Bishop Ricken may confirm Robinsonville apparitions Dec 8

The scheduled appearance of Bishop David L. Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin, at a shrine that commemorates a reputed apparition has raised speculation that the alleged phenomenon may have been elevated a further step in the approval process, or may even meet with formal approbation.

So far, there is no firm information on what the bishop has decided, what he will proclaim, or why he will be at the shrine on that particular day.

The bishop is set to celebrate Mass on December 8 at the chapel in Robinsonville where -- in 1859 -- a third-order religious named Adèle Brisé reported three apparitions of the Blessed Mother, who gave Adèle the mission of teaching the catechism to the young and warned of a coming chastisement. The final apparition was on October 9. Twelve years later -- to the week -- a horrific wildfire destroyed tens of thousands of acres, sparing only the spot of the apparition when it swept to that locale northeast of Green Bay.

The matter has been under study by a special diocesan commission and according to sources that investigation is winding toward a conclusion. We ask prayers for this shrine and event.

While he makes an annual appearance there on August 15, the Mass comes not only in December -- on another great Marian feast day, the Immaculate Conception -- but is closed to the general public (invitation-only for 260, which is all the chapel there can accommodate, though the grounds themselves will be open).

The fact that no apparition has ever been fully approved in the more than 234-year history of the United States has often baffled observers in light of the hundreds approved in Europe, especially France, Spain, Italy, and Germany. Dozens more have met with approval in other nations. Canada also is without a formal pastoral letter for a Marian appearance. Mexico has a number of approved sites, the most famous of which is Guadalupe near Mexico City. 

The rest from Spirit Daily

As I already mentioned, Bishop Ricken WILL CONFIRM the apparitions.  I have heard he has been looking for an opportune time in December or January.  It looks like this might just be it. 

The next step might be to pursue the cause of sainthood for Sister Adèle Brisé who was the seer of the three apparitions. 

I also heard that in the 1930s the Shrine would get crowds of 10-20 thousand on the anniversary of the apparitions.  It's time us Sconnie's renew that tradition.