Our Lady of the Laus

1664: The Visions of a Teenage Shepherdess 

Mary appeared in the small Alpine village of Laus in the month of May, 1664.  While tending her sheep & praying the Rosary, a 17 year old shepherdess Benôite Rencurel first beheld a lady in dazzling white, carrying a child. When she naively invited the Lady to share her hard bread, the Lady ‘smiled silently & disappeared into a cave.’ 

For the next few months, the Lady appeared to Benôite each day. The Lady's message was to ‘pray continuously for sinners.’ She revealed her name as ‘Mary — Reconciler & Refuge of Sinners.’ She instructed Benôite to go to the ancient Chapel of Notre Dame de Bon Recontre (‘Our Lady of Good Encounter’) where a sweet perfume would be emanating from the oil in the sanctuary lamp. This oil, the Lady said, would work miracles for those who received the anointing with faith. 

In 1665, Benôite's diocese recognized her apparitions. Construction of a small chapel was begun for Eucharistic Adoration & to receive penitents. Four years later, Benôite began seeing apparitions of the Suffering Christ; for 10 years the visions told her that she'd become a victim soul participating in his Passion.  For 2 decades following, she suffered various illnesses.  She died at 71, continually visited by Our Lady.  

In May of 2008, the Holy See announced its official recognition of the apparitions. The shrine at Laus is under the care of the Community of St. John, who are dedicated to the Sacrament of Confession. For anyone who wishes, healing oil is available from the sanctuary lamp for a small offering via the Sanctuary website.  A cause for sainthood has been opened for Benôite.