Brief History of Our Lady of Laus

Our Lady of Laus is a title given to the Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church based on an alleged series of apparitions that took place in France in the 17th century. The apparitions occurred in a small mountainous region near the town of Laus, which is located in the southeastern part of the country.
The story of Our Lady of Laus begins in 1664 when a young shepherdess named Benoite Rencurel claimed to have seen a vision of a beautiful lady in a small valley called Laus. The lady identified herself as the Virgin Mary and asked Benoite to pray and do penance for the conversion of sinners. Over the course of several years, Benoite reported additional apparitions in which the Virgin Mary conveyed various messages and instructions.
News of the apparitions quickly spread, and pilgrims began to visit the site seeking spiritual guidance and healing. Many people reported experiencing miracles and conversions as a result of their visits to Laus. The local bishop, Monsignor Jean-Michel de Falco, initially approached the apparitions with caution but eventually came to believe in their authenticity.
In 1665, the bishop established a chapel at the site of the apparitions, and a small community of religious sisters was formed to care for the growing number of pilgrims. The chapel, known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Laus, became a popular destination for Catholics seeking spiritual solace and healing.
The messages and teachings given by the Virgin Mary at Laus emphasized the importance of prayer, penance, and conversion. She also expressed a special concern for priests and urged them to live holy lives and faithfully fulfill their vocation.
The apparitions of Our Lady of Laus were officially recognized by the Catholic Church in 2008 when Pope Benedict XVI authorized the publication of a decree affirming the supernatural character of the events that took place at Laus. Today, the Shrine of Our Lady of Laus continues to attract pilgrims from around the world, and the site is recognized as a place of prayer, reflection, and devotion.
The story of Our Lady of Laus serves as a reminder of the power of faith and the enduring belief in the presence and intercession of the Virgin Mary in the lives of believers.