GREEN BAY (WLUK) — A woman who reported Marian apparitions in 1859 in Northeast Wisconsin and dedicated her life to teaching children the Catholic faith is beginning her journey to sainthood.
Last month, Bishop David L. Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay issued an official notice, called an Edict, asking anyone with information about Adele Brice to share it with the Diocese. This is a normal and important part of the Catholic Church’s process when studying the life of a person being considered for sainthood.
A woman who reported Marian apparitions in 1859 in Northeast Wisconsin and dedicated her life to teaching children the Catholic faith is beginning her journey to sainthood. (WLUK)
The Edict is posted on the external bulletin board outside the Conference Center entrance at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, located at 139 S. Madison St. in Green Bay, and on the homepage of the Diocese of Green Bay’s website.
“This is the very first investigation into a life of a Catholic Christian living here in Northeastern Wisconsin, who lived and died here, that potentially could be a Canonized Saint. So, it’s very, very exciting for us,” Father John Girotti of the Diocese of Green Bay said.
In June 2024, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops unanimously supported moving Brice’s cause forward. The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, which oversees sainthood causes, gave formal approval this fall for the Diocese of Green Bay to begin a local investigation into Adele’s life, faith and actions.
The process could take years, or even decades.
“If there is a miracle associated with Adele, and that can be proven and demonstrated, then she’ll be called ‘blessed.’ And then, if there are two miracles that are demonstrated through her prayer and intercession, then she will be given the title ‘saint,'” Girotti said.
According to the Diocese, Brice was born in Belgium on Jan. 30, 1831. At age 24, she moved with her family to Wisconsin.
In the fall of 1859, Brice reported seeing the Blessed Virgin Mary three times while walking through the woods in Northeast Wisconsin at what is now the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. During the final appearance, Mary spoke to Brice and instructed her to “Offer her Communion for the conversion of sinners and to “Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.”
For many years, Brice traveled throughout the region, often on foot, teaching children, helping families and preparing young people for their First Holy Communion.
“There has been a growth and interest in Adele, and then just privately, things that I have heard from people who say, ‘Hey, I think Adele prayed or interceded for me in heaven,'” Shrine of Our Lady of Champion Rector Father Anthony Stephens said.
Her life included moments many believe show God’s protection, especially during the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871, when the small wooden chapel built on the site of the apparitions was spared from destruction.
Later, Brice and several others opened a small school on the same grounds, where they cared for children and taught the Catholic faith. Adele lived a quiet life of service until her death in 1896. Her gravestone reads, “Sacred Cross, under thy shadow I rest and hope.”
A woman who reported Marian apparitions in 1859 in Northeast Wisconsin and dedicated her life teaching children the Catholic faith is beginning her journey to sainthood. Courtesy: The Shrine of Our Lady of Champion.
Visitors at the Shrine Monday said they couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of sainthood.
“God had chosen Adele for Mary to appear to her. So, I think for the world to kind of see that is a really cool witness,” Laura Freimuth said.
“It’s just so cool that we have a Saint in Wisconsin, and she was here and she founded this, and that we can take her example and use it for our own lives,” Grace Vandersteen said.
Once the Diocese has gathered information on Adele, everything will be sent to Rome for the next phase of the canonization process.