In 1933, eleven-year-old Mariette Beco reported eight apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Banneux, Belgium. The Lady identified herself as the "Virgin of the Poor," stating she came to relieve suffering and indicating a spring for the sick of all nations. She called for prayer and a small chapel. The apparitions received official diocesan approval from the Bishop of Liège in 1949, establishing Banneux as a significant Marian shrine dedicated to the poor and the sick.
Between January 15 and March 2, 1933, eleven-year-old Mariette Beco experienced eight apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Banneux, a small village in the Ardennes region of Belgium. The apparitions took place near her family home, often by a small stream.
During the first apparition, Mariette saw a radiant lady outside her window. In subsequent encounters, the Lady led Mariette to a spring on the property, identifying herself as the "Virgin of the Poor." She declared, "This spring is reserved for me," and later added, "This spring is for all nations, for the sick."
The Virgin Mary conveyed messages emphasizing prayer and her desire to relieve suffering. She asked Mariette to "Pray much" and requested that a small chapel be built at the site. The Lady also stated, "I come to relieve suffering," and revealed herself as "the Mother of the Savior, Mother of God."
The core messages of Banneux revolve around a preferential love for the poor and the sick, trust in Mary’s intercession, and the importance of prayer. The spring became a focal point for devotion, with pilgrims drinking or washing with its water in hopes of healing and comfort. The shrine attracts numerous visitors seeking solace and spiritual renewal.
Following a thorough investigation, Bishop Louis-Joseph Kerkhofs of Liège granted provisional approval for the apparitions in 1942. Seven years later, on August 22, 1949, Bishop Kerkhofs officially recognized the supernatural character of the apparitions of Our Lady of the Poor at Banneux. This approval solidified Banneux's status as an authorized Marian pilgrimage site.
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