Ten Apparitions of Mary approved by Catholic Church which receive millions of pilgrims each year

Approved Marian apparition is one that has been examined by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from Vatican.

The Apparition has been granted approval either through the local Bishop based on the direction of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith or received a direct approval from the Holy See.

10 Apparitions of Mary approved by Catholic Church in historical appearance

1. Our Lady of Guadalupe (1531)

The Catholic Church has constantly tributed to the Virgin Mary a special piety and worship. The Guadalupe Marian devotion is the basis of Christian history in Mexico and it also supports the evangelization of the whole American continent.

Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico Ten Apparitions of Mary approved by Catholic Church which receive millions of pilgrims each year

Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Shrine of Tepeyac, where the sacred image of the Virgin of Guadalupe is the heart, has been continuous goal of pilgrims from the XVI century, not only from the Mexican nation but also of the entire American continent.

2. Our Lady of Laus (1664–1718)

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Laus, situated in the Southern Alps, is a Catholic spiritual place of importance. It has its origins in the Virgin Mary’s appearances to a shepherdess, Benoite Rencurel, between 1664 and 1718.

More than 170 000 French and foreign visitors come to the Laus each year: young and old, alone, with the family or in groups. The Sanctuary Our Lady of Laus has hostel accommodation for several hundreds of persons.

Our Lady of Laus Ten Apparitions of Mary approved by Catholic Church which receive millions of pilgrims each year

Our Lady of Laus

Surrounded by nature at an altitude of 900 meters, the hamlet of Our Lady of Laus is accessible in vehicle throughout the year.

3. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (1830)

At age twenty-four, Catherine Labouré, after overcoming many obstacles, entered the Seminary (novitiate) at the Mother House of the Daughters of Charity, on rue du Bac in Paris.

It was here in the The Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal that the Blessed Virgin appeared to her several months later, the first time on the night of July 18-19, 1830, to tell her about a mission to be confided to her, the second time the following November 27, to show Catherine the medal that she was asked to have made.

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In this chapel, chosen by God, the Virgin Mary came in person to reveal her identity through a little object, a medal, intended for all without distinction.

By autumn of 1834 there were already 500,000 medals in existence.

Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Ten Apparitions of Mary approved by Catholic Church which receive millions of pilgrims each year

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

In 1835 there were more than one million worldwide, and in 1839 more than 10,000,000 medals had been distributed. At the time of the death of Sister Catherine, in 1876, there were more than a billion medals.

4. Our Lady of La Salette (1846)

La Salette, a French town located in the Alps, was the place at which a Marian apparition occurred in the nineteenth century.

On September 19, 1846, Maximin Giraud (eleven years old) and Melanie Calvat (fourteen years old) experienced an encounter with what they called a “Beautiful Lady.”

The message of the visionaries of La Salette focuses on the conversion of all humanity to Christ. The “Beautiful Lady” of La Salette implores all people who would listen to “be reconciled to God.”

This conversion requires daily prayer and frequent reception of the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. The woman (the Virgin Mary) was in tears because she recognized the tremendous responsibility that free will places upon each person to lead a moral life and follow God’s will.

Our Lady of La Salette shrine - Ten Apparitions of Mary approved by Catholic Church which receive millions of pilgrims each year

Our Lady of La Salette

5. Our Lady of Lourdes (1858)

Several churches and basilicas in Lourdes associated with Marian apparitions receive over 5 million pilgrims a year, making Lourdes the second most visited Christian pilgrimage site in Europe after Rome.

Each year, 700 tons of candles burn for you and those who have not been able to come. The volutes of smoke represent millions of intentions of prayers and wishes. Also, light is a very important sign in the sacred history.

The water of Lourdes has become popular because of the miracles. 50 official miracles are apparently linked to the use of this water, no matter if it has been drunk or used as a bath. Men have created the fountains, the baths and the way of the water.

Ten Apparitions of Mary approved by Catholic Church which receive millions of pilgrims each year

Our Lady of Lourdes

6. Our Lady of Pontmain (1871)

On January 17th 1871, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Virgin Mary appeared in the sky of Pontmain to four children. She gave a message of prayer and hope.

It is in that church that people prayed regularly and with fervour. But on that Sunday, they said: “Father we have prayed well, but the good Lord doesn’t hear us”

Three days later, on Tuesday 17th January, the Virgin Mary will come to renew their hope:

“OH! DO PRAY MY CHILDREN GOD WILL ANSWER YOU VERY SOON, MY SON LETS HIS HEART BE TOUCHED”

Sanctuary of Our lady of Pontmain

7. Our Lady of Knock (1879)

Knock Shrine, located in co. Mayo is Ireland;s National Marian Shrine where over 1.5 million pilgrims visit each year.

The Story of Knock began on the 21st August, 1879 when, at approximately 8 O’ clock in the evening, fifteen people from the village of Knock in Co. Mayo, witnessed an Apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, a Lamb and cross on an altar at the gable wall of the Parish Church.

The witnesses watched the Apparition in the pouring rain for two hours, reciting the Rosary. Although they themselves were saturated not a single drop of rain fell on the gable or vision.

There were fifteen official witnesses to the Apparition, most of whom were from the village of Knock and surrounding areas and ranged in age from just 5 years old to 74 years old.

Ten Apparitions of Mary approved by Catholic Church which receive millions of pilgrims each year

Our Lady of Knock

8. Our Lady of Fatima (1917)

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima Portugal – Santuario de Nossa Senhora de Fatima is one of the largest Marian shrines in the world. Our Lady of Fatima is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary according to her apparitions to three shepherd children at Fatima on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917. Fatima Portugal, receives about 4-5 million pilgrims a year.

The Chapel of Apparitions is the very heart of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima. It was the first edifice constructed in the Cova da Iria, at the place of Our Lady´s Apparitions.

The exact spot is marked by a marble pillar on which the Statue of Our Lady is placed. Here converge the four million pilgrims who visit the Sanctuary each year.

The Secret of Fatima apparitions Ten Apparitions of Mary approved by Catholic Church which receive millions of pilgrims each year

Our Lady of Fatima

9. Our Lady of Beauraing (1932–1933)

It is there that Mary would appear for 31 times until the 3rd January.

She was dressed in a long white dress with a faint blue hue. Her head was covered with a long veil that fell down to her shoulders. Thin rays of light came out of her head which gave the impression she was wearing a crown. Usually Mary’s hands were joined together and she was smiling.

Since 1932, millions of pilgrims have visited the Sanctuary Our Lady of Beauraing to honor the Virgin with the Heart of Gold.

Ten Apparitions of Mary approved by Catholic Church which receive millions of pilgrims each year

Our Lady of Beauraing

10. Our Lady of Banneux (1933)

From the 15th of January till the 2nd of March 1933, Our Lady appeared to Mariette Beco, a young girl aged 11 years, eigth times, calling herself the VIRGIN OF THE POOR. The so-called Little Chapel was built and inaugurated in 1933.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, come, alone or in group, notably during the Triduum of the sick, to confide to Our Lady their poverties, their sufferings, their pains, their wants.

Banneux Ten Apparitions of Mary approved by Catholic Church which receive millions of pilgrims each year

Our Lady of Banneux

They come to entrust themselves to the Mother of the Saviour, and to express their confidence and their hope on Jesus Christ, the source of all graces.

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!