1871- The Fire- The Peshtigo Fire broke out killing thousands and burning over 1 million acres. Hundreds took refuge in the chapel and prayed for Mary’s protection. Although the fences of the chapel were charred, the grounds and chapel remained untouched by the fire. Heavy rains came the following day demolishing the blaze.

Adele and her Sisters continued to teach and catechize until her death in 1896.

2009- The Declaration- An investigation into the Marian apparitions of 1859 was opened. A commission reviewed the historical information and declared it “Worthy of Belief.”

2016- The Designation- Our Lady of Champion was designated a National Shrine making it the first and only shrine in the U.S with an approved Marian Apparition.

Learn about this beautiful story on our pilgrimage of faith, together!



Logistics:

Bus leaves St. Peter at 6:30 am

Pickup at St. Theresa at approximately 7:00 am

Bus returns around 6:45 pm to St. Theresa and 7:00 pm to St. Peter.