Our Lady of Happy Meetings

Location: Le Laus, France
Date:  1664

Summary:
At the time of the apparition, Benoite (Benedicta) Rencurel was a poor shepherd girl, tending two flocks at the same time to make extra money for her family, suffering from the recent loss of her father.  While tending the sheep, Benedicta was told to take her flock to the valley above Saint-Étienne. She did as she was told and the Blessed Mother appeared to her, standing on a rock and holding a baby.  Benedicta’s first reaction was to cry out to her, “Beautiful Lady!  What are you doing up there? Do you want to eat with me?” Mary didn’t respond, but smiled.  Benedicta then asked for the child, explaining he would make them very happy.  Again, Mary didn’t verbally respond.  For the next four months, Mary appeared to Benedicta, preparing her for her mission.  Mary asked for a house for priests to be built.  She wanted to draw people to greater conversion, especially through penance.  Later in life, Benedicta became a Dominican Tertiary and eventually received the Holy Stigmata every week for fifteen years. 

Interesting Facts:
-In 1665, the apparition was approved only when a healing miracle convinced the skeptical Vicar General..
-Because of political actions of the local clergy, Benedicta was kept under house arrest for fifteen years, only being allowed to leave for Sunday Mass.  An angel appeared to her during this time, explaining that there would be conflict for some time.
-Benedicta died three days after Christmas in 1718.
-In 1872, Benedicta was declared a “Servant of God” by Bl. Pope Pius IX.
-Pope Saint John Paul II re-opened her beatification process in 1981.
-In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed her as “Venerable.”

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