Mariology: The Apparition Devotions of Mary

The final topic in my deep study of Mother Mary will be pertaining to the apparitions. It's no doubt the most interesting of the many aspects of Mariology since it pertains to supernatural miracles. Sure a lot of the shrine and image-based devotions had some form of vision or miracle associated to it, but not quite a full-on apparition. An apparition exceeds the classification of a dream or a vision since it is  something that is seen in reality. It is an external perception, not internally within the mind, but actually existing in the physical natural world. The apparition has even more credibility to it, if it is witnessed by multiple visionaries. It would truly be a shocking experience quite different then seeing a ghost or spirit. It would be a sight of majestic radiance with divine presence, that would truly leave one in awe and reverence. 

Most of the Mary apparitions follow a certain pattern or structure to them. In the majority of cases the Virgin Mary usually appears to younger children, peasants, laborers, or her most devout followers (usually sisters or nuns). She is often described as appearing in a radiant light, sometimes hovering above ground, with or without the Christ Child. She always delivers a positive message of love, promoting the church thru prayer and penance. She also acknowledges the truth of pain and suffering. She warns against sin and evil sometimes thru prophecies. In the most famous apparition cases there is a grand miracle associated to is as a proof of her divine presence. This ranges from a healing miracle, an image, a statue, a sacred spring, or even a dancing sun to be witnessed by thousands. 

I'm going to break this study down into two categories. Apparitions that have been officially approved by the church as supernatural and worthy of belief. And apparitions that have not been officially approved. The cases where they have not been approved are usually defined as neutral judgements, where the devotion is encouraged but the apparition event is unclear. The church has a system of investigating these many cases of divine intervention with 3 standard criteria. 1. Was it a positive experience in line with the churches teaching. 2. Was the visionary sincere not seeking fame or fortune. 3. Were there any indicators of supernatural activity or miracles. The church by-no-means wants to completely reject or close the book on a claimed apparition and will often still encourage and promote the devotion itself. (These are in no specific ranking order). 

Apparitions not Confirmed by Vatican

Our Lady of Manaoag

• 
  Location: Manaoag, Philippines
  
• Vatican Classification: Devotion is approved but not apparition
  
• Apparition event: 
• Mary appeared to a farmer, holding Christ, and requested a church be built
• Development History:
• 17th century- Dominican missionaries establish a church in Manaoag with the Madonna and Child image
• 1610- A farmer sees an apparition of Mary as the Lady of Manaoag
• 1600-1720- 1st basilica built
• 1901-1912- 2nd and current basilica built to honor the devotion
• Sacred Object: Wooden statue of Our Lady of Manaoag
• Sacred Shrine: Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag
• Iconography: Mary crowned in ornamental decor holding the Christ Child
• Summary: The devotion begins with the Madonna and Child statue referred to as Our Lady of Manoag. However it also takes on an apparition element, when a farmer saw the vision of Mary requesting a church be built. This is accepted as a local tradition and a basilica was built however the church never properly investigated the apparition claim. The image itself however is venerated and it is the most important pilgrimage site in the Philippines. The shrine itself was elevated to Minor Basilica in 2014 demonstrating it's devotional importance to the Catholic church.   

 Our Lady of Lipa

• 
  Shrine Location: Carmelite Monastery of Lipa (Philippines)
  
• Vatican Classification: Devotion is approved but not apparition
• Type: Mediatrix, Our Lady of Grace, statue
• Iconography: Standing Virgin with hands outstretched, white veil and robes, holding Rosary, offering grace. Immaculate Conception style
• Apparition event: 
• Carmelite follower received apparitions of Mary in white robes carrying a rosary who identified herself as the Mediatrix of All Graces
• Development Story:
• 1948- Apparition is reported by Teresita Castillo
• 2015- Vatican affirmed that the apparitions were not supernatural
• Feast Day: Nov 12, 1948
• Devotional Titles: Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces
• Summary: This devotion pertains to a claimed apparition in the Philippines by a Carmelite nun. The credibility of the apparition was later disputed and rejected as non-supernatural by the Catholic Church. Nonetheless the devotion emerged tied to the Mediatrix of All Graces. This devotional title was further promoted due to this event in Lipa. The church is cautious with this label seeing Christ as the mediatrix of God, and Mary as the intercessor of Jesus. 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel 

• 
  Location: Haifa, Israel
  
• Vatican Classification: Approved devotion but not recognized apparition
• Apparition Event: 
• This tradition began with the Carmelite Order who was very devoted to mother Mary. The Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock and presented the Brown Scapular as a new object of devotion.
• Development History:
• 12th century- Carmelite Order is established
• 13th century- Devotion of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is established
• 13th century- Virgin Mary appears to Saint Simon Stock and presents the Brown Scapular
• 1400s- the Devotion spreads beyond the monastery order and among the general public
• Sacred Object: The Brown Scapular (Brown chord with two images of Mary (like a necklace)
• Sacred Shrine: Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Israel)
• Iconography: Various images of Mary on the Scapular design.
• Summary: This is an example of a devotion that was started by a religious order but grew into a mass following, similar to Our Lady of Prompt Succor. It's based off an apparition that was experienced by Saint Simon Stock where the Virgin Mary presented him the Brown Scapular for protection and intercession. The scapular of Mount Carmel grew into a global symbol of devotion to Mother Mary, that can be worn like a necklace. I remember I even had one at some point as a kid. This is a unique devotion that does not so much focus on a particular image yet rather the object of the scapular itself. This devotion is the patroness of the Carmelite Order, and is one of the most famous religious order Marian devotions.

Virgin de Ocotlan 

• 
  Shrine: Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Ocotlan (Mexico)
  
• Vatican Classification: No formal judgement on apparition but devotion is approved
• Sacred Image: Wooden statue of Mary, Immaculate Conception
• Iconography: Virgin Mary, crowned, hands in prayer,
• Apparition Event: 
• Mary appears to Juan Diego Bernardino (not to be confused with the Juan Diego of Guadalupe). She shows him to a miraculous spring where there is an image of her.
• Development History:
• 1541- An apparition of Mary appears to farmer Juan Diego as he was gathering water for the sick.
• Late 1500s- Shrine built and devotion begins
• 17th- 18th century- Baroque Basilica built
• 1909- Image is canonically crowned
• Feast Day: Third Monday of May
• Patronage: Tlaxcala, healing
• Summary: This devotion comes from an apparition of the Virgin Mary to the farmer Juan Diego. She led him to a spring of healing, where an image was to be found nearby. Franciscans later investigated the site and found a tree burning without being consumed, and an image of Mary in the tree. This is a similar story to Guadalupe who also appeared and left an image behind. It is also similar to the apparition story of Lourdes with the spring of healing water. It's no surprise this event The statue of the Virgin de Ocotlan is processed thru the city during it's annual feast day.

Our Lady of Porta Vaga

• 
  Shrine Location: Shrine of Our Lady of Porta Vaga (Cavite City, Philippines)
  
• Vatican Classification: Devotion approved but not the apparition
• Type: Painting icon of Our Lady of Solitude
• Iconography: Mary is alone wearing black robes, hands in prayer. She stands over icons of the crucifixion (nails, crown-of-thorns). She is holding a rosary in a state of sorrow. She is surronded by angels and candles
• Apparition event: 
• A Spanish guard saw a luminous apparition of the Virgin Mary during a storm. The next day a painting of Mary was found near the site of the apparition.
• Development History:
• 1667- Miraculous apparition of Mary during a storm where the painting is revealed on the shore.
• 1692- Image installed at the Ermita de Porta Vaga in Cavite and became a popular devotional icon
• 1700s- Devotion rises due to many associated miracles thru her intercession
• 2018- Image is canonically crowned
• Famous replicas/shrines:
• Nuestra Senora de la Soledad (Tambo, Philippines)
• Nuestra Senora de la Soledad (Sulipan, Philippines)
• Nuestra Senora de la Soledad (Ecija, Philippines)
• Nuestra Senora de la Soledad (Manila, Philippines)
• Nuestra Senora de la Soledad (Maquinaya, Philippines)
• Feast Day: 2nd Sunday of November
• Patronage: Cavite, Galleons, Navigators, Sailors, Marines,
• Summary: This is a great apparition story, quite unique since for once it is experienced by a common soldier instead of children or devoted nuns. The painting itself is also quite powerful displaying Mary in a somber state as Our Lady of Solitude. The black represents her grief, while the gold represents her queenly status. She is also known as the Virgin of a Thousand Miracles due to the many miracles accredited to her. There are countless replica images throughout the Philippines. It is one of the most popular Marian devotions after the Lady of Penafrancia. Although it has a history of theft and damage surprisingly the original image is still in tact.

