Until the Next Adventure: Our Lady of Champion

Twenty-one years ago, when our family moved to the Netherlands with the military, I wrote travel logs about our adventures while living in Europe. Our four children were young when we moved. I wanted the kids to know what we did and saw even if they did not remember it all.

I am amazed by all we experienced in the seven years we lived in Europe, especially encountering the Saints of our faith while traveling through Europe. After retiring from the military in 2011, we moved back to Wisconsin.

Living in Wisconsin, we were blessed to have so many places to visit where we could experience our faith. And now that David and I are living in Saint Michael, I know there are new places to discover.

I am excited to share with you some of my favorite places of faith both here in the US and in Europe.

Let’s begin our journey in the middle of farm fields, in Champion, Wisconsin. Here stands a very special Chapel, the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion.  Why is this place so special?  It is the only approved Marian apparition site in the United States. In October of 1859, Our Lady appeared to a young Belgium girl named Adele Brise. Adele’s family immigrated to the United States in 1855 and settled in Northeastern Wisconsin.

While walking in the woods, Adele encountered "a Lady all in white." The Lady vanished and Adele went on her way. A few days later, the lady appeared again. A "beautiful woman, clothed in dazzling white, with a yellow sash around her waist. Her dress fell to her feet in graceful folds. She had a crown of stars around her head, and her long, wavy, golden hair fell loosely over her shoulders.”

Adele fell to her knees. She asked the Lady who she was. The Lady spoke and told Adele that she was the Queen of Heaven. Her message to Adele was. “Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation. 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 had her mission. She traveled in a 50-mile radius and knocked on doors asking if she could teach the children about the faith. Adele did this for seven years until Adele’s father built a school by the chapel.  

On October 9, 1871 a miracle occurred at the Shrine. A huge and deadly fire raged in the area. All through the night, the people prayed the rosary and asked Our Lady for her intercession to save them from the fire. In the morning it rained, and the fire was extinguished. All around the Shrine, the land was destroyed. The destruction and death were horrific. The Shrine was miraculously spared from the destruction of the fire.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Champion is located about 15 miles north of Green Bay.  It is a very peaceful place. No city lights or shopping malls! Just trees and grass and farm fields.

The current Apparition Chapel was built in 1942. In the lower level is the Oratory Chapel. As you descend the steps to the Oratory Chapel, the first thing you feel is the heat from the candles. Candles line the walls and are lit by pilgrims for prayers. Just think of all the prayers that have been said here throughout the history of the Shrine. There are pews to sit on and a beautiful statue of Our Lady. I encourage you to just sit in the silence and know that Our Lady appeared in this spot. I guarantee you a sense of peace will wash over you.  

Outside there is a rosary walk and the Stations of the Cross. Many statues grace the grounds. Near the back of the Rosary Walk is a small Belgium road shrine, a tradition that was brought over from Europe. There is also a museum, a small café and a gift shop.   

People from all over the world visit the Shrine. It is quiet, it is peaceful, and the people you meet are always happy. It is a great escape from our busy, noisy world.  

Until the next adventure…