The Blog

As Christians, we also recognize that Easter is not only a date on the calendar. It is God’s act of re-creation in Christ. The Church proclaims Easter as “the feast of the new creation,” where Jesus rises and draws all of us into new light and indestructible life.

The next stages include gathering stories “that have been passed down . . . by Adele or about Adele,” as explained by the Very Reverend John Girotti, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Green Bay, in a press conference. He emphasized the oral tradition as a “very real thing” in Northern Wisconsin, the largest Belgian settlement in the United States. Adele herself could neither read nor write, and the Shrine describes the accounts of her life and visions that have been passed down through generations as a “constant testimony of the Christian faithful since Our Lady’s appearance to Adele.” “From a theological standpoint, a picture will be painted of her life,” said Fr. Girotti. “All of this will help in the discernment, whether we can go to the next step.” 

On Tuesday, the Vatican released an important doctrinal note about Marian titles that has generated commentary across Catholic media outlets and boisterous conversation on X, Substack, and the like. Mater Populi Fidelis (Mother of the Faithful People) clarifies that Mary’s role in salvation does not need enhancement through titles that might suggest she shares in Christ’s work of redemption—specifically “Co-Redemptrix” and “Mediatrix.”

As you can tell, Peter’s life was not an easy one. When World War II started, Japan extended their reach and occupied Papua New Guinea. Their first act was to imprison all the missionaries. The priests and nuns were rounded up and Peter and the other lay catechists were the only ones left to keep the faith of the local people alive.

And they did just that.

Maria entered the Salesian order in her early twenties, desiring to do something dramatic for God. She wanted to travel to far places, bring Christ to the ends of the world, and minister to lepers. The first World War broke out, however, and her plans were put on pause. She was trained as a Red Cross nurse and ministered to soldiers on the front lines.