 

Our Lady of Lichen

• 
  Apparition Location: Lichen Stary, Poland
• Witness: Tomasz Klossowski (soldier in Napoleon's army)
  
• Vatican Classification: Devotion approved but apparition not formally declared
• Apparition Events: 1 st apparition: Tomasz Klossowski was a soldier in Napoleon's army and reportedly saw the Virgin Mary before the Battle of Leipzig. He was instructed to find an image of the Lady of Lichen
• 2nd apparition: Shepherd Mikolaj Sikatka reported multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary
• Development History:
• 1772- Original icon is painted
• 1813- 1 st apparition event at the Battle of Leipzig to soldier Tomasz Klossowski
• 1836- Klossowski found the image of Mary in the forest
• 1850- 2nd apparition by local shepherd near the Grablin Forest
• 1850s-2000s- Image is displayed in Church of St. Dorothy with growing devotion and pilgrimage
• 1967- Image receives it's canonical coronation
• 1994-2004- Construction of basilica
• 2006- Image is transferred from St. Dorothy to the Basilica and elevated to minor basilica
• Sacred Object: Painting of Our Lady of Sorrows of Lichen, Queen of Poland
• Sacred Shrine: Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen (Poland)
• Feast Day: July 2
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady Queen of Poland
• Patronage: Poland
• Summary: It is the largest church in Poland and 2nd most popular Marian devotions after the Black Madonna of Czestochowa. I have already included this basilica in my top 100 greatest churches that was built due to the boom in pilgrimage for the lady of Lichen. It's a remarkable story that she appeared on the eve of battle and then guided a soldier to the location of her painting. She then appeared a second time to a local shepherd nearby, further boosting the devotion. The image was later associated with many healing miracles which led to her eventual canonical coronation. It's a popular tradition of a holy image, inspired by an apparition event that was further promoted by Pope John Paul II himself. It has become one of Poland's most popular pilgrimage sites.

Our Lady of Good Health

• 
  Apparition Location: Velankanni Tamil and Nadu, India
  
• Witness: Young shepherd boy, buttermilk vendor, Portuguese sailors
• Vatican Classification: No formal judgement on apparition. Devotion/shrine fully approved.
• Apparition Events: 1st apparition occurs when a milk delivery boy is stopped by a woman asking for milk for her child. After he gives milk to the lady he continues to his delivery destination and finds there is even more milk then he had begun with.
• 2nd apparition occurs when a young lame boy sees a woman with child who asks him for milk and then tells him to go to Nagapattinam, and speak to the local priest to build a church. The young boy is suddenly healed and runs to deliver the message and the church is built in Mary's honor
• 3rd apparition occurs when Portuguese sailors are caught in a terrible storm in the Bay of Bengal. They pray to Mary as the Star of the Sea and promise to build a chapel in her honor if they are saved. The sea then became calm and the sailors landed near Velankanni where they had the chapel built dedicated to her
• Development History:
• 1560s- Apparition events
• 1570-1579- Shrines are established near Matha Kulam
• 1600s- Portuguese sailors rebuild the chapel into a church dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health. Devotion grows
• 1700-1800s- Pilgrimages continues to grow. The church is administered by Portuguese Jesuits and missionaries
• 1900s- Church is expanded with multiple chapels at the exact apparition sites
• 1960s- Elevated to Minor Basilcia   
• Sacred Object: Statue/icon of the Virgin Mary holding Christ Child
• Sacred Shrine: Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health (Velankanni, India), Our Lady's Pon Chapel (Matha Kulam), Nadu Thittu Chapel
• Feast Day: Sept 8
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of the Milk, Our Lady of the East, Star of the Sea
• Patronage: The sick, physically afflicted, poor, humble, sailors and travelers
• Summary: Also known as Our Lady of Velankanni, this is considered the most famous Marian devotion in India, with multiple apparition events. The apparitions have not officially been approved by the Holy See, however it has been elevated to a minor basilica and has been declared the "Lourdes of the East" by the papacy. The sites are centered around a massive minor basilica and several smaller chapels where the apparitions happened. It attracts approximately 10 to 20 million per year.

 

Our Lady of Walingham

• 
  Apparition Location: Walsingham, Norfolk, England
  
• Witness: Richeldis de Faverches
• Vatican Classification: Approved devotional tradition but not apparition confirmation
• Apparition Events: 
• Virgin Mary appeared to Richeldis as a vision who showed her the house of the Annuciation in Nazareth, and requested that she recreated the holy house in England.
• Development History:
• 1061- Richeldis receives visions from Mary requesting holy shrine in England
• 11th century- Construction of Holy House shrine and devotional statue
• 12th- 15th century- Becomes one of the most popular pilgrimage sites of the middle ages
• 1538- Shrine and devotion are destroyed during English Reformation movement under King Henry VIII
• 1897- Catholic shrine and devotion revived
• Sacred Object: Statue of Virgin Mary with the Holy House
• Sacred Shrine: Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham (Slipper Church)
• Church Dedications: Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham (Anglican devotion)
• Feast Day: Sept 24
• Devotional Titles: Throne of Wisdom, Our Lady of England
• Patronage: England, Conversion and return to the faith
• Summary: This is considered the most famous Marian devotion in England celebrated by both the Catholic and Anglican traditions. It is primarily based off a vision to establish a devotion in a certain location, therefore this is more of a location-based devotion and not an apparation based devotion. During the middle ages it became one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Europe. During the Reformation the devotion was supressed and it's status was nearly lost for 300 years. It eventually returned to prominence by the 20th century as one of England's proudest Marian traditions. She is considered the patronness of England.

   
Our Lady of Garabandal

• 
  Apparition Location: San Sebastian de Garabandal, Cantabria, Spain
  
• Witness: Conchita Gonzalez, Jacinta Gonzalez, Mari Cruz Gonzalez, Mari Loli Mazon (four young girls aged 11-12)
• Vatican Classification: Not approved by church
• Apparition Events: 
• The first apparition event of St. Michael the Archangel is witnessed by four girls
• Then came several more sightings of St. Michael the Archangel who declared the Virgin Mary will soon be coming to visit
• Then came an apparition of Mary as Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who was promoting the brown scapular and the Rosary
• The girls begin to experience trance-like states described as ecstasies.
• Development History: 
• 1961-1965- Apparitons occur in village
• 1960s-1970s- Various church investigations ultimately issuing non-authentic classifications
• 1970s-present- Ongoing curiosity and pilgrimage to the site
• Sacred Shrine: Village of Garabandal with various small chapels
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• Summary: This is a very intriguing Marian apparition event that affected a whole local community, even though it is still not officially recognized by the church. The four girls experienced a series of apparitions from the angel St. Michael and the Virgin Mary. What was most odd and supernatural was the girls were often seen in a trance-like state of ectsasy. Thousands of locals witnessed the girls acting almost posessed, walking rapidly thru the village, sometimes backwards, with their eyes fixed upward. The girls reported prophetic messages from Mary warning of a catclysimic global event that would occur in Garabandal. The girls also claimed that Saint Michael was giving a warning that the church was being neglected. Despite vivid details with many witnesses of the unusual behavior, the church has been very cautious to fully endorse this event. The message is generally viewed as a negative one that is damning the church with prophecies that have yet to unfold. Nonetheless it ist still a famous site of devotional pilgrimage, despite the skeptics from the church. Also worth mentioning there is not a proper image or even a shrine for this apparition event aside from a few chapels spread throughout the village.

 

Our Lady of Akita

• 
  Apparition Location: Akita, Japan
• Witness: Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa
  
• Vatican Classification: Locally approved but not formally confirmed by the Vatican
• Apparition Events: 
• Sister Agnes reported visions of a luminous figure who identified herself as the Virgin Mary, calling for prayer and repentance. The statue of the Virgin was then seen to cry tears, perspire, and smell of fragrance.
• Development History:
• 1973-1981- Apparition events and 101 instances of the weeping statue
• 1984- Local bishop declared as authentic; devotion begins to grow in Japan
• Sacred Object: Wooden statue of Virgin Mary
• Sacred Shrine: Convent of the Institute of the Handmaids of the Holy Eucharist (Akita, Japan)
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of Sorrows
• Patronage: Repentance, the church, suffering
• Summary: This one is recognized locally as an apparition event but not officially authenticated by the Vatican. There are actually two miracles at work here, one was the apparition to Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagaw. The other miraculous event was the statue that was seen to sweat and weep 101 times by many witnesses and also had the stigmata wounds on her palms. It was even caught on camera and verified scientifically as authentic human bodily fluids. The devotion is still fairly small and recent however is still the most famous apparition event in Japan.

 
Our Lady of All Nations

• 
  Apparition Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
  
• Witness: Ida Peerdeman
• Vatican Classification: Not officially approved, while devotion is permitted
• Apparition Events: 
• 56 claimed apparitions in a span of 13 years emphasizing global peace, prayer, and a fifth Marian dogma as the Mediatrix.
• Development History:
• 1945-1959- Visions are experienced by Ida Peerdeman
• 1960s-1970s- Chuch investigates and declares they are not of supernatural origin
• 2002- Local bishop approved apparitions, while the Vatican stands by their original judgement
• Sacred Object: Image of the Lady of All Nations
• Sacred Shrine: Chapel of the Lady of All Nations
• Feast Day: May 31
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady the Advocate, Mediatrix of All Graces
• Patronage: Peace among nations, spiritual renewal
• Summary: This one is not officially recognized by the Catholic Church although the devotion is still celebrated locally. They were more so visions rather then physical apparitions without any physical evidence, but still with a unique message. Mary's message to Ida was one of peace for all nations, a call for peace, and a warning of moral decline. She also called for a fifth dogma to be identified as the Mediatrix of God (meaning the channel from God to humanity). This seems like a fair request since Mary was a pure human, who became the mother of God, and thus provides the most direct bridge. The church stands by however that Christ is the Mediatrix from God to the people (even though Christ is God).

