Nestled in the quiet countryside of Champion, Wisconsin, there is a humble yet spiritually powerful chapel that marks the site of the first and only approved Marian Apparition in the United States. This chapel is known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, and since its official approval by the Catholic Church in 2010, hundreds of thousands of people have visited the National Shrine’s grounds year-round to experience the peaceful presence that can only come from Our Lord and His Blessed Mother.

A Marian Shrine with a Unique History

In the fall of 1859, a young Belgian woman named Adele Brise was walking through the dense forest of Northeast Wisconsin when she saw the Blessed Virgin Mary three times. While the first two apparitions were silent, Adele could see the beautiful woman standing between two trees, clothed in brilliant white and wearing a crown of 12 stars around her head.

The third time Adele saw the apparition, the mysterious woman came with a message. She introduced herself as the ‘Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners’ and asked Adele to do the same. She also instructed Adele to gather the children within this ‘wild country’ and teach them what they should know for Salvation – including the sign of the cross, their catechism, and how to approach the sacraments. She left Adele with these words, “Go, and fear nothing, I will help you.”

Known formerly as Our Lady of Good Help, the Shrine has since changed its name to Our Lady of Champion to more closely identify with the special location where Our Lady appeared – in Champion, Wisconsin. 

Since Mary’s last appearance to Adele, the location of the apparitions has been marked by a chapel where people come to pray, ask for Our Lady’s intercession, and experience peace. From cold winter mornings to active summer evenings, the Shrine welcomes pilgrims, no matter the season, to have a special encounter with Our Lady, who always leads us to Jesus. 

Here is just a small taste of the seasonal pilgrim experiences at Champion:

Winter:

Wisconsin is known for its harsh winters, but there is something always special when one steps foot on the Shrine’s grounds this time of year. Pilgrims looking for intimate prayer and reflection love winters at the Shrine because of its quieter and slower nature. From frosty mornings to snow-covered trees, the beauty of winter is one to behold, especially while walking around the Shrine’s rosary walk. Just be sure to bring hats, mittens, and a winter jacket! 

Spring:

With new buds on the trees and little flowers peeking through the frozen earth – spring is all about renewal at the Shrine. Pilgrims looking for extra spiritual enrichment will find many opportunities at the Shrine, especially during May with its annual Walk to Mary event and Marian Conference.

Summer:

While it is one of the Shrine’s busiest seasons, it is also the most beautiful. The flowers are in full bloom, the summer heat is mild, and the Shrine is alive with pilgrims visiting from all over the world. Summertime events at the Shrine vary depending on the year, but the consistent summertime tradition at the Shrine is its August 15 celebration. On this day, a large Mass is celebrated for the Marian Feast of the Assumption and after, a large Eucharistic Rosary Procession is led around the grounds. From praying at the many grottos devoted to Our Lady to walking the rosary path with an ice cream in hand, there is always something to do at the Shrine, no matter the age!

Fall:

With the leaves changing color and the cool, crisp air, fall is a great time to grab a hot beverage from the cafe and learn the rich history of Adele and the Shrine. Since the Apparitions took place in the fall of 1859, this season always brings the apparitions and Our Lady’s presence to the forefront. An especially important time for the devotional life of the Shrine is from October 7-9. These three days mark the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7, the anniversary of the Shrine’s miraculous preservation from the Great Fire of 1871 on October 8, and the anniversary of Our Lady of Champion’s second and third apparitions to Adele on October 9. As devotion to Our Lady of Champion grows, these three days mark a celebration of Our Lady’s appearance within the United States and her message to Adele – a message that is for all of us to ponder in our hearts. 

An invitation from Our Lady

No matter the season, no matter the reason – know that if you are feeling called to visit Champion Shrine, it is Our Lady herself who is inviting you. Her only goal is to bring you into a deeper relationship with Jesus – to lead you to Divine Love and Mercy itself. That is what being on pilgrimage to Champion Shrine is all about – a walk to Jesus through Mary.