The Virgin with a Heart of Gold

On the evening of November 29, 1932, five children—fun-loving, mischievous playmates—ranging from the fifteen to nine years of age, were walking towards the railway viaduct in the quiet village of Beauraing, Belgium. Suddenly one of them exclaimed that there was a bright light moving near the viaduct. First they thought it was the lights of a moving car. Very soon, however, they discovered the figure of a lady, and they instantly recognized that this could be nothing less than the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Beauraing.

Nobody cared to believe what the children claimed to have seen. But the next evening they came home with the same story. The villagers laughed at them and their parents got quite angry. The next time the children related with more details that they had seen a lady who was more beautiful than her statues, dressed in pure white, with a crown of golden rays on her head.

On December 2nd the children asked the lady some questions. She, smiling, confirmed that she was the Immaculate Virgin Mary and asked them to “always be good.” As the vision continued, more people came to Beauraing, including police officials, doctors and psychologists.

There were 33 apparitions in all. On December 29th the children said that the Blessed Virgin showed them her heart of gold. The next evening she asked for more prayers. On January 1, 1933, Our Lady of Beauraing reiterated this request and told Fernande, the fifteen year old girl: “If you love my Son and love me, then sacrifice yourself for me.”

The Belgian bishops at the beginning forbade any processions or devotions and started an investigation that was to last for ten years, during which serious objections were brought against the children. Finally, in 1943, a decree was issued by the Bishop of Namur authorizing the cult of Our Lady of Beauraing.

On July 18, 1947, Msgr. Charue personally received papal blessings for the shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Beauraing – the Virgin with a Heart of Gold. This devotion has since taken on new and ever increasing proportions. The final approbation was given on July 2, 1949. The cures of Miss van Laer and Mrs. Acar were declared miraculous by a decree given by Msgr. Charue. Many conversions and graces have been obtained through the intercession of Our Lady of Beauraing. The editor of the Belgian Communist paper, “Le Drapeau Rouge” (The Red Flag), was one of the first to convert to Catholicism at the Shrine of Our Lady of Beauraing.

Adapted from Roman Catholic