Marian Apparitions

In 1531 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego. She told him that she wished to have a chapel built in her honor on Tepeyac Hill. Today millions of people visit the Basilica and Tepeyac Hill to pay homage to the Blessed Virgin and St. Juan Diego.

In 1578 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a pious and simple man named Thomas Michaelek. She told him of her wishes to have a church built where they were standing. Today there is a Basilica located in Lezajsk where pilgrims come to worship the Lord, pay homage to the Virgin Mary, and remember her visit to Lezajsk nearly 500 years ago.

In 1608 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a group of children. She was sorrowful and dismayed that the place where her Son Jesus used to be honored was now instead used only for farming. News about Mary's visit spread and today the Basilica in Siluva is a popular pilgrim site where people can honor Jesus and His mother.

For 54 years the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Benoîte Rencurel. She told Benoîte of her desire that a chapel be built in her Son Jesus's honor in Laus, France. Mary also instructed Benoîte to work and pray for the conversion of sinners. Today the shrine in Laus is dedicated to Our Lady of Laus who also goes by the tile of Refuge of Sinners. Mary and Benoîte remind us of our Christian vocation to help fellow sinners and of our need to

In Paris, France in the year 1830 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Catherine Laboure, a Daughter of Charity in a series of apparitions. She warned Catherine about conflicts that were soon going to happen in France, but she told her not to be afraid. Mary instructed Catherine to have a medal struck with the image of one of the apparitions and to have it distributed. The medal became known as the Miraculous Medal. There are plenty of stories of graces being given to those that wear the medal and have confidence in God and Mary.

The Marian apparition known as Our Lady of Zion or Our Lady of the Miracle occurred in Rome, Italy, on January 20, 1842. It is unique because it led to the immediate and dramatic conversion of a Jewish man named Alphonse Ratisbonne. Today the Basilica of Sant Andrea delle Fratte is a popular pilgrim site. The Apparition in Rome on Jan 20 1842 serves as a reminder of the power of faith, the miraculous medal and Our Blessed Mother and God's love.

In 1846 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to two shepherd children in the French Alps. She warned them about a coming famine because of the peoples disobedience, mainly profaning Sundays and using God's name in vain. Many of the people had a change of heart and news spread about the apparition. Now there is a Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of La Salette situated on the place where she appeared to the two children. The shrine and the apparition are reminders of God's call to reconciliation and of a mothers love for her children.

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared 18 times in the town of Lourdes, France in 1858. She told a local girl Bernadette to do penance and to pray for sinners. She later told Bernadette to drink some water from a nearby spring. The water today from Lourdes is known for healing many people across the world. The Lady that spoke with Bernadette revealed who she was during the 16th apparition. Lourdes reminds us of Mary's Immaculate Conception, our need to pray and do penance for fellow sinners, and God's willingness to heal those that go to Him for help.

In 1866 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a sick and bedridden young woman named Magdalene Kade. Through Mary's intercession Magdalene was cured of severe lifelong illness. The place where Magdalene was bedridden later was turned into a chapel that was eventually elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica by Pope Leo 13th. Mary's visit to Magdalene reminds us of Mary's love and care for all of God's children.