October 9th

Devotion to Our Lady of Champion has spread across the country. Below are some ways we celebrate. Technically, the Feast of Our Lady of Champion is only recognized locally with a Solemn High Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. (It is not on any church calendars yet, but we SHOULD pray that the Vatican moves to add it soon!) The shrine celebrates the anniversary of the 3rd apparition of Our Lady to Adele Brise AND the Miracle of the Fire on Oct. 9. Both happened on the same day 12 years apart (1859 & 1871).

How can you celebrate with your family?

Food

Belgian Waffles
We eat Belgian waffles made in a waffle maker. If you don’t have time for that, buy Egos or Belgian waffle cookies. Belgian waffles have deeper pockets and a larger size than other waffles. Waffles have been around for centuries, but the Belgian waffle became popular in America when it was sold at the 1962 Seattle World’s fair and, two years later, the New York World’s Fair. Cover your waffles with whipped cream, confectioners’ sugar, chocolate spread, syrup, or butter. They may also be served with vanilla ice cream and fresh fruit (such as strawberries, which is how they were served at the World’s Fairs).

Belgian Pie
You could try baking a rice pie with this or this recipe. This pie has such a strong tie to the past that descendants of Belgian settlers in Wisconsin offer classes on how to bake it to perfection!

Activities & Devotions

Pray:
Pray the Our Lady of Champion novena prayer or litany.

Color:
Download the free coloring page above or an ENTIRE coloring book on the left. Buy shiny star stickers and place them around Mary’s head.

Make a procession:
Do a rosary procession like the settlers during the great Peshtigo Fire in 1871 when their prayers to Our Lady saved them. Pray the rosary. Sing a hymn. Let the children carry a (small) statue of Our Lady in imitation of the settlers. For younger children, you can do one decade focusing on a Glorious Mystery — the Crowning of Our Lady as Queen of Heaven (Our Lady of Champion introduced herself to Adele Brise as “The Queen of Heaven”).

Host a party:
For another activity directly tied to Wisconsin Belgians, you could host your own Kermis. Wisconsin Belgians held a kermis as far back as 1858, but this festival of feasting, dancing, and sports goes back hundreds of years in many parts of Europe. In some Wisconsin towns, the tradition remains to this day. Kermis was often celebrated in remembrance of the founding of a church or to honor a patron. The Belgians in Wisconsin held their kermis to celebrate the harvest season. Foods at the Kermis include hearty chicken soup, trippe (sausage stuffed with cabbage and Belgian spices), jutt (fried cabbage), tortes, or Belgian pie.

Have a bonfire:
- tell the story of Our Lady of Champion
- tell heroic tales or survivor stories from the Peshtigo Fire (look online)
- pray for the conversion of unbelievers in your lives
- pray for the souls of lost settlers and all who have suffered during natural disasters
- eat s’mores with Belgian chocolate

All Things Yellow

Our Lady’s color is traditionally blue, but in this apparition, she wore a yellow sash and had blond hair. So, wear as much yellow as you can! Yellow ribbons in your hair. Yellow t-shirt. Yellow dress. Yellow nail polish. Yellow decorations.