Our Lady of Cimbres

• Apparition Location: Sitio da Guarda, Cimbres, Pernambuco, Brazil
  
• Witness: Maria da Luz and Maria da Conceicao (two young girls)
• Vatican Classification: Devotion is approved but apparition is not
  
• Apparition Events:
• 
  30 reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary as a radiant figure holding the Christ Child. She identified herself as Grace and put emphasis on prayer, penance, and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She warned of future punishments and suffering perceived as regional conflicts in Brazil, primarily the threat of Communism. According to tradition she left footprints in stone and a spring of water coming from dry rock.
• Development History:
• 1936-1937- 30 reported apparitions
• 1937-present- Investigation began early and is still an open case today
• 1940s-present- Pilgrimage activity has continued to grow in the region
• Sacred Shrine: Shrine of Our Lady of Grace on Hillside with steps
• Feast Day: August 6
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of the Immaculate Heart
• Summary: This is an apparition that is still fairly recent and growing in devotion, even though the church hasn't officially authenticated it. It's another case of Mary appearing to young peasant children which in my opinion always seems to make for a more credible case. These types of children are often very pious, devout, uneducated, and illiterate. It seems highly unlikely that they could make up such a detailed account of theological concepts and prophecies. Maria da Luz later became a nun and a very public spiritual figure. There have been recent calls to have her canonized as a saint. The site does not quite have a church but it does have a small shrine on the hillside with stairs, a statue of Mary, and several important signs of the miracle apparition including her footprints, and the water spring.

  

Our Lady of Pellevoisin

• 
  Apparition Location: Pellevoisin, Indre, France
  
• Witness: Estelle Faguette (house servant)
• Vatican Classification: Approved devotion and shrine but not apparition
• Apparition Events:
• Estelle was very sick from tuberculosis when an apparition of Mary occured telling her "Do not be afraid, you are my daughter". Mary told Estelle she would suffer for a few days but would be healed. She promotes the sacred heart scapular and asked Estelle to spread it's devotion
• Mary continueed to appear to Estelle a total of 5 times. On the 5 th visit Estelle was miracoulusly cured of her sickness.
• Development History:
• 1876- Apparitions and miraculous healing of Estelle Faguette
• 1880s-1900s- Devotion quickly spreads with pilgrimages
• 1900- Pope Leo XIII approves the devotional scapular of the Sacred Heart
• Sacred Object: Scapular of the Sacred Heart
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Pellevoisin (France)
• Feast Day: Feb 19, Dec 8
• Devotional Titles: All Mercififul Mother, The Immaculate Heart of Mary
• Patronage: The sick, conversion of sinners, devotion to the Sacred Heart
• Summary: This is a great account of a healing miracle by which Mary appeared to a young dying girl a total of five times. She told Estelle that she would suffer but she would endure and recover. Mary also told Estelle to spread the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and even though suffering was a part of life to put trust and faith in God. This devotion ties into the larger devotional title of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart that emerged in the mid 1800s. The Lady of Pellevoisin was promoting devotion to both Christ and Mary's heart via the scapular.

 

Our Lady of Cabeza

• Apparition Location: Sierra de Andujar, Jaen, Spain
• 
  Witness: Juan Alonso de Rivas
• Vatican Classification: Not confirmed apparition but devotional traditional is approved
• Apparition Events:
  
• Virgin Mary appeared to shepherd Juan Alonso de Rivas, with luminous lights and ringing of bells. She instructed him to have a chapel built on the site.
• Development History:
• 1227- Apparition event
• 13th century- Chape built
• 1930s- Damaged during Spanish Civil War
• 1940s- Statue and church are rebuilt into a sanctuary
• Sacred Object: Statue of Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza (Black Madonna)
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuario de Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza (Spain)
• Feast Day: Last Sunday of April
• Patronage: Jaen, Andujar, shepherds, rural communities
• Summary: Also referred to as La Morenita this is one of the oldest Marian devotions in Spain, based off a legendary apparition from the 1200s. Mary appeared to a shepherd in the rural region and instructed the development of a shrine and a devotion. The devotion grew throughout the Middle Ages in the region of Andujar. The tradition is especially celebrated during the annual romeria festival in late April. The chapel and original statue were destroyed during the Spanish Civil War and had to be replaced. The devotion stays strong however and just recently received the Golden Rose from Pope Benedict in 2009.

Our Lady of China

• Apparition Location: Donglu, Hebei Province, China
• Witness: Fr. Wi and local Catholic villagers
  
• Vatican Classification: Apparition not approved however devotional tradition is approved
• Apparition Events:
• 
  Occured during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 where villagers prayed for Mary's protection during Christian purges. Witnesses then saw a radiant figure in white standing above the church. Soldiers even fired at the apparition. Then a fiery horsemen was seen which was later identified as St. Michael the archangel. The anti-Christian attackers were frightened by the supernatural visions and abandoned their attack.
• 2nd more recent apparition was reported in 1995 with approx 30,000 pilgrim witnesses
• Development History:
• 1900- Apparition during Boxer Rebellion
• Early 1900s- Church rebuilt with new image of Mary in imperial Chinese robes
• 1924-1928- Church investigates the event and approves the official image and devotion but not the apparition
• 1932- Donglu is designated as the official Marian Shrine
• 1941- Pope Pius XII establishes feast in her honor
• 1940s- Shrine is destroyed by Japanese bombing in WWII
• 1992- Church rebuilt at Donglu
• Sacred Object: Painting icon of Virgin Mary with Christ Child in Chinese robes
• Sacred Shrine: Donglu Marian Shrine
• Feast Day: Second Saturday of May
• Devotional Titles: Mary, Help of the Christians
• Patronage: China, protection of persecuted Christians
• Summary: This is another great apparition story where Mary comes to the rescue of Christians in a very dire situation. While facing massacre by the anti-Christian armies during the Boxer Rebellion, Mary awnsered her people's prayers. What's even more amazing is she was accompanied by Saint Michael the Archangel in the form of a fiery horseman. This is one of many examples where Mary was able to scare away an attacker and defend her people thru a miraculous event. Although the devotion is not quite as popular as Our Lady of Sheshan, it has a special place in China's Catholic history and is revered by many.

Our Lady of La Vang

• 
  Apparition Location: La Vang, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam
  
• Witness: Group of villagers hiding from persecution
• Vatican Classification: Approved for devotion but not classified as an official apparition
• Apparition Events:
• During Christian persecution under Emperor Canh Thinh, a group of Catholics were hiding in the La Vang forest when they witnessed apparitions of the Virgin Mary. She was in Vietnamese robes, holding the Christ Child, and instructed them on what leaves to use to cure their illnesses
• Development History:
• 1798- Apparition event witnessed by several villagers hiding from persecution
• 1820- A chapel was built as devotion grew locally
• 1830-1885- Chapel was destroyed during another wave of anti-Catholic persecutions
• 1928- Larger church was built
• 1961- Was elevated to basilica
• 1978- Destroyed during Vietnam War
• 2012-present Renovations of the basilica shrine
• Sacred Shrine: Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang (Quang, Tri Province, Vietnam)
• Church dedications:
• New Orleans
• San Jose, CA
• Baltimore, MD
• Famous Statue at Phat Diem Cathedral (Vietnam)
• Feast Day: Nov 22
• Devotional Title: Queen of Vietnam, Our Lady of Comfort, Mother of Mercy
• Patronage: Vietnam, Persecuted Christians, refugees and the displaced
• Summary: This is considered the most important Marian devotion in Vietnam that occurred during critical times. Unlike most Marian apparitions, this one happened during a dire situation where Mary truly answered her people's prayers. The Vietnamese Catholics were fleeing and hiding in the forest as they were being hunted by the government. At this moment Mary appeared to them dressed in the traditional Vietnamese ao dai dress. She was carrying the Christ Child and surrounded by two angels. She brought the Catholics peace and hope and advised them to boil leaves to cure their illness. The villagers survived the persecution and spread the story of the miraculous event. Although not officially authenticated the report came from multiple witnesses and a shrine was built and later elevated to minor basilica status due to the popularity of pilgrimages.

Our Lady of Good Success

• Apparition Location: Quito, Ecuador
• Witness: Mariana de Jesus Torres (Conceptionist sister)
  
• Vatican Classification: Approved by local traditions, but not officially confirmed by Vatican
• Apparition Events:
• 
  Apparitions continued intermittently where sister Mariana de Jesus Torres witnessed the Virgin Mary appear and identify herself as the Lady of Good Success. She delivered messages and prophecies about the church, and specific crises that would occur in the 19th and 20th century. She also requests a statue be made in her likeness which became the miracle of the unfinished statue (that was completed by the angels).
• Development History:
• 1594-1634- Period of apparitions
• 1611- Unfinished statue is miraculously completed
• 1854-1870- Prophecy of the Immaculate Conception and Papal infallibility comes true
• 1906- Body of Mariana de Jesus Torres discovered as incorrupt
• 1991- Canonical coronation of the statue
• Sacred Object: Statue of Our Lady of Good Success
• Sacred Shrine: Convent of the Immaculate Conception (Quito, Ecuador)
• Feast Day: Feb 2nd (Feast of the Purification/Candlemas)
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of the Good Event
• Patronage: Protection
• Summary: The apparition of Our Lady of Good Success doesn't refer to a particular event, rather her exemplary guide to overcoming crisis, suffering, and evil. She provided the usual message of pray and penance to Mariana, but also many frightening prophecies (all of which were to occur in the 1800-1900s. Such as a widespread moral corruption, disregard to matrimony, priest scandals, elevation of lust, loss of innocence among the youth, and a period of total catastrophe. She also prophesized the future dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Papal Infallibility which did come true in the late 1800s. All of this was symbolized with a sanctuary light that went out representing the loss of faith and darkness in the church. The apparition did however leave behind a miracle with the completion of an unfinished statue which was to become her new devotional icon. According to legend the statue was completed by the angels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and St. Francis.

