Our Lady of Beauraing: A Call to Pilgrimage

Today, December 23, marks the anniversary of the appearance of Our Blessed Mother to five children in Beauraing, Belgium in 1932. Our Lady of Beauraing, also known as the “Virgin of the Golden Heart,” had appeared to Fernande, Gilberte, and Albert Voisins and Andree and Gilberte Degeimbres the over the previous weeks, beginning on November 29. On that day, the children saw a “beautiful lady” walking through the air above a railroad bridge. Dressed in a flowing white gown, the lady emanated a radiant glow, and smiled at them as she approached. She was observed to be praying, never spoke, and simply gazed upon them with beautiful blue eyes.

Following the initial apparition, Our Blessed Mother continued to appear to the children (on December 2, December 8, December 21), confirming her identity as the Immaculate Virgin, and requesting that a chapel be built. She further implored them to “Always be good.” The apparitions did not occur every night, but the children visited the convent garden, hoping to see her each night.

On the 23rd of December, 1932, the children waited eagerly in the convent garden for the Virgin of the Golden Heart to appear. As was her custom, she did, alighting on the small hawthorn tree. As was now customary, a large crowd had gathered to watch the children, hoping to glimpse the beautiful lady themselves. As the crowd watched, the children dropped to their knees in unison, and began praying the Rosary in earnest. Our Lady joined them, although she was only visible to the visionaries.

At the conclusion of their prayers, Fernande asked Our Blessed Mother, “why do you come?”

Smiling gently, Mary replied, “That people may come here on pilgrimages.” She then departed, leaving the children alone in the garden. Everything Our Blessed Mother had said served as prelude to the core of her message of prayer and redemption, which she would deliver in the next series of apparitions.

The Blessed Virgin would return to the children thirty-three times over the course of 10 weeks, bringing with her a message of peace, penance, and prayer for the conversion of sinners. Our Blessed Mother graced us with her golden heart, encouraging us to sacrifice ourselves for the Lord, and for the salvation of the world. We pray today, in the words of Our Mother, to find the strength and virtue “to be good” in the eyes of the Lord.

Our Lady of Beauraing, Immaculate Virgin, bring to Jesus, your Son, all the intentions that we entrust to you today. Mother of the Golden Heart, reflection of the Father's tenderness, look upon the men and women of our time with love and fill them with the joy of your presence. You, who promised to convert sinners, help us discover the infinite mercy of our God. Awaken within us the grace of conversion so that our lives may be a reflection of that mercy. Make every moment of our existence "a yes" to the question you ask today: "Do you love my Son? Do you love me?" Then the kingdom of Jesus will come to the world. Amen.



Day 357 of 365

Prayer Intentions: Lives of Prayer; Penance for Sinners
Requested Intentions: Successful completion of nursing exam (M); For a daughter in an abusive relationships (J); For the consecration of a granddaughter to Our Blessed Mother (A); For a successful marriage (S); Restoration of a teaching job (L); Health and spirituality of family members (R); For a return to health for a friend (C); Healing from cancer of a brother-in-law (C); Healthy relationship; Joy in everyday life (J); Successful employment and financial assistance for education (M); For the return home of father and husband suffering from mental illness (C); Successful passing of examination; Employment for Son (J); Healing of a family and son (S); Successful marriage (G); End to husband’s addictions; Son’s employment (M); Freedom from financial burdens (M); Healing after a miscarriage (E); For healing of friend; successful resolution of legal matter (A); Complete healing of a friend with pancreatic cancer (J); Healing of a father following stroke (S).