In the United States, the state of Wisconsin contains the only locally approved Marian apparition site.
The Champion Shrine website explains, “In 2010, Bishop Ricken declared the apparitions ‘Worthy of Belief’ by the Authority of the Catholic Church and in 2016, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the grounds as a National Shrine, making it the first National Shrine in the U.S. with an approved Marian Apparition.”
The Marian apparition was reportedly seen by Adele Brise, a Belgian immigrant who saw the Virgin Mary while walking on a trail in the woods.
Adele’s mission
When the Virgin Mary appeared to Adele, she told her to teach children where she was located.
Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.
Adele recalled her promise and traveled all throughout Eastern Wisconsin, teaching children. She eventually gathered like-minded women around her and lived in a lay community as members of a third order.
Possible cause for canonization
The Pillar reports that, “When the U.S. bishops gather for their plenary assembly this month, they will vote on the canonization cause of Servant of God Adele Brise.”
According to Zenit.org, “The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2024 Spring Plenary Assembly in Louisville, Kentucky, June 12-14.”
This would be the beginning of a possible cause for canonization, as Adele’s life would need to be closely examined to determine if she lived a life of “heroic virtue.”
The fact that she may have received a private revelation from the Virgin Mary is not automatic grounds for canonization.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers a brief explanation behind the Church’s canonization process:
By canonizing some of the faithful, i.e., by solemnly proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God’s grace, the Church recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and intercessors.
CCC 828
If it is shown that Adele lived a life of heroic virtue, her cause would be sent to the Vatican, who could then name her “venerable.”
After that, the Vatican would still need to verify whether any miracles have occurred through her intercession before she is ever declared a saint.
And today we celebrate...