 Our Lady of Medjugorje

• 
  Apparition Location: Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovinia
  
• Witness: Ivanka Ivankovic, Mirjana Dragicevic, Vicka Inakovic, Ivan Dragicevic, Marija Pavlovic, Jakov Colo
• Vatican Classification: No definitive judgement on apparition, yet authorizes devotion and pilgrimages.
• Apparition Events:
•  1st apparition is seen of a young women standing on a hill, holding her child is seen by six children
• 2nd apparition occurs when the woman speaks and identifies herself as the Virgin Mary and the Queen of Peace
• Continued apparition sightings are still present to this day.
• Development History:
• 1981- 1 st apparition sightings
• 1982-1991- Massive worldwide growth of devotion and pilgrimage
• 2010-2017- Vatican conducts investigation and allows pilgrimages but does not confirm apparition
• Sacred Object: Statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace
• Sacred Shrine: St. James Church (Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovinia)
• Feast Day: June 25
• Devotional Titles: Queen of Peace, Our Lady of the Rosary
• Patronage: Peace, conversion, and repentance
• Summary: This is another series of apparitions that is not officially endorsed by the Vatican, however still very popular in the Bosnia region. The fact that the account comes from children making claims of things they don't fully understand yet, adds to the credibility. They claim that Mary identified herself as the Queen of Peace, was wearing robes of white-and-blue, and was hovering above the ground on a cloud. The six children continued to report visions after these main apparitions in 1981. Despite it's authenticity the devotion has exploded as Bosnia and Herzegovia's most famous Christian devotions with over 1 million pilgrims per year.

Our Lady of Montallegro

• Apparition Location: Montallegro, Liguria, Italy
• Witness: Giovanni Chichizola, local peasant farmer
  
• Vatican Classification: Not officially authenticated, however accepted devotional tradition
• Apparition Events:
• 
  Apparition occurred on July 2 nd, 1557 in the small town of Montallegro, where a peasant farmer Giovanni heard someone call his name. He then saw the Virgin Mary standing in a luminous aura. She identified herself as the Virgin Mary and requested that a church be built on this site. She also left behind an icon and a miraculous spring as a sign of her holy presence. The icon later refused to be relocated from the site thru miraculous moving accounts.
• Development History:
• 1557- Apparition occurs and is reported
• 1558-1559- Sanctuary is built
• 16th- 17th century- Devotion grows into pilgrimages
• 1739- Our Lady of Montallegro is declared patroness of Rapallo
• 1896- Sanctuary is expanded
• 1942- Sanctuary is elevated to minor basilica
• Sacred Object: Byzantine icon that depicts Mary's dormition and assumption into heaven
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro
• Feast Day: July 2
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of Grace, Mother of Mercy
• Patronage: Rapallo, Protection from disasters
• Summary: Our Lady of Montallegro is one of the older apparition traditions from the 1500s. The church accepts and encourages the devotional tradition however they do not validate the historicity of the event. Nonetheless it is a very popular devotion in the northwest of Italy, in the region of Liguria, near the city of Genoa.

Apparitions Confirmed by Vatican

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

• Apparition Location: Rue du Bac, Paris, France
  
• Witness: St. Catherine Laboure (Sister from the Daughters of Charity)
• Vatican Classification: Approved apparition as worthy of belief
• Apparition Events: 
• 1st apparition: St. Catherine first experienced a vision of the Virgin Mary in the Convent Chapel of the Daughters of Charity
• 2nd apparition: Mary appears again this time standing on a globe with rays of light coming from her hands. She also saw an oval frame with the inscription, "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." The other side of the inscription had a cross with the letter M, two hearts, and twelve stars. In the apparition, Mary instructed St. Catherine to have this inscription created as a devotional medallion.
• Development History:
• 
  1830- St. Catherine Laboure experiences two apparitions from Mary. The primary one calling for a new devotional medal
• 1832-1836- Devotion spreads quickly due to cholera epidemic and people seeking healing intercessions from Mary
• 1849- Convent is expanded due to growing numbers of pilgrimage
• 1854- Immaculate Conception dogma is proclaimed and tied to this apparition event
• 1897- Image of Immaculate Mary receives canonical crown
• 1933- Canonization of St. Catherine Laboure
• Chapel is built.
• Sacred Object: Miraculous Medal, Statue of Mary as Immaculate Conception
• Sacred Shrine: Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (France)
• Feast Day: Nov 28
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of Graces, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Woman of the Apocalypse
• Patronage: Special graces, healing, conversions
• Summary: This is a very famous apparition devotion that began in Paris, France. It depicts Mary as the Immaculate Conception, several years before it was accepted as official church doctrine. It also depicts Mary in the iconic blue and white garments with the rays of light shining from her hands representing her gift of grace. The miracle event was quickly accepted by the church with all the proper venerations, canonical coronation for the image, and even canonization for the witness Saint Catherine Laboure. The medallion icon is what makes this apparition so unique where a new visual icon was presented with an emphasis on Mary's connection with Jesus. The cross and the M are united together, while one heart has thorns depicting Christ's passion and the other heart is pierced depicting Mary's sorrow. It is surrounded by the iconic twelve stars depicted in Revelations as the Woman of the Apocalypse.

Our Lady of Coromoto

• Apparition Location: Guanare, Portuguesa State, Venezuela
  
• Witness: Chief Coromoto (leader of the Cospes tribe)
• Vatican Classification: Approved Marian apparition and devotion
• Apparition Events:
•  First Apparition occurred in 1651 when the Virgin Mary appeared to Chief Coromoto and his wife, urging them to be baptized and convert to Catholicism
• Second Apparition occurred a year later in 1652 when the Virgin Mary reappeared to the Chief. He seized her and she disappeared and left behind a small image of herself.
• Development History:
• 
  1651-1652- Apparition events to the Cospes tribes
• 1700s- Devotion spread as the image was preserved and venerated.
• 1942- Declared patroness of Venezuela
• 1952- Image receives canonical coronation
• 1975-1980- Construction of National Shrine
• Sacred Object: Small image of Mary holding the Christ Child with crowns, entrhoned
• Sacred Shrine: National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Coromoto (Venezuela)
• Feast Day: Sept 11
• Devotional Titles: Seat of Wisdom
• Patronage: Venezuela, indigenous people
• Summary: This is a unique story that occurred in the colonial days of South America where Mary appeared to a Native American chief. Coromoto was clearly stubborn and resistant to the Spanish missionaries attempts, which likely led to this event. The Virgin Mary appeared to him twice, one of which he actually tried to seize her. This has to be the first time that someone actually attempted to assault an apparition of Mary. However Mary left behind a souvenir which affirmed her holy sacred presence. This slowly led to the conversion of the Cospes people including Chief Coromoto who took the Christian name Angel Custodio. The devotion has become an important part of Venezuela's indigenous heritage and this devotion is celebrated as their national shrine.

Theotokos of Pochayiv 

• Shrine Location: Holy Dormition Pochayiv Lavra Monastery (Pochayiv, Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine)
• Vatican Classification: Approved apparition in accordance with Eastern tradition
• Type: Mary and Christ Child; Eleusa type
• Iconography: Mary is cheek-to-cheek with her child displaying tenderness
  
• Apparition Event: 
• 
  During the Mongol invasion, the Virgin Mary appeared in a pillar of fire o a hill. Afterwards her footprint and a healing spring remained.
• Development History:
• 1240- Apparition of Mary during the Mongol invasion; leaves a footprint and a healing spring on the site
• 1597- Icon was brought to the Pochayiv monastery where devotion continued to grow
• 1675- Another Marian apparition was seen as a sign of defense during the Turkish-Tatar attack.
• 1773- Icon is officially crowned under Catholic control
• 19th century- Icon comes under Orthodox control
• Feast Day: Aug 5
• Patronage: Ukraine, Healing, Deliverance from danger
• Summary: This is another popular Marian devotion based out of Ukraine that is an apparition and image-based devotion. It has several miracle apparitions associated to it, first with it's origins of a healing spring. This is a common theme in Eastern Marian tradition demonstrating her role as the life-giving spring. It's even more famous apparition occurs during the invasion of Turkish-Tatars where Mary appeared once again to defend the monastery, which caused the attackers to panic and flee. The authority of the image has shifted from the Eastern Orthodox Church to the Greek Catholic Church and then back to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Our Lady of Tears

• Apparition Location: Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Witness: Sister Amalia de Jesus Flagelado
• Vatican Classification: Approved devotional apparition
  
• Apparition Events:
• 
  The 1st apparition is of Jesus appearing to Sister Amalia, pointing to an image of Mary and telling her to "pray for the sake of the tears of my mother"
• The 2nd apparition occurred while Amalia was praying in the convent. She suddenly entered an ecstatic state and saw the beautiful Virgin Mary dressed in purple, blue, with a white veil holding the Rosary. She then tells Amalia that the Rosary is the crown of her tears.
• 3rd apparition Mary appears again to Sister Amalia and reveals a Medal with the inscription of Our Lady of Tears (representing Mary's pain while Christ is bound)
• Development History:
• 1929-1930- Sister Amalia witnesses several apparitions from Christ and Mother Mary promoting the Devotion of Our Lady of Tears
• 1931- Bishop of Campinas approves the new Marian devotion
• 1930s-1950s- Devotion spreads beyond Brazil thru the Americas and Europe
• Sacred Object: The Medal of Our Lady of Tears
• Sacred Shrine: The Convent of the Missionary Sisters of Jesus Crucified (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
• Feast Day: March 8
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of the Rosary
• Patronage: Conversion of sinners, protection against evil, the rosary
• Summary: This is a devotional apparition to the sorrows of the Virgin Mary. Sister Amalia's testament was very convincing as she experienced several apparitions as well as signs of the stigmata on her hands. The theme of the apparitions was promoting the Rosary but also Mary's emotional sorrow she felt at the crucifixion of her son Jesus Christ. Despite being fully endorsed by the Vatican, the devotion is still fairly small and there is no major basilica or sanctuary honoring the event. It's still fairly new however and is a very popular devotion in the local region of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

