Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Banneux

On 15 January 1933, Mariette Beco was waiting for her younger brother to return home when she suddenly saw a radiant Lady standing in the garden outside their small house. Her mother also caught sight of the figure. The Lady beckoned Mariette to come outside, but Mrs. Beco, frightened, quickly locked the door.

On 18 January, after twenty minutes of silent prayer, the Lady appeared again and guided Mariette toward the spring, moving backwards while keeping her eyes fixed on the child. Mariette fell to her knees three times to pray with her. At the spring, the Lady told her, “Put your hands in the water. This spring is reserved for me. Good evening. Goodbye.”

The next evening, 19 January, the Lady revealed a new title for herself, saying, “I am the Virgin of the Poor.” When Mariette wondered whether the spring was meant only for her, Mary smiled gently and explained, “This spring is for all nations… for the sick. I will pray for you. Goodbye.”

On 20 January, Mariette asked, “What do you want, Beautiful Lady?” Mary replied, “I would like a little chapel.” She blessed the child, who then fainted. Alarmed, her father carried her home, where she soon recovered and fell quietly asleep.

For the next three weeks, the Virgin did not return, yet Mariette continued to go outside every evening to pray. Although she had previously had little religious formation, she prayed with remarkable devotion, sometimes reciting as many as seven rosaries in one night.

On 11 February 1933, to Mariette’s great joy, the Virgin of the Poor appeared again and entrusted the heart of her message: “I come to relieve suffering.” This date coincided with the 75th anniversary of the first apparition at Lourdes, a day later designated by Pope John Paul II as the World Day of Prayer for the Sick.

On 15 February, following the request of Father Louis Jamin, Mariette asked the Virgin for a sign. Mary answered, “Believe in me, I will believe in you. Pray hard. Goodbye.” This moment deeply moved Father Jamin, resolving his spiritual struggles and transforming him into one of the most devoted supporters of Mariette and the message of the Virgin of the Poor.

A brief apparition followed on 20 February, during which Mary urged her, “My dear child, pray hard. Goodbye.”

Finally, on 2 March 1933, the Lady appeared for the last time. She said, “I am the Mother of the Saviour, the Mother of God… Pray hard. Farewell.” Then she placed her hands over Mariette in a gesture of blessing.