Our Lady of Laus

A series of articles on Roman Catholic Mariology
General articles Overview of Mariology • Veneration of Virgin Mary • History of Mariology
Key Marian apparitions (approved or worthy of belief) Guadalupe • Miraculous Medal • La Salette • Lourdes • Pontmain • Laus • Banneux • Beauraing • Fátima • Akita
Expressions of devotion Art • Music • Architecture
Specific articles Apparitions • Saints • Popes • Dogmas and Doctrines • Movements & Societies

The apparitions of Our Lady of Laus between 1664 and 1718 in Saint-Étienne-le-Laus, France by Benoite Rencurel, a young shepherdess, are the first Marian apparitions to be approved in the 21st century by the Catholic Church.

According to Father Salvatore M. Perrella of the Marianum Pontifical Institute in Rome, this is the 12th Marian apparition approved by the Church from a total of 295 that have been studied through the centuries.^[1][2]

The apparitions were recognized by the local Catholic bishop on September 18, 1665, and the construction of a church for pilgrims was approved. Formal approval came from the bishop of Gap, France on May 5, 2008.^[1][3] Currently, the site where the apparitions took place receives more than 120,000 pilgrims a year.

The municipality of Notre-Dame-du-Laus, Quebec, Canada, was named after these apparitions.^[4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Vatican recognizes Marian apparitions in France". Catholic News Agency. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican_recognizes_marian_apparitions_in_france/. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
2. ^ "Expert explains Church’s criteria for confirming Marian apparitions". Catholic News Agency. 8 May 2008. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=12588. Retrieved 22 February 2010. 
3. ^ Paul Likoudis. "Our Lady of Laus Now On a Par with Lourdes". Catholic World News (republished from The Wanderer). http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=8296. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
4. ^ "Notre-Dame-du-Laus (Municipalité)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/topos/carto.asp?Speci=44882. Retrieved 2009-08-13. 

External links

• Sanctuary of Laus — Official Website
• The apparitions of Our Lady of Laus