   
Our Lady of Cuapa

• 
  Apparition Location: Cuapa, Nicaragua
  
• Witness: Bernardo Martinez (local church caretaker)
• Vatican Classification: Approved Marian apparition
• Apparition Events: 
• A total of 10 apparitions over a span of a few months. Mary appeared dressed in white, wearing a veil, and holding a Rosary. She called for peace and daily prayer
• Development History:
• 1980- 10 Apparitions occur within several months
• 1980-1982- Local bishops investigate and receive the Vatican's approval as worthy of belief
• 1980s-1990s- Growth of devotion and pilgrimage
• Sacred Shrine: Shrine of Cuapa (Nicaragua)
• Feast Day: May 8
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Peace
• Patronage: Nicaragua, rosary, peace, reconciliation, prayer
• Summary: This apparition occurred near San Francisco del Norte in Nicaragua and has since become their most famous Marian devotion. It occured during a period of civil unrest and called for peace and prayer. This is one of the most recent major Marian apparitions that was quickly approved by the Holy See. Since it is still fairly new, the devotion is mostly local throughout Nicaragua and has yet to reach a proper global scale such as Guadalupe.

  

Our Lady of Kibeho

• Apparition Location: Kibeho, Rawanda
  
• Witness: Alphonsine Mumureke, Nathalie Mukamazimpaka, Marie-Claire Mukangango
• Vatican Classification: Approved Marian apparition
• Apparition Events: 
• 
  Mary appeared to one young witness as a lumunious figure and identified herself as the Nyina wa Jambo (Mother of the World)
• She later appeared to two more young school girls which sent them into trances that were witnessed by many. Mary shared a message of prayer, repentance, and an acceptance of suffering. This was made clear thru prophetic visions of hell with rivers of blood.
• Development History:
• 1981-1982- The apparitions occur to three school girls
• 1988- Local bishop approves devotion
• 1992- Shrine established at the school
• 1994- Rwanda genoicides kills nearly a million, linked to the prophecy
• 2001- Vatican officially approves the appartion
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Kibeho (Rwanda)
• Feast Day: Nov 28
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of the Sorrow,
• Patronage: Rwanda, penance, peace, victims of violence and suffering
• Summary: This is one of the most famous Marian devotions in Africa and the only one that is officially authenticated by the Holy See. It is also a fairly modern account which happened only 40 years ago during the 1980s. It's an unusual case where Mary sent her witnesses into a trance like state, perhaps in awe of what they were seeing. The depiction seems to lean more towards Mary's role as Lady of Sorrows. She even went on to prophesize about the upcoming genocide of Rwanda with visions of blood and decapitated bodies. It's a rather somber apparition, yet also somewhat hopeful in that she is emphasizing the natural state of suffering and finding salvation thru prayer.

 
Our Lady of Knock

• Apparition Location: Knock, County Mayo, Ireland
• Witness: Fifteen official witnesses including Mary Byrne, Margaret Byrne, Patrick Hill, and others.
• 
  Vatican Classification: Approved as authentic and worthy of belief
• Apparition Events:
  
• Apparition occurred on August 21, 1879 where multiple witnesses reported seeing a vision on the parish wall of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, and a lamb (symbolizing Christ). No words were spoken however the figures remained on the wall for two hours without getting wet while it poured rain.
• Development History:
• 1879- Apparition events where 15 people witnessed the event. Devotion grew quickly there after
• 1936- After a second commission the Vatican officially confirmed the apparition was worthy of belief
• 1976- Church expanded into a basilica
• Sacred Object: Not one particular icon, but rather a group of white statues portraying Mary, Joseph, John the Evangelist, and Christ
• Sacred Shrine: Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Knock (Ireland)
• Feast Day: August 21
• Devotional Title: Queen of Ireland, Our Lady of the Eucharist
• Patronage: Ireland, Prayer, Eucharistic Devotion
• Summary: This is considered the most famous Marian devotions in Ireland. The apparition is quite unique because it wasn't just Mary herself that appeared, yet rather an accompaniment of holy figures (Joseph, John, and Christ). While the devotion is referred to as Our Lady of Knock this is more of a location-based devotion than an image or object based devotion. The apparition is what makes it so famous, especially since it was witnessed by fifteen people. This ranks among the top Catholic pilgrimages in Ireland even above the holy sites of Croagh Patrick and Lough Derg (St. Patrick's Purgatory).

Our Lady of Banneux

• Apparition Location: Banneux, Province of Liege, Belgium
• Witness: Mariette Beco, 11 year-old girl
• Vatican Classification: Approved as authentic and worthy of belief
  
• Apparition Events: 
• 
  Eight apparitions total from Jan 15 to March 2, 1933. The Virgin Mary appeared before Mariette Beco and identified herself as the Virgin of the Poor. She then guided the young 11-year old Mariette to a small spring that was meant for healing.
• Development History:
• 1933- Apparition events, leads to a chapel at the site
• 1930s-1940s- Devotion grows as church begins to investigate
• 1949- Official recognition by the Vatican as worthy of belief
• 1950s-1960s- Chapel is expanded into a sanctuary complex
• Sacred Object: Statue of Our Lady of Banneux; spring water
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Banneux (Belgium)
• Feast Day: Jan 15
• Devotional Titles: Virgin of the Poor, Queen of Nations
• Patronage: The poor, sick, and suffering
• Summary: This is a fairly recent apparition that occurred in Belgium and was investigated and authenticated by the Vatican Council. It's one of many examples of Mary being portrayed as the Mother of the Poor as well as the Life-Giving Spring of water. She is famously quoted as telling the young Mariette Beco, that she is "the Virgin of the Poor. Who has come to relieve suffering. Believe in her and she will believe in you". Despite it's authentic approval it still remains one of the lesser known of the apparition devotions. It's Belgium's 2nd most popular Marian devotions after the imaged-based one of Scherpenheuvel.

 Our Lady of Mount Berico

• Apparition Location: Monte Berico, Italy
  
• Witness: Vincenza Pasini (peasant woman)
• Vatican Classification: Approved Marian apparition
• 
  Apparition Events:The Virgin Mary appeared to Vincenza Pasini on Mount Berico and told her the plague would end if they built her a chapel.
• Two years later Vincensza saw a second apparition of the Virgin Mary repeating her request
• Development History:
• 1426- First apparition witnessed by Vincenza Pasini
• 1428- Second apparition
• 1428-1430- Construction of a chapel on the site
• 15th- 16th century- Devotion spreads as the plague comes to an end just as the apparition had promised
• 1703- Expansion of the shrine into a sanctuary due to increased pilgrimage
• Sacred Object: Statue of Our Lady of Mount Berico
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Berico (Italy)
• Feast Day: March 7, Aug 1
• Devotional Titles: Madonna di Monte Berico, Our Lady of Good Health
• Patronage: Vicenza, plague, epidemics, illness
• Summary: It is one of the oldest and most celebrated Marian devotions in Italy. It's basilica is an impressive sanctuary that overlooks the city of Vicenza. It is run by the Servite Order who manage the basilica and the safekeeping of the image. The church contains a number of great artworks such as the Supper of St. Gregory by Paolo Veronese. It's a great apparition story of Mary who once again answers the prayers of her people by bringing an end to the deadly plague.

 
Our Lady of La Salette

• Apparition Location: La Salette-Fallavaux, France
• Witness: Melanie Calvat (14), Maximin Giraud (11)
• Vatican Classification: Approved apparition worthy of belief
  
• Apparition Events:
• Two shepherd children saw the apparition of a weeping Mary with hands in her face. She spoke of the sinfulness of humanity, and the need for repentance, prayer, and conversion. She then gave each child a secret and left behind a healing spring.
• Development History:
• 1846- Apparition occurs
• 
  1847-1851- Investigation and authentication by the Catholic Church
• 1852- Construction of a sanctuary on the site
• 1850s-190ss- Devotion and pilgrimage spreads
• 1870- Foundation of the Missionary Order of La Salette
• 1879- Publication of Melanie's expanded revelation
• Sacred Object: Crucifix worn by Mary
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Salette (France)
• Church Dedications:
• Oliviera de Azemeis, Portugal
• Gdansk, Poland
• San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
• Kodaikanal, India
• Attleboro, MA, USA
• Enfield, NH, USA
• Feast Day: Sept 19
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of Sorrows
• Patronage: Conversion of sinners, reconciliation, and prayer
• Summary: In this apparition Mary was depicted as sorrowful not for the death of her son, but for the sin and shortcomings of humanity. She revealed two secrets to the children. To Maxim she spoke of a prophetic vision where an evil antichrist would arrive, and would cause great crisis and upheaval in the church. To Melanie she spoke of the moral decline of the priests and society that would lead to a dark age if people did not repent. Melanie famously added more details in her 1879 published text which spoke of an apocalyptic prediction and collapse of specific European nations and leaders. The church considers this expansion to be more of a fictional fantasy account and not in line with the original approved apparition. This is likely due to Melanie's involvement with the Illuminati and end-time theories in her later life. The Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette that were inspired by this apparition still exist today to carry on her call for repentance and conversion. The pilgrimage to this site is still quite popular and is quite the journey in the beautiful French Alp mountains.

