In the year of 1933, eleven apparitions occurred in Banneux, Belgium. A young 12 year old school girl, Mariette Beco, sighted an unusual figure with a bright white aura surrounding it. The unusual figure introduced itself as 'the Virgin of the Poor'. Mariette was led to an unidentified spring, she was then asked to drink from it; the mysterious lady told Mariette that the spring was to 'relieve the sick of all nations'. After several years of investigation, the apparitions at Banneux were officially approved in 1942. Today, a chapel stands where the Lady of the Poor requested and the spring has many reports of miraculous healings. Ever since the approval of the apparitions, the Shrine of Our lady of Banneux has been one of the most popular catholic attractions, bringing more pilgrims from around the world together each year.
I believe pilgrims from around the world come to visit the Shrine of Our lady of Banneux because of the significance the apparitions have on the catholic faith. The Shrine of our lady of Banneux can help Christians strengthen their belief in God and can help them appreciate the gifts God has given us. The miraculous spring is another strong attraction of the site. The spring can help to relieve the pilgrims' doubts and uncertainties.
2. Describe the term Marian apparition and explain its relationship to visiting pilgrimage sites.
Marian apparition is a term that is based on two words, 'Marian' and 'apparition'. The term 'Marian' simply means 'Virgin Mary' while 'apparition' can be defined as the sighting of a significant ghostlike figure. A Marian apparition is an event as to when the Virgin Mary appears to an individual or a group of people; Marian apparitions can occur for several weeks or even several months. There are numerous Marian apparition sites around the globe, some include our Lady of Lourdes, our Lady of Fatima and our Lady of Guadalupe. Commonly, a Marian apparition site is titled upon its area of occurrence.
Marian apparition sites are considered as pilgrimage sites because they encourage pilgrims to bring themselves closer to God. When I visit the Shrine of Our lady of Banneux I hope to find forgiveness and healing. Some pilgrims visit these sites in hope that the Virgin Mary will appear to them, I too, hope for Mary to appear to me. The spring located in Banneux, Belgium is known to have healed pilgrims on numerous accounts. Marian apparition sites can also influence pilgrims to not only pray to God, but to act upon their prayers.
3. Discuss church teachings about the pilgrimage site and what you expect to learn from visiting the site.
The church believes that the shrine of Our lady of Banneux is a sacred site that should be cherished and respected. Pilgrims visit this site hoping that it will benefit them spiritually, emotionally and physically. The Shrine of our Lady of Banneux encourages pilgrims to reflect on their catholic lives, giving them time to think about what they can do to become stronger people of faith.
Upon visiting this pilgrimage site, I expect to gain knowledge about the Virgin Mary; she is a significant figure of Christianity because she is a mother to all people of Christian faith. I strongly believe that this site is important because the Virgin Mary confronted an individual to help contribute to the rapid growth of the Christian faith. After visiting the shrine of Our lady of Banneux I expect to learn about the natural teachings of God. I believe that the pilgrims who visit this site come back as a different person spiritually. I would also hope to strengthen my belief in God without the use of evidence but with the use of my faith.
Here is a map of Banneux, Belgium.
