Canonization process begun for Wisconsin witness of only approved American apparition of Virgin Mary

Inside the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, April 20, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online

BROWN COUNTY, WI 9WTAQ-WRN) — A Wisconsinite could become a saint.

Last week, U.S. Catholic bishops unanimously approved beginning the process of canonization for Adele Brise.

In 1859, the Belgian immigrant and Brown County resident witnessed the first and only Marian apparition in the United States approved by the Vatican. Brise was said to have seen the Virgin Mary three times.

Brise’s father built a small chapel at the site of the apparition that is now the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, which attracts thousands of pilgrims worldwide each year.