During the deadliest wildfire in American history, a wall of fire swept across Wisconsin — but stopped at the fence line of the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. This is the true story of Our Lady of Champion, the only approved Marian apparition in the United States.

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In October 1871, the deadliest wildfire in American history swept across northeast Wisconsin, destroying homes, farms, forests, and entire communities. As the flames closed in, hundreds of families fled to a small wooden chapel built on the site of a Marian apparition that had occurred just twelve years earlier.

Carrying a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they processed around the shrine property through the night, praying the Rosary as fire advanced on every side. By morning, everything for miles around was reduced to ashes — except the chapel grounds and every person who had gathered there. The flames never crossed the fence line.

That miracle traces back to a young Belgian immigrant named Adele Brise, who in 1859 encountered a radiant woman standing between two trees. The woman identified herself with words that still echo today: “I am the Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners.” Mary entrusted Adele with a mission that would change American Catholic history — to catechize children and lead souls back to the sacraments.

Adele obeyed. She traveled across rural Wisconsin teaching the catechism, praying with families, and helping rebuild faith in a wild frontier. Years later, when catastrophe came, those same people turned instinctively to prayer — and witnessed a miracle that would one day be formally recognized by the Church.

In 2009, a full diocesan investigation was opened. In 2010, the apparitions were declared worthy of belief. In 2022, the Vatican formally recognized the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. And in 2024, the U.S. bishops voted unanimously to begin the cause for Adele Brise’s canonization.

Mary’s message at Champion — conversion, repentance, confession, Eucharistic devotion, and catechesis of children — is more urgent today than ever. Her final words to Adele remain a promise for every soul who listens:

“Go and fear nothing. I will help you.”

Our Lady of Champion, pray for us.

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