Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This past Sunday, through the invitation of Bishop David Ricken, Bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin, I had the privilege of offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, Wisconsin. This was the anniversary of the Peshtigo fire on October 8, 1871.
 
Many would be surprised to realize that the Peshtigo fire was more devastating than the great Chicago fire, attributed to Mrs. O'Leary’s cow. The fires occurred on the same day, but the Peshtigo fire claimed between 1,500 to 2,500 lives – many more than the Chicago fire that claimed 300 lives. It was here in Peshtigo that a miracle took place. 
 
In October of 1859, Sr. Adele Brise had a vision of the Blessed Mother, who issued a warning: “If they do not convert and do penance, my Son will be obliged to punish them.” When the fire started some 12 years later, people sought refuge in the Church, which they considered a sacred place. People prayed the rosary, and hours later the rain came and put the fire out. What was remarkable was the fact that the convent, school, chapel and the five acres of the grounds surrounded by a fence that was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary remained unharmed; the surrounding territory was devastated.
 
Interestingly, the only animals that survived the fire were those brought to the grounds dedicated to Mary. I was informed that during the intense heat from the fire, the fence was burned only on the outside. The portion of the fence facing the dedicated land to Mary remained untouched.
 
Early on these grounds, especially the chapel, became a sacred place, one in which prayers were offered for Mary’s intercession before her Son. Miracles were attributed by those praying in the Chapel but of course not all miracles were verified. I have often said that God is constantly granting miracles through Mary and the saints. For those of no faith, no proof is sufficient. But for those of faith, no proof is needed.
 
This shrine is attracting national attention. As I greeted people after Mass, they told me they were from all over the State of Wisconsin; Chicago, Illinois; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Denver, Colorado; and other regions.
 
Bishop Ricken’s support in establishing the Shrine of Our of Our Lady of Champion and his efforts in authenticating the apparition of Our Lady to Sr. Adele Brise is a gift not only to the Diocese of Green Bay and to Catholics in the State of Wisconsin, but to all Catholics throughout the United States. I hope to lead a pilgrimage from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to the Shrine in the spring. I encourage all Catholics to make a personal pilgrimage demonstrating your love for Our Lady.
  
I reminded those in the congregation at the shrine of the last words of Mary recorded in Sacred Scripture at the Wedding feast of Cana. Mary implores her Son to dispel the anxiety of the wedding party at the loss of wine. It seems that Jesus dismisses her request, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” Mary does not respond to Jesus. Instead, she tells the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2: 4-5) Those words were meant not only for the servants but for all of us who seek Mary’s assistance.
 
I told the congregation that when the fires come – the fires of a godless society, the fires of the disregard for the sanctity of life, the fires of selfishness – I beg Mary to open the gate of the land dedicated to her. May we stand with those following her words, trying to do whatever He tells us, especially to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the Oct. 10, 2023, "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.