Our Lady of Caravaggio

• Apparition Location: Caravaggio, Lombardy, Italy
• Witness: Giannetta Vacchi
• Vatican Classification: Approved as worthy of belief
  
• Apparition Events: 
• 
  Virgin Mary appeared to Giannetta in a field and called for prayer, penance, and peace during a time of political conflict in the region. A spring of water also appeared at the site that was associated with her healing presence.
• Development History:
• 1432- Apparition of Virgin Mary to peasant Giannetta
• 1435- Construction of a chapel begins at the apparition site
• 15th- 16th century- Expansion of the sanctuary and devotion
• 1710- Image is canonically crowned
• 1959- Sanctuary elevated to minor basilica
• Sacred Object: Image of Mary appearing to the peasant farmer, Giannetta
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Fonte (Italy)
• Feast Day: May 26
• Devotional Titles: Mary of the Spring, Life-Giving Spring
• Patronage: Peace, Reconciliation, rural communities, and healing
• Summary: This apparition according to a peasant worker, Gianetta Vacchi, in the 1400s, calling for prayer and peace. This was during the Wars in Lombardy (1423-1454) which explains why Mary would be calling for peace within the region. It's real claim to fame is a footprint that was left behind and a healing spring of water that emerged on the site of the apparition (similar to Lourdes and La Salette). Another distinctive feature of this devotion is the pilgrimages that occur during nighttime, night masses, and drinking, healing, and blessings at the water spring.

  

Our Lady of Laus

• Apparition Location: Saint-Etienne-le-Hautes, France
• Witness: Benoite Rencurel (young shepherdess age 17)
• Vatican Classification: Approved Marian apparition and devotion
  
• Apparition Events: 
• 
  Continuous apparitions for 54 years witnessed by a young shepherdess Benoite Rencurel. Mary identified herself and requested prayer, repentance, and a chapel be built
• Development History:
• 1644- First apparitions to 17 year old Benoite Rencurel
• 1666- Devotoin grows with construction of first chapel
• 1700s- Site becomes a major pilgrimage center
• 1718- Death of Benoite Rencurel
• 1855- Canonical Coronation of image
• 1890s- Church of the Lady Laus elevated to minor basilica
• 2008- Apparitions officially approved as worthy of belief
• Sacred Object: Statue of Our Lady of Laus
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Laus (France)
• Feast Day: May 1
• Devotional Titles: Refuge of Sinners,
• Patronage: Sinners seeking conversion, confession, repentance
• Summary: This is one of the longest continuous apparition accounts, where Benoite Rencurel experienced hundreds of apparitions for 54 years. The devotion became all the more popular when healing miracles became associated with the shrine and the oil from it's lamp. The devotion celebrates Mary as the Refuge of Sinners, since the most central theme of her apparitions was the importance of repentance. The image, the shrine, and the apparitions have received full verification status from the Catholic Church. This is one of France's lesser-known devotions often overshadowed by the much more famous apparition account of Lourdes.

Our Lady of Las Lajas

• Apparition Location: Guaitara River canyon, Ipiales, Narino, Colombia
• Witness: Maria Mueses de Quinones and her daughter Rosa
• Vatican Classification: Approved devotion tradition
  
• Apparition Events:
• 
  Maria and her daughter were caught in a terrible storm as they crossed the river, and took shelter in the rock formations (known as Lajas). At this point Maria's mute daughter Rosa began to speak for the first time and said a lady with child was calling her. She then showed her mother an image on the rock wall depicting the Virgin and Child.
• Development History:
• 1754- Apparition miracle occurs
• 1756-1764- Devotion grows as report of the event spreads
• 1750s- Shrine is built on the location
• 1795- Larger chapel is constructed
• 1800s- Bridge constructed to bring in more pilgrims
• 1916-1949- Present basilica built
• 1950s- The image is coronated and the chuch receives basilica status
• Sacred Object: Image of Mary that was displayed on the rock wall
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary Basilcia of Our Lady of Las Lajas
• Feast Day: Sept 16
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of the Rocks, Our Lady of the Rosary
• Patronage: Ipiales, pilgrims, travelers, protection from danger
• Summary: This is one of the most celebrated Marian devotions in South America, where the apparition of Mary occurred as a miraculous image on a wall. The miracle is multi-layered as the Virgin Mary not only saved the witnesses from the storm, but she healed the young Rosa of her muteness. There are even legends that she died several years later and was miraculously revived back to life thru prayer. This is an example of image-apparition, similar to Guadalupe, where Mary appeared as a miracoulus image. The image was later recreated according to the witnesses account of Mary holding the Christ Child. She is accompanied by Saint Dominic and Saint Francis at each side. What's even most amazing about this devotion is the architectural wonder of the church. It is built in the Gothic fashion overlooking a great river canyon, connected by a high bridge adorned with statues. Its a top 100 church in my opinion worthy of one the most famous Marian apparitions.

  
Our Lady of Champion

• Apparition Location: Champion, Wisconsin
• Witness: Adele Brise (Belgian immigrant)
• Vatican Classification: Approved Marian apparition as worthy of belief
  
• Apparition Events:
• 
  Apparition occurred while Adele was walking in the woods and saw a flash of white light with the figure of Mary wearing a crown of stars. Mary identified herself as "The Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners". She also told Adele to "Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation".
• The Peshtigo Fire consumed the northern region of Wisconsin, and many people found refuge in the chapel of Champion, Wisconsin. The chapel was preserved while everything around it was destroyed.
• Development History:
• 1859- 3 apparition events witnessed by Adele Brise
• 1861- 1st chapel built at site of apparition
• 1871- Many found refuge in the chapel during the Peshtigo Fire
• 1900s- Devotion and pilgrimage begins to spread
• 2010- Chapel is expanded into a church
• 2016- Church is elevated to National Shrine status
• 2023- Title is formally changed to Our Lady of Champion
• Sacred Shrine: The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion (Wisconsin)
• Feast Day: Oct 9
• Devotional Titles: Queen of Heaven, Our Lady of Good Help
• Patronage: Conversion of sinners, evangelization
• Summary: This is the first and only fully approved Marian apparition in the United States. It's intriguing that the apparition occured to an immigrant who was assigned to evangalized the "wild children" of America. This is no doubt a reference to America's protestant majority. What's even more interesting is how this devotion is tied to the Peshtigo Fire that consumed the majority of northern Wisconsin. This was simultaneous to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 where the drought had swept across the Midwest. The chapel became a sight of refuge during the deadly fire that killed thousands. Adele carried on Mary's mission by establishing a Catholic school to educate young children. The devotion was known as Our Lady of Good Help before it changed to Our Lady of Champion.

 

Our Lady of Beauraing

• Apparition Location: Beauraing, Province of Namur, Belgium
• Witness: Fernade Voisin (15), Gilbert Voisin (13), Albert Voisin (11), Andree Degeimbre (14), Gilberte Degeimbre (9), thousands of others
• Vatican Classification: Approved as authentic and worthy of belief
  
• Apparition Events:
• 
  33 apparitions from 1932-1933 witnessed by five children. Mary identified herself as the Immaculate Virgin and request prayer, sacrifice, a chapel, and pilgrimage to the site. She also revealed a Golden Heart, giving her the title "Virgin of the Golden Heart". The apparitions are first revealed to children, but then to large crowds of 10,000-30,000.
• Development History:
• 1932-1933- 33 apparition events
• 1933-1935- Vatican investigation as devotion grows
• 1943- Church approved public devotion
• 1949- Apparitions formally declared as supernatural and authentic
• 1947-1954- First shrine constructed
• 1950s- Shrine expanded into a sanctuary
• 2013- Shrine elevated to minor basilica
• Sacred Object: The Golden Heart, hawthorn tree marking the site
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Beauraing (Belgium)
• Feast Day: Nov 29
• Summary: Also referred to as the Virgin of the Golden Heart this is yet another amazing apparition story that doesn't seem to get as much attention as Fatima, Lourdes, or Guadalupe. The fact that it was witnessed by some 30,000 people should surely make it a credible case. It was even authenticated by the Vatican as a supernatural event worthy of belief. The symbolism of the golden heart represents Mary's grace and maternal love for her followers. This could be seen in contrast to the other famous devotion of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, that pertains more to her pain and suffering endured thru the death of her son Jesus Christ. Once again this is strangely not as popular as it should be and falls behind the Scherpenheuval and the Lady of Banneux as Belgium's top Marian devotions.

