In Champion Shrine history, this event marked what many believe to be one of the first graces granted through intercessory prayer with Our Lady of Good Help, to Jesus.
This and other miraculous instances at Champion Shrine continue to be a harbinger of hope for thousands who travel on pilgrimage to pray for help and healing. To this day, many descendants of those whose lives were spared during the October 8, 1871 fire come to celebrate the miracle of the fire on that day annually, praying the rosary all night long into the following day, October 9, the date historians believe marks the anniversary of the last appearance of Mary at Champion in 1859.
In December 2010, after a period of prayerful discernment during which he reviewed years of research and investigation by expert Mariologists, The Most Rev. David L. Ricken, Bishop of Green Bay, determined it to be ‘worthy of belief’ that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Adele Brise.
On August 15, 2016, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops declared Champion a ‘National Shrine,’ by formal decree, distinguishing ‘The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help’ as the first and only Catholic Shrine in America with a Church-approved Marian Apparition Site. This and other international media coverage of events that have occurred continue to draw thousands to Champion Shrine.
Champion Shrine grounds include a Chapel and apparition oratory in the lower level of the Chapel, a new prayer and events center, outdoor rosary walk and stations of the cross, a welcome center with Shrine history, a gift shop and the original historic schoolhouse building where Adele Brise once taught. The Schoolhouse building contains meeting/ gathering rooms and an onsite cafe. The Chapel, Apparition Oratory, outdoor stations of the cross and outdoor rosary walk are open 365 days a year, from 7 AM until 7 PM.
Large gatherings, outdoor masses, processions, speaking engagements, retreats, educational workshops, Eucharistic healing services, and religious events are held throughout the year to carry out the message of Our Lady of Good Help and to carry on the mission she inspired in Adele Brise.
All are welcome to experience the peace of Champion Shrine in the presence of Mary through intercessory prayer to her Son, Jesus.