Our Lady of Banneux

The story

On the evening of 15 January 1933, Mariette Beco looked out of her kitchen window and saw a beautiful Lady standing in the garden, surrounded by light. Her mother saw only a shape and would not let her go out.

Three days later the Lady came again and led Mariette along the road to a small spring at the edge of the woods. “Push your hands into the water,” she said. “This spring is reserved for me.” The next evening she named herself: “I am the Virgin of the Poor,” and said the spring was for all nations, to relieve the sick.

In eight apparitions she asked for a small chapel, for much prayer, and for trust. Mariette, who had stopped going to catechism, returned to the Church and made her First Communion. The spring at Banneux draws pilgrims and the sick from many countries.

Key dates

1. 15 January 1933Mariette sees the Lady in the garden.
2. 18–19 JanuaryThe spring; “I am the Virgin of the Poor.”
3. 20 JanuaryThe request for a small chapel.
4. 11 February“I come to relieve suffering.”
5. 2 March 1933The last apparition: “I am the Mother of the Saviour, Mother of God.”
6. 22 August 1949The Bishop of Liège approves the apparitions.

Mary's message

• “I am the Virgin of the Poor.”
• “This spring is reserved for all nations, to relieve the sick.”
• “I come to relieve suffering.”
• “Believe in me and I will believe in you. Pray much.”
• “I am the Mother of the Saviour, Mother of God.”

The Church's judgment

Bishop Kerkhofs of Liège authorized devotion to Our Lady of Banneux in 1942. On 22 August 1949 he recognized the reality of the eight apparitions.