Wisconsin: Blessed are the Cheese Makers!

According to the Chicago Tribune, Jesus, or his mom at the least, may be making a huge impression in the Land o’ Cheese.  You see in the mid-nineteenth century there came an immigrant who probably didn’t speak a whole lot of English and perhaps had yet to eat cheese.  While searching for cheese she came across this shining vision of loveliness who talked about stuff like saving sinners and such.  She knew immediately that she had been visited by Jesus’ mom.  I suspect this is because she was a good Catholic who had been to churches and seen beautiful women dressed in shining dresses who allegedly talked about saving sinners and such.

So, after reporting this to the local parish priest who gave her some cheese, she went on her way.  Some months, or years later she received an email from a bunch of church people..oh sorry!

Some months later she gave testimony to a bunch of bishops, monks, priests and other guys with serious faces.  After eating some cheese they went and looked at the Holy Place.  They discovered some shiny things and determined that a shining person had indeed been there and recommended that it be declared a miracle.  The Pope of the day, while eating some fine cheese,  got their recommendation and now Wisconsin is famous for things more than cheese.

Amen…..

…….and here is the story:

A tiny shrine in a small northeast Wisconsin town has just been given a huge distinction by the Vatican: It’s been named as a holy site.

The Midwestern chapel — the Shrine of our Lady of Good Help — has been recognized by the Catholic Church as an official sighting of the Virgin Mary. In fact, WTMJ AM reports it’s the only site in the country with that distinction.

According to Green Bay Bishop David Ricken, the Virgin Mary appeared there three times to Belgium immigrant Adele Brise in 1859.  Brise stated that a lady dressed in dazzling white appeared to her and claimed to be the “Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners.” Since the sightings, the chapel has attracted many others praying for miracles.

The Lady asked Brise to pray for sinners, as well as to gather the children and teach them what they should know for salvation. The Blessed Virgin followed the commands with these words of assurance to Adele Brise, “Go and fear nothing, I will help you.”

Since 1859, countless faithful have made the pilgrimage to Champion, Wisconsin to offer prayers of thanksgiving and petition to Jesus and to ask for intercession from Our Lady of Good Help.

Ricken started investigating the events and three theological experts soon picked up the work. After two years of poring over letters and documents relating to the apparitions, experts confirmed it was the true article. The Vatican validated those results in December.
The Lady asked Brise to pray for sinners, as well as to gather the children and teach them what they should know for salvation. The Blessed Virgin followed the commands with these words of assurance to Adele Brise, “Go and fear nothing, I will help you.”

Since 1859, countless faithful have made the pilgrimage to Champion, Wisconsin to offer prayers of thanksgiving and petition to Jesus and to ask for intercession from Our Lady of Good Help.

Tip o’ the hat to Julie who happens to love cheese!