Our Lady of Banneux: Blessed Virgin of the Poor: The Fifth Apparition

Today, February 11, marks the anniversary of the fifth apparition of Our Blessed Mother at Banneux, Belgium, to eleven year old Mariette Beco in 1933. The first four apparitions occurred on January 15, January 18, January 19, and January 20. During these encounters, Mariette saw a woman “made of light” smiling at her through her kitchen window, eventually following the Blessed Virgin, praying with her, and obeying her instructions to claim a small stream of water for her. The Blessed Mother said to Mariette, “I am the Virgin of the Poor” and “This spring is reserved for all nations- to relieve the sick.” The Virgin of the Poor requested that a small chapel be built. Eyewitnesses saw Mariette speaking, but were unable to discern Our Holy Mother. Both her parents and Church authorities were skeptical of her claims.


During the three weeks following the apparition on January 20, Mariette (despite being quite ill from many nights in the winter cold praying) continued to pray the Holy Rosary on the roadside beside the holy spring each night, awaiting the return of the Blessed Mother. On the evening of February 11, the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Blessed Virgin of the Poor again appeared to Mariette, while she was kneeling, praying her second Rosary of the evening. Witnesses observed her genuflecting and bowing, as well as reaching her hands into the cold spring water and blessing herself with the Sign of the Cross. Our Blessed Mother, heard and seen only by Mariette, spoke, saying, “I come to relieve suffering.” After Mariette thanked her, and she departed into the sky as in previous apparitions, Mariette tearfully ran to her family priest, explaining the events of the evening. She was upset, as she did not understand the word “relieve.” The priest, still doubtful, pressed her to demand a sign from the Blessed Virgin during her next encounter.

Our Lady of Banneux, the Virgin of the Poor, would appear to Mariette three more times over the course of the next month. Her message each time was to believe in her, and pray for the poor, for the sick, and for sinners everywhere.

Our Lady of Banneux, Mother of Our Savior, Mother of God, Virgin of the Poor, since thou hast promised to believe in us if we believe in thee, I put all my trust in thee.


Deign to listen to the prayers that thou hast asked be addressed to thee;
have pity on all our spiritual and temporal miseries. Restore to sinners the treasure of Faith, and give to the poor their daily bread.


Deign to relieve suffering, to heal the sick and to pray for us, so that thus through thy intercession, the reign of Christ the King may extend over all nations. Amen.