a year of prayer: 365 Rosaries

“The poor today – and there are many ways of being poor! – feel at home in Banneux. They come here to find comfort, courage, hope, union with God in their affliction. I encourage the pilgrims who come here to pray to her, who, always and everywhere in the Church, reflects the face of the Mercy of God.”


Pope John Paul II proclaimed these words during his visit to Banneux, in reference to Our Blessed Mother, the Virgin of the Poor. Today, March 2, marks the anniversary of the eighth and final apparition of Mary at Banneux, Belgium, to eleven year old Mariette Beco in 1933. The first seven apparitions occurred on January 15, January 18, January 19, January 20, February 11, February 15, and February 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 leading her to a small stream, “This spring is reserved for all nations- to relieve the sick.” The Virgin of the Poor requested that a small chapel be built. She further told Mariette, “I have come to relieve suffering.” Following Mariette’s request for a sign as to who she was, Our Blessed Mother replied, “Believe in me- and I will believe in you.” Finally, in the seventh visitation, the Blessed Virgin implored Marriette to “Pray hard.”

Ten days after the seventh apparition, Mariette was visited by the Virgin of the Poor for the last time. Despite pouring rain, Mariette knelt to pray in her garden as dusk was falling. She was praying her third Rosary when the rain stopped without warning. Mariette was observed to remain silent, but stretched out her arms, stood up, took a single step forward, and then knelt back down.

The Blessed Virgin spoke to her, saying, “I am the Mother of the Savior, Mother of God. Pray much." Mariette said, “yes, yes,” and bowed her head. The Virgin of the Poor laid her hands upon her head, blessing her, and said, "Adieu" (Good bye). Mariette wept, knowing this was her last visit, as on all previous occasions, Mary had ended their time together by saying “Au revoir” (Until we meet again).

Our Lady of Banneux, the Virgin of the Poor, blessed the world by appearing to a humble girl. Her message was simple, and of few words: Pray diligently, have faith, and through her intercession, worldly suffering would be relieved. We humbly implore the Blessed Virgin of the Poor to watch over us, intercede for us with the Lord, and relieve our suffering on earth.

The apparitions at Banneux were investigated by an Episcopal delegation from 1935 to 1937, with their findings submitted to the Vatican for approval. Preliminary approval of the veracity of the apparitions was granted in 1947, with the visitation of Mary ruled as definitive in 1949. By that time, Mariette Beco had married and had several children. Despite being sought out by the thousands of pilgrims visiting Banneux, she remained humble and quiet, content to have the attention of visitors focused on the “Lady made of light,” rather than herself.

 
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, lead us to Jesus, Source of grace.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, save all nations.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, relieve the sick.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, alleviate suffering.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, pray for each one of us.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, we believe in you.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, believe in us.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, we will pray hard.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, bless us.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Mother of the Savior, Mother of God, we thank You.

Mary Virgin of the Poor, You lead us to Jesus, source of grace, and you come to alleviate our suffering.
We implore you with confidence: Help us to folow your Son with generosity, and to belong to Him unreservedly.
Help us to welcome the Holy Spirit, who guides and sanctifies us.
Obtain us the grace to look like Jesus everyday more, so that our life will glorify the Father and contribute to the salvation of all.