Our Lady of Banneux

The Story

Our Lady of Banneux refers to eight apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary reported by Mariette Beco, an eleven-year-old girl from a poor family in the Belgian hamlet of Banneux, between January 15 and March 2, 1933. According to Mariette's account, Mary appeared in the small garden outside the family home, identifying herself as "the Virgin of the Poor." She led the girl to a spring near the house and said the spring was set apart for her and for all nations, for the relief of the sick. In later apparitions she declared, "I come to relieve suffering," and encouraged Mariette to pray much. The apparitions came only weeks after those reported at Beauraing in the same country, and they drew careful examination from Church authorities. After extensive investigation, Bishop Louis-Joseph Kerkhofs of Liege approved devotion to the Virgin of the Poor, and in 1949 he gave definitive recognition to the apparitions. The sanctuary that grew up around the Beco home and the spring now welcomes hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year, with particular care for the sick and disabled, who come to pray at the spring and receive the sacraments. The simplicity of the message, Mary's nearness to the poor, the sick, and the forgotten, has made Banneux one of Europe's most beloved places of Marian pilgrimage.

Church Recognition

Recognized by the Bishop of Liege, with definitive approval in 1949.

Catholic Teaching

Devotion to the Virgin of the Poor; care for the sick and the suffering.

Plan Your Visit

Open only what you need. Expand all

Practical

1 Additional Information ▾

The Banneux sanctuary and its spring draw pilgrims seeking healing and prayer.

Go Deeper

Visit the sanctuary's official website at https://banneux-nd.be, and see the Catechism of the Catholic Church on private revelation (CCC 67) and on Mary's motherly intercession (CCC 971).