 
Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolas

• Apparition Location: San Nicolas de los Arroyos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Witness: Gladys Herminia Quiroga de Motta
• Vatican Classification: Approved Marian apparition worthy of belief
  
• Apparition Events: 
• 
  First there were several instances of rosaries in the town of San Nicholas Argentina that were glowling a mysterious light.
• Then the first apparition occurred to Gladys. Mary was wearing a blue robe holding the Christ Child with the rosary
• Mary then appeared more frequently and Gladys reported she received over 1800 messages from the apparitions. The central theme about the importance of the Eucharist, prayer, and the promotion of the rosary. Mary also directs Gladys to locate a lost devotional statue
• Development History:
• 1884- Statue of the Virgin of Rosary is brought from Rome to San Nicolas Argentina, but is later lost.
• 1983-1990 Miracoulous event of glowing rosaries and apparition events witnessed by Gladys; the uncovering of the lost statue
• 1986- Construction of sanctuary
• 2016- Church officially approves the event as an apparition worthy of beleif
• Sacred Object: Statue of Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child with Rosary
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolas (Argentina)
• Feast Day: Sept 25
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of the Rosary
• Patronage: Argentina, families, households, peace, prayer, the rosary
• Summary: This is an intriguing apparition story that occurred in Argentina fairly recently. The roots of the story date back to the late 1800s when a statue of the Virgin Mary donated by the pope of Rome was lost. Nearly 100 years later a woman named Gladys began experiencing apparitions from Mary, offering many words of wisdom. For a span of 7 years, Mary frequently appeared to Gladys with over 1800 messages about the importance of prayer, the Eucharist, the scripture, penance, conversion, and the Rosary. The events were just recently approved by the Holy See as a supernatural event worthy of belief. It has sense become one of the most famous Marian devotions in Argentina and South America. 

  

Our Lady of Querrien

• Apparition Location: Querrien, La Prenessaye, Brittany, France
• Witness: Jeanne Courtel (12 year old shepherd girl)
• Vatican Classification: Approved as authentic
  
• Apparition Events:
• 
  1st Apparition: The Virgin Mary appeared to Jeanne Courtel while she was tending sheep
• 2nd Apparition: Mary asked Jeanne to build a chapel
• Other Apparitions: Jeanette reports she had a total of 20 additional apparitions which included the location of a devotional statue that was buried underground. She also cured Jeanne's muteness
• Development History:
• 1652- Apparition event occurs
• 1652-1656- Investigation conducted by Church authorities and declared official apparition
• Late 17th century- Chapel created at the apparition site
• 18th- 19th centuries- Devotion and pilgrimage grows
• Sacred Object: Statue of Virgin and Child
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Querrien
• Feast Day: Aug 15 (Feast of the Assumption)
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of Healing
• Patronage: Healing of disabilities, children, rediscovery of the faith
• Summary: This is one of many examples of Mary appearing to children that are either peasants or shepherds. It is also a miracle on 3 accounts; the apparition itself, the discovery of the statue, and the healing of her muteness. It's one of the older apparition traditions within the Catholic Church from the 1600s that was quickly approved. Despite it's older tradition it never quite reached the popularity of the other French apparitions of Lourdes and La Salette. It is especially associated with healing prayers and miracles.

 
Our Lady of Pontmain

• Apparition Location: Pontmain, Mayenne, France
• Witness: Eugene Barbedette (12), Joseph Barbedette (10), Francoise Richer (11), Jeanne-Marie Lebosse (9)
• Vatican Classification: Approved apparition as worthy of belief
  
• Apparition Events: 
• 
  Children saw a beautiful lady in the sky floating above a barn. She asked the children to pray and God will answer.
• Development History:
• 1871- Apparition witnessed by several children
• 1870s-1900s- Approval and rapid growth of devotion and pilgraimage
• 1900- Basilica constructed and elevated to Minor Basilica
• Sacred Shrine: Basilica of Our Lady of Hope of Pontmain
• Feast Day: Jan 17th
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of Prayer, Our Lady of Peace
• Patronage: France, prayer, hope in time of fear, peace and end to conflict, those in anxiety
• Summary: One of the more famous French apparitions behind Lourdes, this one came with a distinctive look. The Virgin Mary was seen above a barn, with a dark blue dress and golden stars. She was wearing a black veil with a crown and her hands extended downward. Her message was miraculously written in the sky, "But pray, my children. God will answer you in a short time. My Son allows Himself to be moved". This came during the Franco-Prussian War, making the apparition also associated to the sudden stop of the Prussian advance which led to an armistice. This one was quickly approved by local bishops and the Vatican. It has three miracles associated to it with the vision, the written letters in the sky, and the sudden halt of the Prussian army. It has become a popular devotion in France that is seen as a sign of hope, especially during times of war.

 
Our Lady of Pillar

• Apparition Location: Zaragoza, Spain
• 
  Witness: Saints James the Greater and his disciples
  
• Vatican Classification: Approved and venerated by the Catholic Church
• Apparition Events:
• The Virgin Mary appeared to James, while still alive on earth, in a supernatural case of bilocation. She was standing on a pillar holding the Christ Child, surrounded by angels. She encouraged James to use the pillar to build her a church on the location. She also left behind a small statue of herself which became the central icon of the devotion.
• Development History:
• 40 AD- Virgin Mary appears before Saint James the Apostle
• 1st century- St. James has a chapel built on the location. Considered the first Marian shrine
• 700-800s- Development of church on the site
• 800-1100s- Church likely destroyed by Muslim Conquest
• 1118- Shrine rebuilt on location
• 12th- 15th century- Romanesque church built on location
• 1434- Fire destroys church
• 1681-1730- Current basilica built
• 1905- Image is canonically crowned
• Sacred Object: Jasper Pillar Column and small wooden statue of Mary and child
• Sacred Shrine: Basilica of Our Lady of Pillar (Zaragoza, Spain)
• Church Dedications:
• Cathedral of Our Lady of Pillar (Uruguay)
• Cathedral of Our Lady of Pillar (Brazil)
• Feast Day: October 12 (Fiesta del Pilar)
• Devotional Titles: Mother of the Hispanic People
• Patronage: Spain, Zaragoza, Hispanic world (all Spanish speaking people)
• Summary: It is considered the first Marian apparition and devotion that actually happened while she was living. It was witnessed by the apostle James the Greater and some of his disciples who were feeling discouraged with their missionary work. According to tradition, it is believed that she was either living in Jerusalem or Ephesus with John the Apostle at this time. She likely appeared to Saint James the Greater because his mission in Spain was struggling and needed some kind of miraculous sign. The devotion did not really properly take off however until after the Reconquista of Spain from the Muslims. By the middle ages it had been identified as one of the first and oldest Marian devotional sites in all of Christianity. The shrine eventually developed into one of the most amazing basilicas in the world right off the Ebro River. The relics of the Jasper Pilar and the statue of Our Lady of Pillar are the centerpiece features of the church (not just as devotional icons but as proper ancient relics). The devotion is seen as the mother of not just Spain but of the entire Hispanic World including Latin America and all those who speak Spanish. The Feast Day of Pilar coincides with Colombus Day on October 12th as a form of national pride day for all of Spain.

 
Our Lady of Gietrzwald

• Apparition Location: Gietrzwald, Poland
• Witness: Barbara Samulowska (13) and Justyna Szafrynska (12)
• Vatican Classification: Approved Marian apparition as worthy of belief
  
• Apparition Events:
• 
  A total of 160 apparitions witnessed by two Polish children. Mary was seen seated with the Christ Child surrounded by angels. She spoke in Polish and identified herself as the Lady of the Immaculate Conception. She spoke with the children, answered questions, and promoted the Rosary. She even dedicated a nearby spring as a blessed source of healing.
• Further apparition reports from the nearby town of Warmia by a dozen women.
• Development History:
• 1877- Apparitions occur in Gietrzwald and nearby regions
• 1880s-1900s- Devotion and pilgrimage begin
• 1967- Image receives canonical coronation
• 1970s- Expansion of sanctuary. Elevated to Minor Basilica
• 1977- Apparition is approved as worthy of belief
• Sacred Object: 16th century painting of Our Lady of Gietrzwald
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary Basilica of Our Lady of Gietrzwald (Poland)
• Feast Day: Sept 8
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of the Rosary, Throne of Wisdom, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
• Patronage: Poland, Rosary
• Summary: This is a similar case to Our Lady of Garabandal and Our Lady of Kibeho where the whole town was bewildered by the odd behavior of several young girls. The girls provided multiple reports of many Marian apparitions and conversations pertaining to the Rosary and the perseverance of faith. The devotion quickly took off as one of Poland's most famous apparition cases. The apparition, shrine, and image were all venerated and affirmed by the Vatican. This is a unique case where an older Marian image became all the more famous and devotional after an apparition event. It also has a devotional spring of water that emerged from the apparition events such as with Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Banneux, and Our Lady of La Salette.

 

Our Lady of Zeitoun

• Apparition Location: Cairo, Egypt
• 
  Witness: Two Muslim mechanics, and thousands of others
  
• Vatican Classification: Approved by Coptic Orthodox Church
• Apparition Events:
• First apparition occurred in 1968 when two bus mechanics saw a luminous figure above the domes of the church surrounded by bright lights, clouds, and doves.
• Following apparitions continued to occur on a regular basis until 1971, witnessed by tens of thousands of locals and pilgrims
• Development History:
• 1968-1971- Apparition events witnessed by thousands
• 1970s- Egyptian government and Coptic church investigate and deem it as a supernatural event
• 1971- Church of the Virgin Mary becomes Mary pilgrimage site
• Sacred Shrine: Church of the Virgin Mary (St. Mary's Coptic Church)- Cairo, Egypt
• Feast Day: April 2
• Devotional Titles: Our Lady of the Light
• Patronage: Egypt, peace
• Summary: This is one of the few rare Marian apparition events that was actually caught with visual proof of photographs and television. It first appeared to two Muslim mechanics, then it continued to happen and appeared to thousands of witnesses. The apparitions were silent without any message yet still very bizarre as the bright figure seemed to float above the church. The apparitions are even reported as being accompanied by clouds and doves representing the Holy Spirit. The event drew hundreds of thousands of spectators, and is considered one of the largest gathering to witness such a supernatural event. After these apparition events the devotion took off as a popular pilgrimage destination with healing miracles associated to it. Although it happened within the Coptic Orthodox Church it remains one of the most modern, mysterious, and underrated of the Marian apparitions.

