More Miracles in Wisconsin…

My previous post concerned the visions occurring in 1859 at the location that has become the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Hope, located one mile east of the town of Champion, WI. Many healings and miracles are reported to have occurred at the site of this vision.

About 17 miles northeast of Green Bay, the grounds now consist of the chapel, rebuilt and enlarged again in 1942, as well as the convent, school, gift shop and  an area know as “the crypt.” It is in the crypt area that a small altar is located, upon which a statue of Mary is situated. This is the exact location of the two trees between which Mary appeared. Also in the crypt is a statue of the Virgin Mary holding the body of the lifeless Jesus encased in glass. Behind the statue are numerous crutches, braces and canes visitors have left at the shrine, no longer needed.

Some of the more common reports include:

–In 1954 a gentleman wearing a hearing aid participated in a procession of persons saying a rosary on the Feast of the Assumption. About halfway around the procession road, the gentleman removed his hearing aid and replied, “Thank you and thank God! I can now hear!”

–A mother brought her blind child to the Chapel for a novena. During the prayers, the blind child shouted his mother’s name, pointed in several directions and cried out, “Mama, look! Mama, look, look!” The child could see.

–A five year old child, niece of two of the sisters at the Chapel, was kicked in the face by a horse. When the mother saw the lime bleeding body of her daughter, she immediately promised to make a 12-mile pilgrimage on foot to the Chapel. Immediately afterward, the bleeding stopped. After late examination, the child suffered no internal injuries or physical aftereffects.

–Nine year old Michel LaFond fell from a barn, leaving him crippled. Four years later, nine women made a novena to the Chapel with Michael. After the third visit, Michael was cured, leaving his crutches behind at the Chapel.

–A girl of three had an open sore that had received medical treatment for a long time. After making a novena at the Chapel, the wound closed.

–A five year old boy could not walk. His mother promised to visit the Chapel, which was 16 miles from her home. She made the pilgrimage on foot. She took the boy by the hand upon her return and told him to walk. He could walk from that moment.

These are just a few of the examples of cures attributed to the Shrine. There are many others. In fact, the Church is collecting examples of healing and asks that anyone so assisted please let them know the details of their experience.

When we visited the Shrine on December 10^th, 2011, we spoke with a woman in the gift shop who indicated that they received many requests for prayers on behalf of the Green Bay Packers in the quest to win another Super Bowl. When we laughed, she added that the Packers had not lost a home football game since December 8, 2010, the day the shrine had been officially recognized by the Church, a total of 18 straight wins on their home turf, a mere 17 miles from the shrine. As I write this, they are beating the Oakland Raiders,  46-8 in the middle of the Fourth Quarter. It looks like Game 19 is in the bag; also making the Packers 13 and 0 for this year overall. Something to think about…

As we were leaving the shrine that day, we were treated to most beautiful and spectacular sunset that either Terry or I had ever seen. It was visible for miles, most of our 50 mile trip home. It almost seemed like a sign of good things to come.

Into every life, a little hope must fall. It is my hope that this post has helped share a little hope in your life. All is possible if you only believe! It is the time of year for miracles, after all. Merry Christmas to all of you and to your families!

More information about the Shrine may be found at www.shrineofourladyofgoodhelp.com. Read more about Wisconsin campgrounds and things to do in Wisconsin.