Seeking Sainthood: The Life and Legacy of Adele Brice in the Diocese of Green Bay
A formal inquiry has been initiated in the Diocese of Green Bay regarding Adele Brice, a Belgian-American immigrant woman who encountered three apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 19th century. Bishop David L. Ricken has called for public input on Brice's life as a preliminary step towards a potential canonization process. Brice dedicated herself to teaching the Catholic faith to local children following the apparitions in 1859, and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion now stands at the site of these events. The diocese is accepting stories and experiences about Brice until January 30 to gather information for the sainthood cause.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops authorized Bishop Ricken to open the sainthood cause for Brice in June 2024, and the Vatican approved the cause to proceed in November 2025. Adele Brice, born in Belgium in 1831, immigrated to the U.S. with her family and settled in Northeastern Wisconsin in 1855. Father John Girotti, the diocesan vicar general, highlighted the rich history and stories surrounding Brice in the area. The shrine is currently leading the sainthood process, with Father Girotti set to become the episcopal delegate of the cause on January 30, marking the beginning of the formal investigation into Brice's life.
Brice's encounters with the Blessed Virgin Mary led her to dedicate her life to teaching children the Catholic faith, and she established a school at the site of the apparitions. The shrine has become a place of prayer and pilgrimage, with many sharing stories of answered prayers and miracles attributed to Brice. The annual "Miracle of the Fire" event commemorates the Peshtigo Fire of 1871, during which the school and chapel were spared from destruction. The diocese and the shrine are seeking personal accounts, experiences, and potential miracles related to Adele Brice to support her cause for sainthood.
Father Girotti expressed optimism about the progress of Brice's cause, noting the increasing footprints near her grave as a symbolic sign of her potential sanctity. After years of observation and devotion to Brice's legacy, the community anticipates referring to her as a "Servant of God" following a positive outcome from the public inquiry in January. Adele Brice passed away in 1896 and is buried near the chapel, where her grave serves as a focal point for prayer and reflection. The ongoing interest and reverence for Brice's life and spiritual impact suggest a growing recognition of her potential saintly status.