 
Our Lady of Lourdes

• Apparition Location: Lourdes, France
• Witness: Saint Bernadette Soubirous (14 year old peasant girl)
  
• Vatican Classification: Approved apparition worthy of belief
• Apparition Events:
• 
  Total of 18 apparitions witnessed by the young Bernadette Soubirous. The Virgin Mary was wearing white and blue robes with a rosary and asked Bernadette to return for 15 straight days. During these apparitions Mary identified herself as the Immaculate Conception and spoke of the importance of penance. She also asked Bernadette to dig in the ground to display a miraculous spring of water. Mary also asked Bernadette to build a chapel dedicated to this devotion as the Immaculate Conception.
• Development History:
• 1858- 18 apparitions experienced by Bernadette Soubirous
• 1858-1862- Immediate devotional growth associated to the healing powers of the spring
• 1862- After a four year investigation the church approves the apparition as authentic and worthy of belief
• 1860-1899- Construction of the Lourdes Sanctuary and Upper and Lower basilicas
• 1876- Statue of the Lady of Lourdes received the canonical coronation
• 1879- Death of Bernadette at age of 35
• 1933- Bernadette was canonized
• 1957- Construction of underground basilica
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes (France)
• Church Dedications:
• Grotta di Lourdes (Gardens of Vatican City)
• National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes (Emmitsburg, Maryland)
• Lourdes Grotto (Bulacan, Philippines)
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes (Quezon City, Philippines)
• Sunken Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes of Cabetican (Pampanga, Philippines)
• Carfin Grotto (Scotland)
• Our Lady of Lourdes Church (China)
• Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes (Tamil Nadu, India)
  
• Feast Day: Feb 11
• 
  Devotional Titles: Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Life-Giving Spring
• Patronage: Healing, penance, those who are sick
• Summary: This is one of the most famous Marian devotions in the world considered one of the big three alongside Guadalupe and Fatima. The apparitions were experienced by a young peasant girl (a common theme in most apparitions), who received many messages from Mary primarily that she was the Immaculate Conception and the necessity of penance. The real miracle, however, occurred when the young Bernadette was asked to dig in the ground to reveal a healing spring. This healing spring served as proof of Mary's holy presence and became associated with many more healing miracles to follow. The church quickly accepted this apparition as authentic and had the massive sanctuary built a couple years after the event. The French even had a medical bureau established to research the healing phenomena that was occurring from this water spring. After the event Bernadette endured heavy public attention however preferred a quieter humble life. She eventually left Lourdes and joined a religious convent known as the Sisters of Charity of Nevers just ten years after the apparition. She however died at the young age of 35 due to chronic illness, asthma, and tuberculosis. What's quite interesting about her is that she preferred not to talk about the apparitions unless it was part of a thorough inquiry which kind of makes the apparitions all the more credible since she wasn't seeking fame or fortune. She was eventually canonized 50 years later. Today the apparition-devotion of Lourdes receives an annual 4 to 6 million pilgrims a year making it one of the most sacred sites in the world behind Guadalupe and the Vatican. The Sanctuary and it's Grotto are among the most impressive Catholic churches in the world, and it also has an iconic statue that has been coronated as the devotional icon.

Our Lady of Fatima

• Apparition Location: Fatima, Portugal
• 
  Witnesses: Lucia dos Santos (10), Francisco Marto (9), Jacinta Marto (7)
• Vatican Classification: Approved as worthy of belief
• Apparition Events: 
• 1st Apparitions: The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared six times to these 3 children calling for prayer, repentance, and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
• 2nd Apparition: The Miracle of the Sun was witnessed by thousands of people as the sun appeared to dance and plunge toward the earth
• Development History:
  
• 1917- Apparition events and the Miracle of the Sun
• 1920s- Investigations by the church
• 1930: Approved as an official apparition by the church
• 1928-1953- Constrution of the Sanctuary of Fatima with Basilica status
• 1946- Image receives the canonical crown
• 1950s-present- Spreads to become one of the most famous Marian devotions in the world
• Sacred Object: Immaculate Heart of Mary statue
• Sacred Shrine: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima (Portugal)
• Church Dedications:
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima (Youngstown, Ohio, USA)
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima (Canada)
• Santuario de Fatima de Brasilia (Brazil)
• Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Fatima (Spain)
• Our Lady of Fatima Church (India)
• Feast Day: May 13
  
• 
  Devotional Titles: Our Lady of the Immaculate Heart, Our Lady of the Rosary
• Patronage: Peace, family, protection against war and persecution
• Summary: Considered one of the most famous apparitions (part of the Big Three alongside Guadalupe and Lourdes). The three children who witnessed the event described Mary as brighter than the sun, as she stood standing above a small tree. As the children approached she greeted them and asked them to pray the Rosary daily. She encouraged the devotion of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She also provided three secret prophecies; a vision of hell as warning of sin, a warning about an upcoming war and the dangers of Russia (linked to World War II, atheistic communism, and the Soviet Regime), and a warning about the suffering of the pope and the church. Mary gives these three horrifying prophecies as a means to encourage prayer and repentance. The stories of the children were all deemed sincere in nature and unlikely that they could make up such a vivid description of events. What's even more incredible is that according to the children, Mary predicted a great miracle would occur a few weeks later in October. Some 70,000 people gathered because of this promise, to witness the Miracle of the Sun. The bizarre event was seen as an affirmation of Mary's true power and presence. Its due to these unprecedented supernatural events, that the church quickly venerated every aspect of it. Today it is one of the most popular devotions in all of Christianity bringing in an estimated 6 million pilgrims a year. I'm proud to say I have this statue in my devotional collection at home.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

• Apparition Location: Tepeyac Hill, Mexico City, Mexico
• 
  Witness: St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (indigenous convert), and his uncle Juan Bernardino
• Vatican Classification: Fully approved Marian apparition worthy of belief
• Apparition Events:
• Mary appeared four times to Juan Diego and once to his uncle. She spoke in his native Indigenous language and identified herself as Mother of the True God. She asked that he build a church on the location.
• When the apparition event was reported the local bishop asked for proof. Mary caused Castilian roses to bloom in winter. Juan Diego gathered the roses in a cloak to show the bishop as a sign of proof. When he unveiled the cloak the roses fell out and the miraculous image of Mary appeared on the cloak.
• Development History:
  
• 1531- Apparition events and central miracle
• 16th- 17th century- Rapid growth of the devotion
• 1709- 1 st major basilica built
• 1895- Canonical coronation of the image
• 1904- Elevated to minor basilica status
• 1976- Current modern Sanctuary built with two basilicas
• Sacred Object: The Tilma of Juan Diego
• Sacred Shrine: The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico City, Mexico)
• Church Dedications:
• Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Zamora, Michoacan, Mexico)
• National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dallas, Texas)
• Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Puerto Vallarto, Mexico)
• Basilica of Guadalupe (Monterrey, Mexico)
• Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Alaska, USA)
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (Houston, Texas)
• Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Laguna, Philippines)
• Feast Day: Dec 12
• 
  Devotional Titles: Theotokos, Mother of the Americas, Woman of the Apocalypse, Queen of Heaven
  
• Patronage: Mexico, All the Americas, indigenous people
• Summary: It is the most famous Marian apparition and devotion in the world. The story shares similarities with many other Marian apparitions where she visits a peasant and asks for prayer and a chapel, but the miracle of this devotion is what makes it completely unique and one-of-a-kind. There are actually two miracles performed when Juan Diego is tasked with presenting proof. First is the Castilian roses Mary is able to procure during wintertime, but she then one-ups that miracle with an even greater miracle by displaying an image on his tilma (piece of cloth). It's no wonder the devotion was quickly approved by the Catholic Church being presented a miracle in plain site. The devotion has also endured and continued to grow for the past 500 years. It now has a massive sanctuary of the old and new basilica which still contains the original tilma on display. This image on a cloak, is considered one of the church's greatest holy relics. The cloth no doubt has some supernatural qualities to it, and has undergone much scientific evaluation with inconclusive findings. For starters the tilma is made of a cactus fiber that normally deteriorates after 30 years, however this one has survived for 500 years. The image shows no signs of brushstrokes and unheard of pigmentation. The fact that the tilma has not been stolen, burnt, or damaged over 500 years is equally impressive. The image itself is also very original loaded with symbolism unlike any other Marian icon of the Renaissance age. She stands in the midst of the sun, with illuminating rays all around her. The moon is at her feet which can often be seen as a tie to the Woman of the Apocalypse. She is being held up by an unidentified angel, emphasizing her role as Queen of Heaven. However she is not glorified in the usual royal ornaments, yet rather a humble posture with her hands in prayer. Many of the symbols in this image, especially the sun, are no doubt a reference to Mexican Aztec culture. It's such an original icon with an incredible miracle associated to it. For this reason it has become the number one most popular Catholic site in the world with approximately 20 million pilgrims a year (even more so then St. Peters Basilica and Jerusalem).