From WBAY.com:
The Green Bay Catholic Diocese announced this weekend that they are investigating sainthood for Adele Brice, the Champion farmgirl who says the Virgin Mary appeared to her.
Brice says she saw the Virgin Mary three times in 1859, and told her on the last visit, “Go, and fear nothing, I will help you”. This would set Brice on her lifelong path, teaching faith to the settlers of northeast Wisconsin. A chapel was built on the site of the apparitions and a shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The apparition of Our Lady of Champion is the only Vatican-approved Marian apparition site in the United States.
Adele Brice (or Brise) was born in Belgium to Lambert and Catherine Brice on January 30, 1831. Although she suffered an accident at a young age that left her blind in her right eye, those who knew her best describe her cheerfulness, fervent piety, and simple religious ways.
Upon receiving her first Holy Communion, Adele and a few close friends promised the Blessed Virgin Mary that they would devote their lives to becoming religious teaching sisters in Belgium. However, this promise grew difficult to keep when her parents decided to move to America alongside other Belgium settlers. After seeking advice from her confessor, she was told to be obedient to her parents. He assured her that if the Lord willed her to become a teacher and a sister, she would serve in that vocation in America.
After the six-week voyage to America, the Brice family joined the largest Belgian settlement – near present-day Champion, Wisconsin. Belgian pioneers’ and settlers’ lives were difficult, and many died in the harsh Wisconsin winters. Adele served her family’s needs by often taking grain to the grist mill.
On October 9, 1859, Adele, her sister Isabelle, and their good friend, Mrs. Theresa Vander Niessen, were walking the eleven miles together to the Sunday Mass at the nearest church in Bay Settlement.
As the three women approached the spot where the two trees stood, Adele again saw the lady in white. She got excited and told her sister what she was seeing. Adele froze, staring at the woman, although the other two could see nothing.
But they could see that Adele was indeed staring at something, and they could see fear in her eyes.
Then the lady disappeared, and they all agreed to pray for the “poor soul.”
Adele confessed to the priest what she had seen, and he spoke to her about the matter, suggesting that she ask the lady who she is and what she wants. Adele felt comforted and believed by Father Verhoeff. On the way home the three women were joined by a man who was clearing the land for the Holy Cross Fathers.
When they came to the place with the two trees, Adele stopped because she saw the lady again. She could clearly see that she was dressed in a white gown which fell to her feet in graceful folds. There was a yellow sash around her waist. Long wavy golden hair fell loosely over her shoulders. On her head was a crown of twelve stars. The bright light surrounding her made it difficult for Adele to look at her for very long. Adele saw that the lady had a very sweet, gentle face. Surprisingly, she felt no fear this time. Instead, she was completely filled with joy and peace. She walked closer and fell to her knees before her.
A: “In God’s name, who are you, and what do you desire of me?”
VM: “I am the Queen of Heaven, who prays for the conversion of sinners, and I wish you to do the same.” (She spoke in a soft, sweet voice—”the sound was heavenly.”) “You were at Holy Communion this morning.”
A: “Yes, dear lady.”
VM: “You have done well, but I wish you to do more. Pray for nine days. Go and make a general Confession and offer your Holy Communion for the conversion of sinners. If they do not convert themselves and do penance, my Son will be obliged to punish them.”
Twelve years later this region of Wisconsin was hit by the greatest wildfire in U.S. history, the same day as a massive fire in Michigan and the Great Chicago Fire.
The clock is ticking.
[resources: Fear of Fire and Where the Cross Stands]